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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CA page-2 and 5 on May 16, 2026 at 7:55:15 pm [Print]
Just got a report that Goffs Rd is currently being repaved, and has lots of loose gravel (plus a 35 MPH limit).
This is between Amboy and Needles, CA. See the map on CA page-2 in the EZ 66.
If you are in a nice car, or on a motorcycle or in an RV, you may want to skip this section.

Stay on I-40 between Exit 133 (US 95) and Exit 78/Kelbaker Rd (this exit takes you south to join 66 about 6 miles east of Amboy).

BTW...there are 3 bridges being worked on between Kelbaker Rd and Amboy, so expect to navigate a few short gravel bypasses).

ROAD CLOSURE WEST OF GALLUP NM on May 13, 2026 at 4:17:39 pm [Print]
NM page-34: WB: you need to join I-40 at EXIT 16 (west Gallup exit) to Exit 8.

Nm Hwy 118/Route 66 is CLOSED for construction about a mile and a half west of the I-40 underpass near Defiance.

You can exit at Exit 8 and follow the directions thru Manuelito to Lupton.

EB: join I-40 at Exit 8 to take exit 16 into GALLUP.

Don't forget that Hwy 118/66 is also CLOSED from the east Gallup exit east to Exit 36. You will need to stay on I-40 between Exits 36 and 26 until this is opened.

new stuff: on May 12, 2026 at 11:26:28 pm [Print]
There is a new giant 66 sign drive-thru on the west side of Holbrook, AZ
New musical road east side of Winslow (near 911 memorial).
Giant push pin east of Wellston, OK

BUMP: GEMINI GIANT MOVED on May 12, 2026 at 11:24:44 pm [Print]
WILMINGTON ILLINOIS NEW LOCATION OF GEMINI GIANT
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 at 123 W Baltimore St, Wilmington, IL 60481


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.

NM page-3 on May 12, 2026 at 11:22:02 pm [Print]


The dirt option is still CLOSED between Glenrio and San Jon at a county bridge that washed out. Evidently there is not a CLOSED sign until you get to the bridge. Driving down the construction road thru the wash is NOT recommended.

MCJERRY GALLERY PARKING on May 12, 2026 at 11:20:11 pm [Print]
RVs especially: PLEASE PARK ON THE GALLERY (East) SIDE OF THE STREET.

Cars can park on the grass drive in front of or beside the gallery. Its MY grass, so i say its OK! LOL

If you park on the west side of the street it may inconvenience the neighbors. PLEASE DON'T BLOCK THEIR DRIVEWAYS WITH BIG RVS (you CAN block MY driveways!)

musical road ALBUQUERQUE on May 12, 2026 at 11:19:14 pm [Print]
] Due to the lack of signs, and the difficulty in finding the short stretch of grooves that play "America the BeautifuL",I did not try to describe the unmarked location in the new edition (not enough room!).

I tried to find it again for myself last trip, and ended up hearing a small, poor quality rendition after many u turns.
I went back thru these updates and copied some details on how to find what is left of the "singing Road" east of Albuquerque. It is on Route 66/HWY 333 between mile marker 4 and 5, eastbound only. Drive (safely!!!) 45 mph and a little more to the right. If you need to u turn and try again BE CAREFUL!

Kimberly Bertel had shared this detailed report:
To find the Musical Highway drive East from Albuquerque at mile marker 4 - you will go around a dead mans curve & under I-40 overpass. As you get off of that curved & the roads starts to level out that is where the music begins. You need to be slightly to the right - closer to the shoulder than you would normally drive & must drive 45-50 mph. If you find yourself at mile marker 5 & did not hear music you passed it. It is easy to turn around & try again. It took us 3 try’s to hear the whole song. There is a little bit of a learning curve.

Be careful!

Of course, one day this may all be moot if they repave this section.

UPDATE: Hard to find. Sound has degraded since new but still audible (until interrupted near the end).

GALLUP WEST TO AZ on May 12, 2026 at 11:09:37 pm [Print]
There are a couple reports that old 66/Hwy 188 is CLOSED between the west Gallup exit 16 and Lupton, AZ. I can't find this closure on google maps, but that don't mean it aint there!

Play it safe and take I-40 from Gallup to Lupton (you can check the roads status at EXIT 8).

Roadwork on May 12, 2026 at 4:31:57 pm [Print]
Repaving between Tulsa and Sapulpa will slow you down.

STAUNTON ILLINOIS on May 05, 2026 at 2:18:33 am [Print]
There may yet be a detour on the Pre-1930 route (IL HWY 4) south of Staunton. If so, take the POST-1930 route.