Springfield Illinois on May 31, 2021 at 3:57:16 am [Print]

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I still cannot recommend any Route 66 motel in this city (another bad report today on one). Update 5-2024. Still can't recommend.

BUMP: I moved a few updates back to the top: on May 13, 2021 at 6:09:13 pm [Print]

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ROLLA EAST SIDE on Feb 12, 2020 at 11:43:15 am [remove] - [edit] [Print] They've also reworked old 66 on the east side of Rolla.

WB: Follow the directions as before...but they now take you on a new connector road that re-connects the former "Dead end 66" shown on the detail map MO page-13. The mileage now works out to about 2.5 miles...but that's not terribly important.

EB: Turn RIGHT onto RD 2000 (there IS a "66" sign there currently. The former Y is gone, so stay with RD 2000 (former "Dead End 66" on the detail map) which now connects directly to the HWY V JCT. Continue with the current directions.

It is no longer necessary to drive the section of earlier 66 once marked "2020" but now confusingly marked "2040" and "39". But you CAN access and drive this earlier section from either end if you wish. The former Y connections are now sharp turns and easy to miss.

Rolla MO on Feb 12, 2020 at 11:27:32 am [remove] - [edit] [Print] They've really reworked 66 on the west end of Rolla by adding a NEW highway connection to MO 72 into the mix. This cuts formerly continuous Kingshighway just east of the roundabout.

WB: follow KingsHighway west. Curve to the stoplight at MO HWY 72: Turn RIGHT and continue to the roundabout and follow signs onto Martin Springs Drive.

EB: follow Martin Springs Drive into Rolla.

AT JCT 44. KEEP RIGHT to bypass the roundabout (or you can follow the lane thru the roundabout if you miss this) and briefly join MO 72 (follow signs: BL 44 ROLLA). Quickly prepare for a LEFT TURN at upcoming stoplight. Turn LEFT onto BL-44/Kingshighway.

(this is why I drive old 66 both directions as often as possible).

Essex to Amboy detour on Jan 30, 2020 at 2:42:32 pm [remove] - [edit] [Print] The current detour via I-40 and Kelbaker road from Essex CA to Amboy CA (see CA maps 1 and 2) will likely still be effect into 2023. Federal funding is set to rebuild many of the damaged bridges, but others wait their turn. DO NOT attempt to drive past the signs!

DETOUR DETAILS:
Due to washouts from heavy storms the route between Essex CA and Chambless (Cadiz Jct) CA is currently CLOSED.
UPDATE: 10-22 CURRENTLY ALSO CLOSED WEST FROM AMBOY TO LUDLOW.

See the maps on CA page 2 and 6. This detour route below is indicated.

Westbound, JOIN I-40 west from Goffs Rd/Fenner at Exit 107. Take EXIT 78 Kelbaker Rd SOUTH (across I-40) for 11.5 miles back down to 66 / National Trails Hwy, then turn RIGHT to Amboy.

Eastbound, go thru Amboy, then LEFT on Kelbaker Road for 11.5 miles to I-40. Join I-40 EAST to EXIT 107 Goffs Rd/Fenner and rejoin the tour route.

NOTE: THE FORMERLY ROUGH OPTION ROUTE BETWEEN LUDLOW AND NEWBERRY SPRINGS IN NOW IN GOOD CONDITION AS REPORTED BY MANY READERS (and i drove it too).. Its OK to drive now.

Also, Cajon Blvd/66 is now open all the way to San Barnardino..no need to join I-15 and I-215 anymore.

Gasconade river bridge on Aug 02, 2019 at 7:12:32 pm [remove] - [edit] [Print] MO page-17: You can now drive old 66 between exit 145 and exit 140 east of Lebanon. A new outer road bridge has been opened, bypassing the closed and endangered 1923 Gasconade river bridge. You do NOT have to "JOIN I-40 WEST or EAST anymore. There is a side road that will let you get closer to the old bridge. BUT..the old bridge appears to be doomed despite efforts to save it.

MO page 23 on Jul 13, 2019 at 9:44:08 am [remove] - [edit] [Print] Just a reminder that since the last edition Gay Parita has indeed been reopened by the late Gary Turner's daughter Barb and her husband George. Good folks!

