The Great American Get-Away Part 3: Route 66 Road Trip

Those who love Route 66 claim it's the best thing to come out of Illinois since Abraham Lincoln. Finished in 1926, Route 66 was the first road connecting Chicago to Los Angeles. For those looking to get out of the fast lane and enjoy scenic byways, then a Route 66 road trip might just prove that getting there is half the fun.

Overview

The official Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985. It now exists as a part of interstates and side excursions from Illinois to California. After the road was decommissioned, sections of it were dismantled. Some became business loops off the main highway, and others became portions of major interstates. Parts of it have been designated as national historic landmarks and referred to as Historic Route 66.

Landmarks

It is no longer possible to travel from Chicago to L.A. exclusively on Route 66, but careful planning can take you to historic treasures off the beaten path. Here are some state-by-state Sears Imported Autos acknowledged highlights:

Illinois - Unless getting mugged in East St. Louis is your idea of a good time, there's not a whole lot to see along Route 66 in Illinois other than a bunch of corn, a water tower shaped like a Ketchup bottle in Collinsville, and the Cahokia Mounds in Southern Illinois. The only major city on the route is the state capital of Springfield, not a bad option for a Route 66 dinner stop.

Missouri - I-44 has replaced Route 66 across the state. Each exit, however, provides signs of the historic route. The most popular attraction along the route is the Merimac Caverns, near Stanton, 55 miles west of St. Louis.

Kansas - The 16-mile stretch across the southeast corner of Kansas contains the Galena Mining and Historic Museum. It's all right, however, to skip the excitement of a mining museum and stop in Baxter Springs to enjoy a delicious pie at Murphy's Restaurant.

Oklahoma - Oklahoma contains the most drivable miles of the old Route 66. It's a great spot to bring your literary nerds, buy a jalopy, load it up with all your possessions, throw an ailing grandparent on the hood and reenact the Judds' exodus from Oklahoma in The Grapes of Wrath.

Texas - For those who hate trees and love flat barren stretches, take a trip through the Texas Panhandle on I-40. Route 66 exists as the main business strip in Amarillo, McClean, Shamrock, and Vega. Feel free to pull over for an historic lunch.

New Mexico - Other than a stretch of Historic Route 66 in the middle of Albuquerque, most of the old road no longer exists, although many of the towns that sprung up along the old route still remain, some as ghost towns.

Arizona - If your Route 66 road trip goes through just one state, it should go through Arizona (just ask Lightning McQueen). Worthwhile stops exist in Flagstaff, Ash Fork, Williams (gateway to the Grand Canyon and home to a great ice cream shop), Seligman, Peach Springs, Radiator Springs, and Kingman.

California - Most of the California stretch of Route 66 is still intact. Since you'll be traveling through Southern California, you'll have no trouble finding something to do.