Don’t look for Route 66 on any of today’s roadmaps. You won’t find it. In reality, it no longer exists. It has been de-commissioned, but thanks to the “new” historic Route 66 signs, you can now travel with R&J Tours on what was once Route 66 – the Mother Road.
It is believed to be the most storied highway in the USA. We have songs, movies, TV shows and books all depicting Route 66. Believed to be the most magical road in all the world, travelers come from all over the world to find this magic.
In the Roaring 20’s, desperados and bootleggers used it as an escape route. Through good times and hard times, the highway became a symbol of faith for the future. Because it went through the center of towns, it became known as “The Main Street of America.” It passes through eigh t states and covers 2,297 miles from Chicago to LA.
This tour will be the first of three exploring this iconic road, traversing Route 66 from Chicago to Baxter Springs, Kansas and covering approximately 613 miles of the historic route.
Let this “time capsule tour” take you back to yesterday’s memories where once again you can “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.”
Day 1 – Home to Bolingbrook, IL
* Travel from Minnesota to Bolingbrook, IL.
* Incl Dinner at the Historic White Fence Farm
Included Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Hampton Inn
Day 2 – Bolingbrook to Bloomington/Normal, IL
Breakfast at Hotel
* Begin our journey on Original Route 66
* Historic Romeoville & Joliet
* Joliet Route 66 Welcome Center & Museum
* Rialto Theatre
* 90 year old Milano’s Bakery
* Gemini Giant
* Included Lunch at Polka Dot Drive Inn
* Historic 1932 Texaco Gas Station
* Historic railroad depots, Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, charming town squares
* 1932 Standard Oil Station
* Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum
* Pontiac Courthouse
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Hampton Inn
Day 3 – Bloomington/Normal to Springfield, IL
Breakfast at Hotel
* Funks Grove Maple Sirup (correct spelling!)
* Rte 66 Dixie Truckers Heaven
* “Tall Paul” Giant
* Many famous & historic spots in Lincoln, IL
* Incl Lunch at authentic Wild Hare Restaurant
* Old Shell Station
* Springfield – Illinois State Capitol
* World class Lincoln Museum
* Lincoln Tomb
* Dinner at the world famous Cozy Dog Drive In, home of the original corn dog.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 4 – Springfield to St. Louis, MO
Breakfast at Hotel
* Shea’s Gas Station in Springfield: One-of-kind, authentic, historic and amazing
* Lincoln Home National Park – Springfield
* Sugar Creek Covered Bridge
* Punkie’s Palace
* Our Lady of the Highway Shrine
* Sky View Drive In Theater (original)
* Incl Lunch Maverick Steakhouse
* Old Wabash Train Depot
* Russell Soulsby Shell Station
* Scotty’s Original Roadhouse
* Chain of Rocks Bridge over the mighty Mississippi
* McKinley Bridge over the Mississippi
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Drury Reception
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 5 – St. Louis
Breakfast at Drury Plaza
* Gateway Arch in St. Louis
* SPECIAL Route 66 Exhibit – Missouri History Museum
Once in a lifetime opportunity! Known as the “Mother Road” and the “Main Street of America,” Route 66 plays an important role in American history and myth. But the famous road also has a story to tell about the St. Louis area and how it has changed. In Route 66: A St. Louis Street we explore the local history of this world-famous highway. Come get your kicks by learning stories about the motels, custard stands, and tourist traps that could be found along the road as it passed through St. Louis. Visitors will see a number of artifacts ranging from gas pumps to roadside signs and will even get a chance to drive the road themselves.
* Special Included Lunch at the Route 66 Exhibit
* Grants Farm (Where the Budweiser Clydesdales live)
* Ted Drewes World Famous Custard
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Treat at Ted Drewes, Drury Reception
Day 6 – St. Louis to Rolla, MO
Breakfast at Drury Plaza
* Times Beach Route 66 Visitors Center
* Red Cedar Inn & Monroes Diner
* Iconic Motels
* Jesse James Museum
* Meramec Caverns Tour
* Incl Lunch at Meramec
* Wagon Wheel Motel
* Cuba – Mural Town USA
* World’s Largest Rocker
* St. James Winery
* Mule Trading Post
* Incl Dinner – Steak n Shake
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Pear Tree Inn
Day 7 – Rolla to Springfield, MO
Breakfast at hotel
* Totem Pole Trading Post
* Some of nation’s earliest 4 lane divided highway
* Devils Elbow & The Elbow Inn – Have to see to believe
* Gascozark Trading Post & DX Station
* 1960 Style Phillips 66 Station
* Munger Moss 1946 Motel
* Lebanon Route 66 Center
* Incl Dinner in Springfield
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 8 – Springfield to Joplin, MO
Breakfast at hotel
* Historic Little Theatre Tour
* Springfield Route 66 Sites
* Old Casket Factory
* Whitehall Merchantile
* Gary Turner Sinclair Station
* Classic Old Original Pavement
* Old Truss Bridge
* Avilla Post Office
* Jasper County Courthouse – Carthage
* Incl Lunch Carthage Deli
* Route 66 Drive In Theatre
* Enter Kansas
* 4 Women On The Route
* Tow Mater (Original Tow Truck that inspired the Cars Character)
* Eisler Bros. Store
* Rainbow Bridge
* Old DX Station
* Phillips 66 Center Baxter Springs
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 9 – Joplin to West Des Moines
Breakfast at hotel
* Depart Joplin and Route 66
* Lunch stop Hallmark Center, Kansas City
* Farewell Dinner – Machine Shed Restaurant
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 10 – West Des Moines to Home
Breakfast at hotel
* Travel home with breaks in Clear Lake and Owatonna
* Arrive home early afternoon
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
20 Meals & 2 Manager’s Receptions Plus a
Treat, Hotels & Activities as stated in
brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
09/14/2016 09/23/2016
Tour Highlights
We will travel entirely on Old Route 66
with the exception of a few miles where
none of the original route remains. We
will be stopping and exploring many
major attractions and landmarks.
- Historic train depots
- Original motels & classic restaurants
- Storied drive-ins, county courthouses,
drive-in theatres and quaint roadside
filling stations
- Historic and romantic town squares
- Wonderful, nostalgic museums
- Famous landmarks
- Fascinating personalities who will
share their fond memories of the past.
- Roadside attractions that literally
meant “right beside the road.”
- Land of Abe Lincoln
