Cruise to Springfield for the Mother Road Festival | Springfield, Illinois | Visit Springfield

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cruises into Downtown Springfield on September 26 – 28!

Registration is now open for participants!
*Early Bird Registration fee is $45 from March 7-May 7, 2025.
*Pre-registration fee is $50 from May 8 - Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 6pm
*After September 24 at 6pm, registration fee is $60 on-site

Come celebrate the Golden Age of Route 66…From classic cars to live music & food this festival features over 1,100 cars and over 80,000 spectators. Grab your friends and family and head to Downtown Springfield where you won’t pay a thing, yep it's FREE to spectate and enjoy!  See the cars, enjoy the tasty food and listen to music in historic downtown.

Friday night the 24th Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival kicks off the weekend with the Route 66 City Night Cruise In. Cars line up at the Capital City Shopping Center and cruise through Springfield right into the heart of Downtown!  

Don’t forget about the Miss Route 66 Festival Pin-Up Contest sponsored by Springfield Vintage.

Then get ready for some smokin' tires and burnin' rubber during the Burnout Competition presented by Isringhausen Imports. It’s the loudest and smokiest burnout and it’s a crowd favorite…and you’ll see why!

Grub on some festival food & drinks while wandering around the downtown browsing cars and taking it all in. 

Wrapping up the weekend on Sunday is the Awards Ceremony on the Isringhausen Imports Main Stage. Stop and see if your favorite car wins an award!

2025 Schedule

Thursday – September 25 
11:30am - 6pm - Onsite Registration open 

Friday - September 26
11am - 8pm - Onsite Registration open
6pm - Cruise night to benefit CRIMESTOPPERS 
8-10pm - Lady Luck (70's, 80's, 90's)

Saturday - September 27
8am - Noon - Onsite Registration open – 630 S. 6th Street; Springfield, IL 62701
8am - 12:30pm - Old Capitol Farmers Market- time to be announced 
11:30am  - 12:30pm - Miss Mother Road contest
1-3pm - The 66 Ramblers (50's & 60's) - ISRINGHAUSEN IMPORTS Main Stage
3pm - ISRINGHAUSEN IMPORTS Burn out contest ( 7th - Washington)  ISRINGHAUSEN IMPORTS Main Stage lineup 
5-7pm - Rosie & The Rivets (Rockabilly) - ISRINGHAUSEN IMPORTS Main Stage
8-10pm - Bon Journeyed (Bon Jovi & Journey) - ISRINGHAUSEN IMPORTS Main Stage 

Sunday -September 28
7:30am - Route 66 Mother Road festival 5K Foot race (Old Capitol plaza) 
Noon - Awards on the main stage 


Want to show off your ride? Click here to register!
Get your reservation early for Festival Weekend-Book one of our amazing Hotels

 Hungry…explore “5 Must Eats” in Springfield or check out a full list of Eat + Drink spots.

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