Route 66

Day 2: Springfield IL to Cuba MO

Route 66: Day 2 Springfield IL to Cuba MO

Postcard from Cuba, Missouri

The weatherman said to expect heavy rains but today I drove 204 miles mostly with blue sky and a beautiful although pretty hot sun.

Notable: never-ending corn fields, long smooth roads, abandoned bars, gas stations and motels, the mighty Mississippi river and me, walking on the Chain of Rocks Bridge, leaving Illinois for the first time in 18 months.


Route 66: Springfield to Cuba. An old abandoned bar
Route 66, Springfield to Cuba. An old abandoned bar.


Driving from Springfield to Cuba Cheat Sheet

Accommodation in Cuba:

Where to eat and what to see between Springfield IL and Cuba MO

  • Gateway Arch Monument, Downtown East, St Louis. The most recognizable monument in St. Louis.
  • Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, Chain of Rocks Bridge (Route 66) St Louis, MO A beautiful bridge over the mighty Mississippi which thanks to the previous days weeks was scary, majestic and impressive.
  • Frisco’s Grill & Pub, 121 S Smith St Cuba, MO 65453 Old-school American joint with a decent variety of booze and honest pub food.


Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the  Mississippi
Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the mighty Mississippi

Driving from Springfield to Cuba FAQ

How many miles are from Springfield to Cuba?

The shortest route between Springfield and Cuba is 181mile long but trying to stay on the Historic Route 66 and visiting a few attractions I’ve ended up driving for 204 miles.

How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Cuba?

You can drive from Springfield to Cuba in less than 3 hours. It took me longer due to some stops for pictures and sightseeing along the route.

What’s the best thing about driving from Springfield to Cuba?

Driving on the historic Route 66 from Springfield to Cuba you meet a number of memorabilia. It’s an easy, chill drive.

What are the major attractions along the way in a road trip from Springfield to Cuba?

The Chain of Rocks Bridge, the Mississippi river and the city of St. Louis, especially the riverfront and the Gateway Arch Monument.

What type of car is best to drive from Springfield to Cuba?

It depends on the season. In summer you can drive from Springfield to Cuba with any car. In coldest months a mid size SUV is more practical cause the weather can get pretty nasty.


Route 66 pictures: photos taken from Springfield to Cuba

Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: me on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge connecting IL to MO
Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: hard to believe but this was the first time in 18 months I left Illinois (Pandemic, Visa status etc…) and I did it on foot. As you do.

Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi
Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi

Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: the Mississippi river
Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: the Mississippi river was no jokes

Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: Gateway Arch Monument, St Louis.
Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: Gateway Arch Monument, St Louis.

Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: driving in Missouri
Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: driving in Missouri

Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: empty solitary roads
Route 66, Springfield to Cuba: empty solitary roads

My itinerary on the Route 66



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