Day 1: Chicago IL to Springfield IL
![Route 66: Day 1 Chicago IL to Springfield IL](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield-819x1024.jpg)
Postcard from Springfield, Illinois
First 202 miles done. Feat: three flash flooding alerts, two tornadoes, two weird giants, one delicious hot dog, a number of charming small cities, a glorious sunny entrance into Springfield. An eventful birthday, I say.
![Route66 Chicago to Springfield: the Begin sign in downtown Chicago](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield_1-819x1024.jpg)
Driving from Chicago to Springfield Cheat Sheet
Accommodation in Springfield:
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham,1121 Lejune Dr, Springfield, IL, 62703
Where to eat and what to see between Chicago IL and Springfield IL
- Launching Pad, 810 E Baltimore St – btw East & Daniels -, Wilmington. Home of the Gemini Giant. I had a great hot dog and a Route 66 branded root beer.
- Route 66 Museum,110 W Howard St, Pontiac. Worth stopping at least to take a picture of the murales
![Route 66, Chicago to Springfield: Ready to go!](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield_2-1-819x1024.jpg)
Driving from Chicago to Springfield FAQ
There are 202 miles between Chicago and Springfield.
You can drive from Chicago to Springfield in about 3 hours but it really depends on a few factors including traffic (leaving Chicago) and the weather. It took me about 7 hours both cause I stopped for lunch and to take some picture but mostly cause of the heavy rain.
Driving from Chicago to Springfield you pass from a number of pretty charming towns.
Excluding Chicago for obvious reasons the main attractions from Chicago to Springfield are a few classic iconic figures such as the Launching Pad in Wilmington and the Hot Dog Muffler Man in Atlanta. The small towns of Joliet and Pontiac are worth a stop.
It depends on the season. In summer you can drive from Springfield to Cuba with any car. In coldest months a mid size SUV is more practical cause the weather can get pretty nasty.
Route 66 pictures: photos taken from Chicago to Springfield
![Route 66 Chicago to Springfield - Midwest summer weather](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield_6-1-819x1024.jpg)
![Route 66, Chicago to Springfield: Dick's on Route 66](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield_3-1-819x1024.jpg)
![Route 66, Chicago to Springfield: the Gemini Giant, Wilmington](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield_4-1-819x1024.jpg)
![Route 66, Chicago to Springfield: a great hot dog and a fresh root beer](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield_5-1-819x1024.jpg)
![Route 66, Chicago to Springfield: the Hot Dog Muffler Man giant in Atlanta, IL](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield_7-819x1024.jpg)
![Route 66, Chicago to Springfield: almost in Springfield](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield_9-819x1024.jpg)
![Route 66, Chicago to Springfield: an old gas station](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_chicago_to_springfield_8-819x1024.jpg)
My itinerary on the Route 66
- Route 66 the ultimate American road trip
- Day 1: Chicago to Springfield
- Day 2: Springfield to Cuba
- Day 3: Cuba to Carthage
- Day 4: Carthage to Oklahoma City
- Day 5: Oklahoma City to Amarillo
- Day 6: Amarillo to Tucumcari
- Day 7: Tucumcari to Santa Fe
- Day 8: Santa Fe to Gallup
- Day 9: Gallup to Bluff
- Day 10: Bluff to Chambers
- Day 11: Chambers to Sedona
- Day 12: Sedona to Kingman
- Day 13: Kingman to Barstow
- Day 14: Barstow to Santa Monica
![Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi](https://www.youarenotatree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/route66_springfield_to_cuba_5.jpg)