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Route 66 Section 1: Chicago to St. Louis

Kick off your Mother Road adventure from Chicago to St. Louis with small-town stops, classic roadside kitsch, and KOA campgrounds along the way.
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Trip Length
5 days, 5 nights
Route Distance
300 mi
Stops
5
This first section of Route 66 packs big-city energy, nostalgic roadside icons, and relaxed KOA overnights into a short, easy-to-drive getaway. Start in Chicago with skyline views and deep-dish pizza, then follow Historic Route 66 through Illinois’ small towns, Lincoln history in Springfield, and quirky attractions before rolling into St. Louis and the Gateway Arch.

AdventureGenie, KOA, and Open Roads have partnered to bring travelers a special collection of Americana Road Trips, highlighted by the Route 66 Centennial celebration.

This series features six curated Route 66 segments that can be enjoyed individually for shorter adventures or combined into one unforgettable cross-country journey along the Mother Road.

In addition, the collaboration includes trips centered around six featured cities and the stories that shaped America, honoring our nation’s Semiquincentennial — 250 Years of American History.

Whether you're exploring iconic roadside stops, rediscovering America’s culture, or planning the ultimate long-haul adventure, this partnership makes it easier than ever to travel confidently, comfortably, and creatively.

Who Will Love This Trip
  • Travelers dreaming of a classic Route 66 road trip but wanting a shorter, easier first section.
  • RVers who love mixing big-city sights with relaxed nights at KOA campgrounds.
  • History buffs interested in Abraham Lincoln, vintage Americana, and the evolution of the "Mother Road."
  • Families and couples who enjoy roadside photo ops, small-town diners, and low-mileage driving days.
Routing Information

For a true historic Route 66 experience, follow the signed Scenic/Historic Route 66 alignments whenever possible. For faster or easier travel (especially with larger RVs), I‑55 parallels much of the route.

Trip Tips

Plan extra time in Chicago and St. Louis if you love museums, food, and city exploring – they’re natural add-on days at either end of the route.

Historic Route 66 is well signed in many stretches, but cell service can be spotty on older alignments — consider downloading offline maps before you go.

If you want a deeper immersion into Route 66 history, add a detour to Pontiac, IL to visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum.

Book KOA campgrounds ahead of time — summer weekends along Route 66 fill up fast, especially near major cities.

Resources
KOA Blog: Route 66 Section 1 – Chicago to St. Louis
KOA: 20 Things You Have to See on Route 66
KOA: The Ultimate Guide to Route 66
Table of Contents
Stop 1: Chicago, IL
2 day, 2 night stay
Description - Chicago
Start your Route 66 adventure in Chicago, where skyscrapers, waterfront parks, and world-class museums meet classic Midwestern hospitality. Snap a photo at the official Route 66 Begin sign, then enjoy iconic city sights before heading southwest.
Top Things to Do - Chicago
Visit the Begin Historic Route 66 sign at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue — Look up at the corner of East Adams Street and South Michigan Avenue to find the official “BEGIN” sign for the historic roadway. It’s covered in traveler stickers and sits in a busy, high-traffic area, so plan for a quick photo or park nearby.
See Millennium Park and Cloud Gate ("The Bean")
Walk Navy Pier and the Lake Michigan waterfront
Take a Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Try Al’s Beef for an iconic Italian beef sandwich
Chicago, IL Activities
  • City walking and sightseeing
  • Architecture and skyline viewing
  • Museums and cultural attractions
  • Iconic Chicago food stops
RV Campgrounds Near Chicago, IL
  • Kankakee South KOA Holiday
Resources
Choose Chicago – Official Visitor Guide
Kankakee South KOA Holiday
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Stop 2: Joliet & Wilmington, IL
1 day, 1 night stay
Description - Joliet & Wilmington
Ease out of the city and into classic Route 66 roadside Americana with photo ops, local history, and legendary eats.
Top Things to Do - Joliet & Wilmington
Explore downtown Joliet’s Route 66 murals and historic buildings
See the Gemini Giant in Wilmington — A classic Route 66 Muffler Man: a 30-foot fiberglass giant bought in 1965, later re-themed with a shiny helmet and rocket when the nearby restaurant became the “Launching Pad.” After changing hands for years, the statue was separated from the restaurant in 2024 and installed in a new home on Wilmington’s South Island.
Dine at Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, a legendary Route 66 roadside restaurant
Joliet & Wilmington, IL Activities
  • Roadside photo stops
  • Route 66 history and murals
  • Classic Route 66 restaurant stop
RV Campgrounds Near Joliet & Wilmington, IL
  • Kankakee South KOA Holiday
Resources
Kankakee South KOA Holiday
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway
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Stop 3: Pontiac, IL (optional detour)
0.5 day, 0 night stay
Description - Pontiac
A short detour packed with Route 66 history, murals, and classic Americana.
Top Things to Do - Pontiac
Visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum
Photograph the giant Route 66 shield mural
Browse local Route 66 memorabilia and vintage signs
Pontiac, IL (optional detour) Activities
  • Route 66 history museum visit
  • Photo ops and memorabilia browsing
RV Campgrounds Near Pontiac, IL (optional detour)
  • Kankakee South KOA Holiday
Resources
Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum
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Stop 4: Atlanta & Springfield, IL
1 day, 1 night stay
Description - Atlanta & Springfield
A blend of quirky Route 66 charm and powerful American history, from small-town murals to Lincoln landmarks.
Top Things to Do - Atlanta & Springfield
Explore murals and retro Route 66 signs in Atlanta — The town leans into its Route 66 identity ("Very small. Very friendly. Very Route 66.") with a historic clock tower, the Route 66 Arcade Museum, a smiley-face water tower, and multiple murals created with local residents. It’s also packed with rescued-and-restored iconic statues, including a famous 19-foot hot-dog-holding Muffler Man.
Visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
Eat at Cozy Dog Drive In for a classic Route 66 meal
See restored neon signs and classic diners in Springfield
Atlanta & Springfield, IL Activities
  • Historic site tours
  • Museums and interpretive centers
  • Route 66 food stop
  • Scenic drives and short walks
RV Campgrounds Near Atlanta & Springfield, IL
  • Springfield KOA Journey
Resources
Springfield KOA Journey
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Stop 5: Collinsville & St. Louis, IL/MO
1 day, 1 night stay

