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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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]
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

BUMP WELLSTON OK DETOUR on Feb 24, 2025 at 5:28:20 pm [Print]
66 CLOSED AT WELLSTON...USE LOCAL DETOUR on Sep 03, 2024 at 7:09:12 pm [remove] - [edit] [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.

CA FIRE AFTERMATH on Feb 04, 2025 at 3:20:08 pm [Print]
The CA 66 association is asking for tourists to support the Route 66 businesses in the LA to San Bernardino rggion again after the recent fires. Areas north of Pasadena, and near Santa Monica (Including Malibu) were destroyed, and remain "out of bounds" for tourism. but most of the rest of the area, including the Santa Monica Pier, is OK. Be advised there may be issues with some hotels due to refugess, but rooms are reportedly available.

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