Our Route 66 Daily Journal: May 4, 2026

We didn’t originally plan to do any Route 66 on our way home, but since we were headed to open up the cottage in Michigan, we ended up near Route 66 from Springfield, MO until we neared Chicago and headed east to Indiana. Thus, we decided to at least stop at Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield, IL. We also made last minute decisions to stop at Lincoln Home NHS and Wally’s.

The Homestead Rest Area/Welcome Center had some Route 66 art on their wall. We also picked up some Illinois Route 66 maps and magazines. As I flipped though the Springfield one, we learned about some passport programs that we could pick up at the Lincoln Home NHS.

We had an early lunch (or brunch?) at Cozy Dog Drive In as we went through Springfield, IL.

We decided to make a quick stop at Lincoln Home NHS for the 250 stamps and pick up the Springfield passports so we could plan if we wanted to do them when we come through Springfield later this year. While we didn't stay long, we did make sure to get some Ranger Dan photos as this is where we got the original Ranger Dan almost exactly ten years ago in 2016.

Our final Route 66 stop was at Wally’s. I had heard about it, but did not put it own our plan for our Route 66 trip this fall as it is a bit off the Route 66 alignment we plan to follow in that area.

Our Koffee Trail & Route 66: Midway Coffee Co.

Date of Visit: May 4, 2026

Location: Midway Coffee Co, Waynesville, MO

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

As we hit the road this morning, we searched for coffee on the route. Midway Coffee Co. came up as the first one that would be open as we passed by. It turned out to be very conveniently located on the frontage road between two exits (also Route 66 goes along the interstate on opposite side in this area). They also have a good variety of regular specialties and seasonal spring drinks.

Dad got the When the Sun Goes Down (white coffee, bourbon caramel, toasted marshmallow, mocha drizzle) from the Spring Menu.

I got the Awesome Blossom (white chocolate, banana, amaretto, sea salt caramel drizzle) also from the Spring Menu.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Route 66 Daily Journal: May 3, 2026

On our final day in Springfield, MO, we went to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and a free showing of Cars at a 1926 theatre.

Dad picked up this morning's coffee from Roots Coffee Bar after church.

We spent the morning visiting Wilson's Creek National Battlefield including the exhibits at the visitor center and some short trail stops on the driving tour.

At noon, we got tickets for the free showing of Cars at the Gillioz Theatre. As the doors did not open until 1pm, we had drinks and appetizers at the nearby Big Whiskey's to kill time.

We enjoyed watching the Cars movie and getting to see inside the Gillioz Theatre, which like Route 66 also turns 100 this year.

Our Coffee Trail & Route 66: The Coffee Ethic

Date of Visit: May 2, 2026

Location: The Coffee Ethic, Springfield, MO

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

We started our day at The Coffee Ethic.

I enjoyed the seasonal Cherry Brulee Latte (cherry vanilla, caramelized sugar).

Dad had the Peanut Miso Cortado. He is glad he tried it, but not something he would order again.

We also shared a potato crusted quiche.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Check out some of our other Springfield area posts:

• Brick & Mortar Coffee 👍
• Trailer Perk Coffee ❤️

Our Route 66 Daily Journal: May 2, 2026

Another day exploring Springfield and taking in some of the Centennial Kickoff events.

We started with coffee at The Coffee Ethic.

Next we started driving around Springfield to find the rest of the Springfield 66 Statues. At our first stop, we ended up at our second coffeeshop of the day, Kingdom Coffee.

My favorite we found this morning was the Wings of Route 66.

While driving around, we drove the Musical Road - three times for Dad to mostly get it right.

Before finding the rest of the statues, we checked out the Red, White, and Bridge Bash on Historic Commercial Street, which included checking out some model trains on display at the Historic Firehouse No. 2.

We also found Askinosie Chocolate and got some chocolate to take home.

On Commercial Street, we also ended up at our third coffeeshop of the day - Eurasia Coffee Co.

Next we drove around the Springfield area and found the rest of the 66 statues including Dad dropping me off at the airport baggage claim to go in and find it while he drove around the airport loop.

While driving around, we also ended up at Buc-ee's. Had to stock up on Ranch 'n Crackers because Mik said he was taking my last bag.

Once we found all the statues, we decided to go back to the Springfield Visitor Center to get the other two pins you can earn from checking in at the statues.

We had considered skipping the Ozark Public Television Lost and Found on Route 66 documentary at the Fox Theatre, but since we ended up nearby at the visitor center right before the doors were to open at 3pm, we decided to see it as it also gave us an opportunity to see inside the Fox Theatre.

We finished our day with two rounds of mini golf at Getaway Golf.

Our Route 66 Daily Journal: May 1, 2026

Our day included two coffeeshops, George Washington Carver National Monument, exploring more of Springfield, MO; and some Route 66 Centennial Kickoff events.

We started our day with coffee at Echelon Coffee in Republic, MO.

At George Washington Carver National Monument, we learned about his early life here as we walked the trail and leaned more about his later life in the exhibits inside the visitor's center.

As we headed back to Springfield, we stopped at Joplin Greenhouse Outpost Coffee.

In Springfield, we drove to find a few of the Springfield 66 Statues.

We made an unplanned stop at an Andy’s Frozen Custard because Dad had to try it (and I wasn't going to say no to some frozen custard).

Next we visited Queen’s Gate 66, which is now complete, but the road around it was still closed.

We then went and found the new location for the Springfield Visitor Center/Route 66 Welcome Center and collected the stickers and pin we earned from checking into places on the Ozarks Coffee Trail, Springfield 66 Sculpture Series Route, and Birthplace of Route 66 Passport.

Across the street, we checked out the Route 66 Traveling Exhibit at the Gillioz Theatre.

We then checked out the new Route 66 Birthplace Plaza.

We then went down St. Louis Street to find a place to watch the Celebrate America on Route 66 Parade. I walked and Dad went back to move the car nearer to the parade start so that we could be done watching the parade sooner and get to the drone show.

After the parade, we headed over to the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge Lighting & Drone Show as our last thing of the day.

Our Route 66 Daily Journal: April 30, 2026

We did Route 66 in Springfield, MO, including the National Route 66 Centennial Centennial Kickoff Concert.

We started our day getting coffee at Trailer Perk Coffee, which even had a Route 66 Centennial menu.

Next we planned to go to Springfield Visitor Center, but it was too early for it to be open, so we drove over to the Birthplace of 66 Roadside Park. Not much there, but there is a replica of the famous Gaint Hamburg sign.

Next we headed to the Springfield Visitor Center, which turns out to have recently moved to near the Gillioz Theatre, but because the square was shut down for The Today Show filming, the staff was there and had the stamp for The Mother Road passport.

Our next stop was the Route 66 Car Museum, which I hear is closing next year as the owner is retiring and selling his collection.

For lunch, Dad was confused why I choose Steak 'n Shake. He understood once we got there as it has been there from 1962 and has not modernized its look.

After lunch, it was late enough for The Today Show filming to be done and the square reopened so we could go to the History Museum on the Square. They have a good exhibit about Route 66 along with local history exhibits.

Next we took a little side trip from Route 66 to find the World's "Largest" Fork. Apparently, it is not actually the largest, but maybe is largest by mass or something.

We finished our day with the Route 66 Centennial Kick-off Concert, which included a Fan Fest outside before. The performers included The Haygoods, Sixwire, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Janson, Gary Levox from Rascall Flatts, and Little Big Town.

After the concert, we drove by The History Museum on the Square to see it lit up at night.