Sanya Kushak - stock.adobe.com

Description - Collinsville & St. Louis
Wrap up Section 1 with roadside Americana and iconic city sights, from a famous ketchup bottle to sweeping views atop the Gateway Arch.
Top Things to Do - Collinsville & St. Louis
See the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville — Built in 1949 to serve the Brooks catsup plant (as a water tower), this 70-foot landmark is estimated to hold the equivalent of about 640,000 regular glass catsup bottles if it were functional. It was relocated to Collinsville in the mid-1990s, restored by volunteers, and later added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch — Designed by Eero Saarinen and completed in 1965, the 630-foot-tall Arch anchors Gateway Arch National Park. Visitors can reach the top by tram/elevator or (for the ambitious) via stairs, and the observation area offers views for miles in every direction.
Explore Forest Park (Zoo and Art Museum)
Walk the Mississippi Riverfront and nearby neighborhoods
Collinsville & St. Louis, IL/MO Activities
  • City sightseeing and riverfront walks
  • Iconic monument visit
  • Museums and parks
  • Roadside oddities and photo ops
RV Campgrounds Near Collinsville & St. Louis, IL/MO
  • St. Louis N.E. / I-270 / Granite City KOA Journey

Gerald Zaffuts - stock.adobe.com

Resources
St. Louis N.E. / I-270 / Granite City KOA Journey
Explore St. Louis – Official Visitor Guide
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Itinerary inspired by KOA’s Route 66 travel guides.

Route 66 Section 1: Chicago to St. Louis
Kick off your Mother Road adventure from Chicago to St. Louis with small-town stops, classic roadside kitsch, and KOA campgrounds along the way.
Length
5 days, 5 nights
Distance
300 mi
Stops
5
This first section of Route 66 packs big-city energy, nostalgic roadside icons, and relaxed KOA overnights into a short, easy-to-drive getaway. Start in Chicago with skyline views and deep-dish pizza, then follow Historic Route 66 through Illinois’ small towns, Lincoln history in Springfield, and quirky attractions before rolling into St. Louis and the Gateway Arch.

Who Will Love This Trip

  • Travelers dreaming of a classic Route 66 road trip but wanting a shorter, easier first section.
  • RVers who love mixing big-city sights with relaxed nights at KOA campgrounds.
  • History buffs interested in Abraham Lincoln, vintage Americana, and the evolution of the "Mother Road."
  • Families and couples who enjoy roadside photo ops, small-town diners, and low-mileage driving days.

Routing Information

For a true historic Route 66 experience, follow the signed Scenic/Historic Route 66 alignments whenever possible. For faster or easier travel (especially with larger RVs), I‑55 parallels much of the route.

Table of Contents
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