Springfield, Illinois
Where Lincoln sleeps and Route 66 finds its rhythm.
Your first night on the Mother Road. After a hundred miles of Illinois prairie and a string of giant fibreglass men, Springfield arrives like a proper American small city — wide streets, honest diners, and the quiet presence of the man who held the country together. This is where you stop thinking about the logistics and start feeling the journey.
“The rain found us before the Gemini Giant did. By the time the waterproofs gave up, we'd stopped caring — first day, first lie about 'waterproof' gear, and the road had already started teaching us.”
History
Springfield became Illinois' capital in 1837 largely because a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln lobbied for it. He lived, worked and is buried here. Route 66 was plotted straight through town in 1926, turning a quiet political city into a stop on the road west. The alignment still runs down Sixth Street and out past the old coal-mining towns — concrete you can ride today.
Why Visit
It's the perfect first overnight: easy to reach from Chicago, small enough to explore on foot, and loaded with genuine American history rather than tourist spectacle. You'll sleep well, eat well, and wake up ready for the Mississippi.
Best Motorcycle Roads
Old Route 66 — Wilmington to Springfield
Follow the original alignment south past the Gemini Giant and the polystriped road through small farm towns. Straight, open and the perfect shakedown for bike and rider.
Lincoln Heritage Trail (local loop)
A gentle 40-mile loop taking in Lincoln's tomb, his home, and the old state capitol. No traffic, all character.
Best Hotels
The State House Inn
Mid-rangeA quiet, central base a block from Lincoln's home. Free parking, breakfast and pet friendly — exactly what a first-night rider needs.
Springfield Inn (Route 66)
BudgetAn older roadside property with motorcycle-friendly parking and a classic American motel feel. Functional, friendly, cheap.
Best Restaurants
Cozy Dog Drive In
Drive-in
The birthplace of the corn dog on a stick, a Route 66 institution since 1949. Pull in, park the bike, eat in your leathers.
Must Try · The Cozy Dog and a bowl of chili
CJ's Eats
Diner
A local breakfast favourite — big pancakes and bottomless coffee before you roll toward St. Louis.
Hidden Gems
- Lincoln's Tomb — free to visit, rarely busy, and quietly moving at dusk.
- TheRoute 66 'Muffler Man' giants strung along the approach — start a photo collection.
- The old Illinois State Capitol rotunda — open weekdays, almost empty, beautiful.
Photography Spots
- The Gemini Giant in Wilmington at first light — nobody else around.
- Lincoln's Tomb at golden hour, the bronze head catching the sun.
- Cozy Dog's neon sign after dark, bike parked beneath it.
Sunrise & Sunset
Around 5:45am in summer. Worth it for the empty main street and the mist over the prairie as you head out toward the Mississippi.
Behind the Illinois State Capitol dome — catch it from the steps of the old building.
Practical Information
- Casey's General Store on West Jefferson — reliable, cheap, 24-hour.
- Speedway on South Sixth Street as you leave town southbound.
Most downtown attractions have free street parking. The Lincoln Home historic site has a dedicated lot — motorcycles park free in designated bays.
Suggested Walking Routes
Lincoln Heritage Walk
A flat 1-mile loop between Lincoln's Home and the Old State Capitol, passing restored 1850s streets.
Downtown Square
A 30-minute wander around the old courthouse square — diners, bookshops and the Cozy Dog.
Weather & Ride Difficulty
Humid continental. Summers hot and sticky (30°C+), spring and autumn mild and perfect for riding, winters properly cold. Rain can roll in fast off the prairie — keep your waterproofs to hand.
Easy open roads, gentle bends, light traffic. The ideal shakedown day for bike and rider.
Nearby Attractions
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Lincoln Tomb (Oak Ridge Cemetery)
- Gemini Giant, Wilmington (en route)
- Illinois State Capitol
Frequently Asked Questions
Worth it. After a long first day from Chicago it's the perfect size to explore on foot, and the Lincoln sites are genuinely moving. One night is enough for most riders.
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