The Ultimate Mother Road: Route 66 Cross-Country
Embark on the definitive 15-day American odyssey from Chicago to Santa Monica. This journey captures the spirit of the Mother Road through vintage neon, historic diners, quirky roadside attractions, and the changing landscapes of eight iconic states.
Chicago -> St. Louis -> Oklahoma City -> Amarillo -> Santa Fe -> Holbrook -> Kingman -> Santa Monica
- Route 66 Begin Sign
- Route 66 Association Hall of Fame
- Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
- Meramec Caverns
- Blue Whale of Catoosa
- Pops 66 Soda Ranch
- Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
- Cadillac Ranch
Kickoff in the Windy City
Lou Mitchell's
Lou Mitchell's, Chicago, Illinois, US
Route 66 Begin Sign
Route 66 Begin Sign, Chicago, Illinois, US
Millennium Park
Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois, US
Lincoln Lore and Giant Icons
Gemini Giant
Gemini Giant, Wilmington, Illinois, US
Route 66 Association Hall of Fame
Route 66 Association Hall of Fame, Pontiac, Illinois, US
Old State Capitol
Old State Capitol, Springfield, Illinois, US
Crossing 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
Caverns and Ozark Hills
Meramec Caverns
Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri, US
Cuba Murals
Cuba Murals, Cuba, Missouri, US
Munger Moss Motel
Munger Moss Motel, Lebanon, Missouri, US
Kansas Corner and Green Country
Cars on the Route
Cars on the Route, Galena, Kansas, US
Blue Whale of Catoosa
Blue Whale of Catoosa, Catoosa, Oklahoma, US
Cain's Ballroom
Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
Oklahoma Heartland Icons
Rock Cafe
Rock Cafe, Stroud, Oklahoma, US
Arcadia Round Barn
Arcadia Round Barn, Arcadia, Oklahoma, US
Pops 66 Soda Ranch
Pops 66 Soda Ranch, Arcadia, Oklahoma, US
Western Frontier and Neon Dreams
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Clinton, Oklahoma, US
U-Drop Inn
U-Drop Inn, Shamrock, Texas, US
The Big Texan Steak Ranch
The Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, Texas, US
Panhandle Art and the Midpoint
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas, US
Midpoint Café
Midpoint Café, Adrian, Texas, US
Blue Swallow Motel
Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico, US
High Desert and Santa Fe
Santa Rosa Blue Hole
Santa Rosa Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, New Mexico, US
Pecos National Historical Park
Pecos National Historical Park, Pecos, New Mexico, US
Santa Fe Plaza
Santa Fe Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
Turquoise Trails to Albuquerque
Madrid Town Center
Madrid Town Center, Madrid, New Mexico, US
Sandia Peak Tramway
Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
Old Town Albuquerque
Old Town Albuquerque, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
Red Rocks and Painted Deserts
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
Meteor Crater, Winslow, Arizona, US
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Arizona, US
Mountain Towns and Wild Burros
Seligman Visitor Center
Seligman Visitor Center, Seligman, Arizona, US
Hackberry General Store
Hackberry General Store, Kingman, Arizona, US
Oatman Ghost Town
Oatman Ghost Town, Oatman, Arizona, US
The 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
California Route 66 Museum
California Route 66 Museum, Victorville, California, US
The End of the Trail
Original McDonald's Site
Original McDonald's Site, San Bernardino, California, US
Colorado Street Bridge
Colorado Street Bridge, Pasadena, California, US
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, US
- Download offline maps as Route 66 often deviates from modern interstates into areas with spotty cell service.
- Look for the brown 'Historic Route 66' signs to stay on the original alignments rather than I-40.
- Many vintage motels and diners close seasonally or have limited hours; verify local hours in advance.
- Carry extra water and check fuel levels frequently when crossing the Mojave Desert segments in California.