1 / 5

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.

15days
45stops
2973km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Chicago · Springfield · St. Louis · Lebanon · Tulsa · Arcadia · Amarillo · Tucumcari · Santa Fe · Albuquerque · Holbrook · Flagstaff · Oatman · Victorville — start in Chicago, end in Santa Monica.

DAY01

Lou Mitchell's → Millennium Park

6.5 km · 17m driving · Overnight in Millennium Park
  1. 09:00
    Lou Mitchell's· start
  2. 4.4 km · 12m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Route 66 Begin Sign
  4. 2.1 km · 5m
  5. 15:00
    Millennium Park· overnight
DAY02

Gemini Giant → Old State Capitol

167 km · 1h 49m driving · Overnight in Old State Capitol
  1. 09:00
    Gemini Giant· start
  2. 97 km · 1h 5m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Route 66 Association Hall of Fame
  4. 70 km · 44m
  5. 15:00
    Old State Capitol· overnight
DAY03

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge → Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

191 km · 1h 52m driving · Overnight in Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Old Chain of Rocks Bridge· start
  2. 153 km · 1h 29m
  3. 12:00
    Gateway Arch
  4. 38 km · 23m
  5. 15:00
    Ted Drewes Frozen Custard· overnight
DAY04

Meramec Caverns → Munger Moss Motel

137 km · 1h 30m driving · Overnight in Munger Moss Motel
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Meramec Caverns· start
  2. 95 km · 1h
  3. 12:00
    Cuba Murals
  4. 43 km · 30m
  5. 15:00
    Munger Moss Motel· overnight
DAY05

Cars on the Route → Cain's Ballroom

370 km · 3h 28m driving · Overnight in Cain's Ballroom
  1. 09:00
    Cars on the Route· start
  2. 219 km · 2h 3m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Blue Whale of Catoosa
  4. 151 km · 1h 25m
  5. 15:00
    Cain's Ballroom· overnight
DAY06

Rock Cafe → Pops 66 Soda Ranch

147 km · 1h 30m driving · Overnight in Pops 66 Soda Ranch
  1. 09:00
    Rock Cafe· start
  2. 83 km · 48m
  3. 12:00
    Arcadia Round Barn
  4. 64 km · 42m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Pops 66 Soda Ranch· overnight
DAY07

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum → The Big Texan Steak Ranch

301 km · 2h 51m driving · Overnight in The Big Texan Steak Ranch
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Oklahoma Route 66 Museum· start
  2. 173 km · 1h 39m
  3. 12:00
    U-Drop Inn
  4. 129 km · 1h 12m
  5. 15:00
    The Big Texan Steak Ranch· overnight
DAY08

Cadillac Ranch → Blue Swallow Motel

85 km · 52m driving · Overnight in Blue Swallow Motel
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Cadillac Ranch· start
  2. 22 km · 16m
  3. 12:00
    Midpoint Café
  4. 64 km · 36m
  5. 15:00
    Blue Swallow Motel· overnight
DAY09

Santa Rosa → Santa Fe

251 km · 2h 28m driving · Overnight in Santa Fe Plaza
  1. 09:00
    Santa Rosa Blue Hole· start
  2. 96 km · 57m
  3. 12:00
    Pecos National Historical Park
  4. 155 km · 1h 31m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Santa Fe Plaza· overnight
DAY10

Madrid → Old Town Albuquerque

119 km · 1h 38m driving · Overnight in Old Town Albuquerque
  1. 09:00
    Madrid Town Center· start
  2. 46 km · 39m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Sandia Peak Tramway
  4. 73 km · 59m
  5. 15:00
    Old Town Albuquerque· overnight
DAY11

El Rancho Hotel → Wigwam Motel

402 km · 3h 42m driving · Overnight in Wigwam Motel
  1. 09:00
    El Rancho Hotel· start
  2. 217 km · 1h 59m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Petrified Forest National Park
  4. 185 km · 1h 43m
  5. 15:00
    Wigwam Motel· overnight
DAY12

Standin' on the Corner Park → Lowell Observatory

93 km · 1h 2m driving · Overnight in Lowell Observatory
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Standin' on the Corner Park· start
  2. 52 km · 33m
  3. 12:00
    Meteor Crater
  4. 42 km · 29m
  5. 15:00
    Lowell Observatory· overnight
DAY13

Seligman → Oatman

219 km · 2h 10m driving · Overnight in Oatman Ghost Town
  1. 09:00
    Seligman· start
  2. 123 km · 1h 14m
  3. 12:00
    Hackberry General Store
  4. 97 km · 56m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Oatman Ghost Town· overnight
DAY14

Roy's Motel & Café → California Route 66 Museum

334 km · 3h 41m driving · Overnight in California Route 66 Museum
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Roy's Motel & Café· start
  2. 166 km · 1h 53m
  3. 12:00
    Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
  4. 168 km · 1h 48m
  5. 15:00
    California Route 66 Museum· overnight
DAY15

Original McDonald's Site → Santa Monica

151 km · 1h 36m driving
  1. 09:00
    Original McDonald's Site· start
  2. 64 km · 40m
  3. 12:00
    Colorado Street Bridge
  4. 87 km · 56m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Santa Monica Pier
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Stay in St. Louis & Springfield · Nights 2-3
  2. Stay in Oklahoma City & Amarillo · Nights 6-7
  3. Stay in Santa Fe & Flagstaff · Nights 9-12
Heads Up
  • 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.