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Historic American Highways Loop
A comprehensive 16-day journey following the legendary Route 66 westward and returning via the historic Lincoln Highway. This route balances iconic Americana, neon nostalgia, and vast prairie landscapes with manageable daily driving distances.
16days
42stops
3732km
Day 1: Route 66 Begin Sign → Gemini Giant → Pontiac City Hall
1h 52min · 169km3 stops
Route 66 Begin Sign
09:00 – 11:00
1h 8min · 99km
Gemini Giant
12:00 – 14:00
44min · 70km
Pontiac City Hall
15:00 – 17:00
Day 2: Pink Elephant Antique Mall → Gateway Arch National Park → Meramec Caverns
3h 2min · 323km3 stops
Pink Elephant Antique Mall
09:00 – 11:00
2h 26min · 264km
Gateway Arch National Park
12:00 – 14:00
36min · 59km
Meramec Caverns
15:00 – 17:00
Day 3: Cuba Murals → 66 Drive-In Theatre → Joplin
3h 27min · 351km3 stops
Cuba Murals
09:00 – 11:00
30min · 43km
66 Drive-In Theatre
12:00 – 14:00
2h 57min · 308km
Joplin
15:00 – 17:00
Day 4: Cars on the Route → Blue Whale of Catoosa → Oklahoma City National Memori…
1h 37min · 162km3 stops
Cars on the Route
09:00 – 11:00
12min · 12km
Blue Whale of Catoosa
12:00 – 14:00
1h 25min · 151km
Oklahoma City National Memorial
15:00 – 17:00
Day 5: Lucille's Service Station → Oklahoma Route 66 Museum → Shamrock Visitor
1h 24min · 140km3 stops
Lucille's Service Station
09:00 – 11:00
1h · 101km
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
12:00 – 14:00
24min · 39km
Shamrock Visitor
15:00 – 17:00
Day 6: Cadillac Ranch → Midpoint Café → Tucumcari Convention Center
2h 7min · 227km3 stops
Cadillac Ranch
09:00 – 11:00
1h 31min · 163km
Midpoint Café
12:00 – 14:00
36min · 64km
Tucumcari Convention Center
15:00 – 17:00
Day 7: Blue Hole → Santa Fe Plaza
56min · 93km2 stops
Blue Hole
09:00 – 11:00
56min · 93km
Santa Fe Plaza
12:00 – 14:00
Day 8: Old Town Albuquerque → Continental Divide Marker → Gallup Cultural Center
2h 40min · 281km3 stops
Old Town Albuquerque
09:00 – 11:00
1h 3min · 104km
Continental Divide Marker
12:00 – 14:00
1h 37min · 177km
Gallup Cultural Center
15:00 – 17:00
Day 9: Petrified Forest National Park → Wigwam Motel → Winslow
2h 4min · 217km3 stops
Petrified Forest National Park
09:00 – 11:00
1h 44min · 186km
Wigwam Motel
12:00 – 14:00
20min · 31km
Winslow
15:00 – 17:00
Day 10: Meteor Crater → Walnut Canyon National Monume… → Heritage Square
1h 3min · 98km3 stops
Meteor Crater
09:00 – 11:00
29min · 42km
Walnut Canyon National Monument
12:00 – 14:00
34min · 57km
Heritage Square
15:00 – 17:00
Day 11: Wupatki National Monument → Moab
36min · 49km2 stops
Wupatki National Monument
09:00 – 11:00
36min · 49km
Moab
12:00 – 14:00
Day 12: Colorado National Monument → Glenwood Springs
2h 1min · 195km2 stops
Colorado National Monument
09:00 – 11:00
2h 1min · 195km
Glenwood Springs
12:00 – 14:00
Day 13: Ames Monument → Cheyenne Depot Museum
4h 8min · 364km2 stops
Ames Monument
09:00 – 11:00
4h 8min · 364km
Cheyenne Depot Museum
12:00 – 14:00
Day 14: Great Platte River Road Archw… → Lincoln City Hall
4h 33min · 511km2 stops
Great Platte River Road Archway
09:00 – 11:00
4h 33min · 511km
Lincoln City Hall
12:00 – 14:00
Day 15: The Durham Museum → Lincoln Highway Bridge → Cedar Rapids
4h 10min · 428km3 stops
The Durham Museum
09:00 – 11:00
55min · 95km
Lincoln Highway Bridge
12:00 – 14:00
3h 15min · 334km
Cedar Rapids
15:00 – 17:00
Day 16: Mississippi River Lookout → Grant Park
1h 27min · 124km2 stops
Mississippi River Lookout
09:00 – 11:00
1h 27min · 124km
Grant Park
12:00 – 14:00
Heads Up
- 1. Many Route 66 segments are disconnected; follow brown historic markers to stay on the original path.
- 2. Check weather conditions when crossing the Texas Panhandle and Kansas plains for high winds.
- 3. Book vintage motels in advance as popular spots like the Blue Swallow fill up months ahead.
- 4. Day 11: 5h 14m driving — plan rest stops