Madison, Illinois: The Chain of Rocks Bridge and the End of the Road in Illinois
Welcome to Madison, Illinois
Madison is a small city on the Illinois bank of the Mississippi River that holds one of the most significant positions on the entire Route 66 journey. It is here — at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge — that the highway once crossed the great river from Illinois into Missouri, completing the Prairie State’s stretch of the Mother Road and beginning the long journey southwest toward California. For travelers driving east to west, this is the moment of arrival in Illinois and the gateway to everything that follows; for those heading west, it is a farewell to the cornfields and coal towns of the Land of Lincoln. Either way, it is a moment to stop, walk the bridge, and feel the weight of the road.
Where Is Madison, Illinois?
Madison is located in Madison County in southwestern Illinois, directly north of Granite City and just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. The city sits on the Illinois bank at the northern approach to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. The original 1926 Route 66 alignment passed through Madison (and neighboring Venice) on its way to the McKinley Bridge crossing. The Bypass Route 66, opened in the 1930s, used the Chain of Rocks Bridge as its Mississippi crossing point, meeting the original alignment in neighboring Mitchell.
The History of Madison and Route 66
The original 1926 Route 66 crossed the Mississippi River at the McKinley Bridge and passed through Venice and Madison on its way into Illinois. In 1930, the privately built Chain of Rocks Bridge opened north of the city, creating the Bypass Route 66 that allowed travelers to circumvent the congestion of downtown St. Louis. The bridge — owned by the City of Madison — became one of the most famous crossings on Route 66, carrying travelers across the Mississippi on a one-mile span that included a dramatic 22-degree bend at its midpoint. The bridge closed to motor traffic in 1968 and was reborn as a walking and cycling path in 1999, and it is today one of the most beloved public spaces on the Illinois Route 66 corridor.
Route 66 Through and Near Madison
The Chain of Rocks Bridge and its immediate approach on the Illinois side sit within or adjacent to the Madison city limits, and the Route 66 Experience Hub near the bridge entrance provides historical context and a map of nearby attractions. The corridor through Mitchell to the south of Madison contains several notable Route 66 landmarks, including the Luna Cafe and the Bel-Air Drive-In sign.
What to See and Do in and Near Madison
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is the defining attraction of the Madison area and one of the most iconic landmarks on the entire Illinois Route 66 route. Built in 1929 and incorporated into Route 66 in the mid-1930s, the bridge spans a mile across the Mississippi with its famous 22-degree bend at the midpoint — an engineering adaptation required by the rock formations in the river bottom. The bridge is open daily from 9 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset for walking and cycling, with no charge for access. The views of the Mississippi River and the St. Louis skyline from the bridge are spectacular. The Illinois-side park includes a Route 66 Experience Hub with information panels on the highway and local attractions.
Luna Cafe — Mitchell
Just south of Madison in the nearby community of Mitchell, the Luna Cafe is one of the most notorious and storied stops on the Illinois Mother Road. Built in 1924 — two years before Route 66 was officially established — the Luna Cafe operated for decades as a cafe on its main floor, a gambling operation in its basement, and a house of other entertainments upstairs. Local legend holds that the large neon martini sign in front contained a lit cherry that served as a discreet signal to certain categories of customers. Al Capone reportedly used the establishment as a favorite stopover on his trips down Route 66 from Chicago. Today the Luna Cafe operates as a bar and grill, retaining its historic neon sign and its colorful atmosphere. [INTERNAL LINK NOTE: Link “Route 66” to your Illinois state guide]
Chain of Rocks Route 66 Experience Hub
The Route 66 Experience Hub on the Illinois side of the Chain of Rocks Bridge is part of the statewide network of nine-foot-tall informational kiosks installed across the Illinois Route 66 corridor. The kiosk provides a welcome to Illinois Route 66, a visual tour of the state’s highlights, fun local facts, and a map of nearby attractions — making it a perfect orientation stop for travelers entering or leaving Illinois.
Climate and Weather Near Madison
Madison has a warm, four-season climate with hot, humid summers reaching the low 90s°F and mild winters. The Mississippi River corridor can be particularly scenic in fall, when the riverside trees take on autumn color. Spring can bring flooding risk to low-lying areas near the river.
Tips for Visiting Madison, Illinois
- Walk the Chain of Rocks Bridge during the morning for the best light and fewer crowds — the bridge is longest served by midday sun.
- Bring a bicycle if possible — the bridge is part of a longer trail network that can be explored in both directions from the Illinois bank.
- Stop at the Luna Cafe in Mitchell for a drink and a dose of Route 66 history — the atmosphere is genuine and the locals are welcoming.
- The Illinois side Experience Hub near the bridge entrance is worth a stop to orient yourself before or after the crossing.
- Combine Madison with Collinsville and Edwardsville for a full day on the southwestern Illinois Route 66 corridor. [INTERNAL LINK NOTE: Link “Collinsville” to the Collinsville post] [INTERNAL LINK NOTE: Link “Edwardsville” to the Edwardsville post]
Final Thoughts on Madison, Illinois
Madison is the exclamation point at the end of the Illinois Route 66 journey — or the opening note of it, depending on your direction. The Chain of Rocks Bridge is one of those Route 66 experiences that stays with travelers long after they have crossed it: a mile of steel and history over the great river, with a bend in the middle that seems to say the road was never quite willing to go straight. Walk it slowly. Take in the views. Then keep going.
Nearby Route 66 Highlights
- Collinsville, Illinois — World’s Largest Catsup Bottle and Cahokia Mounds [INTERNAL LINK NOTE: Link “Collinsville” to the Collinsville post]
- Edwardsville, Illinois — West End Service Station museum and Route 66 Festival [INTERNAL LINK NOTE: Link “Edwardsville” to the Edwardsville post]
- St. Louis, Missouri — Gateway Arch, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, and the start of the Missouri Mother Road journey [INTERNAL LINK NOTE: Link “St. Louis” to the St. Louis post]
- Staunton, Illinois — Henry’s Ra’s Haven, about 25 miles east on the original Route 66 alignment
