As online chatter started among Route 66 roadies about the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, we thought it might be fun to attend, especially since we weren’t able to make it to the festival in Kingman the year before and knew we wouldn’t be able to attend in Los Angeles the following year.

When we first considered going, we debated taking the car versus the RV. But after purchasing a new-to-us truck to haul the Shasta Oasis, we didn’t want to leave that costly combo sitting at home collecting dust. If it was going to collect dust, it had better be road dust! The Rail Haven was booked, and since I was on Nutrisystem, taking the trailer and eating mostly our own food would be easier and help keep me on track.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

We left Thursday afternoon after work, with the plan to make it to the St. Louis area. We did a lot of research on RV overnight parking options like Walmart, Flying J, and Cracker Barrel. Parking choices in the area were slim, as many municipalities had ordinances against it, and we didn’t want to risk staying in an unsafe area. Rivers recommended against the Alorton Flying J, saying it was very unsafe. Highland, Illinois, was recommended as a much better option, but it was pretty warm that day, so we decided to stay at the Red Barn Rendezvous RV Park in Edwardsville, Illinois.

It had good reviews as an inexpensive place to stay at $35, especially for an overnight. We called ahead to make sure they could accommodate us since we’d be arriving a little after dark, and they said that would be no problem. When we arrived, they were ready to greet us from their home at the camp entrance, the Red Barn, and were very friendly. We had a pull-through site, never unhitched, and only needed a slight level and hookup to electric.

August 14, 2015

Cruising Route 66 with a Trailer: Edwardsville to Springfield, Missouri

We pulled out of the Red Barn Rendezvous RV Park in Edwardsville, Illinois after a quick breakfast, ready to point the truck west and see how much of Route 66 we could comfortably travel while towing the trailer.

That question had been on my mind since we left—how much “real” Route 66 could we actually experience with nearly 50 feet of truck and trailer behind us?

As it turns out…more than you might think.

With a little planning (and a willingness to occasionally hop on the “Evil-I”), we were able to follow long stretches of the Mother Road and still make some classic stops along the way.

Our first stop came at the Tri-County Truck Stop in Villa Ridge, Missouri. There’s something about old truck stops on Route 66—they feel like they’ve seen everything. Generations of travelers, truckers, and road trippers have passed through places like this, and you can almost feel it when you pull in.

Not far down the road, we stopped at the Phillips 66 station in Cuba, Missouri—one of those iconic Route 66 sights that instantly transports you back in time. The old-style architecture and signage are a perfect reminder of what fuel stops used to look like along the Mother Road.

Continuing west, we made our way to the Fanning 66 Outpost—home of the giant rocking chair. It’s one of those roadside attractions that you simply can’t miss…literally. Towering over the property, it’s kitschy, fun, and exactly the kind of thing that makes Route 66 what it is.

From there, we followed one of the most scenic stretches of Missouri Route 66, winding our way toward Devil’s Elbow. Crossing the historic bridge there is always a highlight. The road narrows, the river curves alongside you, and for a moment, it feels like you’ve stepped back into an earlier era of road travel.

Somewhere near Waynesville, we kept an eye out for one of the more quirky roadside sights—a rock painted to look like a frog. Sure enough, there it was, peeking out from the hillside.

“Frog Rock.”

Because of course it is.

It’s those little, unexpected moments that make traveling Route 66 so much fun. Not everything is big or famous—sometimes it’s just a painted rock on a hillside that makes you smile as you roll by.

Despite towing the trailer, we managed to experience a great stretch of the Mother Road that day—proving that even with a big rig, Route 66 is still very much within reach.

By the time we continued on toward Springfield, we felt like we had already had a full day on the road—and the festival hadn’t even started yet.

Arriving at the Springfield KOA

We arrived in Springfield and made our way to the Springfield Route 66 KOA. It’s not on a Route 66 alignment itself, but rather just a couple of miles south of 266 on the west side of Springfield. They very much support Route 66, though. When we checked in, they told us about the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival and handed us a festival postcard. We told them we were in town for the event.

They also have a lot of great Route 66 merchandise, including souvenirs, shirts, maps, including Jim Ross and Jerry McClanahan’s Here It Is map series, and books, including Jerry’s excellent EZ 66 Guide for Travelers. The campground is a little smaller than some of the other KOAs we’ve stayed at, like St. Louis, Dayton, and Louisville, but it was nice and quiet… except for the trains. It’s close to the tracks, and for some people that might be an issue. This isn’t a distant train sound in the background. It’s pretty close and loud. I personally didn’t mind it, but others may feel differently. I enjoyed staying there and would gladly stay again.

As we were setting up, Pat met a fellow Route 66 roadie, Cheryl, who was staying at the KOA in one of the cabins. Most of the other roadies were staying in hotels and motels, especially the Rail Haven, so it was nice to see another roadie already there.

We were a little tired from the long drive and didn’t think we’d make it to the parade, so we stayed at the campground and relaxed. We were also planning to meet up with fellow Route 66 roadies and Corvair enthusiasts, Teresa and John. Pat had talked with Teresa in the Route 66 Pictures Facebook Group when she posted photos of some of their Corvairs. Pat offered them a few Corvair wheels, which they were happy to take off his hands. We chatted for a while about Route 66, Corvairs, and trailers, then said good night.

I decided to play around with the cable TV setup and finally managed to differentiate between the satellite, cable, and antenna hookups. We didn’t really plan on watching TV, but it was there and I had nothing else to do before bed.

Pat & Jennifer

Route 66 Travel Notes

Springfield, Missouri, is known as the Birthplace of Route 66 because it was the city where the name “Route 66” was proposed in 1926. For Route 66 travelers, it’s a natural gathering place, with the Rail Haven, festival events, Route 66-friendly lodging, and easy access to classic Missouri roadside stops west of St. Louis.