Have you got an itch that needs scratchin', but can't think of what exactly will cut the mustard? A little time to kill and a pair of itchy feet (or two pairs of itchy wheels)? Then get your motor runnin' and head out on the highway! Its time for a road trip, and only one road will do: the best-known road in the world, Route 66.

Immortalized in John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," romanticized in countless songs, and even the backdrop to a 1960's TV series, Route 66 is definitely a potent symbol of American wanderlust, manifest destiny, and regular-old free livin'. From the 1920's to the 1960's, it was considered the "Main Street of America" because it moved the nation westward from the Rust Belt of Chicago to the Sun Belt of Los Angeles, passing hundreds of small towns - and dozens of kitschy tourist traps, neon-signed diners, and just plain crazy stuff along the way.

Having been bypassed and in places even obliterated by modern Interstate freeways, the legendary highway no longer embodies the freedom of the open road as it once did, but in these days of franchised fast-food and chain motels, Route 66 has been rediscovered as a nostalgic memento of rapidly-vanishing Americana. What remains of Route 66 in Illinois parallels I-55 diagonally across the state between Chicago and St. Louis, reappearing frequently as "Historic Route 66" to give a memorable taste of what life once was along this great American highway.


Willowbrook
Just a dozen miles from the Loop, the best-known Route 66 site here is Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, 645 Joliet Road (630/325-0780), which has been open since the 1930's. At one time, the restaurant's flat roof was flooded in winter (deliberately) so that ice skaters on top could lure drivers-by to stop in for a bite to eat.

Wilmington
The Launching Pad Drive-In, 810 E. Baltimore Street (815/476-6535) is worth a look if not for the movies than for the giant, 30-foot tall "Rocketman" statue. It is truly one of Route 66's finest pieces of space-age kitsch. And, there are less than 200 Drive-ins left in the U.S., so don't pass up a chance to catch a flick at this one!

Pontiac
This former coal-mining town has one of the longest-lived Route 66 landmarks, the circa 1918 "Old Log Cabin Inn" (815/842-2908) on Pontiac Road, just north of town. Stop in and stay a while, if not overnight.

McLean
Old Route 66 survives in the shadow of I-55 at the "Dixie Trucker's Home" (309/874-2323), the oldest truck stop in Illinois and home of - you guessed it - the Route 66 Hall of Fame! This must-see spot is furnished with plaques and artifacts that tell the story of the people who have contributed to Route 66's unique place in history.

Lincoln
This Route 66 town was named for "Honest Abe" before he became president. At the dedication ceremonies, Lincoln supposedly "baptized" his namesake town by spitting out a mouthful of watermelon seeds, which is the reason for the plaster watermelon and plaque next to the train station in the middle of town.

Litchfield
This little town is home to some of the richest Route 66 memorabilia still in existence, including motels, another drive-in theatre, and many old, old billboards. If for nothing else (perish the thought!) Litchfield is definitely worth a stop for its very friendly, slightly fancy Ariston Cafe (217/324-2023), located smack-dab in the middle of town.

Collinsville
Just east of St. Louis and the Gateway Arch, this homespun town has the largest prehistoric ruins north of Mexico: the 2,200-acre Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (618/346-5160). And if that isn't enough to float your boat, Collinsville also boasts the 170-foot "Brooks Catsup Bottle," the world's largest catsup bottle and a classic piece of roadside kitsch. South of Main Street at 800 S. Morrison Street; you can't miss it. Don't forget your fries!

If you've got a few extra hours, days, weeks, or even months, along with a hankerin? for the open road, Route 66 is for you. If you?ve got the time, wheels, and gumption, you can take it all the way to La La Land! But even if you don't make it to the end of the road, you can have a great time and see some truly historic, very interesting, and undeniably cool things on your homemade road trip. Hit the road the next time you've got the urge to get out of Dodge!


Directions

Just head south out of the Loop, get on I-55, and there you are! You'll see signs for "Historic Route 66" all over the place. Follow it to any and all the wide spots in the road; you're sure to run into (hopefully not literally) something interesting and fun.