The Ultimate Route 66 Cross-Country Odyssey
Embark on the definitive American road trip from Chicago to the Pacific. This 14-day journey follows the 'Mother Road' at a relaxed pace, ensuring ample time for quirky roadside attractions, neon-lit diners, and historic museums. You will traverse eight states, shifting from the Midwestern prairies to the high deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, finally reaching the iconic Santa Monica Pier for a classic California su
Chicago -> St. Louis -> Oklahoma City -> Amarillo -> Santa Fe -> Holbrook -> Santa Monica
- Route 66 Begin Sign
- Pontiac Route 66 Museum
- Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
- Meramec Caverns
- Cars on the Route
- Pops 66 Soda Ranch
- Tower Station and U-Drop Inn
- Blue Swallow Motel
The Windy City Launch
Route 66 Begin Sign
Route 66 Begin Sign, Chicago, Illinois, US
Lou Mitchell's
Lou Mitchell's, Chicago, Illinois, US
Millennium Park
Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois, US
Giants and Neon of Illinois
Gemini Giant
Gemini Giant, Wilmington, Illinois, US
Pontiac Route 66 Museum
Pontiac Route 66 Museum, Pontiac, Illinois, US
Cozy Dog Drive In
Cozy Dog Drive In, Springfield, Illinois, US
Across the Mighty Mississippi
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, St. Louis, Missouri, US
Gateway Arch
Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, US
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis, Missouri, US
Missouri Ozarks and Caves
Meramec Caverns
Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri, US
Devil's Elbow Bridge
Devil's Elbow Bridge, Devil's Elbow, Missouri, US
Munger Moss Motel
Munger Moss Motel, Lebanon, Missouri, US
Kansas Short and Sweet
Cars on the Route
Cars on the Route, Galena, Kansas, US
Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow Bridge, Baxter Springs, Kansas, US
Blue Whale of Catoosa
Blue Whale of Catoosa, Catoosa, Oklahoma, US
The Heart of Oklahoma
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
Pops 66 Soda Ranch
Pops 66 Soda Ranch, Arcadia, Oklahoma, US
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Clinton, Oklahoma, US
Entering the Texas Panhandle
Tower Station and U-Drop Inn
Tower Station and U-Drop Inn, Shamrock, Texas, US
The Big Texan Steak Ranch
The Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, Texas, US
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas, US
Neon Nights and Adobe Walls
Midpoint Café
Midpoint Café, Adrian, Texas, US
Blue Swallow Motel
Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico, US
Santa Fe Plaza
Santa Fe Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
High Desert Heritage
Loretto Chapel
Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
Old Town Albuquerque
Old Town Albuquerque, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
66 Diner
66 Diner, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
Painted Deserts and Petrified Wood
El Rancho Hotel
El Rancho Hotel, Gallup, New Mexico, US
Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park, Holbrook, Arizona, US
Wigwam Motel
Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Arizona, US
Standing on the Corner
Standin' on the Corner Park
Standin' on the Corner Park, Winslow, Arizona, US
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, Winslow, Arizona, US
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Arizona, US
Burros and Bypassed Towns
Delgadillo's Snow Cap
Delgadillo's Snow Cap, Seligman, Arizona, US
Hackberry General Store
Hackberry General Store, Hackberry, Arizona, US
Oatman Ghost Town
Oatman Ghost Town, Oatman, Arizona, US
California Mojave Crossing
Roy's Motel & Café
Roy's Motel & Café, Amboy, California, US
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch, Oro Grande, California, US
Wigwam Motel No. 7
Wigwam Motel No. 7, San Bernardino, California, US
Pacific Coast Finale
The Original McDonald's Museum
The Original McDonald's Museum, San Bernardino, California, US
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, US
66 End of the Trail Sign
66 End of the Trail Sign, Santa Monica, California, US
- Book historic motels like the Blue Swallow or Wigwam Villages at least 6-9 months in advance.
- Many classic diners close early; plan your lunch and dinner stops before 7:00 PM in rural areas.
- Expect significant temperature swings between the Chicago lakefront and the Mojave Desert.
- Keep a physical Route 66 map handy as GPS often defaults to faster interstate bypasses.