Starting in Chicago, running through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, and ending in Santa Monica, Calif., Route 66 was established in 1926. Although Route 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985, it remains in the national consciousness with cities along the route using it to promote tourism to this day.
With 2026 marking Route 66’s centennial, many towns are promoting nostalgia in their tourism advertising. The Mother Road — as Route 66 came to be known after John Steinbeck dubbed it so in his book “The Grapes of Wrath” — was designed to pass through small towns to boost their local economies. It’s a road trip through time and its 100th anniversary is a great reason to take to the highway.
While Nov. 11 is the official date Route 66 was established, the summer driving season is the perfect opportunity to explore the famed highway and celebrate its centennial. The U.S. is now home to over 9,000 breweries. Arguably, America is the home of the modern craft beer movement. Every major city and many small towns now have breweries, many of which only offer their beer on site. Route 66 makes its way through many of these towns, so it’s a great way to try beers that aren’t available anywhere else.
Pack your bags, grab your designated driver, and hit up these 66 breweries along Route 66.
Chicago
Chicago is a great town for drinks and there are many amazing breweries in the Windy City. But the “Begin Route 66” sign in Chicago is on E. Adams Street near Michigan Avenue, near the Art Institute of Chicago and the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, better known as “the Bean.” The nearest brewery is Industry Ales Brewpub — a spot VinePair listed as one of the best new breweries of 2024 — just around the corner from the sign, on S. Wabash Ave. On Route 66 itself, just a block west of the sign is an outlet of the Adam Street Brewery, located in the Berghoff Restaurant, which has been family-owned and -operated for more than a century.
The Rest of Illinois
Leaving Chicago, Route 66 heads southwest. As the highway nears Lyons, BuckleDown Brewing is just a short deviation off the path. Farther along, Route 66 passes through Willowbrook, where beer lovers can visit Black Horizon Brewing Company for a taproom experience that not only features beer, but also pinball and classic arcade games. And as Route 66 passes through Plainfield, there are two potential stops: Werk Force Brewing — which boasts an astounding 29 taps — and Garage Band Brewing.
The Gemini Giant is a 30-foot-tall fiberglass sculpture in Wilmington. It is the perfect stop for a photograph. And not far away is the appropriately named RT66 Old School Brewing, a family-owned spot that even features a specialty brew to celebrate the highway: the RT66 Haze. Continuing south, Route 66 then passes through Lexington, home to Analytical Brewing, which also has a location in Peoria.
The next major stop is Bloomington. DESTIHL Brewery is directly on Route 66 in Normal, the town just north of Bloomington and is worth a stop before heading into Bloomington proper. DESTIHL is the largest brewery in the area with beer so well regarded, it has been distributed internationally. Fiala Brothers Brewery, White Oak Brewing, and Lil Beaver Brewery all call Bloomington home, though none are directly on Route 66.
Leaving Bloomington, Route 66 goes southwest through Atlanta, Ill., where Midway 154 Brewing will begin serving its own beers on site in 2026. This is a good stop, as is Limerick Brewing located within Spirited Republic in Lincoln, a bar featuring 40 taps, including brews from other local spots as well.
Route 66 passed through three different routes in Springfield, Ill., thanks to periodic rererouting of the highway. Whichever route you choose to take, Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery, Bald Buddha Brewing, Engrained Brewing Company, and Springfield Beer Company are nearby. Both Obed & Issac’s and Engrained offer full food menus, so they make good stops for meals as well as beer. And just south of Springfield, in Chatham, Sangamo Brewing is yet another beer destination on the Mother Road.
Just before Route 66 exits Illinois, Mississippi Culture is a worthy stop in Staunton that frequently features live music, if you want to coordinate your visit with a show.
St. Louis
St. Louis and its greater metropolitan area are home to over 70 breweries, including its most famous, Anheuser-Busch. Despite working in the shadow of the world’s largest brewing company, the craft beer scene has thrived in St. Louis.
Since the path of Route 66 through the Gateway to the West changed a few times, there are a number of breweries on or near one of the official Route 66 paths: Urban Chestnut Brewing, Schlafly Bottleworks, Heavy Riff Brewing, and Side Project Brewing all qualify as stops on this ultimate Route 66 brewery tour. Schlafly, which started operations in 1991, is notable as the first new brewery in St. Louis to open since Prohibition.
The Rest of Missouri
As Route 66 heads west leaving St. Louis, Point Labaddie Brewery is in Labadie — yes, the brewery and the town are spelled differently. Point Labaddie is located on a large parcel of land so it can host live music and farmers markets.
As the Mother Road enters Sullivan, veteran-owned and -operated Muddy Banks Brewing is directly on the route. And as Route 66 continues farther west through St. James, it passes by Public House Brewing, which also has a location in Rolla. In Waynesville, the Piney River Taproom is directly on the historic highway. And Boat Town Brewing is a good stop for barrel-aged brews in Lebanon, Mo.
The second Springfield on Route 66, this one in Missouri, is home to a number of breweries. On or near the route are Hold Fast Brewing, Springfield Brewing Company, and Mother’s Brewing Company. Springfield Brewing also has an onsite distillery that has made commemorative Route 66 spirits.
Kansas
Only 13 miles of Route 66 pass through Kansas and no breweries are directly on the route. The brewery within Kansas closest to Route 66 is Drop the H Brewing — which also offers some destination-worthy homemade pizzas — in Pittsburg, Kan., a short detour north.
