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Route 66 · 14 days

Embark on the ultimate American road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica. This journey traverses eight states, capturing the neon nostalgia, quirky roadside Americana, and breathtaking desert landscapes that define the historic Mother Road across the heart of the USA.

14days
42stops
4075km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Wilmington · St. Louis · Cuba · Catoosa · Arcadia · Amarillo · Tucumcari · Albuquerque · Holbrook · Flagstaff · Seligman · Amboy · San Bernardino — start in Chicago, end in Santa Monica.

DAY01

Route 66 Begin Sign → Gemini Giant

94 km · 1h 8m driving · Overnight in Gemini Giant
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Route 66 Begin Sign· start
  2. 1.6 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    Lou Mitchell's
  4. 92 km · 58m
  5. 15:00
    Gemini Giant· overnight
DAY02

Pontiac → Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

401 km · 4h 13m driving · Overnight in Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
  1. 09:00
    Pontiac Route 66 Museum· start
  2. 182 km · 1h 55m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Cozy Dog Drive In
  4. 144 km · 1h 31m
  5. 15:00
    Old Chain of Rocks Bridge· overnight
DAY03

Gateway Arch → Cuba

167 km · 1h 45m driving · Overnight in Cuba Murals
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Gateway Arch· start
  2. 108 km · 1h 8m
  3. 12:00
    Meramec Caverns
  4. 41 km · 26m
  5. 15:00
    Cuba Murals· overnight
DAY04

Gay Parita Station → Blue Whale of Catoosa

533 km · 5h 37m driving · long drive · Overnight in Blue Whale of Catoosa
  1. 09:00
    Gay Parita Station· start
  2. 100 km · 1h 3m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Cars on the Route
  4. 166 km · 1h 45m
  5. 15:00
    Blue Whale of Catoosa· overnight
DAY05

Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios → Pops 66 Soda Ranch

188 km · 2h 8m driving · Overnight in Pops 66 Soda Ranch
  1. 09:00
    Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios· start
  2. 160 km · 1h 41m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Arcadia Round Barn
  4. 1.3 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Pops 66 Soda Ranch· overnight
DAY06

Lucille's Service Station → The Big Texan Steak Ranch

486 km · 5h 8m driving · long drive · Overnight in The Big Texan Steak Ranch
  1. 09:00
    Lucille's Service Station· start
  2. 186 km · 1h 58m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Tower Station and U-Drop Inn
  4. 164 km · 1h 44m
  5. 15:00
    The Big Texan Steak Ranch· overnight
DAY07

Cadillac Ranch → Tucumcari

216 km · 2h 16m driving · Overnight in Tucumcari Mountain
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Cadillac Ranch· start
  2. 75 km · 47m
  3. 12:00
    Midpoint Cafe
  4. 116 km · 1h 13m
  5. 15:00
    Tucumcari Mountain· overnight
DAY08

Blue Swallow Motel → KiMo Theatre

366 km · 4h driving · Overnight in KiMo Theatre
  1. 09:00
    Blue Swallow Motel· start
  2. 251 km · 2h 39m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Santa Fe Plaza
  4. 112 km · 1h 11m
  5. 15:00
    KiMo Theatre· overnight
DAY09

El Rancho Hotel → Wigwam Motel

412 km · 4h 20m driving · Overnight in Wigwam Motel
  1. 09:00
    El Rancho Hotel· start
  2. 130 km · 1h 22m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Painted Desert Overlook
  4. 49 km · 31m
  5. 15:00
    Wigwam Motel· overnight
Campsite · Wigwam Motel
Campsite details not verified yet
DAY10

Standin' on the Corner Park → Lowell Observatory

170 km · 1h 47m driving · Overnight in Lowell Observatory
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Standin' on the Corner Park· start
  2. 36 km · 22m
  3. 12:00
    Meteor Crater
  4. 74 km · 47m
  5. 15:00
    Lowell Observatory· overnight
DAY11

Mather Point → Seligman

302 km · 3h 12m driving · Overnight in Seligman Route 66 District
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Mather Point· start
  2. 30 km · 19m
  3. 12:00
    Desert View Watchtower
  4. 148 km · 1h 34m
  5. 15:00
    Seligman Route 66 District· overnight
DAY12

Hackberry → Roy's Motel and Cafe

341 km · 3h 34m driving · Overnight in Roy's Motel and Cafe
  1. 09:00
    Hackberry General Store· start
  2. 86 km · 54m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Oatman Ghost Town
  4. 162 km · 1h 42m
  5. 15:00
    Roy's Motel and Cafe· overnight
DAY13

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch → McDonald's First Store Museum

262 km · 2h 50m driving · Overnight in McDonald's First Store Museum
  1. 09:00
    Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch· start
  2. 78 km · 49m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Wigwam Motel No. 7
  4. 7.8 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    McDonald's First Store Museum· overnight
DAY14

Colorado Street Bridge → Route 66 End Sign

137 km · 1h 37m driving
  1. 09:00
    Colorado Street Bridge· start
  2. 41 km · 26m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Santa Monica Pier
  4. 0.3 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Route 66 End Sign
Heads Up
  • Day 4: 5h 37m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 6: 5h 8m driving — plan rest stops
  • Many original Route 66 segments are now frontage roads or disconnected; use a dedicated Route 66 GPS app to stay on the historic path.
  • The stretch through the Mojave Desert can be extremely hot; ensure your vehicle is in top condition and carry extra water.
  • Some iconic roadside attractions have limited hours or are seasonal; check local listings before arrival.
  • Book historic motels like the Blue Swallow or Wigwam well in advance as they are highly sought after.