The best American road trip starts right here in Illinois. Get your kicks on Route 66 with the best restaurants, museums, and other amazing attractions sprinkled throughout the land of Lincoln.
Before you hit the road, use this list to plan your trip from north to south.
Route 66 is a historical road that begins in Illinois and passes through six additional states on its way to Santa Monica Pier.
Wikimedia/SPUI
- The Start of Route 66 - E Adams St. Chicago, Illinois
Flickr/Bryan Hayes Your road trip through history begins in downtown Chicago by Lake Michigan.
- Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket - 645 Joliet Rd (Historic Rt 66) Willowbrook, Illinois
Facebook/Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket
Facebook/Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket This historic roadhouse sells American classics and is most famous for its deep fried chicken.
- Sprague Super Service Station - 305 Pine St. Normal, Illinois
Google Maps Built in 1931, this historic, independent gas station now functions as a service station, garage, and restaurant.
- Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum - 110 W. Howard St. Pontiac, Illinois
Wikimedia/IvoShandor Though it once served as both a fire station and city hall, this museum is home to exhibits and artifacts from the early 1900s.
- The World’s Largest Covered Wagon - 1750 5th Street, Route 66 Lincoln, Illinois
Facebook/Logan County Tourism Bureau At 24 feet tall, The Railsplitter Covered Wagon was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. It sits in the front lawn of the Best Western Lincoln Inn and features Abraham Lincoln reading a book.
- Memories: Route 66 Museum - 104 SW Arch St. Atlanta, Illinois
Faceebook/Memories Route 66 Museum Exhibits at this museum depict life on the road with old cars, music, and other memorabilia.
- Fairlane Diner - 300 S Crossing Rd Sherman, Illinois
Facebook/Fairlane Diner
Facebook/Fairlane Diner Featuring decor from the 1950s, this restaurant sits on old Route 66 and serves up classic diner food and ice cream.
- Doc’s Soda Fountain - 133 S 2nd St. Girard, Illinois
Facebook/Doc’s Soda Fountain
Facebook/Doc’s Soda Fountain Opened as a pharmacy, this shop added a soda machine in the 1950s and now serves old-fashioned treats lunch through dinnertime.
- Henry’s Rabbit Ranch - 1107 Historic Old Route 66 Staunton, Illinois
Facebook/Henry’s Rabbit Ranch
Facebook/Henry’s Rabbit Ranch This quirky attraction has brought in travelers from all over the world. Most famous is Big Red, who prefers to spend the day inside.
If you love traveling this great state, check out 10 more incredible Illinois road trips!
Wikimedia/SPUI
Flickr/Bryan Hayes
Your road trip through history begins in downtown Chicago by Lake Michigan.
Facebook/Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket
This historic roadhouse sells American classics and is most famous for its deep fried chicken.
Google Maps
Built in 1931, this historic, independent gas station now functions as a service station, garage, and restaurant.
Wikimedia/IvoShandor
Though it once served as both a fire station and city hall, this museum is home to exhibits and artifacts from the early 1900s.
Facebook/Logan County Tourism Bureau
At 24 feet tall, The Railsplitter Covered Wagon was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. It sits in the front lawn of the Best Western Lincoln Inn and features Abraham Lincoln reading a book.
Faceebook/Memories Route 66 Museum
Exhibits at this museum depict life on the road with old cars, music, and other memorabilia.
Facebook/Fairlane Diner
Featuring decor from the 1950s, this restaurant sits on old Route 66 and serves up classic diner food and ice cream.
Facebook/Doc’s Soda Fountain
Opened as a pharmacy, this shop added a soda machine in the 1950s and now serves old-fashioned treats lunch through dinnertime.
Facebook/Henry’s Rabbit Ranch
This quirky attraction has brought in travelers from all over the world. Most famous is Big Red, who prefers to spend the day inside.
What is your favorite place along Route 66? Tell us about it in the comments.
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