For decades, Route 66 carried generations of travelers westward in search of opportunity, adventure and new beginnings. Passing directly through St. Louis, the route helped shape the city’s identity as a true American crossroads where journeys begin, cultures meet and stories unfold.
Today, echoes of that golden age remain in dazzling neon.
Route 66 signs flicker to life after sunset, illuminating classic diners, retro motels and lovingly preserved roadside landmarks. The glowing beacons continue to capture the romance of the open road, and those who choose to follow them will find that the historic highway is still an experience worth chasing.
Whenever you set out along the Mother Road, make time to pause at these restored Route 66 signs in St. Louis, where the spirit of authentic Americana invites travelers to rest, refuel and bask in the warm glow.
Amoco Sign
Road-trippers cruising Route 66 through St. Louis can’t miss the world’s largest Amoco sign. The 40-foot-tall, 60-foot-wide landmark stands near Hi-Pointe Theatre, which has been screening a variety of films since 1922. After a lifetime of adaptations, the towering icon has become an archetype of evolution.
Address: 981 S. Skinker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63117
Donut Drive-In
Fresh donuts this way! The piercing arrow of Donut Drive-In’s neon sign points straight to the sweets. Equal parts history and charm, the no-frills bakeshop serves French crullers, Long Johns, glazed twists and apple fritters alongside cake donuts in flavors such as chocolate, blueberry and powdered sugar.
Address: 6525 Chippewa St., St. Louis, MO 63109
Ted Drewes
Since 1929, Ted Drewes has been dishing out its famously thick frozen custard, which was transformed into the beloved “concrete” with mix-ins in 1959. Out front, the glowing neon sign is as timeless as the St. Louis staple, tempting travelers night after night. Insider tip: Stop at Ted Drewes during the day, too, so you don’t miss the gift shop next door, open Monday through Thursday from 12 to 8 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Address: 6726 Chippewa St., St. Louis, MO 63109
Crestwood Bowl
After dark, St. Louis buzzes with electric energy. Continue your neon journey at Crestwood Bowl, a 24-lane time capsule that’s been lighting up Route 66 since 1958. The original neon sign, all sweeping lines and mid-century flair, was brought back to life with the help of a National Park Service grant. Today, it hums and flickers just as it did decades ago.
Address: 9822 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63126
Park Plaza Courts
Relit in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn St. Louis SW - Route 66 by IHG, the Park Plaza Courts neon sign harks back to a time when television was a novelty and air-conditioning a rare comfort. Once part of the classic motor court era, it endures as a stunning artifact of Route 66’s early days. After sunset, its soft glow washes over the asphalt like a postcard from a slower American road.
Address: 10709 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63127
Spencer’s Grill
The neon sign for Spencer’s Grill features a vintage clock that quietly tallies your daily chances of snagging a seat at the Kirkwood mainstay. Those who make it inside angle for a red vinyl stool at the counter, where the griddle becomes the room’s center of gravity. Plates move off the line in a steady rhythm: biscuits and sausage gravy, fries buried under chili, pancakes with crisp edges – comfort food that rarely lingers long enough to cool.
Address: 223 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122
Kirkwood Route 66 Sign
To mark the Route 66 centennial, Kirkwood unveiled a new roadside landmark designed for passing motorists in search of the perfect photo. The 12-foot sign honors the highway’s imprint on this corner of St. Louis, where its legacy still threads through streets, storefronts and daily life.
Address: Corner of Kirkwood Road and Argonne Drive
Red Cedar Inn
Built in 1934 with wood logs harvested on nearby family farms, the Red Cedar Inn has been repurposed as a museum, visitor center and gift shop, preserving stories of the Mother Road, the former restaurant and the city of Pacific, Missouri. By day or night, Route 66 signage around the property keeps its roadside spirit alive.
Address: 1047 E. Osage St., Pacific, MO 63069