Tulsa
Over 400 miles of Route 66 go through the Sooner State, more than any other state. As Route 66 heads southwest through Oklahoma, the first breweries are in Tulsa, home to the Route 66 Historic Village tourist destination.
As Route 66 heads west along 11th Street in Tulsa, it passes just a few blocks south of Marshall Brewing, Cabin Boys Brewery, and Nothing’s Left Brewing. While each of these breweries is worthy of a stop, Nothing’s Left is located in a former Texaco station, giving it an extra nostalgic appeal appropriate for this Route 66 tour.
The Rest of Oklahoma
James Calley Brewing is just one block north of Route 66 as it passes through Sapulpa. And for those wanting to dial up the nostalgia, nearby is the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum. As Route 66 junctions with the Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City, just off the highway is Belle Isle Restaurant & Pub, a full-service restaurant and brewery with a live music venue upstairs. Further into Oklahoma City, Okie Beer Co. features a broad selection of beers from clean and light lagers to rich and heavy imperial stouts.
Texas
Route 66 crosses the northernmost area of Texas. The most major city along the route is Amarillo — there is a variety of hop named “Amarillo.” The Yellow Rose of Texas is home to several breweries, but the two closest to Route 66 are Six Car Pub & Brewery and Old Tascosa Brewery, the latter of which offers a special Route 66 witbier called Wit 66.
Eastern New Mexico
Route 66 passes south of Sante Fe, so the first brewery stop in New Mexico is not until Moriarty, where Sierra Blanca Brewing offers a lively outdoor beer garden. Despite having a population of just over 2,000 people, Moriarty actually boasts two breweries, and Turquoise Trail Brewing is the next stop on the Mother Road brewery trip. Both breweries are directly on Route 66, just south of I-40.
Albuquerque
Fun fact: Route 66 actually intersects itself in Albuquerque. Originally, the highway ran north-south along Fourth Street. In 1937, the highway was rerouted to run east-west along Central Avenue, creating the interesting intersection.
But before reaching Fourth Street, Central Avenue passes just one block north of Bombs Away Beer. Continuing west, Route 66 then passes by Flock of Moons Brewing and then one block north of Thirsty Eye Brewing, which offers not only beer, but also curated exhibits from local artists. On Second Street, Sidetrack Brewing is three blocks south of Route 66, while Ex Novo Brewing is the next brewery stop directly on the route.
The historic El Vado Motel was one of New Mexico’s first motels on Route 66 and today is also home to El Vado Taproom, which is an outlet of Ponderosa Brewing. There’s perhaps no better place to lay your head down to sleep than this iconic motel.
As Route 66 exits Albuquerque, it passes just south of Unhinged Brewing & Distilling where handcrafted artisan pizza satisfies the appetite before hitting the highway again.
The Rest of New Mexico
In western New Mexico, Route 66 passes through Grants. Junkyard on 66 Brewery is directly on the route, while Elkins Brewing is just a short detour south. Bonus: Junkyard on 66 Brewery is a Harvest Hosts RV site.
Arizona
Through Arizona, Route 66 passes directly through Flagstaff. There, beer lovers can stop at Wanderlust Brewing and the appropriately named Mother Road Brewing. For a break from beer, Mother Road also offers an evening cocktail bar named Jimmy D’s Five Spot.
The next Arizona stop along Route 66 is Williams. There, Historic Brewing Barrel House is home to a location of Flagstaff’s Historic Brewing. Here, 16 beers are available to accompany a full menu of pizzas and sandwiches.
Finally, in Kingman, Route 66 passes by Rickety Cricket Brewing, Black Bridge Brewery, and the Kingman location of Williams’ Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery. Grand Canyon, as its name implies, has a distillery, so it offers not only beer, but also spirits and pre-mixed cocktails.
For those interested, Arizona also boasts a sake brewery on Route 66, Arizona Sake in Holbrook, before Route 66 reaches Flagstaff.
California
The first California stop on the Route 66 brewery tour is the Victorville location of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Founded in 1996, BJ’s has over 200 locations across America and no cross-country road trip would be complete without stopping at a minimum of one BJ’s location.
Route 66 then passes through Upland. Mt Baldy Brewery is just north of Route 66 while Dragon’s Tale Brewery is just south. For chocolate lovers, Dragon’s Tale offers handmade chocolates infused with bourbon or beer.
In Arcadia, Route 66 passes by another location of BJ’s Brewhouse, and just south of Mt. Lowe Brewing in Pasadena, Route 66 passes by Wild Parrot Brewing. The Mother Road then turns south and passes by the Pasadena location of the legendary Stone Brewing.
As Route 66 follows Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, it passes by the Echo Park location of Monkish Brewing Co., known best for its Belgian-inspired brews, though it offers a full suite of beers in a broad array of styles.
Santa Monica Brew Works is just two blocks south of Route 66 and is the last brewery stop before Route 66 ends at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard, as marked by a sign that says “End of the Trail.”
Modern highways are designed to get people to their destinations quickly. But Route 66 meanders, designed to promote the economies of the cities and towns along its route. This is why it captured the American consciousness and was immortalized in popular culture. Route 66 has always been the ultimate road trip and its centennial is the perfect reason to enjoy almost 2,500 miles of Americana.
