On-route place guide
Countryside, Illinois: Where US 20 Crosses Historic Route 66
A Chicago-approach Route 20 crossroads where modern US 20 on La Grange Road crosses the Joliet Road alignment of historic Route 66.
Countryside, Illinois: Where US 20 Crosses Historic Route 66
On Route 20
Countryside is a Chicago-side Route 20 crossroads: modern US 20 follows La Grange Road here and crosses a recognized historic Route 66 alignment on Joliet Road.
Historic U.S. Route 66 no longer exists as an active federal U.S. highway designation, and its path used multiple alignments over time. This page concerns the recognized Joliet Road alignment at its crossing with modern US 20 in Countryside—not every historic Route 66 alignment or a complete Route 66 itinerary.
The La Grange Road and Joliet Road crossing
La Grange Road carries modern US 20 through Countryside. Joliet Road is the local road identified by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway as Route 66, making this a precise physical point where a current Route 20 trip meets one recognized historic Route 66 alignment.
That distinction matters. Route 66 is a historic road story rather than an active U.S. highway, and its route changed over time. Countryside is useful because it gives the Chicago approach a real, legible crossing to understand without asking this guide to become a general Route 66 resource.
Why it matters on a Route 20 trip
Treat Countryside as a short route-history observation and planning reference. It sits on the Chicago side of the Illinois corridor, before a westbound Route 20 traveler settles into the Elgin, Belvidere, Rockford, and northwest Illinois sequence.
US 20 and US 66 both emerged from the 1926 numbered-highway system, but their histories and present-day status are different. For the broader Route 20 history and centennial framework, use the US Route 20 Centennial guide; this page stays with the physical Countryside crossing.
How to use the crossing
Observe while traveling
Keep it route-first
Use the crossing as a brief orientation point while following current traffic laws, not as a destination that needs a long stop.
Route-history reference
Understand the relationship
The value is seeing where active US 20 and the Joliet Road historic Route 66 alignment meet in the Chicago approach.
Nearby exploration
Continue when appropriate
Use this as a handoff into nearby historic Route 66 territory only when that fits your own plan; Route20RoadTrip does not provide a complete Route 66 itinerary.
Access and stopping note
Road access, construction, traffic patterns, and legal stopping options can change. This guide does not verify a dedicated pull-off, parking area, or safe viewing point at the crossing. Check current Illinois transportation and local information before travel, follow posted rules, and choose any legal nearby stopping place independently.
Continue along Route 20
Chicago-side planning
Chicago Approach
Use the segment guide to fit Countryside into the larger Chicago–Elgin–Belvidere–Rockford route logic.
Illinois context
Illinois
Return to the state guide for the established northwest Illinois anchors and corridor choices.
Route history
US Route 20 Centennial
Read the broader Route 20 historical framework without turning this crossing into a route-to-route comparison.
Whole-route planning
Route Overview
See how the Chicago approach fits into the full Route 20 guide.
Accuracy note
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway identifies Joliet Road in Countryside as Route 66, while current US 20 follows La Grange Road. Verify current road conditions and local access before travel.