Day 5 – Lincoln, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois
Day 5 of our USA holiday and Day 2 on historic Route 66! Today promised to be a good one, with a chance to explore both the original and later alignments of the Mother Road, including the only surviving brick-paved section of Route 66.
We had a fair bit of ground to cover, plenty of history to discover and, judging by the scenery, enough cornfields to keep the entire world supplied with popcorn!
Starting the Day – The World’s Largest Covered Wagon
Our first stop was the World’s Largest Covered Wagon in Lincoln.
You certainly don’t see one of these parked outside your local shopping centre every day! It’s one of those wonderfully American roadside attractions that makes you appreciate the lengths people will go to in order to get noticed. And let’s face it, a normal-sized wagon probably wouldn’t have made quite the same impression.
After the obligatory look around and photos, it was time to get moving towards our next stop.
Sugar Creek Covered Bridge – Glenarm
We headed to the Sugar Creek Covered Bridge near Glenarm.
The bridge’s construction date seems to be a little disputed, with sources suggesting either 1827 or 1880. Whichever date is correct, it’s a lovely piece of history and a worthwhile detour while exploring the area.
From here, we continued towards Chatham before following the original 1926–1930 alignment of Route 66 south towards Staunton.
One of the great things about travelling the Mother Road is discovering how its route changed over the years. Rather than simply following the quickest modern road, we wanted to experience the older alignments wherever practical. After all, we hadn’t come all this way just to admire the back of a truck on an interstate highway!
The Historic Brick Road – Auburn
One of the highlights of the day was the Historic Brick Road just north of Auburn.
This surviving section of red brick paving stretches for approximately 1.4 miles (2.25 km) and offers a fascinating glimpse into the early days of American road travel.
Before smooth asphalt highways became the norm, roads like this were built using bricks to provide a more durable surface. Today, this little stretch is a special reminder of the original Route 66 experience.
It’s not a long section, but it’s definitely worth seeking out if you’re travelling this part of Illinois. Where else can you ride along a genuine piece of the old road and imagine what motoring must have been like back in the day?
Mind you, I suspect the ride was a little less comfortable before modern suspension and decent motorcycle seats came along!
Two Alignments, Plenty of Corn and a Bit of History
Both alignments were in good condition and well worth exploring if you have the time.
One thing we certainly noticed along the way was the sheer amount of corn being grown in this part of Illinois. Field after field seemed to stretch into the distance. We were beginning to wonder whether the local farmers had a secret arrangement with every popcorn manufacturer in America!
The landscape might look relatively flat and simple at first glance, but there’s plenty to discover if you take the time to get off the main roads and explore the towns along the way.
Carlinville – A Town Worth Exploring
Carlinville is well worth a stop, with its town square and historic buildings offering a pleasant break from the ride.
One of the places worth checking out is the Old Macoupin County Jail, which operated from 1869 until 1988.
That’s more than a century of keeping local troublemakers under one roof! The building is a fascinating piece of local history and a reminder of how much these communities have changed over the years.
If you enjoy historic towns, architecture and a bit of local heritage, allow yourself some extra time here rather than simply riding through.
Soulsby Service Station – Mount Olive
Once we reached the end of the 1926–1930 alignment, we headed back towards the later Route 66 alignment, making our way north to Mount Olive.
Here we visited the Soulsby Service Station, which operated from 1926 until 1996.
This little service station is a classic example of the roadside businesses that helped motorists travel Route 66 during its heyday. For decades, stations like this were essential stops for fuel, assistance and a chance to stretch your legs before continuing the journey.
The Soulsby station is often described as one of the oldest surviving service stations associated with Route 66, and its long operating history makes it a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in motoring heritage.
It’s easy to forget how much road travel has changed. These days, we pull into a massive service centre, fill the tank, grab a coffee and complain about the price. Back then, a small local station like Soulsby’s was an important part of the journey.
Springfield – Following in Abraham Lincoln’s Footsteps
After a day exploring Route 66, we made our way back to Springfield, where we had a couple of significant historical stops planned.
First up was the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, preserving the Springfield home of Abraham Lincoln and his family.
The house offers a fascinating insight into Lincoln’s life before he became President of the United States. It’s one thing to read about historical figures, but visiting places where they actually lived gives you a much stronger connection to their story.
We also visited Abraham Lincoln’s tomb. Springfield has a deep connection to the 16th President, and these sites are well worth including if you’re spending time in the city.
Even if American political history isn’t usually your thing, Lincoln’s place in the country’s story makes Springfield an important stop.
Checking In – Best Western, Springfield
After a busy day of riding and sightseeing, it was time to check in and put our feet up at the Best Western, 3440 E Clearlake Avenue, Springfield.
We’d covered plenty of ground, explored two Route 66 alignments and visited several historic locations. By now, we were ready for a shower, a feed and a well-earned cold beer.
Fortunately, we had dinner sorted — and it was only a short walk away.
Dinner at Mario’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Tonight’s destination was Mario’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, about half a mile (750 metres) from our motel.
The pizza was fantastic, and the cold beers went down an absolute treat after a full day on the road.
Now, one thing you should know about travelling with Australians is that we tend to have a fairly healthy appreciation for a decent feed and a cold beer. We also have a habit of underestimating serving sizes when we’re overseas.
We hadn’t quite factored in the size of the pizzas or the beers when ordering. Between the generous toppings and the sheer size of what arrived at the table, I reckon we gave the Mario’s team a bit of a surprise!
Let’s just say we weren’t going to be needing a second dinner.
It was a great way to finish the day, with good food, cold drinks and the satisfaction of having explored another stretch of the Mother Road.
Another Great Day on Route 66
Day 5 had delivered exactly what we were hoping for: historic road alignments, the famous brick road near Auburn, charming towns, old service stations and a deeper look into Abraham Lincoln’s life.
Route 66 isn’t just about the miles between Chicago and Santa Monica. It’s about the little discoveries along the way, the history hidden in small towns and the quirky attractions that make every day different.
And, of course, it helps when you can finish the day with a fantastic pizza and a cold beer!
Tomorrow, we’d continue our journey west, with more of the Mother Road waiting to be explored.
The Thirsty Tourists — Touring is thirsty work!
