August 13–16, 2015: Birthplace of Route 66 Festival – Springfield, Missouri
✨ INTRO
As chatter started building among Route 66 roadies about the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, we knew it was something we wanted to experience. We had missed the festival in Kingman the year before—and wouldn’t be able to make Los Angeles the following year—so Springfield felt like the perfect opportunity.
When it came time to plan the trip, we debated between taking the car or traveling with the trailer. After recently purchasing our truck and Shasta Oasis, the decision became pretty easy. If that setup was going to collect dust, it had better be road dust.
And just like that, another road trip memory was in the making.
🗺 Trip Overview
Trip Details
- Dates: August 13–16, 2015
- Route: Indiana → St. Louis area → Route 66 → Springfield, Missouri
- States Covered: Indiana, Illinois, Missouri
- Travel Style: RV (Truck + Travel Trailer)
- Trip Focus: Route 66 + Festival + Roadie Community
📅 Daily Breakdown
Day 1 – August 13, 2015
Indiana → Edwardsville, Illinois
We left after work and headed toward the St. Louis area, ultimately staying at Red Barn Rendezvous RV Park in Edwardsville. It was a simple overnight stop, but a great start to the trip—and a reminder of how friendly and welcoming the RV community can be.
Day 2 – August 14, 2015
Edwardsville, IL → Springfield, MO (via Route 66)
This was our first real stretch of Route 66 on the trip—and we were pleasantly surprised by how much of it we could enjoy even while towing the trailer.
Stops included:
- Tri-County Truck Stop (Villa Ridge)
- Phillips 66 Station (Cuba)
- Fanning 66 Outpost (giant rocking chair)
- Devil’s Elbow Bridge
- Frog Rock near Waynesville
With a little planning (and a little help from the “Evil-I”), we were able to experience a great mix of classic Route 66 and practical travel.
👉 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival; Days 1-2: August 13-14, 2015
Day 3 – August 15, 2015
Birthplace of Route 66 Festival – Springfield, Missouri
This was the big day.
We spent the day exploring the festival—starting with the car show and vendors before heading over to The Glass Place, where many of our Route 66 friends were gathered. It was a great mix of catching up with longtime friends and finally meeting people we had only known through Facebook.
The festival itself was incredibly well done, featuring:
- Classic car show
- Authors, artists, and collectors
- Live music
- Vendors and exhibits
- Kids’ activities
One of the highlights was seeing The Road Crew perform—not once, but twice, including an acoustic set later that evening at the Rail Haven Motel.
It was one of those days where everything that makes Route 66 special—cars, music, history, and people—came together.
👉 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival – Day 3: August 15, 2015
Day 4 – August 16, 2015
Springfield, MO → Indiana
We packed up early and began the journey home. While we didn’t attend the final day of the festival, we still managed to take Route 66 for part of the drive before eventually picking up the interstate.
We made a stop at the Route 66 Visitor Center and enjoyed one last themed experience before heading east.
Sometimes the drive home is just that—but even then, it’s still part of the adventure.
👉 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival – Day 4: August 16, 2015
🛑 Key Stops & Highlights
Route 66 Highlights
- Devil’s Elbow Bridge
- Cuba, Missouri (historic Phillips 66 station)
- Fanning Outpost rocking chair
- Route 66 Visitor Center
Festival Highlights
- Birthplace of Route 66 Festival events
- The Glass Place (artists & collectors)
- The Road Crew performances
- Rail Haven Motel evening gathering
Food & Local Stops
- Colton’s Steakhouse (Springfield)
- Route 66 roadside snacks and treats along the drive
Unique Roadside Attractions
- Frog Rock near Waynesville
- Giant rocking chair in Fanning
- Classic Route 66 gas stations
👥 People & Community
One of the best parts of this trip was reconnecting with our Route 66 friends.
We spent time with so many familiar faces—Jim & Shellee, Jane, Bob, Fred, Chery, Mike & Sharon, Joe, Jerry, Tonya, and many more—and also met new friends we had previously only known online.
That’s one of the things we love most about Route 66. It’s not just the road—it’s the people who make it special.
🎶 Special Moments
Seeing The Road Crew again was a highlight of the trip. Their music had already become part of our road trip soundtrack, so experiencing it live—especially in such a perfect Route 66 setting—made it even better.
The acoustic set at Rail Haven was the perfect way to wrap up the day.
🏕 Where We Stayed
- Red Barn Rendezvous RV Park (Edwardsville, IL) – PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Friendly, simple overnight stop - Springfield Route 66 KOA (Springfield, MO)
Great Route 66 atmosphere, convenient location, and well-stocked with maps, books, and souvenirs
💡 Travel Notes & Tips
- Traveling Route 66 with a trailer is very doable—with planning
- Use interstates strategically when needed (the “Evil-I”)
- Springfield is an excellent hub for exploring Route 66
- The festival is worth planning around—especially for Route 66 enthusiasts
- KOA in Springfield is a solid option, but note nearby train noise
📸 Photos from the Trip
- August 13 & 14, 2015: Birthplace of Route 66 Festival – Getting There
- August 15, 2015: Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
- August 15, 2015: Birthplace of Route 66 Festival – The Road Crew
- August 2015: Springfield Route 66 KOA
- August 16, 2015: Birthplace of Route 66 Festival – Heading Home
🔁 Final Reflection
This trip was one of those perfect blends of road trip adventure, Route 66 nostalgia, and community.
From cruising Missouri 66 to spending time with fellow roadies and enjoying live music, it reminded us why we keep coming back to the Mother Road.
We may not always know where the next trip will take us—but we know we’ll be back out there soon, making more road trip memories.
✍️ Sign-Off
Hope you enjoyed the ride!
Pat & Jennifer
