American Truck Simulator Route 66 Part 1

In American Truck Simulator by SCS Software soon after the release of the Illinois map DLC, I followed historic Route 66 from Chicago To Santa Monica traveling the existing historic segments and visiting as many landmarks and places of interest as I could. I wanted to do something different, and the completion of Route 66 in game provided an opporunity. Also, it just so happens 2026 marks the Route 66 centenial celebrated at route66centennial.org.

The Illinois map DLC does a nice job of recreating a scaled-down map of the state including beautiful Chicago. The game’s scale is 1:20, but cities are relatively oversized to provide more driving opportunities. Much of Chicago is not in game, but downtown section and some surrounding areas provide enough gameplay experience of the city including the Historic Route 66 start marker. Which is where I began my drive. You may follow along here or on a thread at Bluesky.

Chicago, IL to Joplin, MO

For the trip, I chose to drive the classic-styled Kenworth W900 Legacy Edition and using a Prestige aluminum flatbed trailer.

Riding shotgun is Big Boudreaux, a plush toy bear obtained during a World of Trucks event.

Follow along or compare locations with your trip, or download my heavy-haul route maps which include Route 66 markers.

Let’s go!

The Road Starts Here

Follow I-55 south leaving Chicago and exit in Chenoa for a marker.

Continuing south on I-55 take the exit for Normal and follow the Historic Route 66 signs through Bloomington. Here I delivered scaffolding then picked up roof shingles from Venture which is near a section of the original Route 66 highway.

In Springfield, IL, exit I-55 and follow the historic markers passing a welcome sign painted at the base of a pedestrian bridge and into the city where I delivered the roof shingles before continuing south.

On I-55, take exit 90 to visit Route 66 Gearheads Bar & Grill (Route 66 Motorheads in real life). I parked at a nearby truckstop to enjoy a meal and rest.

Near Gearheads and the truckstop look for Historic Route 66 signs to discover a hidden road segment of the historic highway passing a painted silo along a red brick road, a “turkey tracks” sign, and a covered bridge. In game a hidden road is not on the game map until the player discovers it by driving near it which is then appears on the map as a dotted road.

Stop for a tasty treat in Hamel, Illinois north of St. Louis on I-55 at exit 30.

From St. Louis take I-44 west to Rolla, Missouri.

Find this trading post off exit 189 on a dead end road. In game this road is not mapped (as of game version 1.59). At the end there is room to turn around. The trading post may be viewed from the interstate if you would rather drive by.

To follow Route 66, take exit 186 and follow the historic byway signs through Rolla. Here I delived my cargo, and started another job.

From I-44 take the State Route 66 exit into Joplin to follow the historic route which passes through Galena, Kansas and Miami, Oklahoma. This in-game map shows the route in red. The blue triangle marks my position at Miami.

On the way, I visited the Joplin Museum.