301 miles of Route 66 stretch through Illinois, the first (or last) of the eight states on your Mother Road journey. Starting at the Historic Route 66 Begin Sign in Chicago and ending at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River into St. Louis, Missouri, there are quintessential Illinois Route 66 attractions to see at every turn of the road.
You’ll find quirky roadside attractions, historical museums, vintage diners and drive-throughs, fun souvenir shops, and classic motels and hotels on this stretch of your road trip. You’ll even get to drive (or walk) on parts of the original road.
Looking for the best Illinois Route 66 attractions to add to your road trip itinerary? Use the filters below to search our Illinois directory by location, attraction type, or keyword to fill your travel plan, whether you’re spending a weekend in Springfield, taking a day trip from Chicago, or traversing all 301 miles of The Main Street of America across the state.
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Search Illinois Route 66 Attractions
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Soulsby Service Station in Mount Olive, Illinois
Soulsby Service Station in Mount Olive, Illinois is a historic gas station that served Route 66 travelers for decades. This site is one of the oldest and longest-running service stations on all of Route 66 and the oldest usable service station on the highway in Illinois. Henry Soulsby built the Shell station in 1926.
The Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois
Visit the final resting place of the sixteenth president and his family at The Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their four sons, Edward, William, and Thomas are buried in the granite monument at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield (Robert, the eldest, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery).
World’s Largest Route 66 Sign in Springfield, Illinois
Looking for a unique Route 66 selfie you'll find nowhere else on The Mother Road? Stand under the World's Largest Route 66 Sign in Springfield, Illinois. Find it outside Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill & Museum! Pull into the restaurant's parking lot and look up, way up, to find a 32-foot-by-32-foot aluminum Route 66 sign.
Shell Station Muffler Man Head in Atlanta, Illinois
Discover the this Shell Station Muffler Man Head in Atlanta, Illinois, right near Route 66! Atlanta has long been a must-stop for road trippers and roadside attraction fans cruising the Mother Road. With its famous Paul Bunyon muffler man holding a hot dog, the smiley face water tower, and the brand-new American Giants Museum, this little town packs big roadside charm.
Mahan’s Filling Station in Springfield, Illinois
Mahan's Filling Station in Springfield, Illinois has seen many owners, many businesses, and many locations, over the years, but it's remained a popular stop for travelers since the early 1900s. Visit this roadside attraction next to Fulgenzi’s Pizza & Pasta on Route 66. Mahan's Filling Station is a tiny service station that was originally built by Butler Manufacturing in 1917.
Must SeeRoute 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois
The Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois takes visitors on a walkthrough of the highlights of all 421 miles and 92 communities on Illinois Route 66. This condensed version of The Mother Road starts at the Route 66 Begins sign in Chicago and ends at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois
Hare it is! Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois is a Route 66 visitor center and souvenir shop with a particular pedigree. The theme at this Route 66 roadside attraction is rabbits. There are often dozens of real rabbits hopping around, a line up of VW Rabbits buried nose first in the ground a la Cadillac Ranch.
Abe Lincoln Rail Splitter Statue in Springfield, Illinois
The Abe Lincoln Rail Splitter Statue in Springfield, Illinois is a clean-shaven, top-hat-less, ax-wielding fiberglass statue of a young Abraham Lincoln. The roadside attraction stands even taller that the 6'4" president at 30 feet tall! Why was Abraham Lincoln called the rail splitter? This nickname originated in the Illinois State Republican Convention in 1860.
Must SeeRoute 66 Shield Mural in Pontiac, Illinois
The first, the biggest, and the most well-known Route 66 mural in Pontiac, Illinois, and perhaps on the entire Route, is the Route 66 Shield Mural in Pontiac, Illinois. Painted by Diaz Sign Art in 2006 on the exterior wall of the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum, it’s a quintessential stop for Route 66 photos in Pontiac.
Must SeeLauterbach Muffler Man (Lauterbach Giant) in Springfield, Illinois
The Lauterbach Muffler Man (also known as the The Lauterbach Tire Muffler Man or the Lauterbach Giant) in Springfield, Illinois has stood in the parking lot outside Lauterbach Tire & Auto Service since 1978. This is one of the many muffler man roadside attractions on Route 66. Muffler Men are fiberglass giants who stand anywhere from 14 to 25 feet tall.
