Route 66 and an ATV: The Way to See Illinois
To begin the tour across Illinois on Route 66 cross McKinley Bridge from Missouri to Illinois. Take Madison Avenue, which becomes Il-203. Continue northeast on Il-203 to Chain of Rocks Road. Turn east on Chain of Rocks Road and continue to Old Poag Road. Turn east on Old Poag Road, which becomes Il-157. Follow Il-157 through Edwardsville. Continue on Il-157, which becomes Old Route 66. Continue north past Church of Neon Cross and on past Hamel to Il-4N through Staunton, Sawyerville, Benld, Gillespie, Carlinville, Nilwood, Girard, Virden, Thayer, Auburn, Chatman and into Springfield.
When reaching Springfield, ATV enthusiasts can make their first side trip to try out the trails offered by Illinois. South Fork Dirt Riders has 470 acres as well as a full concession, bathrooms, showers, picnic area, camping, parts and service. Cost is $12 per day and this area is open from 8am to dusk. To get to this area, leave Springfield on Il-29 and travel south to Il-104 in Taylorville. Turn west on Il-104 and travel about 5 miles, round a gentle S curve and the park entrance will be on the left. Trails here are flat with no hills. For more information, visit www.southforkdirtriders.com.
After ATV riding, return to Springfield and from Il-4N turn east on Spalding Orchard Road and continue to Chatham Road. Stay on Chatham Road to Wabash Avenue, which will blend into MacArthur Boulevard. Travel north on MacArthur Boulevard to South Grand. Take right on South Grand and follow it to 9th Street. Turn left on 9th Street (or Bus. Loop 55), which turns into Peoria Road. Leave Springfield on Bus. Loop 55 and continue following it through Sherman. After leaving Sherman, get on the east side frontage road of I-55N and continue to Williamsville. Signs will clearly mark Route 66 at this point. Follow the signs by staying on the frontage road east through Elkhart, Broadwell and Lincoln, then cross I-55 to the west side frontage road and follow through Lawndale, Atlanta, McLean, Funks Grove and Shirley. Cross I-55 and continue northeast to Springfield Road. Turn right on Springfield Road and continue to Main Street. Exit right from Springfield Road then turn left on Main Street. Continue on Main Street to Willow. Turn right on Willow, then left on Linden followed by a right on Pine, which becomes Henry. Continue on Henry to Shelbourne. Turn right on Shelbourne and follow it northeast to the east side of I-55 frontage road. Stay on I-55 frontage road through Bloomington, Normal, Towanda, Lexington, Chenoa and Pontiac.
A side trip from Pontiac up Il-23 to I-80 in Ottawa takes the ATV enthusiast to the next ATV destination: Fox Valley Offroad. Riders will find 12 miles of hills, mud bog, a kid’s track and an mx track. There are no bathroom facilities here. ATVs must have an ATV access sticker, a working silencer, a stock exhaust and the riders must have no tennis shoes, no alcohol, must have boots, helmet, goggles and long pants to ride. Kids are not allowed on large ATVs. To get to this ATV area travel I-80 to Route 23N toward Weldon. Travel 4 miles then turn right and then go east 2 miles to the entrance. For more information, visit www.foxvalleyoffroad.com.
After enjoying the trails at Fox Valley Offroad, return to Route 66 by traveling back to Pontiac and continuing on the east side of I-55 frontage road through Odell and on to Dwight.
Dwight is the location of the next ATV adventure. The Cliffs offer good trails for any rider level from beginner to advanced with wooded acres, fields, creeks and of course, a mud hole. This area is open Friday through Sunday from 8:30 to 5:00. Flags and helmets are required as well as a spark arrester and muffler. There is no alcohol, no camping and no passengers allowed here. To get to The Cliffs, take Il-47 in Dwight to Route 6. Continue on Route 6 to Morris and continue west on Route 6 8 to 10 miles to a 4-way stop. Turn left at the 4-way stop and stay on Route 6 through Seneca toward Marseilles for about 2 miles. For more information, visit www.thecliffsinsaneterrain.com.
After spending time at The Cliffs, return to Dwight and Route 66. In Dwight turn northeast on Il-53 and continue through Braceville, Godley and Braidwood where Il-53 becomes Baltimore Street. Go north on Il-53 into Elwood, cross Des Plains River and continue through Joliet, Romeoville and Bollingbrook. Il-53 runs into Joliet Road North then travels away from Joliet Road. Follow I-55 and enter I-55 at Exit 269. Leave I-55 at Exit 276C, take Joliet Road NE, turn left on Harlem Avenue then turn right on Ogden Avenue. Follow Ogden Avenue to Jackson Boulevard, turn right and follow Lake Shore Drive. Route 66 ends here.
