Best Story Tour: Must-See Stops Along Route 66 –
By Staff Writer
May 6, 2025
Embarking on a Route 66 road trip is like stepping into a time capsule, where the pulse of America’s past beats through neon-lit diners, quirky roadside attractions, and landscapes that whisper stories of adventure and ambition. Stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, the “Mother Road” is a tapestry of history, culture, and natural wonder. Among its countless treasures, three stops stand out for their compelling narratives and unforgettable experiences: Illinois’ Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Oklahoma’s Route 66 Museum in Clinton, and Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park. This 3,000-word journey weaves together the stories behind these iconic destinations, offering a guide to their history, significance, and practical tips for an epic road trip. Buckle up, and let’s hit the road.
Illinois’ Lincoln Tomb: A Tribute to the Great Emancipator
The Story of Lincoln’s Final Resting Place
Springfield, Illinois, the starting point of Route 66, is synonymous with Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President whose legacy looms large over the Land of Lincoln. At Oak Ridge Cemetery, the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site stands as a solemn monument to the man who preserved the Union and abolished slavery. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960, the tomb is more than a burial site—it’s a pilgrimage for those seeking to connect with Lincoln’s enduring spirit.
Lincoln’s journey to this resting place was fraught with drama. After his assassination on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theatre, his body traveled 1,700 miles by train from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, stopping for public viewings in 12 cities. Mourners lined the tracks, their grief palpable as the nation mourned its fallen leader. In Springfield, Lincoln was laid to rest alongside his sons Edward, William, and Thomas “Tad,” with Mary Todd Lincoln joining them in 1882. The tomb’s construction, completed in 1874, was a labor of love, funded by public donations and designed by sculptor Larkin Mead. Its 117-foot granite obelisk, adorned with bronze statues depicting infantry, cavalry, artillery, and naval scenes, reflects Lincoln’s wartime leadership.
The tomb’s history includes a bizarre footnote: in 1876, counterfeiters attempted to steal Lincoln’s body, planning to ransom it for $200,000 and the release of an imprisoned accomplice. The plot was foiled, but it led to reinforcing the coffin with concrete, ensuring Lincoln’s remains stayed secure. Inside, a red marble cenotaph marks the spot above his burial chamber, inscribed with his words: “With malice toward none, with charity for all.”
Why It’s a Must-See
Visiting the Lincoln Tomb is a humbling experience, blending history with quiet reflection. The interior, with its polished marble corridors and bronze plaques, feels like a sacred space. A standout feature is the bronze bust of Lincoln at the entrance, its nose polished to a shine by visitors rubbing it for luck—a tradition that adds a touch of warmth to the solemnity. The tomb also houses a replica of the Lincoln Memorial statue, connecting Springfield to Washington, D.C.
Beyond the tomb, Springfield pulses with Lincoln lore. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, just 3 miles away, brings his story to life through immersive exhibits, including a holographic theater reenacting his debates with Stephen Douglas. The Lincoln Home National Historic Site, the only home Lincoln ever owned, offers a glimpse into his family life, with ranger-led tours of the preserved neighborhood. For Route 66 enthusiasts, Springfield’s kitschy charm shines at Cozy Dog Drive In, credited with inventing the corn dog, and the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, where vintage signs evoke the road’s heyday.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Location: Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1500 Monument Ave, Springfield, IL 62702.
- Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; cemetery open 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (September–March) or 7 a.m.–8 p.m. (April–August).
- Admission: Free.
- Tips: Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially during summer. Photography is allowed, but flash is prohibited inside. Pair your visit with the nearby Lincoln Home (free, but tickets required) and the Presidential Museum ($15 adults, $6 children).
- Route 66 Connection: Springfield marks the start of Route 66, with classic diners like the Cozy Dog (1949) and photo ops at the giant Railsplitter Covered Wagon, a nod to Lincoln’s nickname.
As you leave Springfield, the open road beckons, carrying you through Illinois’ cornfields toward Missouri and beyond. The Lincoln Tomb sets the tone for Route 66—a journey through America’s heart, where history and nostalgia intertwine.
Oklahoma’s Route 66 Museum: The Heart of the Mother Road
The Story of Clinton’s Nostalgic Gem
In Clinton, Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum stands as the definitive shrine to the Mother Road’s legacy. Opened in 1995 in a restored 1930s diner-style building, it’s the largest museum dedicated to Route 66, chronicling its history from Chicago to Santa Monica. Oklahoma, with 400 miles of the original highway—the longest of any state—embraces its Route 66 heritage, and Clinton’s museum captures the road’s spirit through immersive exhibits and nostalgic memorabilia.
