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!

[Print All]

    Next page

Jackrabbit AZ on Jul 27, 2026 at 2:11:20 pm [Print]
I-40 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction at the Jackrabbit interchange. You can still exit and visit the Jackrabbit Trading Post.

WAYNSEVILLE, MO on Jul 27, 2026 at 2:10:27 pm [Print]
There may be heavy traffic at times in the area of Waynsevill and St Robert due to I-44 comstruction.

CHAIN OF ROCKS BRIDGE DETOUR INFO on Jun 28, 2026 at 3:25:48 am [Print]
From Marian Pavel of Rte 66 Navigation (who just drove this section)

(Due to construction on I-370 at Riverview Dr exit:
"So now, you have to leave I270 on ramp 33 and turn to Dunn Rd and then turn to Riverview Dr on the cross of the streets"

In other words, to get to the MO entrance of the Chain pof Rocks walking bridge, you must cross into MO from IL on I0270, go to exit 33, and follow Dunn Rd (north side of I-270) back east to Riverview Drive.

This is a difficult construction area so be careful.

GHAIN OF ROCKS BRIDGE on Jun 23, 2026 at 3:49:04 pm [Print]
From the owners of the bridge: "The Chain of Rocks CANAL bridge in Illinois is closed for construction which means there is no access to the Old Chain of Rocks(walking) Bridge from the Illinois side effective June 22, 2026, through early October 2026! The bridge IS OPEN and accessible from the Missouri side."

This means you cannot follow the directions to go to the Illinois side of the Chain of Rocks bridge, as the CANAL bridge that is east of it is being repaired. To visit the Chain of Rocks bridge, take I-270 across the river from Illinois into Missouri to EXIT 34/Riverview. Go south a short distance to the entrance of the NEW Chain of Rocks Park. After, please use I-270 to recross the river into Illinois, and then follow the directions from there...either EASTBOUND OR WESTBOUND.

LINCOLN ILLINOIS GIANT ABE MOVED on Jun 17, 2026 at 3:54:10 pm [Print]
Yep, the GIANT LINCOLN on his big wagon has once AGAIN moved! Now he is located downtown, at Kickapoo and Pekin Streets. Check ahead on google maps or such for any nearby RV parking.

I HOPE he stays put for a while! This is the 3rd location in Lincoln, I believe!!

But downtown has lots of new attractions and its on the original section of 66.

CA page-2 and 5 on May 16, 2026 at 7:55:15 pm [Print]
Goffs road repaving is report to have been done.

BTW...there are 3 bridges being worked on between Kelbaker Rd and Amboy, so expect to navigate a few short gravel bypasses).

ROAD CLOSURE WEST OF GALLUP NM on May 13, 2026 at 4:17:39 pm [Print]
NM page-34: WB: you need to join I-40 at EXIT 16 (west Gallup exit) to Exit 8.

Nm Hwy 118/Route 66 is CLOSED for construction about a mile and a half west of the I-40 underpass near Defiance.

You can exit at Exit 8 and follow the directions thru Manuelito to Lupton.

EB: join I-40 at Exit 8 to take exit 16 into GALLUP.

Don't forget that Hwy 118/66 is also CLOSED from the east Gallup exit east to Exit 36. You will need to stay on I-40 between Exits 36 and 26 until this is opened.

new stuff: on May 12, 2026 at 11:26:28 pm [Print]
There is a new giant 66 sign drive-thru on the west side of Holbrook, AZ
New musical road east side of Winslow (near 911 memorial).
Giant push pin east of Wellston, OK

BUMP: GEMINI GIANT MOVED on May 12, 2026 at 11:24:44 pm [Print]
WILMINGTON ILLINOIS NEW LOCATION OF GEMINI GIANT
DO NOT STOP AT THE FORMER "LAUNCHING PAD" RESTAURANT SITE ON THE EAST SIDE OF WILMINGTON, ILLINOIS!

It closed a while back, and the GEMINI GIANT is now at his NEW HOME, just WEST of downtown Wilmington.

VISITORS TO THE FORMER RESTAURANT SITE ARE NOT WELCOME.

Again, don't stop there. Drive on by to visit the Gemini Giant in his friendly NEW home at 123 W Baltimore St, Wilmington, IL 60481


Except for that, Wilmington is a GREAT place to visit. There is a new 'LANDING PAD" gift shop by the relocated GIANT, and historic downtown is worth a visit.

NM page-3 on May 12, 2026 at 11:22:02 pm [Print]


The dirt option is still CLOSED between Glenrio and San Jon at a county bridge that washed out. Evidently there is not a CLOSED sign until you get to the bridge. Driving down the construction road thru the wash is NOT recommended.