Skip to main content
DRIVE TRIP

Route 66 - Northern Illinois

145.2 miles: 4 hours, 3 minutes

You may hear the rumble of high-speed traffic running parallel on Interstate 55, but what will strike you most as you drive along nostalgic Route 66 in northern Illinois is its pulse that remains on the Mother Road. Maybe it’s because this is the segment of the road that was paved from end to end—or that its fans created a project to highlight the road’s history.

TRIP STOPS

1

Bloomington to Wilmington

83.2 miles: 1 hours, 57 minutes

flickr/lucyb_22

As you leave Bloomington on the flat, two-lane road dotted with occasional farmhouses, you’ll pass towns like Towanda, which still hosts an annual Boy Scout pancake breakfast. Stop at “Wayside Exhibits” and “Experience Hubs” that can be found in Bloomington, Wilmington and the towns of Pontiac and Dwight to learn more about the stories behind the road.

2

Wilmington to Chicago

62.0 miles: 2 hours, 5 minutes

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

You’ll soon start to leave the rural towns behind and break into suburban Chicagoland. Though the road is often marked SR 53, attractions like the Route 66 Raceway remind you of the road’s origin. By now, the two-lane thoroughfare has become a divided highway, and before you know it, greenways give way to the train yard near Ogden Avenue and the busy city.

THE VALUE OF TRIP CANVAS

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get Ideas from the Pros

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

BACK TO TOP