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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Luther Ok on Oct 19, 2024 at 5:33:46 pm [Print]
Road construction from Luther to Arcadia Oklahoma.

Very rough spots especially for motorbikes.

OK PAGE-13 MAP BETWEEN KELLYVILLE AND STROUD on Oct 15, 2024 at 11:25:23 pm [Print]
UPDATE 1: Construction of a new WB ON/OFFRAMP for I-44 has temporarily closed access to the east end of the TANK FARM LOOP OPTION (OK page-15)

UPDATE 2: The SHOE TREE LOOP east of STROUD is closed on its west end. The former Trading Post at the east end is gone. Don't take this now private driveway. The "new" shoe tree is nothing to look at really, so just forget this site.

hOLBROOK AZ on Oct 08, 2024 at 4:03:41 pm [Print]
I suggest you check the room first at Brad's desert Inn after a recent report.

RICH HENRY'S RABBIT RANCH on Sep 27, 2024 at 1:28:55 pm [Print]
Now that Rich has passed away, his family and a friend are trying to keep his attraction accessible to visitors. His friend opens when possible, otherwise respectful visitors may walk about the outdoor displays.

Palomas to Montoya New Mexico on Sep 22, 2024 at 7:11:20 pm [Print]
The OPTION between these points( see NM page 5) is reportedly flooded again so use the main route on 40.

Pony Bridge update on Sep 11, 2024 at 1:53:32 pm [Print]
The road west from the Pony Bridge to the Hinton Exit101 is CLOSED while another bridge is being rebuilt.
It is reported you can drive to the east side of the Pony bridge, where there is a parking area. But you must return to Exit 108 (Cherokee Trading Post) and use I-40 to continue west. Rejoin 66 by going north from EXIT 101 9"Hinton JCT") EB: reverse

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES on Sep 11, 2024 at 1:35:16 pm [Print]
If headed to CA now (and in the near future) be sure to check ahead for info on the current wildfire situation in the mountains near San Bernardino. There are currently fires east and west of the I-15/66 corridor, for example. Even if the fires do not directly affect 66, there are reports of heavy smoke and ash, so be prepared for bad air quality (which may extend east into AZ). Residents of affected communities are being evacuated, so area motels may fill. Don't drive into heavy smoke if you can't see ahead.

Seligman AZ on Sep 05, 2024 at 3:49:24 pm [Print]
UPDATE: a report says the pavement work is done. But there may be more. Just saw a FB report of on going repaving near seligman AZ, involving "gravel, tar and delays". The commenter turned back to seligman and joined I40. If headed west they missed one of best sections off 66! Personally, I would put up with the inconvenience to drive from Seligman to Kingman and avoid 40!

bump Bug ranch moved on Sep 04, 2024 at 1:38:45 pm [Print]
Bug Ranch has expanded and moved from Conway TX to the RV park just west of the Big Texan in Amarillo on the I-40 north frontage road. ONLY paint the cars...NOT the sidewalks, etc!

66 CLOSED AT WELLSTON...USE LOCAL DETOUR on Sep 03, 2024 at 7:09:12 pm [Print]
UPDATE: GO TO EZ66 GUIDE TO ROUTE 66 on FB for a MAP of this detour.

After 71 years of carrying Turner Turnpike traffic over Route 66 on the east side of Wellston, OK, this battered and rusty old overpass (and the stretch of 66 that passed under it) is now CLOSED.

This closure will last about a year while they build a temp road to carry all 4 lanes of heavy I-44 traffic off this antique structure, then tear it down, build NEW spans, revise the off/onramps, etc.

But the good news for Route 66 travelers is that the brand new paved LOCAL detour is open and is an easy to drive 3 miles (plus 1 more mile to head back east on 66 so you can visit Butcher BBQ and follow 66B (original 66) thru Wellston (downtown murals and restored Captain Creek Bridge).

The city of Wellston encourages you to take the local detour. There is even a sign posted for westbound traffic at the closure that tells you to use the local detour to get to Butcher BBQ and On Cue in Wellston.

Ignore (but see below) the OK 66 DETOUR signs at US 177 or HWY 102 and continue on 66 to the marked local detour. It will take you about 7-9 minutes or so (depending on if you catch the stoplight controlling traffic over a narrow bridge). Don't speed (traffic may be impatient with you).!

This shorter detour is NOT FOR BIG HEAVY TRUCKS AND RVs. There is supposedly a weight/size limit, but not yet posted. If you are in something big, use the 30 mile detour via US 177/US 62 and OK HWY 102, or use I-44/Toll Rd, but check beforehand for the status of off/on ramps at Wellston.