3-Day Route 66 Itinerary

Photo at the Route 66 Begin sign

Start at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue for the classic photo, then have breakfast at Lou Mitchell's on Jackson Boulevard.

Joliet and the Gemini Giant

Drive southwest about 60 miles (1.5 hours with city traffic) via Joliet to Wilmington's towering Gemini Giant spaceman statue.

Pontiac museum and Atlanta's giant

See the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac and the Paul Bunyon giant in Atlanta, then drive about 140 miles (2.5-3 hours) to Springfield.

Corn dogs in Springfield

Eat at the Cozy Dog Drive In, a Route 66 landmark since 1949 that claims to have invented the corn dog on a stick.

Chain of Rocks Bridge

Drive about 100 miles (1.5-2 hours) to the bridge and walk to its famous 22-degree bend over the Mississippi.

Gateway Arch and frozen custard

Ride the tram up the 630-foot Gateway Arch (book timed tickets), then stop at Ted Drewes for a concrete of frozen custard.

Ozarks drive via Cuba

Follow I-44 and old 66 about 215 miles (3.5-4 hours), stopping for the murals in Cuba and the giant rocking chair near Fanning.

Cashew chicken in Springfield, Missouri

Try Springfield-style cashew chicken, the city's unique fried-chicken take on a Chinese-American classic.

Carthage, Galena and Kansas

Drive through Carthage, Missouri, then Galena, Kansas, where a rusty tow truck inspired a character in the movie Cars.

Blue Whale of Catoosa

Photograph the smiling blue whale on its pond near Tulsa, one of the road's most beloved roadside attractions.

Arcadia's Round Barn and POPS

Continue on the old road to Arcadia's 1898 Round Barn and POPS, with its 66-foot neon soda bottle and hundreds of sodas.

Steak in Stockyards City

Have dinner at Cattlemen's Steakhouse, an Oklahoma City institution since 1910 in the historic Stockyards City district.