Iconic roadside marker designating the ceremonial eastern starting point of America's most famous highway and a popular photo stop for Route 66 travelers.
How to Get There
From Downtown Chicago: Travel to the intersection of Michigan Avenue and East Adams Street across from the Art Institute of Chicago, where the famous Begin Route 66 sign is mounted along the historic route's traditional starting point.
Overview
The Begin Route 66 sign marks the ceremonial eastern terminus of the legendary highway that connected Chicago with Los Angeles and helped shape the story of twentieth-century America. Located near the Art Institute of Chicago along Adams Street, the marker has become one of the most photographed signs in the United States, attracting travelers from around the world eager to commemorate the start of a journey spanning more than 2,400 miles. Although the highway was officially decommissioned in 1985, Route 66 remains an enduring symbol of freedom, adventure, and the classic American road trip.
The area surrounding the sign offers visitors a unique blend of transportation history and urban architecture. Just steps away are many of Chicago's most recognizable landmarks, while the historic route itself continues westward through eight states toward the Pacific Ocean. For generations of motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, and international visitors, the sign has represented the beginning of an unforgettable adventure. Today it serves as both a historic marker and a celebration of the cultural legacy of the Mother Road, preserving the spirit of one of the world's most famous highways.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles, Route 66 historical resources, and official tourism pages for the Begin Route 66 Sign, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0.
