Illinois Historic Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary
Experience the unique beauty of the Illinois Historic Route 66 Road Trip! Starting in Chicago, this 548 km journey ends in St. Louis, taking in the towns of Bloomington and Springfield along the way. This four-day road trip is perfect for any time of the year, but the best time to go is during the summer months. The route passes several UNESCO Heritage Monuments, and the overall road conditions are good. This trip provides a high level of experience, with plenty of memories to be made. It's suitable for all drivers, and can be done on a moderate budget. Make sure to plan your Illinois Historic Route 66 Road Trip today!
4
number of days
548 km
route length
fair
budget
family
good for
on the right
traffic direction
low
accident level
START
Chicago
Distance 548 km
Driving time 7.3 h
Pace: fast
164.5 kWh
Airports
ORD
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Chicago, located in the state of Illinois, United States, is an ideal starting point for the "Illinois Historic Route 66 Road Trip". The city offers many fascinating places for travelers to visit, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, and the Field Museum of Natural History. For those seeking outdoor activities, there is the Lincoln Park Zoo, Maggie Daley Park, and the Millennium Park.
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD) is the largest airport in the United States and is served by many major airlines. Car rentals are available at the airport, making it easy to get on the highway and start your road trip.
Heading out of Chicago on Route 66, travelers can explore the historic Route 66 Drive-In Theater, the Chain of Rocks Bridge, and the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle. Further along the route, travelers can explore the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site.
Chicago is a great starting point for any road trip, especially the "Illinois Historic Route 66 Road Trip". It is a great city to visit and explore, and its convenient airport makes it easy to begin your journey.
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Chicago
- Bloomington
Distance 255 km
Driving time 3.3 h
Pace: fast
76.5 kWh
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Itinerary
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Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable road trip from Chicago to Bloomington? This 158-mile journey, taking less than four hours, will take you through the charming town of Odell, where you can explore the historical sites, picturesque landscapes, and unique attractions.
Start your journey in Chicago, the city of broad shoulders, and take a stroll along the lakefront. Enjoy the view of the iconic skyline and take a selfie with the Cloud Gate sculpture.
Head to Odell, a small town with a rich history. Take a stroll through the old downtown and visit the historic sites. Enjoy the beautiful views of the countryside and the scenic nature trails.
Continue your journey to Bloomington, a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage. Visit the downtown area and explore the unique shops, restaurants, and galleries. Take a walk around the historic courthouse and admire the beautiful architecture.
This is just a small taste of what this amazing road trip has to offer. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the “Itinerary” of this stage. So buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable journey!
Bloomington - United States - North America - Road Trip - Wikimedia Commons
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2
Bloomington
- Springfield
Distance 118 km
Driving time 1.6 h
Pace: fast
35.5 kWh
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Itinerary
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Start your road trip from Bloomington and let the exploration begin! Get ready for a 74mi journey through the charming cities of Lincoln and Springfield in less than 2 hours.
First, you'll come across the charming town of Lincoln. Here, you can explore the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts that tell the story of America's 16th President. You can also take a stroll through the Lincoln Park, which features a variety of monuments and sculptures dedicated to Lincoln's legacy.
Next, you'll reach the city of Springfield, home of the historic Lincoln Home National Historic Site. This site was the home of the Lincoln family from 1844 to 1861 and features a variety of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the family's life. You can also visit the Old State Capitol State Historic Site to learn more about the history of the state.
As you explore these two cities, make sure to take in the sights and sounds of the local culture. There are plenty of historical sites to visit and plenty of interesting places to explore.
For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!
Springfield - United States - North America - Road Trip - commons.wikimedia.org
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3
Springfield
- St. Louis
Distance 175 km
Driving time 2.4 h
Pace: fast
52.4 kWh
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Itinerary
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Welcome to the Springfield-St. Louis Road Trip! This 109mi journey can be completed in less than 3 hours, and is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Along the route you'll find some of the most iconic historical sites in the United States, including the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Illinois State Capitol, and Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll also have the chance to explore the vibrant city of St. Louis, home of the iconic Gateway Arch. As you wind through the countryside, keep your eyes peeled for the many hidden gems that dot the landscape.
For more detailed information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. So what are you waiting for? Get ready for an unforgettable journey and hit the road!
St. Louis - United States - North America - Road Trip - Wikimedia Commons
St. Louis - United States - North America - Road Trip - Pixabay
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St. Louis
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Located near the convergence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, St. Louis is a vibrant city in the US state of Missouri. With a population of approximately 300,000, St. Louis is the perfect place to end your road trip along the Illinois Historic Route 66.
