McLean County's Historic Route 66 Trail

U.S. Highway 66, popularly known as Route 66 or the Mother Road, holds a special place in American Consciousness and evokes images of simpler times, mom-and-pop businesses, and the icons of a mobile nation on the road. Historic Route 66 Trail is a designated section of the larger Constitution Trail. Click here to visit the Friends of the Constitution Trail website.

riders Route66Bikesignrider

Safety

The Route 66 Trail creates a safer tourism and bicycling/pedestrian environment along the historic Route 66 highway, designating segments of the highway for non-motorized use and including more bicycle-friendly local roads and off-road recreational trails.

Connecting Neighborhoods

The trail provides bike and pedestrian connections between growing neighborhoods and local schools, parks and commercial areas.

Connecting Communities

The trail makes connections between communities on Route 66 even stronger, creating a long-distance bicycling facility from town to town.

Alternative Transportation

Road improvements and the development of new trails increase opportunities for people to bicycle or walk as a means of transportation and commuting.

Economic Impact

The trail’s unique recreational and tourism features will bring increased economic benefits to trail communities.

Status of Trail

Approximate Length of Trail miles

  • Mclean - Funks Grove 4.8 miles
  • Funks Grove - Shirley Phase I 1.1 miles
  • Funks Grove - Shirley Phase II 2.0 miles
  • Shirley - Bloomington 4.4 miles
  • Bloomington - Normal 7.8 miles
  • Normal - Towanda 4.2 miles
  • Towanda - Lexington Phase I 2.5 miles
  • Towanda - Lexington Phase II 3.5 miles
  • Lexington 2.3 miles
  • Lexington - Chenoa 5.8 miles
  • Chenoa 1.1 miles

Total 37.2 miles

Partners

  • City of Bloomington
  • City of Chenoa
  • City of Lexington
  • McLean County
  • Town of Normal
  • Village of Towanda
  • Village of McLean