Cruise Route 66 for a retro road trip this summer – Shaw Local

Claypool has made hundreds of visits along Illinois’ 421-mile Route 66, meeting with small businesses, community and chamber of commerce leaders and soaking up the history of the “Mother Road.”

“If you do it right, you’ll need seven days to see the sights of Route 66 in Illinois,” Claypool said, adding that most will spend two or three days there, but she recommends a week to get the full experience, from roadside murals, historic sites and iconic food.

Most people know Claypool through the IllinoisRoute66.org website, the visitor guide, and now a mobile app that helps travelers plan their stops along Route 66. Claypool enjoys having people share their posts on social media and tell how the website and app have helped them find a map for their route to destinations along Route 66.

The organization serves as a network for businesses and communities along Route 66. Claypool strives to keep its resources up to date, including listing special events such as car shows and festivals or mentioning small businesses such as an antique store, a tire and service center, and campgrounds.

“Our sole purpose is to promote and advance the economic development of Route 66,” Claypool said. “Our job is to provide as much information as possible to travelers.”

Route 66 was established in 1926 and has had multiple routes over the years. The official starting point is across the street from the Art Institute in downtown Chicago, where visitors pose next to the sign announcing the beginning of Route 66. The road passes through 92 communities in Illinois, from larger cities like Chicago and Joliet to smaller rural communities.

With the rise of social media and selfie posting, there has been a renewed interest in Route 66 and capturing historic locations and unique murals with your phone.

The new Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield is a great stop to learn the history and take selfies next to neon signs and more. The permanent exhibit is open year-round and has become a must-see on any road trip adventure.

The exhibit also adds to the Route 66 experience in and around Springfield, added Scott Dahl, executive director of Visit Springfield, the city’s namesake tourism agency and website. Dahl and his staff help visitors explore Springfield every day, so they can learn about the state’s history, learn about President Abraham Lincoln and explore the many sites along the area’s stretch of Route 66.

One of the top spots is Shea’s Garage, which reopened to visitors this spring. Dahl said that after touring the property and snapping some photos, be sure to stop by Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum to see an exhibit of artifacts from the garage, including Bill Shea’s mechanic’s uniform.

Springfield is also home to some of the Route’s iconic eateries, including the Maid Rite Sandwich Shop, which opened in 1924 and bills itself as the first drive-thru restaurant. Another favorite stop for Route 66 visitors is the Cozy Dog Drive In, a family-owned restaurant that introduced diners to the hot dog on a stick, better known today as a corn dog, in 1949. Dahl said in full disclosure that the restaurant is not in the original building and has been relocated from its original location on the road, but that the look and feel of the building retains a historic feel.

“It’s like stepping back in time into Cozy Dog, you feel like you’ve been transported to another era. You walk in and it hasn’t changed much,” Dahl said.

And speaking of iconic, you have to mention the horseshoe, an open-faced Texas Toast sandwich with piles of meat, crispy fries and a cheese sauce. Dahl said restaurants in Springfield are putting their own spin on the dish, and Visit Springfield has a Horseshoe Trail to bring visitors destinations that serve their hometown favorite.

Visitors can watch the start of work this summer to renovate Route 66 for its centennial in 2026. This will include adding more murals created by professional artists.

Before diving into the centennial celebration, Dahl said the Springfield community is excited about the opening of Scheels Sports Park, which will feature eight artificial turf fields for soccer, lacrosse and baseball and a 190,000-square-foot indoor sports dome. The sports park is scheduled to open in 2025 and will draw visitors to the area for youth sports events. With the expected influx of visitors to the area for sporting events, such as tournaments, Dahl said community leaders hope visitors will take time to check out the area’s venues, businesses and restaurants, and use tools such as VisitSpringfield.com and Illinoisroute66.org to map out trips between sporting events.

“The historic sites are very walkable,” Dahl said. “We’re really excited that the park is going to bring people into the entire city.”

To help visitors enjoy their time in Springfield, Dahl says it’s wise to plan more than one day.

“Plan more time,” Dahl said. “There’s a lot to do on Route 66, a lot of ‘Instagrammable’ moments.”