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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CARTHAGE MO on Apr 22, 2026 at 7:18:20 pm [Print]
There is road work between west of Carthage to Cartersville.

MIDPOINT CAFE ADRIAN TEXAS on Apr 16, 2026 at 10:46:27 pm [Print]
It seems they have changed their phone number! The one I just used in the 6th Ed still comes up on many websites...but here is the latest:

806 536 6379

SELIGMAN AZ SITUATION APRIL 16TH on Apr 16, 2026 at 10:36:28 pm [Print]
UPDATE: AS OF THIS EVENING i-40 IS OPEN AGAIN. BUT power is still off to Seligman (and Ash Fork). At this time Seligman has NO water (not sure about Ash Fork). If you have plans to stay the night or eat, etc in either town better try to call ahead.

ORIGINAL POST: An accident earlier on I-40 east of Seligman AZ, has cut off all power to the town and blocked I-40. Traffic is routed on old 66/Crookton RD from west of Ashfork to Seligman. Traffic is heavy.

Almost no businesses are open in Seligman. Cell service is getting worse.

DO NOT CONTUNUE WEST PAST WILLIAMS OR EAST PAST KINGMAN tonight. This outage MAY continue until sometime tomorrow morning or aftewrnoon. CHECK AHEAD IF YOU PLAN TO DRIVE BETWEEN WILLIAMS AND KINGMAN FOR THE REST OF TODAY/TONIGHT OR TOMORROW. I have been posting updates on EZ66 Guide to Route 66 on FB..;.mostly thanks to posts from the JackRabbit Trading Post.

EXIT 169 i-44 OVERPASS CLOSED MO page-14 and 15 on Apr 16, 2026 at 7:06:48 pm [Print]
CURRENTLY the overpass that connects two sections of 66 at EXIT 169/Hwy J (between Rolla and Waynseville) is CLOSED. WB: you can PROBABLY join I-40 WEST at this exit and continue to EXIT 163 (go back on 66 from here to Devils Elbow).
If not you'll have to get on 44 at EXIT 172, and off at EXIT 163.
EB:you MIGHT BE ABLE TO join I-44 eastbound at EXIT 169. If not, loop thru Devils Elbow on old 66, then go back to EXIT 163 and get off at EXIT 176 (if they have THAT open).

I see more overpasses beign worked on on the MODOT page. I'd expect more closures that affect 66!

WAGON WHEEL MOTEL CUBA MO on Apr 16, 2026 at 1:50:33 pm [Print]
Roamin' Rich Dinkela has purchased the famed motel. Same contact info.

Rich is almost thru with restoration of the Shamrock Court in Sullivan, MO!

WELLSTON OK GIANT ALERT on Apr 16, 2026 at 1:48:40 pm [Print]
Since Wellston didn't exactly publicise this new giant attraction early enough, it did not make the deadline to be in the 6th edition!
But there is now a cool GIANT PUSH PIN (as in one you stick in a map) on the east side of town, just east of the new I-44 overpass over 66 (which is decorated and lit up). The push pin marks Wellston's supposed spot on the map of the "midpoint" of 66 thru OK.(I haven't checked the math out myself). The sculpture has sillouhettes of cattle and oil wells and such, with colorful transparent sections...kinda like a stained glass widow. I think it will light up at night?

SPRING 2026 updates 66 Man Giant on Apr 16, 2026 at 1:42:13 pm [Print]
You may note that there are some NEW attractions mentioned in the new 6th Edition that are not yet ready yet! Such as my GIANT 66 MAN statue which will be installed soon-ish here in Chandler, OK. The park that will be his home is behind schedule, but Mark Cline of Enchanted Castle Studios, who built 66 Man for us, is arranging with the city for delivery, and G&S Signs of OKC will be installing him in "......" Park (I'm being a bit coy about the name of the park). His actual celebration will be July 4, but I think he will be on view while the rest of the park is completed.

Construction between Amboy CA and Kelbaker Rd on Apr 08, 2026 at 3:29:21 am [Print]
Tim Augustine reported today (which confirms an earlier report)

"Here is a current update on Route 66 east of Amboy, California.
We just drove through Amboy on Sunday. They are currently rebuilding 3 bridges between Amboy and Kelbaker Road (the current detour back to/from I-40). They have short unpaved detours around each bridge with 2 way traffic. A full stop is required before entering the dirt bypasses.
They look like they will start on a couple other bridges in this section when these are finished. " end of Tim's report

Ber advised if you take the kelbaker Rd detour to and from I-40 to get to Amboy, these short detours will require driving on short unpaved bypasses. If you aze not comfortable driving on dirt roads, then stay on I-40 from the Fenner exit to Ludlow. (the long stretch of 66 east from Chambliss to Fenner is still closed). See CA maps 1 and 2 in the EZ 66 Guide.

GALENA KS on Apr 01, 2026 at 1:14:01 pm [Print]
Must be the morning for restaurant news that came too late for the 6th edition!
"Hot Rod Hangout Speed Shop and Diner" just opened on 66 in Galena KS (a couple blocks south of CARS on the ROUTE.

TUCUMCARI RESTAURANTS NM page-4 on Apr 01, 2026 at 12:58:29 pm [Print]
The 6th edition comes out next week, but I already have updates to report!

First bad news: Watsons BBQ in Tucumcari is CLOSED. property has sold and owners are retiring.

Good news: After the restaurant Kix on 66 burned, they moved to a food trailer. Now they are back OPEN along 66 at "SIDEKIX" 321 E Route 66 Blvd