Route 66, established in 1926, was America’s lifeline, connecting small towns to big dreams. It thrived in the post-World War II era, fueled by car culture and the promise of the open road. The museum tells this story through six themed galleries, each recreating a slice of the route’s golden age. Visitors step into a 1920s gas station, a 1950s diner with a jukebox blaring Elvis, and a hippie-era VW bus, evoking the counterculture of the 1960s. Interactive displays include a drive-in theater screen showing clips from Route 66 (the TV series) and a replica of a tourist cabin, complete with vintage suitcases.
The museum also honors the road’s darker chapters: the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s, when “Okies” fled westward, as depicted in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, and the highway’s decline after Interstate 40 bypassed it in the 1970s. A standout exhibit, the “Now and Future Gallery,” explores Route 66’s revival, with photos of restored neon signs and stories of communities reclaiming their heritage. The gift shop, stocked with retro postcards and Route 66 license plates, is a treasure trove for collectors.
Why It’s a Must-See
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is a love letter to the road’s eclectic charm. Its immersive design makes you feel like you’re cruising the highway in a ’57 Chevy, with every exhibit sparking a story. The museum’s strength lies in its balance of nostalgia and education, appealing to history buffs, car enthusiasts, and families alike. A highlight is the chance to sit in a vintage Ford Model T or pose with a neon-lit Route 66 sign, perfect for Instagram.
Clinton itself is a Route 66 hotspot. Nearby, the Milk Bottle Grocery, a tiny triangular building topped with a giant milk bottle, now houses a Vietnamese café serving bánh mì, blending old and new. The Blue Whale of Catoosa, 30 miles east, is a quirky waterfront icon where families picnic by a giant concrete whale. For a deeper dive, visit Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park in Foyil, home to the world’s largest concrete totem pole, a folk art marvel built in 1937. These stops, paired with the museum, capture Route 66’s whimsical spirit.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Location: 2229 Gary Blvd, Clinton, OK 73601.
- Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 1–5 p.m. (closed Mondays in winter).
- Admission: $7 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children (6–12), free for under 6.
- Tips: Allow 1–2 hours for the museum. Guided tours are available for groups (book ahead). Grab lunch at Jigg’s Smokehouse, a local BBQ joint with Route 66 vibes. Check out the gift shop for unique souvenirs like replica road signs.
- Route 66 Connection: Clinton lies along Oklahoma’s historic Route 66 stretch, with nearby stops like the Pop’s 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia, boasting 700 soda flavors, and the Round Barn in Arcadia, a restored 1898 landmark.
Leaving Clinton, the road winds through Oklahoma’s plains, past vintage gas stations and endless skies, toward the Southwest’s deserts. The museum’s stories linger, reminding you that Route 66 is as much about the journey as the destination.
Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park: A Prehistoric Wonderland
The Story of Nature’s Time Capsule
In northeastern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park is a geological marvel and the only U.S. national park preserving a section of historic Route 66. Spanning 346 square miles across Navajo and Apache counties, the park is renowned for its vibrant Painted Desert, colorful badlands, and the world’s largest collection of petrified wood—fossilized trees from 225 million years ago, transformed into sparkling quartz and amethyst. For Route 66 travelers, it’s a must-see detour, blending natural wonder with the road’s adventurous spirit.
The park’s story begins in the Late Triassic period, when ancient rivers deposited fallen trees in a tropical floodplain. Over millions of years, silica-rich groundwater replaced the wood’s organic material, creating petrified logs that shimmer with crystals. Discovered by explorers in the 1850s, the area became a national monument in 1906 and a national park in 1962. Route 66, realigned through the park in the 1930s, brought tourists to its wonders, leaving behind traces like a rusted 1932 Studebaker and weathered telephone poles along the old roadbed.
The Painted Desert, in the park’s northern section, is a 146-square-mile expanse of multihued mesas and badlands, its reds, purples, and blues shifting with the sun. The southern section houses the Crystal Forest and Rainbow Forest, where petrified logs litter the landscape like prehistoric sculptures. Cultural treasures include Puerco Pueblo, a 13th-century Ancestral Puebloan village, and Newspaper Rock, etched with over 600 petroglyphs. The Painted Desert Inn, a 1924 Pueblo Revival landmark renovated by architect Mary Jane Colter, now serves as a museum, showcasing Hopi murals and Route 66 history.
Why It’s a Must-See
Petrified Forest is a surreal blend of science, history, and beauty. Driving the 28-mile park road, from the Painted Desert Visitor Center (near I-40) to the Rainbow Forest Museum (off U.S. 180), takes about an hour but rewards with jaw-dropping vistas at overlooks like Tawa Point and Pintado Point. Hiking trails, like the 0.4-mile Giant Logs Trail or the 2.6-mile Long Logs and Agate House loop, bring you face-to-face with petrified wood and ancient ruins. The Blue Mesa Trail, a 1-mile loop through blue-hued badlands, feels like a walk on another planet.
