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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 9.97mi
Map Pin
10170 MO-266, Bois D'Arc, MO 65612, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Wait… Am I Still on Route 66?
Welcome to Day 2 of our Epic Route 66 Self-Guided Driving Tour from Springfield Missouri to Amarillo, Texas!

If you’re following along on a Route 66 adventure, you may have noticed something a little confusing on your map or road signs — Route 66 seems to go by a bunch of different names. You’ll see signs for Interstate 44, Old Route 66, Historic Route 66, Business 40, and even something called Bicycle Route 66.

So… what gives?

Well, Route 66 was officially decommissioned as a U.S. Highway back in 1985. That means it’s no longer part of the official federal highway system. But it never really went away. Over time, sections of the original road were replaced by faster interstate highways — like I-55, I-44, and I-40. These are the roads most people use to travel across the country today.

But here’s the cool part — many parts of the original Route 66 still exist! Locals call them “Old 66” or “Historic Route 66,” and they often run parallel to the interstates. Right now, you are actually driving one of these original routes. These roads are where you’ll find the real magic: roadside diners, neon signs, quirky attractions, and small towns that kept the spirit of Route 66 alive.

As for Bicycle Route 66 — that’s a designated cross-country cycling route that follows the historic alignment as closely as possible, but it's for two wheels, not four.

So, if your GPS shows you bouncing between different names, don’t worry — you’re still on the Mother Road. Route 66 may not be a single straight line anymore, but its legacy is very much alive — and you’re driving right through it.

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Place #2
Distance: 1.62mi
Map Pin
21498 MO-266, Everton, MO 65646, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
Cruising the Mother Road – The Spirit of Route 66
As you roll along this scenic stretch of Route 66 between St. Robert and Springfield, you’re not just covering miles—you’re cruising through living history. This filler stretch may not have a major town, but it carries the heartbeat of the Mother Road.

Route 66, commissioned in 1926, was more than just a road—it was a symbol of freedom, opportunity, and adventure. It connected small towns across eight states, bringing commerce and culture to places previously off the map. During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, thousands of families used this road to flee the drought-stricken plains, chasing the promise of a better life in California. John Steinbeck even called it the “Mother Road” in The Grapes of Wrath, a name that stuck.

One of the lesser-known but fascinating facts about this stretch? Many of the curves and contours were shaped not by engineers—but by mules. When the route followed older trails and postal roads, it often stuck to paths carved out by wagon wheels and pack animals. That’s why some sections have unexpectedly winding routes, especially through the Ozarks.

Keep your eyes peeled—you might spot remnants of ghost towns, weathered billboards, or the remains of long-closed motor courts, all whispering stories of travelers who came before you. This isn’t just filler. It’s the soul of Route 66—quiet, enduring, and full of stories waiting to be told.

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Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Wait… Am I Still on Route 66?
Map Pin Place 2 Cruising the Mother Road – The Spirit of Route 66
Map Pin Place 3 Spencer Station – A Living Time Capsule on Route 66
Map Pin Place 4 Miami, Missouri – A Quiet Detour Off the Mother Road
Map Pin Place 5 Whimsical Totem Pole Park
Map Pin Place 6 The Iconic Blue Whale
Map Pin Place 7 Tulsa, Oklahoma – The Oil Capital of the World
Map Pin Place 8 Rolling Through the Heartland – Between Tulsa and Oklahoma City
Map Pin Place 9 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Heart of the Mother Road
Map Pin Place 10 Route 66 Roadside Americana – Between Oklahoma City and Shamrock
Map Pin Place 11 Washita National Wildlife Refuge – A Hidden Natural Haven on the Mother Road
Map Pin Place 12 Art Deco U-Drop Inn
Map Pin Place 13 The Leaning Tower of Texas
Map Pin Place 14 Almost at the End of the Road in Amarillo
Map Pin Place 15 Iconic Cadillac Ranch



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