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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.
16days
48stops
2588km
Day 1: Route 66 Begin Sign → Lou Mitchell's → Buckingham Fountain
21min · 7.8km3 stops
Route 66 Begin Sign
09:00 – 11:00
12min · 5.4km
Lou Mitchell's
12:00 – 14:00
9min · 2.3km
Buckingham Fountain
15:00 – 17:00
Day 2: Gemini Giant → Route 66 Association Hall of… → Cozy Dog Drive-In
1h 46min · 166km3 stops
Gemini Giant
09:00 – 11:00
1h 2min · 96km
Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum
12:00 – 14:00
44min · 70km
Cozy Dog Drive-In
15:00 – 17:00
Day 3: Old Chain of Rocks Bridge → Gateway Arch National Park → Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
1h 46min · 186km3 stops
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
09:00 – 11:00
1h 22min · 148km
Gateway Arch National Park
12:00 – 14:00
24min · 38km
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
15:00 – 17:00
Day 4: Meramec Caverns → Route 66 → 66 Drive-In Theatre
1h 38min · 157km3 stops
Meramec Caverns
09:00 – 11:00
1h · 95km
Route 66
12:00 – 14:00
38min · 63km
66 Drive-In Theatre
15:00 – 17:00
Day 5: Blue Whale of Catoosa → Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on… → Philbrook Museum of Art
1h 56min · 201km3 stops
Blue Whale of Catoosa
09:00 – 11:00
1h 36min · 176km
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66
12:00 – 14:00
20min · 26km
Philbrook Museum of Art
15:00 – 17:00
Day 6: Arcadia Round Barn → Pops 66 Soda Ranch → Oklahoma City National Memori…
1h 27min · 143km3 stops
Arcadia Round Barn
09:00 – 11:00
1h 25min · 142km
Pops 66 Soda Ranch
12:00 – 14:00
2min · 1.1km
Oklahoma City National Memorial
15:00 – 17:00
Day 7: Lucille's Service Station → National Route 66 Museum → Cadillac Ranch
1h 50min · 183km3 stops
Lucille's Service Station
09:00 – 11:00
1h · 101km
National Route 66 Museum
12:00 – 14:00
50min · 82km
Cadillac Ranch
15:00 – 17:00
Day 8: Midpoint Café → Tee Pee Curios → Blue Swallow Motel
1h 32min · 164km3 stops
Midpoint Café
09:00 – 11:00
36min · 64km
Tee Pee Curios
12:00 – 14:00
56min · 100km
Blue Swallow Motel
15:00 – 17:00
Day 9: Santa Rosa Blue Hole → Santa Fe Plaza → Canyon Road
2h 46min · 271km3 stops
Santa Rosa Blue Hole
09:00 – 11:00
57min · 96km
Santa Fe Plaza
12:00 – 14:00
1h 49min · 176km
Canyon Road
15:00 – 17:00
Day 10: Loretto Chapel → Meow Wolf Santa Fe → Palace of the Governors
17min · 9.0km3 stops
Loretto Chapel
09:00 – 11:00
5min · 2.1km
Meow Wolf Santa Fe
12:00 – 14:00
12min · 6.9km
Palace of the Governors
15:00 – 17:00
Day 11: Central Avenue Heritage Trail → 66 Diner → El Rancho Hotel
1h 17min · 111km3 stops
Central Avenue Heritage Trail
09:00 – 11:00
1h 4min · 106km
66 Diner
12:00 – 14:00
13min · 5.9km
El Rancho Hotel
15:00 – 17:00
Day 12: Petrified Forest National Park → Wigwam Motel → Standin' on the Corner Park
2h 3min · 216km3 stops
Petrified Forest National Park
09:00 – 11:00
1h 43min · 185km
Wigwam Motel
12:00 – 14:00
20min · 31km
Standin' on the Corner Park
15:00 – 17:00
Day 13: Meteor Crater → Bearizona Wildlife Park → Williams Historic District
1h 36min · 161km3 stops
Meteor Crater
09:00 – 11:00
29min · 42km
Bearizona Wildlife Park
12:00 – 14:00
1h 7min · 119km
Williams Historic District
15:00 – 17:00
Day 14: Seligman Route 66 → Hackberry General Store → Mr D'z Route 66 Diner
1h 36min · 165km3 stops
Seligman Route 66
09:00 – 11:00
40min · 68km
Hackberry General Store
12:00 – 14:00
56min · 97km
Mr D'z Route 66 Diner
15:00 – 17:00
Day 15: Oatman Historic District → Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch → Wigwam Motel No. 7
4h 2min · 352km3 stops
Oatman Historic District
09:00 – 11:00
48min · 46km
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
12:00 – 14:00
3h 14min · 306km
Wigwam Motel No. 7
15:00 – 17:00
Day 16: Original McDonald's Site Muse… → Colorado Street Bridge → Santa Monica Pier
1h 8min · 95km3 stops
Original McDonald's Site Museum
09:00 – 11:00
12min · 7.1km
Colorado Street Bridge
12:00 – 14:00
56min · 87km
Santa Monica Pier
15:00 – 17:00
Heads Up
- 1. Historic Route 66 often runs parallel to I-40; look for brown 'Historic Route 66' signs to stay on the old road segments.
- 2. Summer temperatures in the Mojave Desert and Arizona can exceed 100°F (38°C); ensure your vehicle's cooling system is in top shape.
- 3. Many historic gas stations and diners have limited hours; plan your meal and fuel stops accordingly in rural stretches.
- 4. Day 4: 5h 26m driving — plan rest stops