We just completed our 2 week trip which also included Branson MO and the Space Center in Huntsville, AL. I'll write about those later and focus on Rte 66. I have to say Illinois is the best state in preserving the history of the Mother Road. Almost every town along the route had something to see or visit. Out west the places are extremely far apart. Still wonderful, but different. The weather was quite rainy at times but didn't prevent us from having a good time outside of having to keep the top up for most of the journey. Total miles travelled was 2,630 miles and we averaged 24.1 mpg. The car's computer said 24.3 so that was really close. Gas prices ranged from $2.99 to $3.89 for mid-grade and premium. I'll write a little under each photo to show the location. I'll start with some favorites and add others later if interested We have way too many to share.


Gemini Giant in Wilmington IL

Texaco in Dwight IL

Old Standard Oil in Odell IL

The road to Pontiac IL

Inside the museum in Pontiac IL

Old Cities Service in Normal IL

Cool sign in Atlanta IL

Giant in Atlanta IL

We hit 22,222 miles along the way

This Shell in Mt Olive IL had petroliana items inside.

Station in Springfield IL

A small section of brick Rte 66 near Auburn IL

Original old Wagon Wheel motel we stayed at for one night in Cuba IL

Motorheads along Rte 66 in IL

Chain of Rocks Bridge outside St Louis MO

 

A Bit Surreal These Things Still Exist. Surely Reminds Me Of Our Family Vacations in The Late 60's & 70's!

Thank You For Posting!

KC

 

Thanks. Great trip and great photos. We just got back from a 10 day road trip to Pensacola. I drove the speed limit pretty much everywhere and averaged over 26 MPG. Here is a photo (not easy to make out as my wife took it at an angle while I was driving) of a point where the stang was claiming 32.9 MPG. I concluded the numbers on the dash are overstated by about 1 1/2 or a little more MPG. Still, not bad. We saw some wonderful museums and will have a writeup on our web site. I'll post when it is there.

 

Very cool pictures Dave! Looks like great fun and some very cool history that is still alive! Thanks for posting.

 

Thanks my friend. Also we deeply appreciate your assistance for Idaho. On our next western trip we will use all that help. We've only been back a short while and I'm already wanting another road trip. It's addicting.
Here are a few photos from a real old diner still thriving along the Mother Road in Wilmington IL. It was rainy so we ate inside which had the better atmosphere anyway. You place your order at the counter and they call your number when your food is ready.. The famous chili fires were really good and the shakes almost on par with Steak n Shake.

 

Looks like a great old time drive-in atmosphere. Real 50s - 70s nostalgia there. Even though we are not anywhere near Route 66 up here we once had places similar to those photos. I remember cruising our local ones back in my early driving days. I can't think of any that are still around. But some of the new non-chains have tried to emulate that vibe. Looks like a great place. Hope the food was as good as the retro feel. Thanks for sharing this with us. Always enjoy your write-up and photos.

EDIT: Just thought in case you do make it out this way in the future here is one of these old time drive-ins that is highly respected and loves the cruise crowd of our generation....

https://www.westsidedrivein.com/

Here is an article that shares a few more in our area.
https://mix106radio.com/go-back-in-t...-boise-diners/

 

Speaking of Steak n Shake, this old original in Springfield IL still has servers and even the Rte 66 napkins. I wasn't sure these existed anymore as all our recent stops have seen automated machines, no servers, and a so-so atmosphere inside. I don't think they are going to make it personally without that special thing going like we just experienced on our travels. It's too bad..
The only negative with our stop here was the pouring rain.

 

Pretty cool.

 

Very nice...

 

Here are more photos with the description under each. I hope some of you out there can do this 2 state section.


Lincoln IL station has items for sale inside

One individual is undertaking this restoration effort in a very small town in IL

A walk through exhibit at the Springfield IL Fairgrounds

World's largest rocking chair in Cuba IL

Mural in Cuba IL

West End restored station in IL

These signs are rather common along the Mother Road

Painted right on the roadway before a bridge that no longer exists

Here is that old Rte 66 bridge in MO.

 

Not many photos of Branson MO or Hot Springs AR on the way home but the Space Center in Huntsville AL had worthwhile photos to share here to finish our 2 week vacation. All first time visits and areas we always wanted to see. The last photo was a an old Georgia state line marker when we left AL into GA. We never saw one before.


Entrance into Space Center

Rocket park on the grounds

Saturn 5 rocket inside. Massive!!

The top section of the Saturn 5

Old state line marker as we leave AL into GA. Very cool!

 

Thanks For Posting!

I Noticed The Georgia Gas Prices!

Just Add $2.00 a Gallon For Our Central California Prices!

Count Your Blessings!

I Remember The Space Programs. It was Such a Big Deal Then! They Would Wheel a TV into Our Grade School Classrooms To Watch Live and I Always Thought To Myself How Did We Get From The Wright Bros. Plane at the Start of The Century and Here We are Now in Space! Kinda Makes You Think! I Was Always a Plane Buff as a Kid! I Wanted To Fly!

KC

 

Met a fellow at a car show a few weekends ago that travelled there whole route from Illinois to Cali. Had 3 foto albums to prove it...I reviewed all three...one of these days....I will do the same...

 

https://www.route66roadtrip.com/

The Start For Me Is 4 Hours Away!

We Had Relatives in Oklahoma, Texas & Missouri And Would Go On Vacation Every Year as a Small Child! Dad Worked For Local High School So We Had a Long Summer! Probably Been Down a Lot of Route 66 and Did Not Even Realize it! Lets See Cars Had 62 Oldsmobile, 67 Coronet R/T Vert, 69 Charger Se , 70 Charger Se and 73 Charger Se. After That The Vacations Stopped for The Most Part after Parents Divorced. Did Go To Washington State in 74 But That is Not Route 66! All I Was Watching For was Low Fuel So I Could Get Some Stuckys Fudge at The Fuel Stop! I Clearly Remember Them Taking Down The 70 MPH Signs One Time When Going To Wash. and Having 55 Signs on Way Home! Big Bummer for The 440 Equipped Mopar at The Time! Felt Like We Were Crawling!

KC

 

I remember Stuckey's from road trips when I was a teen. There was another named something like B. Lloyd's.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvino...d-with-stores/



They Are Making a Small Comeback!

https://stuckeys.com/shop/

 

Ah, the pecan praline.

 

Oh you got me craving some Pecan Praline Pie…😋

 

The new Stuckey's is now BUC EE'S. I sure made a friend at the last one we visited in GA on the way home. The sandwiches, food, and treats here are endless. Most of it is pretty good from what we have sampled over the last few years.


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Very awesome photos, Dave... Congrats on your road trips to route 66 and Georgia...