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Odell, Illinois

Route 66 site
In Odell, Illinois
0.2 mi from Route 66

Odell is a village of about 1,000 people in Livingston County, IL, sitting right on the old Route 66 corridor. Founded in 1856, it is one of the small towns the road strung together between Chicago and St. Louis. A pause here gives a feel for the pace of life along the route, between the larger stops at Dwight and Pontiac.

What is Odell?

Odell is an incorporated village; the 2020 census counted 1,003 residents. Its roots go back to 1856, seven decades before Route 66 was created in 1926, so the highway came to a town that was already established. Because the old road runs straight through, the village itself is the attraction: a short drive or stroll along Route 66 as it passes through a small Illinois community.

Visiting Odell: tips

No detour is needed, since the road runs through town. Food and fuel are available close to the route, so it works as a quick break. Ambler's Texaco Gas Station in Dwight, a restored Route 66 filling station that now serves as a visitor center, is about 7.6 miles away. Heading on toward Pontiac, the Jones House is about 10.1 miles off, and the Raymond Schulz Round Barn is about 11.9 miles away.

Practical info

Address: Odell Township, IL 60460
Website: odell-il.com
Hours: We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
On site & nearby