Which historic Route 66 bridge over the Mississippi River is famous for a 22-degree bend in its middle?

The historic Route 66 bridge famous for a 22-degree bend in its middle is the Chain of Rocks Bridge.

The bridge crosses the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, connecting Missouri and Illinois. Its unusual angular turn was built into the central section rather than creating one straight crossing, making it one of Route 66’s most recognizable engineering landmarks.

The Chain of Rocks Bridge opened in 1929. Route 66 was later realigned across it in 1936, allowing travelers to bypass the older bridge route through downtown St. Louis. The bridge carried vehicle traffic for decades before closing to automobiles in 1978.

Today, the former road bridge is preserved for pedestrians and cyclists as part of the Route 66 State Park area. It is often confused with the nearby Chain of Rocks canal and dam, but the famous bend belongs to the bridge itself. The crossing is also notable for its length and broad views of the Mississippi.