.png)
Day 2: Finally on Route 66
Updated: Oct 7
Today was the day we had been planning for years. After flying into Chicago yesterday, this morning we would finally put tires on Route 66 and begin our journey west.
We started the day at Lou Mitchell's, a Chicago institution that has been feeding hungry travelers for generations. Sitting in a booth over a hot breakfast, it was easy to imagine the countless road trippers who had begun their own adventures from the very same spot. The anticipation that had been building for years suddenly felt real.
After breakfast, we picked up our rental car and officially became Route 66 travelers. With our luggage stowed, cameras ready, and road-trip playlist queued up, we headed west out of downtown Chicago in search of the Mother Road.
One of our first stops was the Castle Car Wash on Ogden Avenue. Originally built in 1925 as the John J. Murphy Filling Station, the distinctive structure stands as a reminder of an era when even gas stations were designed to make an impression.
From there, we followed historic Route 66 through Cicero, spotting vintage signs and roadside Americana that offered an early glimpse of the treasures waiting farther down the road.
In Lyons, we stopped to admire Hofmann Tower, an eccentric stone landmark built in 1908 to attract visitors to a nearby amusement park. It was our first indication that Route 66 has always been about more than transportation. It's a highway stitched together by stories, ambitions, and wonderfully unusual attractions.
By the time we reached Joliet, Route 66 was beginning to feel less like a dream and more like reality.
The Route 66 Welcome Center gave us a chance to stretch our legs and dive into the history of the highway.
Nearby, the beautifully restored Rialto Square Theatre showcased the grandeur that once welcomed travelers passing through America's small cities.
We also stopped for photos with the Blues Brothers statues—because some opportunities are simply too good to pass up.
Further south, we encountered one of Route 66's most recognizable icons: the Gemini Giant in Wilmington. Standing watch beside the highway, the towering Muffler Man has greeted travelers for decades and perfectly captures the playful spirit that makes Route 66 so memorable.
The next stop called for another classic Route 66 experience at the Polka Dot Drive-In in Braidwood. Between the retro atmosphere, colorful decorations, and unmistakable roadside charm, it felt as though we had stepped directly into a vintage postcard.
As the miles rolled by, we visited beautifully restored service stations in Dwight, Odell, and Normal, each preserving a small but important piece of America's automotive heritage.
Near Cayuga, we passed the famous Meramec Caverns barn advertisement, one of the few surviving examples of the painted roadside ads that once lined highways across the nation.
One of the day's highlights was Pontiac, a community that embraces its Route 66 heritage unlike anywhere else. Between the vibrant murals, fascinating museums, and Centennial Plaza, the entire town seemed dedicated to preserving the spirit of the Mother Road.
The journey continued through Towanda, home of the infamous Dead Man's Curve, and through a string of small Illinois towns that have welcomed travelers for nearly a century.
In Atlanta, we stopped to see the giant Paul Bunyon hot dog statue, one of the most recognizable roadside icons on Route 66. Just a short distance away, we visited the American Giants Museum, dedicated to preserving the massive fiberglass figures known as Muffler Men and other roadside giants that once stood proudly along highways across America. Seeing several of these larger-than-life creations up close offered a fascinating look into the craftsmanship and advertising ingenuity that helped define the golden age of roadside travel. Together, the museum and Paul Bunyon served as a reminder that Route 66 isn't just preserving history—it's actively preserving the quirky Americana that makes the road so unforgettable.
From Atlanta, we continued to Lincoln, where the World's Largest Covered Wagon and oversized Abraham Lincoln statue reminded us that along Route 66, bigger has often been better.
By late afternoon, we arrived in Springfield, a city forever linked to Abraham Lincoln. Visiting Lincoln's Tomb and exploring the historic district provided a fascinating contrast to the roadside attractions that had filled much of our day. The history runs deep here, and it felt fitting that our first night on Route 66 would end in the city where Lincoln built so much of his life and legacy.
For dinner, we headed to Motorheads, where vintage cars, glowing neon, and fellow Route 66 enthusiasts created the perfect atmosphere for our first evening on the road.
We ended the day with a walk through the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds before checking into the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel.
As we settled in for the night—and enjoyed our DoubleTree cookies—we reflected on everything we had seen.
Giant statues. Historic theaters. Vintage gas stations. Classic diners. Miles of two-lane highway.
In just one day, Route 66 had transformed from a line on a map into something tangible and alive.
Comments