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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GEMINI GIANT, Wilmington, Illinois on Mar 20, 2024 at 9:52:34 pm [Print]
The famous Gemini Giant was purchased at auction by the Joliet Area Historical Museum and donated to the city of Wilmington. He has already been removed and put into storage, for eventual relocation (perhaps in a couple of months) to his new home along 66 on the south side of town, at the entrance to South island Park.

The former Launching Pad restaurant is stripped and empty.

LUTHER TO ARCADIA OK on Mar 16, 2024 at 8:06:54 pm [Print]
Currently 66 is being widened in this stretch. Expect slow travel/delays and be careful as the travel path is narrow. You probably won't be able to visit the Stone Station, Folk Art Alert , or the SIDE TRIP LOOP until this work is done.

AMBOY CA KELBAKER RD DETOUR REOPENED on Feb 28, 2024 at 2:55:14 pm [Print]
UPDATE: AS OF 3-22-24 66 is OPEN between Kelbaker Road and Amboy! So you can use Kelbaker Rd as a detour from I-40 to Amboy again (while we wait for the entire route from Essex to Chambless to be repaired).

The recent closure of 66 between Amboy, CA and Kelbaker Road should be reopened in the near future, as reported by the CA 66 Assoc:

"The County submitted the necessary paperwork for emergency repairs to commence on the damaged bridge (# 77), which sits 4.1 miles east of Amboy. The paperwork has been approved and repair work is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, February 28. It is expected to reopen in 7-10 days barring any difficulties. At that time we expect Kelbaker Road to also reopen and access to Amboy to be restored from that path." END QUOTE

This is great news, and proof that San Bernardino Co cares about this stretch of 66 and is working to eventually reopen the entire closed stretch from Kelbaker Rd thru Essex (se CA maps #1 and 2 in your EZ 66 Guide).

Once this short stretch is reopened, Kelbaker Rd can be used as a detour to reach Amboy from I-40, as before. Until then, you can reach Amboy from Ludlow.

DO NOT DRIVE AROUND "ROAD CLOSED" BARRICADES, AND DO NOT DRIVE THRU WASHES TO BYPASS DAMAGED BRIDGES!

OPEN on Feb 27, 2024 at 4:21:43 pm [Print]
I will try to be available more often to open McJerry's Route 66 gallery now that it is warming up and travelers are increasing. If the neon OPEN sign is on I am most likely nearby and can meet you within a few minutes if you call my number (in the book or on the gallery door). Unless i forgot to turn it off...

Even if the sign is NOT on, you can still call and see if I can pop over.

Drop ins are welcome,as are those who call ahead. If I know approximately when you plan to visit i will try to be available.

Bump NM page 3 on Feb 26, 2024 at 3:24:33 am [Print]
The dirt option is still closed between Glenrio and San Jon due to a county bridge that washed out last spring.

OK PAGE-19 SIDE TRIP on Feb 17, 2024 at 2:11:20 pm [Print]
Curently road construction has blocked the Side Trip Loop at Hiwassee Rd on the west end. You cannot drive this section until they have finished reconfiguring the intersection of Hiwassee, State Hwy 66 and the Side Trip. Also, currently this stretch of OK 66 is still being widened, and the road is down to one lane. You must follow a pilot vehicle. Its hard to stop at John Hargroves place until this finishes.

EDMOND TO OKC on Feb 17, 2024 at 2:08:01 pm [Print]
As of last week Kelley was still blocked south from Britton Rd.You can avoid this by using Britton Rd (the BELTLINE OPTION) or detour east or west to catch the next north-south road to return to Kelly or I-44

DON'T USE THE GUESTBOOK! on Feb 17, 2024 at 2:03:13 pm [Print]
I AM GETTING FLOODED WITH SPAM AND SCAMS ON THE GUESTBOOK (WHICH IS SET FOR ME TO APPROVE BEFORE MESSAGES SHOW). I JUST DELETED DOZENS OF CRAP MESSAGES. I AM SLOWLY WORKING ON A NEW WEBSITE. IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE JUST DON'T BOTHER WITH THE GUESTBOOK.

AMBOY ROAD CLOSURE on Feb 17, 2024 at 1:55:13 pm [Print]
As of 2-15-24, 66/National trails Rd is CLOSED between Amboy and Kelbaker Rd, due to bridge damage by flooding. This means that 66 is blocked from I-40 at Fenner thru to Amboy. You can only reach Amboy by driving east from Ludlow, or from the south from 29 Palms. You cannot use the DETOUR from I-40 via kelbaker Rd.

UPDATE:THE AFFECTED BRIDGE EAST OF AMBOY SHOULD BE REPAIRED SOON. I will post an update.

San Bernardio County is trying to get existing wash outs fixed, and these new problems don't help.

SEABA STATION on Jan 31, 2024 at 3:05:07 am [Print]
Jerry of Seaba Station is "semi-retired". he said he will no longer have regular hours, but will still be "open and around". He suggests you call before making a special trip: 405 365 1744