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Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on Route 66

This Route 66 attraction was once an essential part of the cross-country journey, taking travelers from Illinois, across the Mississippi river, and into Missouri (or vice versa). While you can no longer drive the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, it’s still worth a trip to walk (or bike) across and admire.

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge spans just over a mile across the Mississippi River, connecting Chouteau Island (part of Madison, Illinois) to St Louis, Missouri. It was built privately as a toll bridge in 1929 and, after a reroute in 1935, became a quintessential crossing for travelers on Route 66.

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The bridge was perhaps best known for its most unusual feature: a 30 degree bend. Most bridge designs are straight, with curves being rare and a sharp bend even rarer. But this one veers off to make a safer journey possible for riverboats below.

The bridge was decommissioned in 1970 after a free interstate bridge was erected just to the north in 1966. Traffic declined and it was no longer financially feasible to maintain both.

While you can no longer drive across the bridge, it is now open to pedestrians and bicyclists. The non-profit organization Trailnet leased the bridge in 1997 and repaired the bridge. It now serves as a monument to the past, with fun Route 66 displays, reproduced motel signs, benches, vintage Texaco pumps, and more. A fun walk and a fun Instagram selfie await.

Please note that you should always park on the Illinois side of the bridge. The parking lot there is secured by security cameras while the Missouri side reportedly is susceptible to car break ins.

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri - a Route 66 roadside attraction

Visit this Missouri Route 66 attraction, then continue on your journey. While in St. Louis, also look for the Gateway Arch, the City Museum, and the World’s Largest Amoco sign.


Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

Address: 10820 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137
Parking: 4205-4207 Chain of Rocks Rd, Granite City, IL (6am-9pm)
Cost: Free to See
Hours: Always Visible


Pin this Route 66 attraction:

 This Route 66 attraction was once an essential part of the cross-country journey, taking travelers from Illinois, across the Mississippi river, and into Missouri (or vice versa). While you can no longer drive the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, it’s still worth a trip to walk (or bike) across and admire.  #IllinoisRoadsideAttractions #IllinoisRoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadTrip #IllinoisRoadTrip #Route66 #IllinisRoute66 #Route66RoadTrip
 This Route 66 attraction was once an essential part of the cross-country journey, taking travelers from Illinois, across the Mississippi river, and into Missouri (or vice versa). While you can no longer drive the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, it’s still worth a trip to walk (or bike) across and admire.  #IllinoisRoadsideAttractions #IllinoisRoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadTrip #IllinoisRoadTrip #Route66 #IllinisRoute66 #Route66RoadTrip

VALerie BROMANN

Founder & Head Road Tripper

Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up near Berwyn's famed car kabob, The Spindle, and a restaurant with a cow on its roof, her fascination with roadside attractions started early. Today, Val has visited hundreds roadside attractions across the United States and is constantly on the lookout for the next BIG thing!

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.