Welcome to Illinois' Route 66 Trail!

Download the Route 66 Trail guide for Illinois.

Route 66 defined a nation, a generation, and an era. As it threaded its way from Chicago to L.A., it left its mark on our nation's history. No other road in our nation symbolizes Americana like the "Mother Road". And Illinois' section leads the way with a wealth of authentic sites and attractions, of history and heritage.

From 1926 to 1977, Route 66 led travelers from Chicago to St. Louis, before being replaced by Interstate 55. Today, a continuous Historic Route 66 route is signed and driven by many. In 2005, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources convened a committee of public and private groups with a new vision of exploring the sights, cities, towns, and rural areas of Route 66 at a slower pace. The long-term plan: develop a Route 66 Trail system of off-road paths and comfortable roads for bicycles, equestrians, hikers, and more. Meanwhile, define an interim route that can be used right away while building the project's momentum. This guide is the product.

Before your trip, be sure to learn more about Route 66-recently awarded "National Scenic Byway" status. More details on Route 66 past and present are available from the Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project (217-525-7980, www.illinoisroute66.org) and the Route 66 Association of Illinois (815-844-4566, www.il66assoc.org).

About The Guide

The Route 66 Trail User's Guide was produced by the League of Illinois Bicyclists (LIB) with the assistance of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and other partners on the Route 66 Trail committee. It is intended to promote touring by bicyclists and others through Illinois' historic Route 66 corridor. Route selection was based on factors including proximity to the historic signed route, availability of off-road trails, roadway "bike-friendliness", accommodations, and points of interest. Wherever possible, routes comfortable for casual adult cyclists and other non-motorized uses were selected. More advanced riders may choose the shortcuts using Historic Route 66 segments with moderate traffic. Over time, the route will change as more off-road trails are built and improvements made to other roads. Check this page for the latest guide.

Using This Guide

This booklet is divided into eight segments averaging 50-55 miles-possibly a day's ride. Each segment includes major attractions; accommodations fairly close to the route; bike repair; emergency contacts; and a detailed north-to-south cue sheet with turns, road names, and mileages. (For south-to-north, see www.bikelib.org/route66). Segment maps list towns with convenience stores (C), sit-down restaurants (S), lodging (L), bike repair (B), and Amtrak* stations (RR). Town inset maps are at the back. Contact local tourism or convention & visitor bureaus for further information. Enjoy!
* Amtrak's Chicago-St. Louis route (and for cyclists, their on-train bike policy) makes possible one-way trips on parts or all of the Route 66 Trail. Stops include Chicago, Joliet, Dwight, Pontiac, Normal, Lincoln, Springfield, Carlinville, and nearby Alton. See www.amtrak.com.

Getting or downloading the Guide

Get the printed guidebook sent to you by calling IDNR at 217-782-3715. The guide is also available as downloads from this website. Choose from one of these PDF files:

1. User Guide booklet - make a handy 8.5" X 5.5" booklet to bring with you to fit in your jersey pocket or mapholder. See the printing instructions below.
2. User Guide segments - print out one segment per sheet of paper.
3. Going from St. Louis to Chicago? The User Guides include north-to-south cue sheets. Click for a south-to-north cue sheet.

To print out the booklet version:

1. Print out pages 1-7.
2. Without rearranging the pages, put them back into your printer in such a way that each sheet's front and back sides are upside-down from each other.
3. Print pages 8-14.
4. Again, without arranging, fold the stack so that the cover is on the outside.
5. Staple the booklet - you're done.

Acknowledgements

LIB would like to thank the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for its financial support of this project, as well as the many other volunteers and officials who helped.