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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TX PAGE-6 MCLEAN TO ALANREED TX on May 26, 2025 at 6:07:44 pm [Print]
Due to the elimination of two former I-40 overpasses on the west side of Mclean, you can no longer access the south frontage rd as in the directions. There may be a way around this involving a stretch of dirt rd, but for now just get on I-40 on the west side of Mclean, and then take ExIT 135, cross over, and rejoin 66 thru town. If you are using the DIRT 66 OPTION on TX page-8, you can ignore this.

AMBOY TO LUDLOW CLOSURE REPORTED on May 26, 2025 at 6:03:18 pm [Print]
UPDATE: THE BARRIERS MAY BE TAKEN DOWN ON 5--28

(National trails Rd) is reported to be CLOSED from west of Amboy, California (at the turnoff to 29 Palms) west to Ludlow. The offcial San Bernardino road Closure site says:

https://dpw.sbcounty.gov/operations/road-closures/

Hazard Block
Starts: 5/22/25 6:30 PM
Ends: Unknown
Status: Active

Details:
NATIONAL TRAILS HIGHWAY is blocked Both Directions.
National Trails Highway is closed at the request of CHP.
I've asked Roy's if they have more info.

This is in addition to the long term closure from east of Amboy (at Kelbakler Rd) to Essex.

MO page 11 detour on May 14, 2025 at 9:40:18 pm [Print]
There is a short detour due to bridge work between EXIT 214 AND EXIT 210, east of CUBA MO. Just use I-044 between these tow exits.

WILMINGTON ILLINOIS NEW LOCATION OF GEMINI GIANT on May 08, 2025 at 2:54:23 pm [Print]
DO NOT STOP AT THE FORMER "LAUNCHING PAD" RESTAURANT SITE ON THE EAST SIDE OF WILMINGTON, ILLINOIS!

It closed a while back, and the GEMINI GIANT is now at his NEW HOME, just WEST of downtown Wilmington.

VISITORS TO THE FORMER RESTAURANT SITE ARE NOT WELCOME.

Again, don't stop there. Drive on by to visit the Gemini Giant in his friendly NEW home.

Except for that, Wilmington is a GREAT place to visit. There is a new 'LANDING PAD" gift shop by the relocated GIANT, and historic downtown is worth a visit.

BUMP PONY BRIDGE OPEN! on May 01, 2025 at 2:41:50 pm [Print]
BRIDGE OPEN on Jan 13, 2025 at 11:44:31 pm] 66 between the PONY BRIDGE and Bridgeport OK is OPEN again, after work on a bridge just west of the Pony Bridge was completed!

Springfield MO Reds on Apr 24, 2025 at 8:04:51 pm [Print]
The Reds Giant Hamburg restaurant, a side trip that paid homage to the original, is closing and will be auctioned off soon. I don't expect it to reopen as Reds and will remove it.


Grand canyon caverns near peach springs Arizona on Apr 24, 2025 at 8:01:23 pm [Print]
now back OPEN

Been told the cave is now closed for remodeling. It had just
Reopened after a long term elevator problem. Check before planning to visit

Miami Oklahoma on Apr 24, 2025 at 7:58:30 pm [Print]
Was just told by a visitor that the river south of town has flooded the older 66 crossing. You'll have to visit the sidewalk highway from the other end for now

Joliet IL detour on Apr 12, 2025 at 1:43:36 am [Print]
Chicago St in downtown Joliet is currently blocked for construction. Detour via hwy 53 (Ottawa if headed west, Scott if east).

Sapulpa detour on Mar 31, 2025 at 12:50:24 pm [Print]
66 (Dewey) in downtown Sapulpa is blocked for construction.
Detour a block north or south, by either of the vintage gas stations mentioned in the guide. And gasoline Alley Classics too