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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LA MARATHON on Mar 06, 2026 at 8:37:40 pm [Print]
https://www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/

This SUNDAY MARCH 8 2026 the LA Marathon will close and tie up many streets and resources in the LA area. Better plan NOT to try to drive from Pasadena to Santa Monica that day...I imagine m=hotels, etc will be full too.

CARTHAGE MO BRIDGES CLOSED MO PAGE-25 on Mar 06, 2026 at 3:09:45 pm [Print]
Here we go again! The 6th edition is not yet out and (as of the end of February 2026) there is already a road closure due to two deteriorated bridges on the north side of Carthage MO!

Fortunately, this is on the OPTION "EASTSIDE #2 ALT 66" and NOT the main tour route. SO...IGNORE this OPTION and just follow the direction boxes to enjoy Carthage. (NOTE...Garrison SOUTH of HWY 96 is OPEN).

The ALT 66 route that used HWY V from the east, then turned south on Garrison (former US 71), crossed a couple of long concrete viaducts/bridges north of Carthage...these have been PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

This section of Garrison is now blocked between Hwy V (actually Java St) on the north, and High St on the south.

Perhaps the city will build new bridges...someday in the future. But I will be removing this OPTION ALT 66 from the EZ 66 Guide the next chance we get. I doubt I will include this route in a far future edition...without the classic viaducts it really won't be the same.

Gallup NM east on Feb 22, 2026 at 3:46:10 pm [Print]
Starting 2-23, 2026 and thru the "summer months" Route 66 through traffic will have to use I-40 between New Mexico Exit 36 (Iyanbito) and Exit 26 (east entry into Gallup) due to bridge removal and construction. This is an 11 mile section of 66 that runs between the railroad and I-40. In other words, headed WB don't get off I-40 at exit 36. EB, get on east I-40 at Exit 26.

NO MORE DETOUR IN WELLSTON, OK! on Dec 17, 2025 at 9:40:36 pm [Print]
FINALLY AT LONG LAST ROUTE 66 THRU WELLSTON OK IS OPEN!
At least that is what the Wellston OK FB page is reporting as of this afternoon!
You can now drive straight thru on 66 from Chandler to Wellston and beyond.
Yay! No more 3 mile detour! No more detour maps!
Be careful thru this section as there may yet be final finishing work.

BUMP GEMINI GIANT MOVED on Sep 09, 2025 at 2:28:25 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.

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.

Catoosa Oklahoma on Sep 05, 2025 at 2:01:05 am [Print]
The blue whale is closed while a new gift shop etc is built. You can view the whale from the road but be careful if you park.

TEXAS UPDATES on Aug 10, 2025 at 8:05:11 pm [Print]
Thanks to Ray from Amarillo:


The overpass at Cadiillac Ranch is OPEN.


CONSTRUCTION ALERTS on Jul 22, 2025 at 1:09:57 am [Print]
!: A FEW MILES WEST OF CHANDLER OK. NARROW LANES, NO SHOULDER (BIKES USE CAUTION)

"2: 3 MILES OF ROADWORK FROM EXIT 44 (COOLIDGE) WEST.IF WESTBOUND DO NOT EXIT AT COOLIDGE AS YOU CANNOT GET BACK ON WESTBOUND HERE. THERE IS NO DETOUR VIA 66 HERE.
3: THERE IS CURRENTLY ROAD WORK IN THE ALLENTOWN AZ AREA, AND THERE HAS BEEN RECURRING ROADWORK NEAR HOLBROOK RECENTLY.

CUBA MO on Jul 22, 2025 at 1:03:31 am [Print]
WEIR ON 66 IS CLOSED

GRANITE CITY GIANT ALERT on Jul 22, 2025 at 1:01:26 am [Print]
A couple of new giants in GRANITE CITY Illinois (IL pg 28)
Earl The Mechinic is at Obrien Tire 3924 Nameoki Rd on the OPTION 66 (this business dates back almost 120 years)

Rusty the Muffler Man (holding not a muffler but a sledgehammer) is at 614 Neidringhaus Ave at Granite City's historic Lincoln Place Neighborhood.

PLUS: GIANT FORK AT 1901 CLEVELAND BLVD

Giant Graniteware tea pot at It's Electric Neon Sign Park 19th Street and Delmar Avenue, Granite City