Date of Visit: May 5, 2026
Location: The Electric Brew, Elkhart, IN
Rating: 👍 (Like)
This morning we got coffee at The Electric Brew in Elkhart before getting an oil change and heading up to the island to open the cottage for the season.
I had the Honey Bear Macchiato (hazelnut, butterscotch, honey).
Dad had Lyn's from the Barista's Favorite menu (Chocolate Banana Bread Latte - banana puree and mocha).
See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.
We didn’t originally plan to do any Route 66 on our way home, but since we were headed to open up the cottage in Michigan, we ended up near Route 66 from Springfield, MO until we neared Chicago and headed east to Indiana. Thus, we decided to at least stop at Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield, IL. We also made last minute decisions to stop at Lincoln Home NHS and Wally’s.
The Homestead Rest Area/Welcome Center had some Route 66 art on their wall. We also picked up some Illinois Route 66 maps and magazines. As I flipped though the Springfield one, we learned about some passport programs that we could pick up at the Lincoln Home NHS.
We had an early lunch (or brunch?) at Cozy Dog Drive In as we went through Springfield, IL.
We decided to make a quick stop at Lincoln Home NHS for the 250 stamps and pick up the Springfield passports so we could plan if we wanted to do them when we come through Springfield later this year. While we didn't stay long, we did make sure to get some Ranger Dan photos as this is where we got the original Ranger Dan almost exactly ten years ago in 2016.
Our final Route 66 stop was at Wally’s. I had heard about it, but did not put it own our plan for our Route 66 trip this fall as it is a bit off the Route 66 alignment we plan to follow in that area.
Date of Visit: May 4, 2026
Location: Midway Coffee Co, Waynesville, MO
Rating: ❤️ (Love)
As we hit the road this morning, we searched for coffee on the route. Midway Coffee Co. came up as the first one that would be open as we passed by. It turned out to be very conveniently located on the frontage road between two exits (also Route 66 goes along the interstate on opposite side in this area). They also have a good variety of regular specialties and seasonal spring drinks.
Dad got the When the Sun Goes Down (white coffee, bourbon caramel, toasted marshmallow, mocha drizzle) from the Spring Menu.
I got the Awesome Blossom (white chocolate, banana, amaretto, sea salt caramel drizzle) also from the Spring Menu.
See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.
Date of Visit: May 3, 2026
Location: Roots Coffee Bar, Springfield, MO
Rating: 👍 (Like)
Dad stopped at Roots Coffee Bar to get us coffees on his way back from church.
Dad had the Roots Brew Latte (vanilla, honey, cardamon, cinnamon). He got me a Lavender Cookie Butter Latte, which he made up based on the flavor options they had. It ended up being a very good flavor combination.
Dad picked up this morning's coffee from Roots Coffee Bar after church.
We spent the morning visiting Wilson's Creek National Battlefield including the exhibits at the visitor center and some short trail stops on the driving tour.
At noon, we got tickets for the free showing of Cars at the Gillioz Theatre. As the doors did not open until 1pm, we had drinks and appetizers at the nearby Big Whiskey's to kill time.
We enjoyed watching the Cars movie and getting to see inside the Gillioz Theatre, which like Route 66 also turns 100 this year.
Date of Visit: May 2, 2026
Location: Eurasia Coffee Co, Springfield, MO
Rating: 👍 (Like)
Our third and final coffeeshop of the day was Eurasia Coffee Co.
I had an Iced Almond Croissant Latte (buttery almond syrup, vanilla cold foam, almonds, and powdered sugar). Dad had a Yuzu Elderflower Espresso Tonic (Yuzu juice, simple syrup, espresso, fevertree elderflower tonic).
We also shared a Toasted Sesame Cookie.
Date of Visit: May 2, 2026
Location: Kingdom Coffee, Springfield, MO
Rating: 👍 (Like)
We did not plan to stop at another coffeeshop right after having visited The Coffee Ethic, but our next stop finding the Springfield 66 Statues led us to parking at Kingdom Coffee to walk the short trail over to the Night Riders of the Mother Road statue.
Dad and I both had a Lavender Sage Latte.
