Topic: Route 66
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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Indianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
As a mini-vacation, I'm going to be going to St. Louis this weekend via Springfield, IL, and I thought we might try to do some Route 66 travelling. However, it doesn't look like we would be on the road for more than a few miles at a time. Seems like it would be more trouble than it's worth...
Other than the nostalgic value, is it worthwhile to try to be on Route 66? I do know that as we get close to St. Louis, staying on the Interstate is highly advised for safety and security reasons...
I had planned on trying to go by the old plant, but after the postings from Jetta 111, I figured that wasn't necessary for the risk of those neighborhoods.
On the way back, I plan on stopping by Mid-America in Effingham, then through a few small Illinois towns. Any other ideas for the trip?
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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There is still quite a bit of 66 here in Oklahoma as well as two Route 66 museums and check this out. www.pops66.com. This is probably the coolest conveince store ever. It won't be open for another week or so but it is cool. I have been able to do some work out there for them.
You could take 66 pretty much all the way from Springfield to St. Louis. I did the same trip in 2004, from Chicago to STL. What's there to see on an Interstate?
Here's a webpage with detailed driving directions for your trip. On a side note, I drove through East St. Louis to the Gateway Arch and lived to tell about it...


Indianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
I followed the directions from that site, but honestly, most of it was just a frontage road along I-55 - not a lot to see. I did get to stop at an old gas station that the web site says was destined to become a museum in 2003 or 2005 (still closed) and snapped a few pics - maybe one will become my entry for the 2008 members calendar!
Also, there is a Route 66 museum at Route 66 State Park just outside of Eureka, MO. If you're headed that way, it's ok, but not much to see. The museum is in an old restaurant that used to be on Rt 66. There was a town nearby for years until dioxin was discovered - fun!
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
Yes, I know all those places you're talking about! 66 through IL is well-signed and very easy to follow. Did you visit the Chain of Rocks Bridge? I'd drive the whole thing again just to have more frozen custard at Ted Drewes!
Norsky 2007-08-06 19:49:18
I thought it was very cool just to cruise along lonely old 66 and watch everyone race by just a couple yards away on the Interstate...
(modified oversized image to a clickable link - Norsky)
I just took a bike trip down old 66 leaving out of ST. Louis, the best
place is to start at eureka and head toward springfield MO. it was some
really good riding. If you want to stay on the IL. side start at the
chain of rocks bridge just north of granite city (its on 270) and you
can make it almost to springfield IL. on it, just before Litchfield is country classic cars,
its worth a stop, then in litchfield is the old skyview drive in (its
still open and $2. a person to get in) St. Louis has its good
neighborhoods and its bad ones like all city's. The arch and brewery
are all pretty safe to go to.
needs .com on the end. Cool site.
66 through Okla has some cool stuff. The blue whale (alone by itself) and some of the stuff from west of OKC to the border is cool. It becomes a hard trail to follow thru the TX panhandle until you pass Shamrock. In fact, it runs out at Shamrock headed east. There are some cool antique stores in the TX panhandle though.
66 through Okla has some cool stuff. The blue whale (alone by itself) and some of the stuff from west of OKC to the border is cool. It becomes a hard trail to follow thru the TX panhandle until you pass Shamrock. In fact, it runs out at Shamrock headed east. There are some cool antique stores in the TX panhandle though.


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Indianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
I did see a few neat things (I'll get pics posted soon), but I was travalling with my 17 year old step son, and the heat was really getting to him, so we didn't make too many stops.
We stayed in Eureka overnight (Six Flags), so we didn't go any farther west. Too bad - sounds like some good stuff that way.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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