The city is home to numerous attractions, the most popular of which is the 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch. The Arch stands as a symbol of St. Louis and is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. Other popular attractions include the Saint Louis Zoo, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
If you're looking for a taste of the city's music, culture, and history, be sure to visit the Soulard neighborhood. Home to the Blues, Jazz, and Rock and Roll, Soulard is a vibrant and diverse area that hosts many festivals throughout the year.
If you're looking to sample some of St. Louis' local cuisine, then the Hill neighborhood is the place to be. Home to the best Italian restaurants in the city, the Hill is also home to some of the best pizza and Italian food in the country.
For those who are looking to take advantage of St. Louis' excellent international airport, Lambert International Airport (STL) is located just 10 miles from the city's downtown area and is served by many major airlines.
No matter what brings you to St. Louis, the city offers something for everyone. With its unique culture, vibrant neighborhoods, and rich history, St. Louis is the perfect place to end your Illinois Historic Route 66 Road Trip.
St. Louis - United States - North America - Road Trip - Wikimedia Commons
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Illinois Historic Route 66 Road Trip at a glance
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Start:
Chicago
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End:
St. Louis
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Distance:
548 km
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Stay:
4 days
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Getting there:
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
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When to drive:
May, June, July, August, September, October
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
No doubt our trip will become a superb inspiration for your future holiday excursions.
The plan we’ve prepared can be used as a base that can be recreated in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with original stopovers.
If you are planning on travelling by car in Illinois, there are a number of important road rules to follow and a bunch of things to keep in mind to make your road trip smooth.
These tips will surely become useful for travellers who are interested in renting a car or renting a camper in Illinois.
Holidayers who choose Illinois as their holiday destination should definitely pay attention to the local traffic regulations.
Alcohol is best to be avoided at all costs if Illinois is your travel destination.
Tourists ought to remember that the allowed level of alcohol in blood is rather low and amounts to only 0.5‰.
Exceeding the maximum speed limit, which is 40km/h, when travelling around the urban areas may lead to a speeding ticket.
If you are aiming for undeveloped areas, you should be mindful of the fact that the maximum allowed speed is 72km/h.
Remember that the allowed speed is 129km/h on highways in Illinois.
In order to stay safe, it is best to drive with your headlights on at daytime and equip your vehicle with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
One of the decisive factors when scheduling an itinerary is costs.
Of course, depending on the budget option that interests you, the amount of money that you have to spend on your trip expenses may vary.
A wide range of budget possibilities is described below.
We estimate that the budget option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 4 stages while travelling around Illinois will amount to 75 EUR.
Economy accommodation options will cost about 319 EUR.
Holidaymakers who go for this option will spend about 288 EUR on restaurants and food.
The cheapest car rental offer will also cost approximately 180 EUR.
Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to about 682 EUR without car rental and 862 EUR with vehicle hire.
Travellers who are looking for greater comfort and the standard option will pay around 100 EUR for the fuel needed to cover the road trip.
If you are into standard accommodation options, you should keep in mind that the costs can amount up to more or less 473 EUR.
Holidayers may expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost more or less 432 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard rental car can expect a cost of approximately 216 EUR.
Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total more or less 1,221 EUR for drivers who would like to try car rental and 1,005 EUR for those who are not interested in rental.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will meet the expectations of the most demanding tourists.
Those who are interested in the option without car rental will pay around 1,506 EUR and approximately 1,866 EUR for an option with a car.
Travellers who would like to cover the trip in a premium rental car can expect a cost of approximately 360 EUR.
In the premium configuration of the tour, the cost of the gasoline needed to cover all stages around Illinois is about 138 EUR.
Tourists who are interested in top services in all aspects of their trip should expect to pay more or less 792 EUR for accommodation and about 576 EUR for food and restaurants.
Our trip will also be perfect for all camper enthusiasts, as it can be easily adjusted to their expectations.
The travel expenses connected with camper rental are around 900 EUR.
You have to spend the maximum of 150 EUR on the gasoline required to cover the trip in a camper.
Holidaymakers who will go for camper rental should expect to pay about 220 EUR for accommodation and approximately 288 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs presents all the mentioned details in a straightforward way.
The period between May and October is superb to visit the part of Illinois mentioned in our adventure idea.
If you like Illinois Historic Route 66 Road Trip, check out other intriguing road trips that we offer on our website.
Even the most demanding of tourists will surely be pleased with the great versatility of our travel opportunities.