Ultimate Route 66: The Mother Road Journey
Embark on an iconic 16-day cross-country odyssey from Chicago to Santa Monica. This journey captures the spirit of Americana, featuring historic neon diners, quirky roadside attractions, classic motels, and the breathtaking landscapes of the American West.
- Lou Mitchell's
- Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum
- Gateway Arch National Park
- Meramec Caverns
- Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66
- Pops 66 Soda Ranch
- Cadillac Ranch
- Blue Swallow Motel
The Windy City Kickoff
Route 66 Begin Sign
Route 66 Begin Sign, Chicago, Illinois, US
Lou Mitchell's
Lou Mitchell's, Chicago, Illinois, US
Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain, Chicago, Illinois, US
Giants and Hall of Fame
Gemini Giant
Gemini Giant, Wilmington, Illinois, US
Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum
Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum, Pontiac, Illinois, US
Cozy Dog Drive-In
Cozy Dog Drive-In, Springfield, Illinois, US
Bridges and Arches
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, St. Louis, Missouri, US
Gateway Arch National Park
Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis, Missouri, US
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis, Missouri, US
Caverns and Drive-Ins
Meramec Caverns
Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri, US
Route 66 State Park
Route 66 State Park, Eureka, Missouri, US
66 Drive-In Theatre
66 Drive-In Theatre, Carthage, Missouri, US
The Gateway to Oklahoma
Blue Whale of Catoosa
Blue Whale of Catoosa, Catoosa, Oklahoma, US
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
Philbrook Museum of Art
Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
Neon and Soda Pops
Arcadia Round Barn
Arcadia Round Barn, Arcadia, Oklahoma, US
Pops 66 Soda Ranch
Pops 66 Soda Ranch, Arcadia, Oklahoma, US
Oklahoma City National Memorial
Oklahoma City National Memorial, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
Texas Panhandle Heritage
Lucille's Service Station
Lucille's Service Station, Hydro, Oklahoma, US
National Route 66 Museum
National Route 66 Museum, Elk City, Oklahoma, US
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas, US
Midpoint and Neon Nights
Midpoint Café
Midpoint Café, Adrian, Texas, US
Tee Pee Curios
Tee Pee Curios, Tucumcari, New Mexico, US
Blue Swallow Motel
Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico, US
High Desert Charm
Santa Rosa Blue Hole
Santa Rosa Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, New Mexico, US
Santa Fe Plaza
Santa Fe Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
Canyon Road
Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
Santa Fe Immersion
Loretto Chapel
Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
Meow Wolf Santa Fe
Meow Wolf Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
Palace of the Governors
Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
Adobe and Neon Grills
Central Avenue Heritage Trail
Central Avenue Heritage Trail, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
66 Diner
66 Diner, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
El Rancho Hotel
El Rancho Hotel, Gallup, New Mexico, US
Painted Deserts and Teepees
Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park, Holbrook, Arizona, US
Wigwam Motel
Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Arizona, US
Standin' on the Corner Park
Standin' on the Corner Park, Winslow, Arizona, US
Craters and Pine Forests
Meteor Crater
Meteor Crater, Winslow, Arizona, US
Bearizona Wildlife Park
Bearizona Wildlife Park, Williams, Arizona, US
Williams Historic District
Williams Historic District, Williams, Arizona, US
The Heart of 66
Seligman Route 66
Seligman Route 66, Seligman, Arizona, US
Hackberry General Store
Hackberry General Store, Hackberry, Arizona, US
Mr D'z Route 66 Diner
Mr D'z Route 66 Diner, Kingman, Arizona, US
Burros and Bottle Trees
Oatman Historic District
Oatman Historic District, Oatman, Arizona, 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
The End of the Trail
Original McDonald's Site Museum
Original McDonald's Site Museum, San Bernardino, California, US
Colorado Street Bridge
Colorado Street Bridge, Pasadena, California, US
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, US
- Historic Route 66 often runs parallel to I-40; look for brown 'Historic Route 66' signs to stay on the old road segments.
- Summer temperatures in the Mojave Desert and Arizona can exceed 100°F (38°C); ensure your vehicle's cooling system is in top shape.
- Many historic gas stations and diners have limited hours; plan your meal and fuel stops accordingly in rural stretches.
- Day 4: 5h 26m driving — plan rest stops