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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

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Chicago · Springfield · St. Louis · Carthage · Tulsa · Oklahoma City · Amarillo · Tucumcari · Santa Fe · Gallup · Winslow · Williams · Kingman · San Bernardino — start in Chicago, end in Santa Monica.

DAY01

Route 66 Begin Sign → Buckingham Fountain

7.8 km · 21m driving · Overnight in Buckingham Fountain
  1. 09:00
    Route 66 Begin Sign· start
  2. 5.4 km · 12m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Lou Mitchell's
  4. 2.3 km · 9m
  5. 15:00
    Buckingham Fountain· overnight
DAY02

Gemini Giant → Cozy Dog Drive-In

166 km · 1h 46m driving · Overnight in Cozy Dog Drive-In
  1. 09:00
    Gemini Giant· start
  2. 96 km · 1h 2m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum
  4. 70 km · 44m
  5. 15:00
    Cozy Dog Drive-In· overnight
DAY03

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge → Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

186 km · 1h 46m driving · Overnight in Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  1. 09:00
    Old Chain of Rocks Bridge· start
  2. 148 km · 1h 22m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Gateway Arch National Park
  4. 38 km · 24m
  5. 15:00
    Ted Drewes Frozen Custard· overnight
DAY04

Meramec Caverns → 66 Drive-In Theatre

157 km · 1h 38m driving · long drive · Overnight in 66 Drive-In Theatre
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Meramec Caverns· start
  2. 95 km · 1h
  3. 12:00
    Route 66
  4. 63 km · 38m
  5. 15:00
    66 Drive-In Theatre· overnight
DAY05

Blue Whale of Catoosa → Philbrook Museum of Art

201 km · 1h 56m driving · Overnight in Philbrook Museum of Art
  1. 09:00
    Blue Whale of Catoosa· start
  2. 176 km · 1h 36m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66
  4. 26 km · 20m
  5. 15:00
    Philbrook Museum of Art· overnight
DAY06

Arcadia → Oklahoma City

143 km · 1h 27m driving · Overnight in Oklahoma City National Memorial
  1. 09:00
    Arcadia Round Barn· start
  2. 142 km · 1h 25m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Pops 66 Soda Ranch
  4. 1.1 km · 2m
  5. 15:00
    Oklahoma City National Memorial· overnight
DAY07

Lucille's Service Station → Cadillac Ranch

183 km · 1h 50m driving · Overnight in Cadillac Ranch
  1. 09:00
    Lucille's Service Station· start
  2. 101 km · 1h
  3. 12:00
    National Route 66 Museum
  4. 82 km · 50m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Cadillac Ranch· overnight
DAY08

Midpoint Café → Blue Swallow Motel

164 km · 1h 32m driving · Overnight in Blue Swallow Motel
  1. 09:00
    Midpoint Café· start
  2. 64 km · 36m
  3. 12:00
    Tee Pee Curios
  4. 100 km · 56m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Blue Swallow Motel· overnight
DAY09

Santa Rosa → Canyon Road

271 km · 2h 46m driving · Overnight in Canyon Road
  1. 09:00
    Santa Rosa Blue Hole· start
  2. 96 km · 57m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Santa Fe Plaza
  4. 176 km · 1h 49m
  5. 15:00
    Canyon Road· overnight
DAY10

Loretto Chapel → Palace of the Governors

9 km · 17m driving · Overnight in Palace of the Governors
  1. 09:00
    Loretto Chapel· start
  2. 2.1 km · 5m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Meow Wolf Santa Fe
  4. 6.9 km · 12m
  5. 15:00
    Palace of the Governors· overnight
DAY11

Central Avenue Heritage Trail → El Rancho Hotel

111 km · 1h 17m driving · Overnight in El Rancho Hotel
  1. 09:00
    Central Avenue Heritage Trail· start
  2. 106 km · 1h 4m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ 66 Diner
  4. 5.9 km · 13m
  5. 15:00
    El Rancho Hotel· overnight
DAY12

Petrified Forest National Park → Standin' on the Corner Park

216 km · 2h 3m driving · Overnight in Standin' on the Corner Park
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Petrified Forest National Park· start
  2. 185 km · 1h 43m
  3. 12:00
    Wigwam Motel
  4. 31 km · 20m
  5. 15:00
    Standin' on the Corner Park· overnight
DAY13

Meteor Crater → Williams

161 km · 1h 36m driving · Overnight in Williams Historic District
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Meteor Crater· start
  2. 42 km · 29m
  3. 12:00
    Bearizona Wildlife Park
  4. 119 km · 1h 7m
  5. 15:00
    Williams Historic District· overnight
DAY14

Seligman → Mr D'z Route 66 Diner

165 km · 1h 36m driving · Overnight in Mr D'z Route 66 Diner
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Seligman Route 66· start
  2. 68 km · 40m
  3. 12:00
    Hackberry General Store
  4. 97 km · 56m
  5. 15:00
    Mr D'z Route 66 Diner· overnight
DAY15

Oatman → Wigwam Motel No. 7

352 km · 4h 2m driving · Overnight in Wigwam Motel No. 7
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Oatman Historic District· start
  2. 46 km · 48m
  3. 12:00
    Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
  4. 306 km · 3h 14m
  5. 15:00
    Wigwam Motel No. 7· overnight
DAY16

Original McDonald's Site Muse… → Santa Monica

95 km · 1h 8m driving
  1. 09:00
    Original McDonald's Site Museum· start
  2. 7.1 km · 12m
  3. 12:00
    Colorado Street Bridge
  4. 87 km · 56m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Santa Monica Pier
Heads Up
  • Day 4: 5h 26m driving — plan rest stops
  • 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.