I have been planning a trip in which we will be traveling westbound through Springfield Mo and Joplin Mo along I-44W.
I have been curious about traveling at least some of that portion along historic route 66 instead, and wondered if it is a continuous run between these two cities and if it is feasible while towing a 34' travel trailer. What are the road conditions like?
Would it be better to travel on route 66 for only a portion of the way between these two cities?
I don't want to add TOO much additional time to our trip, but we would like to experience traveling route 66, even a little bit of it, as we have never done so before.
Are there any "must see" attractions along this portion?
We are interested in perhaps stopping for lunch at The Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield. The place was featured on "Man vs. Food". I love that show! Is there anywhere else we should consider?
If someone could provide the on and off ramp #s for the route, or even a portion of that route, I would really appreciate it.
Unfortunately you'll have to skip eating a Cozy Dog for lunch unless you want to take a really long drive because it's located in Springfield,Illinois! ( the US has too many Springfields )
We drove the entire route , as much as was possible , many years ago. It's been so long that I don't remember any specifics about Missouri but check this website - http://www.historic66.com/missouri/det-mo4.html
It looks like you could do a section fairly easily but it also looks like this is not one of the most interesting parts of the road.
Don't know about most of old 66 but from Carthage to Joplin it is a good 4 lane road. While in Springfield visit the number one attraction in Missouri, the Bass Pro Shop headquarters.
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If anyone has any specific exit numbers that they have used, I would really appreciate it. Like I said in the original post, I wouldn't mind being on historic route 66 even for a short while. We don't have a lot of time for too many diversions, but since we are heading in the same direction, I thought why not take a little detour from our original route to experience something new.
tonyandkaren: Oh my God! That's too funny! I am so glad you caught my oversight! Can you imagine if I had set my GPS for that restaurant? It wouldn't have been lunch... it would have been a late supper!
On I-44, take exit 88 at Strafford, Mo.
Only town it the US that has two (2) main streets.
Some businesses face old main and others face new main which is Old 66.
From Strafford stay on 744 which is old 66 and it will take you thru Springfield on Kearney St (also Old 66) and get back on I-44 at exit 75. Not really much to see their, but you could stay on it untill you get to Kansas Expy than go east to Sunshine, turn left at the light and go to Bass Pro. We have many good BBQ places here, Pappys, Crosstown & Buckhams to name a few.
If you can catch it when it is open, you could go to Caspers. (It was on D,D,&D as well)
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Thanks for the information. I like the idea of getting back onto I-44 at exit 75. Are you able to tell me approximately how long we would be on route 66, in terms of time, if we enter at exit 88 and exit at exit 75?
Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. I am going to google them as they sound like the kind of places that we would love to try! If it's been featured on D,D & D, then it automatically goes to the top of my list of things to do!
Thanks!
* This post was
edited 07/26/12 10:06am by kelvingrove *
On old 66 from Exit 88 to Exit 75 is about 14.5 miles. From exit 88 to Kansas Expy is 11.6 miles. Look around Strafford a little, it is an enterestimg little town.
Pappys is on 943 N Main Ave in Springfield, MO. Very small HOLL in the Wall. D,D & D has been at it also. Good BBQ and home made chips.
Caspers is on 601 W Walnut St they keep strange hours, never know if they are open or not. Crosstown BBQ is at 1331 E Division St. Buckingham is at 2002 S Campbell Ave just across from Bas Pro.
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