For Route 66 fans, the park’s historic alignment, marked by a pullout with interpretive signs, is a poignant stop. The nearby Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, with its tipi-shaped rooms, offers a kitschy overnight stay, while Standin’ on the Corner Park in Winslow, inspired by the Eagles’ “Take It Easy,” adds musical nostalgia. The park’s solitude—far quieter than the Grand Canyon—invites contemplation, making it a perfect counterpoint to Route 66’s bustling diners and neon signs.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Location: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028 (north entrance off I-40, south entrance off U.S. 180 near Holbrook).
- Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (extended summer hours; check nps.gov).
- Admission: $25 per vehicle (7-day pass).
- Tips: Allow 2–4 hours for driving and short hikes; a full day for longer trails like Onyx Bridge (4 miles). Bring water and sun protection, as shade is scarce. Do not remove petrified wood (it’s illegal and carries fines). Eat at the Painted Desert Diner or pack a picnic. Stay at the Wigwam Motel ($80–$120/night) or camp in the park’s backcountry (permit required).
- Route 66 Connection: The park lies on historic Route 66, with nearby Holbrook and Winslow offering classic stops like Butterfield Stage Co Steak House and the La Posada Hotel, a restored 1930s gem.
As you exit the park, the road stretches toward California, carrying the echoes of ancient forests and Route 66’s timeless allure. The Petrified Forest is a reminder that the Mother Road’s stories span not just decades but millennia.
Crafting Your Route 66 Story Tour
Connecting the Stops
These three stops—Lincoln Tomb, Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, and Petrified Forest—form a narrative arc across Route 66’s heartland, linking America’s political, cultural, and natural histories. From Springfield’s reverence for Lincoln’s legacy to Clinton’s celebration of the road’s golden age to Arizona’s prehistoric wonders, each destination offers a unique lens on the American experience. Together, they embody Route 66’s essence: a journey through time, where every mile tells a story.
A full Route 66 trip takes 2–3 weeks, but you can focus on these highlights in 7–10 days. Start in Chicago, snapping a photo at the “Begin Route 66” sign on Adams Street, then head to Springfield (3 hours). After exploring Lincoln sites, drive through St. Louis (1.5 hours from Springfield), pausing at the Gateway Arch, and continue to Tulsa (6 hours), where the Blue Whale of Catoosa awaits. From Tulsa, Clinton’s museum is a 2-hour drive. Finally, cruise to Holbrook, Arizona (10 hours), via Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch, to reach Petrified Forest. End your journey in Santa Monica (8 hours from Holbrook), at the iconic pier.
Practical Planning Tips
- Best Time to Travel: Spring (March–May) or fall (September–November) for mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is peak season but hot in the Southwest; winter brings snow in Illinois and Oklahoma.
- Vehicle: Rent a convertible or RV for the full Route 66 vibe. Ensure good tires and AC for desert stretches.
- Budget: Expect $100–$150/day per person for gas, food, lodging, and attractions. Motels like the Wigwam are affordable; splurge on a night at La Posada ($120–$200).
- Resources: Use the EZ66 Guide for Travelers by Jerry McClanahan or the Route 66 Adventure Handbook. Apps like Roadtrippers help plan stops.
- Guided Tours: For a structured trip, book an escorted tour (e.g., through Pettitts Travel), which includes accommodations and guided visits.
Stories to Savor
Route 66 is more than a highway—it’s a storyteller’s dream. At the Lincoln Tomb, imagine the nation’s grief as Lincoln’s funeral train arrived, uniting a divided country. In Clinton, picture families piling into Studebakers, chasing dreams under neon signs. At Petrified Forest, marvel at trees older than dinosaurs, their colors painting a canvas unchanged by time. These stops aren’t just places; they’re chapters in America’s saga, inviting you to add your own.
As you drive, keep an eye out for Route 66’s quirks: the World’s Largest Covered Wagon in Lincoln, Illinois, the Kan-O-Tex Diner in Galena, Kansas, inspired by Cars, or the Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona, serving “cheeseburgers with cheese.” Stop for a soda at Pop’s 66 or a steak at Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo. Chat with locals, who’ll share tales of the road’s heyday. Every diner, every sign, every mile holds a story.
A Journey Through Time
The Lincoln Tomb, Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, and Petrified Forest are more than must-see stops—they’re gateways to understanding America’s soul. They tell of a president’s sacrifice, a highway’s rise and fall, and a landscape’s ancient resilience. Together, they weave a narrative that spans centuries, inviting travelers to slow down and listen. Route 66 isn’t about speed; it’s about savoring the stories that make the journey unforgettable.
So, gas up, roll down the windows, and let the Mother Road guide you. From Springfield’s hallowed ground to Clinton’s nostalgic halls to Arizona’s fossilized forests, your Route 66 story tour awaits. As Nat King Cole crooned, “Get your kicks on Route 66”—and make memories that last a lifetime.
