Back to the Double Six-- June 19th

We had last been on 66 back in April when we came down for the Sons of Confederate Veterans convention in Springfield, Illinois and then we to the Route 66 Association of Illinois' quarterly meeting at Scotty's in Hamel, Illinois.

With gas prices as they are, our jaunts on the old two-laners have been drastically limited this summer, so this is a treat.


USUAL CHICAGO BYPASS

We drive out to Woodstock, Illinois and take Illinois Highway 47 south to Dwight where we pick up Route 66. This avoids the Chicago hassle of traffic and big tolls, if you don't have a transponder. Plus, it is a lot of country driving, but not for long as the urban sprawl is lapping at the shoulders. But, at least for now, this is our preferred route to the route.

Gas was $4.16 to $4.20 in most towns, but was highest in Yorkville at $4.26.

Gas in Morris was $4!!! What a deal (I have been trained well). Usually, it is lower here, but I don't know about the truck stop by I-80 on the east side. For a second time, we stopped here for gas, but couldn't get it. Back in April, they had too many people waiting at the pumps, and today, there was no regular. However, most of the stations in town were at $4 as well.


FINALLY BACK ON ROUTE 66

At Dwight, we got onto Route 66 and decided to take the bypass alignment to Springfield (with the exception of Bloomington-Normal,where we get on I-55). You actually make pretty good time on the old four lane part of 66, and as we know, anything is better than driving the interstate.

In the past, we would have stopped at Smaterjax in Dwight, but that won't be as often anymore since they took down all that great automobile memorabilia, including that complete run of same number Illinois license plates from the 1920s to the 1980s.

Gas in Pontiac was $3.86!!!! They are usually the cheapest gas north of Springfield and well worth a fill-up.

The Drive Continues... --RoadDog