Historic US Route 66 road trip to Romeoville, Illinois

Route 66 Road Trip to Collinsville, Illinois

Route 66 was one of the United State's first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated west.

"The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Most travelers seem to start their journey on Route 66 in Chicago, and head westbound. That is the direction we take on this website.

The beginning point of Route 66 in Chicago has changed over the years. Today, the starting point is at East Adams Street at South Michigan Avenue, and the end point is at East Jackson at South Michigan. One way streets in the area can be difficult to navigate for first-time Route 66 visitors!

Once outside the metropolitan Chicago area, Route 66 followed the Pontiac Trail, a former Indian trail and stagecoach road.

From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed southwest to Collinsville, and into St. Louis, Missouri.

Map showing the approximate route of U.S. Highway 66 in Illinois and the location of Collinsville
Map showing the location of Collinsville, Illinois on Historic Route 66

The City of Collinsville

Collinsville is a city located mainly in Madison County and partially in St. Clair County, Illinois. Collinsville is located just 15 miles from Downtown St. Louis and all of the amenities of a big city. It is a city with a well-developed sense of community pride in its rich history, and a forward-thinking vision for its future.

Collinsville is the self-proclaimed "Horseradish Capital of the World", and sponsors an annual Horseradish Festival. Known for its large ethnic Italian population, descendants of late 19th and early 20th-century immigrants, Collinsville hosts an annual Italian Fest in the fall. The Italian Fest has been held annually since 1983 and is located in uptown Collinsville on Main Street.

Collinsville is filled with history and heritage, with places like the Miner’s Theatre, D.D. Collins House and Willoughby Heritage Farm telling the story of the city’s rich past. Its present is also defined by fun new adventures like a day at the Collinsville Aqua Park or Camelot Bowl.

The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is located within the city limits of Collinsville. This large park has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and was one of the first eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites designated within the United States.

The Collinsville Historical Museum is a unique repository of historical artifacts from 1767 through the present. It is located at 406 West Main Street.

Interstates 55 and 70 run concurrently through the north side of Collinsville, with access from Exits 9 through 15, while Interstate 255 passes through the west side of the city, with access from Exits 24 and 26.

U.S. Route 66 in Illinois passed through Collinsville. Originally, the route entered Collinsville from the north, following what is now Vandalia Street, and then turned west onto what was then both Route 40 and Route 66. Later, a new alignment, essentially a freeway-style bypass, was constructed, merging with U.S. 40 near Troy and then skirting the north and west sides of Collinsville.

The city is a popular stop for national and international Route 66 heritage travelers. It offer visitors a wide variety of attractions, hotels and lodging, and dining options.

Collinsville ... Founded in 1872, and home to "The World's Largest Catsup Bottle"

Since 1949, this has been a favorite example of roadside architecture at its best! The catsup bottle is actually a 170-foot water tower, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

More information about the Catsup Bottle