Along the First Hundred Miles of Route 66, the experience isn’t limited to historic diners and roadside attractions. Travelers will also find a variety of places to take home a tangible reminder of their journey along the Mother Road. These souvenir stops range from museum gift shops filled with historical memorabilia to modern travel plazas with playful road trip merchandise. Whether you are looking for a classic Route 66 t-shirt, a quirky roadside keepsake, or a piece of local history, these stops offer something a little different from the typical highway gift shop. Do not forget to explore airport, hotel, and restaurant gift shops along the way as well. Many of them carry their own unique bits of Americana that capture the spirit of the road.
A great place to begin browsing is the Joliet Area Historical Museum Gift Shop (204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet), conveniently located in the lobby of the museum in downtown Joliet. The shop serves as an official merchandise location for both the First Hundred Miles of Route 66 and the nearby Old Joliet Prison. Its eclectic collection appeals to both history buffs and casual travelers, with items ranging from Blues Brothers themed clothing and coffee mugs to nostalgic Joliet themed View-Master slides and ties decorated with Route 66 imagery. Visitors will also find a large selection of official First Hundred Miles merchandise, including socks featuring iconic Route 66 landmarks, vinyl stickers, 3D magnets, t-shirts, and other souvenirs proudly displaying the First Hundred Miles logo.
Just down the road in Wilmington, The Landing Pad (110 S. Park St., Unit C, Wilmington) offers a fun and nostalgic stop for travelers exploring this historic corridor. This 1960s space age themed shop features an exclusive collection of one of a kind collectibles, souvenirs, and memorabilia that celebrate the spirit of the Mother Road. The store embraces retro futurism and roadside Americana, making it a destination as much as a gift shop. Located just steps away from the new home of the famous Gemini Giant, it is an ideal stop for visitors looking to pair a memorable photo with a unique Route 66 keepsake.
Farther south in Gardner, The Shop on Route 66 (315 N. Center St., Gardner) welcomes travelers with a charming collection of classic roadside memorabilia. The shop is known for its vintage Coca Cola displays and its role as a friendly information stop for both in state visitors and cross country Route 66 adventurers. Inside, guests can browse an extensive selection of Route 66 themed items, including walls of die cast vintage cars, throwback metal signage, postcards, stickers, and other eclectic collectibles. It is the kind of place where every shelf holds a small piece of roadside history.
Further down the road in Dwight, the Old Route 66 Family Restaurant (105 S. Old Route 66, Dwight) combines a welcoming sit down dining experience with a small but carefully curated collection of Route 66 souvenirs. The restaurant is easy to reach from both Route 66 and Interstate 55, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring this stretch of the highway. Outside, a colorful Route 66 mural provides a quick photo opportunity before stepping inside, where visitors will notice a real fire engine chassis cleverly repurposed as the cashier station. Beneath it you will find shot glasses, patches, stickers, mugs, and maps celebrating the Mother Road, while behind the counter hangs a wide selection of Route 66 shirts and sweatshirts. With generous portions, daily specials, homemade soups, and desserts, the restaurant is also an excellent place to refuel after a stretch on the road.
Just a short distance away stands the beautifully restored Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station (West Waupansie St., Dwight), one of the most beloved landmarks along Illinois Route 66. Built in 1933, the cottage style station served travelers until 1999, making it the longest operating gas station on the entire route. The station is named for longtime manager Basil “Tubby” Ambler, who ran the business from 1938 to 1966 and became a familiar figure to generations of motorists. Restoration of the building was completed in 2007, transforming it into a visitor center and small gift shop while preserving its historic appearance. Today visitors can explore interpretive signage, view a vintage auto shop exhibit, and browse a selection of Route 66 memorabilia and keepsakes. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a meaningful link to the road’s golden age.
In Pontiac, travelers will find a modern take on the classic road trip stop at Wally’s (1 Holiday Rd., Pontiac). Marketed as the Home of the Great American Road Trip, Wally’s is known for its massive scale and playful personality. The location features more than 70 fuel pumps and electric vehicle charging stations, along with a sprawling 30,000 square foot building filled with snacks, travel supplies, and a huge assortment of souvenirs. The store’s quirky mascots appear on everything from t-shirts and koozies to beverage coolers, creating fun and self referential merchandise that celebrates the spirit of the open road. Inside you will also find a meat carving deli, a gourmet coffee and beverage bar, a beef jerky station, freshly made sweets, and a popcorn bar. Outside, the towering neon Wally’s sign has quickly become one of Pontiac’s most photographed landmarks.
Just a few blocks away in historic downtown Pontiac is Home Again On Route 66 (321 N. Main St., Pontiac), a small but beloved shop located inside the Illinois Route 66 Association Museum and Hall of Fame building. The shop specializes entirely in Route 66 culture and memorabilia. Visitors can browse everything from postcards and patches to books, vintage style signs, and locally made artwork celebrating the highway’s history. The carefully curated selection reflects the deep pride Pontiac has in its Route 66 heritage. Knowledgeable staff members are also happy to share tips about nearby attractions and hidden gems along the Mother Road, making this cozy shop not only a place to find souvenirs but also a valuable stop for travelers seeking to learn more about the communities that keep the Route 66 story alive.
TFHM Merch Spotlight:
The First Hundred Miles merchandise captures the spirit of the Mother Road with a variety of keepsakes and apparel designed for travelers. Socks featuring iconic Route 66 imagery, from vintage neon signs to classic diners, let visitors carry a playful piece of the journey. T-shirts and sweatshirts showcase the First Hundred Miles logo along with the names of towns along the route, creating wearable maps of the historic corridor.
Smaller items like vinyl stickers, 3-D magnets, and pins provide easy ways to display memories at home, whether on refrigerators, laptops, or journals. Coffee mugs and tumblers bring the roadside experience to daily life, often illustrated with classic landmarks and colorful designs. For collectors, patches, postcards, and travel journals offer a tangible connection to the history, culture, and quirky charm of the first hundred miles.
These items are available at museums, visitor centers, and specialty shops along the route. The Joliet Area Historical Museum, The Landing Pad in Wilmington, and the Starved Rock Country Welcome Center in Utica all carry official First Hundred Miles merchandise, allowing travelers to take home a piece of their journey. Whether functional or collectible, each piece tells a story of the road, keeping the adventure of Route 66 alive long after the drive ends.
