EZ UPDATES

For readers of the EZ 66 Guide for Travelers, I have provided free online updates to help keep your Route 66 experience as current as possible. As you might imagine, Route 66 is constantly undergoing changes, some good, others not so. Businesses open and close, roads are re-routed and street names change.

Please check back here just before your trip for the latest info. Entries are dated as to when they were added.

If you wish to purchase your own copy of the EZ Guide, please go here.

EZ 66 readers have been helpful in keeping me keep the guidebook updated in between my own road trips, so if you discover something that needs to be addressed while on your journey, please let me know!

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Oklahoma Bridges on Oct 13, 2011 at 12:34:09 pm [Print]
The Lake Overholser Bridge on the west side of Oklahoma City (OK page 21) is now OPEN!

A 220 foot span of the westbound bridge, formerly one of the "Twin Bridges" east of Catoosa, has been rescued during the demolition, and is on display at Molly's Landing restaurant nearby (OK page-9).

IL page-23 on Oct 06, 2011 at 9:36:38 pm [Print]
I neglected to mention that the Coliseum Ballrom antique mall near Benld has burned. Thanks to Richard and Judy Walker for the reminder!

Balbo St in Chicago IL page-3 on Sep 20, 2011 at 12:54:40 pm [Print]
I was informed of a (hopefully) temporary change in the status of Balbo St in Chicago. It is currently ONE-WAY in the wrong direction (perhaps due to construction). For now at least you can't turn left from Columbus onto Balbo as in the current directions.

IF you are following the directions in the descriptive text titled: "WB: TO START in CHICAGO", then you have a couple of options to work around this.

A: To start at the POST-1937 eastern terminus at Jackson and Lake Shore:

"...continue ahead on Congress, to Columbus. Turn RIGHT. Continue on Columbus south to Roosevelt. Turn LEFT, then LEFT on Lake Shore Drive..." and continue as in the guide.

B: to Start at Adams and Michigan:

...continue ahead on Congress. Cross Michigan Ave (no left turn) and then turn LEFT on E Congress Plaza Drive. Then veer RIGHT onto Michigan Ave and continue up to Adams.

I haven't field tested this recently, so hopefully there will be no other construction or changes. If so, consult a chicago map for detours.

Boots Motel on Aug 16, 2011 at 3:09:00 pm [Print]
Good news! The famous and all too endangered Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo has been bought. The new owners plan to restore it to its 1940s appearance, and repopen a portion as a motel!

see: http://bootsmotel.homestead.com

Much better than another Walgreens!

IL page-23 on Aug 11, 2011 at 5:18:18 pm [Print]
South of Springfield Illinois, the frontage road section of the 66 tour is closed off about 2 and a half miles south of EXIT 88 (near Glenarm). Don't take EXIT 88. You will need to use I-55 between Springfield and EXIT 80 (both WB and EB).

AZ page19 on Jul 02, 2011 at 3:07:26 pm [Print]
Seligman Sundries in the middle of town is a great and photogenic place. Lots of vintage eye candy on the outside of this historic establishment, and a cool collection of vintage adverts and boxes were saved from the original store! Plus a great gift shop and wonderful shakes, etc. Nice people too.

Between them and the Snow Cap and Angel's Barbershop and the rest, plan to spend some time in Seligman!

MO page -10 on Jul 02, 2011 at 3:05:21 pm [Print]

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a new overpass has been built to carry Elmont Rd/Hwy 185 over I-44, just west of EXIT 225 in SULLIVAN. Here's the revised WB and EB directions for this page:


WB: In STANTON, cross I-44 at EXIT 230, then turn RIGHT on the South Outer Rd. Pass the S HWY 185 JCT, following Springfield Rd into SULLIVAN. Stay AHEAD with Springfield Rd past all intersections to join and stay on the South Outer Rd. Continue past the junctions of HWY D and then HWY FF, to and thru ST CLOUD.

EB: Follow “Old HWY 66” into BOURBON. At W Pine St (HWY C from EXIT 218), stay AHEAD on “Old Hwy 66”. At HWY J (E Pine St), stay AHEAD on ’66 and continue thru ST CLOUD, past the HWY FF JCT. Past the HWY D JCT stay AHEAD with Springfield Rd past all intersections through SULLIVAN. Pass the S HWY 185 JCT, then follow the South Outer Rd to STANTON


No Tresspassing! on Jun 19, 2011 at 2:24:11 pm [Print]
A recent guestbook entry points out the need to avoid tresspassing on private property along 66 (or anywhere) Laws may vary by state, but if there's a fence, don't cross it! These people did not cross the fence, but were still warned by a Sherrif against tresspassing. Legally you should be able to take photos from public right of way, but I wouldn't argue with a law officer.

MO page-18 on Mar 16, 2011 at 1:19:30 pm [Print]
I was just told that Britt's Grill (the former Wrinks) is now closed.

Also, the nearby Bell Restaurant is closed as well.

IL page-26 on Mar 11, 2011 at 10:20:01 am [Print]
High winds have recently demolished the Meramec Caverns barn. Only part of the message To quote a report: "The U.S. 66 MO part of the sign at the bottom remains. All above it is kindling."