MO highway designations on Mar 22, 2017 at 9:38:44 am [remove] - [edit] [Print] I want to bump this post up to the top as there has been confusion in the past.
I've gotten a couple of emails about all those funny sets of letters ("FF" "AT" "Z" etc) on the Missouri maps and directions.
Its not a secret code...this is how Missouri designates certain supplementary or secondary roads in their state! So the "ZZ" on a map is "Highway ZZ".
So where you see a letter in a circle on a map, or "Hwy F" (for example) in the directions, just look for those letters on a sign.

manor motel near Joliet on Apr 22, 2021 at 4:18:53 pm [Print]

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Manor Motel (IL page-6). I got a bad report. be sure to check the rooms first. And don't let a bad motel scare you off from staying at the MANY great vintage motels along 66!!! For example the nearby Braidwood Motel (near the Polka Dot in braidwood) is good.

OKLAHOMA HISTORIC 66 SIGN ALERT on Apr 12, 2021 at 6:15:51 pm [Print]

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For now IGNORE any Oklahoma Historic 66 sign that direct you from the directions in the EZ 66 guide onto sections of I-44 and I-40 in Oklahoma! These misleading signs will soon be removed.
Examples: I-44 thru Tulsa. I-40 west of the Ft Reno turnoff (west of El Reno) and I-40 at Hinton Jct near Bridgeport.
Don't just blindly follow any H-66 sign you see in any state. Check the book directions if in doubt.

Manor Motel il page 6 on Apr 12, 2021 at 6:09:53 pm [Print]

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Got this bad report in recently: Be advised to check it out first. If I get more I will remove it." (update: got another bad report.)

I strongly urge you to remove Manor Motel (IL page-6). I looked it up, there weren't any bad reviews, but it was horrible. And that was our first hotel enroute. Needless to say my husband insisted on staying at regular chain hotels after that experience. I wouldn't have even known about that place if I had not seen it in your book. Again, I know it was my decision, however I feel so strongly that you should remove it. I have since left a review on google along with pictures (Travelsalot1988) if you want to see them. I just wanted to pass this along to you.

Eat Rite closed on Dec 19, 2020 at 1:06:10 am [Print]

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it has been reported that the Eat Rite diner in downtown ST Louis has closed permanently (MO page-4)

A new restaurant has opened in the old Eat Rite. new name and menu. I am waiting to see how it goes.

OK page 21 and 20 (Oklahoma City EB EASTBOUND) on Nov 27, 2020 at 5:35:35 pm [Print]

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Well, now you are not supposed to exit directly from I-44 eastbound onto May Ave. There is a solid white line. A sign BEFORE you "merge(es)onto I-44 East" informs you that you must use NW 36th St to reach May Ave. Just follow the signs curve right towards West I-44, which takes you to a stoplight at 36th. Turn left, cross I-44 and head to May Ave. You don't need to get on I-44...that happens AFTER the NW 36th intersection.

MO page 19 on Oct 28, 2020 at 8:31:24 pm [Print]

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Lisa also reminded me about the new traffic circle at the JCT of CC and Hwy 38. And past this (EB eastbound)new construction calls for a right to remain on CC eastbound. In the near future Hwy CC will NOT reach the traffic circle at Hwy 38 turn, but you will join CC EB at the above mentioned right turn...not sure what they will call the old section of former Hwy CC in Marshfield yet...sheesh. (Former CC to Marshfield is now "Hubbel Drive)

HOUSE CLEANING on Oct 24, 2020 at 4:26:18 pm [Print]

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I just read back thru the updates to the start of the 2nd edition! A lot changed since then...good and bad. I removed some duplicate and "no longer in effect" entries and updated others. If you have the 4th Edition you only need go back as far as the end of 2015 (some "on paper" updates since then). But I left important entries for the second and third versions. And there is one long entry that covers earlier updates.

bumping to the top again on Oct 24, 2020 at 4:22:06 pm [Print]

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Gasconade river bridge MO page-17: You can now drive old 66 between exit 145 and exit 140 east of Lebanon. A new outer road bridge has been opened, bypassing the closed and endangered 1923 Gasconade river bridge. You do NOT have to "JOIN I-40 WEST or EAST anymore. There is a side road that will let you get closer to the old bridge. B
MO page 23 on Jul 13, 2019 at 9:44:08 am [remove] - [edit] [Print] Just a reminder that since the last edition Gay Parita has indeed been reopened by the late Gary Turner's daughter Barb and her husband George. Good folks!