CHICAGO — Illinois is preparing to take centre stage in 2026 as it leads the U.S. celebration of the Route 66 Centennial.
With more than 300 miles of the legendary highway passing through the state, Illinois is marking the milestone with immersive attractions, new murals and a full calendar of events that rekindle the magic of America’s most iconic road trip.
Cory Jobe, Chair of the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission, says the anniversary is the perfect chance to reintroduce travellers to the open-road charm of the Mother Road:
“With restored icons, interactive exhibits and unforgettable roadside stops, there’s never been a better time to explore Illinois’ 301 miles of America’s most legendary highway. From Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge, the centennial is a statewide invitation to rediscover the magic of the open road.”
Pontiac, Illinois
New attractions are being unveiled across the state, starting in Chicago, where updated Route 66 signage now helps guide visitors through the city’s vibrant west side. A new mural at Lulu’s Hot Dogs in Tri-Taylor joins improved wayfinding along Ogden Avenue, allowing travellers to better trace the route’s urban origins. Meanwhile, Joliet is highlighting its pop culture ties with a new Gigantar sign and a Blues Brothers gate display at the historic Old Joliet Prison.
Farther south, the capital city of Springfield is debuting a mix of nostalgic and new experiences. Highlights include the restoration of a 1920s stretch of Route 66 pavement near Carpenter Park and a major exhibit on Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire at the Pharmacy Gallery, running through 2026. Other attractions in the area include Shea’s Gas Station Museum, Legends Neon Sign Park, and Motorheads Museum, home to a towering Muffler Man and the world’s largest Route 66 sign.
Scott Dahl, Director of Visit Springfield, says the region’s Route 66 heritage is a powerful tourism draw: “Springfield’s deep connection to Route 66 makes it the perfect place to celebrate this historic milestone, with unique attractions like the restored Shea’s Gas Station Museum and the Illinois State Fair Route 66 Experience drawing fans from around the world.”
Other towns along the highway are embracing the centennial with both creativity and nostalgia. In Granite City, summer 2025 will see the arrival of oversized roadside art, including a 20-foot Muffler Man named Rusty, a 15-foot auto mechanic named Earl, and whimsical pieces such as a giant metal fork and a Tinker Toys tribute. The new It’s Electric Neon Sign Park will also add a vibrant, after-dark glow with vintage-style signage.
Bob Navarro, President & CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations, highlights the blend of past and future that defines the state’s approach: “We’re proud to preserve the nostalgia along The First Hundred Miles of Route 66 in Illinois, while embracing the exciting new experiences taking shape ahead of the centennial celebration.”
With growing interest in sustainable travel, the state has introduced a ‘Zero Emissions on Route 66’ itinerary, mapping out EV charging stations from Chicago to Collinsville, enabling electric vehicle drivers to enjoy the historic highway with a modern, eco-friendly twist.
The celebrations will reach their peak in 2026, with a lineup of marquee events across the state. Major highlights include: the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield (Sept. 25–27), the Red Carpet Corridor event spanning multiple towns in May, and the Great Race classic car rally (June 15–19), starting in Springfield and stopping overnight in Collinsville during the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival.
State Capitol, Springfield, Illinois
Additional festivities include the Illinois State Fair (Aug. 13–23), a centennial conference and gala at Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum (Nov. 11), the “Last 100 Miles” Festival in southwest Illinois in October, a Route 66 bike race, and a mural trail across 11 towns in southern Illinois.
For Canadian travel advisors, the centennial presents a prime opportunity to package a nostalgic, uniquely American road trip. With themed accommodations like the new Urban Collective in Edwardsville and quirky stops such as The Landing Pad beside the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Route 66 in Illinois offers a memorable, commissionable experience for clients.
History weaves through Chicago’s neighbourhoods
Chicago’s rich Route 66 heritage continues to shape the character of several neighbourhoods along Ogden Avenue, the original path of the famed highway. In Tri-Taylor, part of the Illinois Medical Center District, the area began taking shape with the construction of Cook County Hospital in 1916. Located near the intersection of Ogden Avenue and Roosevelt Road, the Beaux-Arts structure symbolized both civic ambition and public service. At the time, Tri-Taylor was a predominantly Italian neighbourhood, a cultural influence that endured through the 1940s.
To the west, North Lawndale thrived during the American auto boom of the 1950s and ’60s. Ogden Avenue became a bustling corridor of car dealerships and service shops, transforming into one of the city’s most active auto rows and reinforcing the significance of Route 66 in the era’s car culture.
Nearby, Douglass Park, one of Chicago’s three original West Side parks, was directly shaped by the highway’s path. Designed by William Le Baron Jenney in 1879, the park was later reconfigured to accommodate Ogden Avenue, a reminder of how transportation infrastructure often altered public green spaces.
Just outside the city limits in Little Village, the Hawthorne Works of Western Electric helped fuel the region’s economic growth in the early 20th century. This sprawling industrial complex, once a major employer producing telephones and switchboards, stood as a symbol of the kind of prosperity Route 66 supported in its prime.
Chicago, Illinois
