The Mother Road: Chicago to Santa Monica
Embark on the ultimate American road trip across eight states. This 14-day journey follows the historic Route 66 corridor, blending neon nostalgia, classic diners, and quirky roadside Americana with a relaxed driving pace through the heart of the USA.
- Route 66 Begin Sign
- Gemini Giant
- Gateway Arch
- Meramec Caverns
- Blue Whale of Catoosa
- Pops 66 Soda Ranch
- Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
- Cadillac Ranch
Chicago Beginnings and Neon Lights
Route 66 Begin Sign
Route 66 Begin Sign, Chicago, Illinois, US
Lou Mitchell's
Lou Mitchell's, Chicago, Illinois, US
Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket
Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, Willowbrook, Illinois, US
Giants and Gas Stations of Illinois
Gemini Giant
Gemini Giant, Wilmington, Illinois, US
Standard Oil Gas Station
Standard Oil Gas Station, Odell, Illinois, US
Pontiac City Hall
Pontiac City Hall, Pontiac, Illinois, US
Gateway to the West
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
Caves and Ozark Landscapes
Meramec Caverns
Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri, US
Munger Moss Motel
Munger Moss Motel, Lebanon, Missouri, US
Gillioz Theatre
Gillioz Theatre, Springfield, Missouri, US
Kansas Corners and Oklahoma Icons
Cars on the Route
Cars on the Route, Galena, Kansas, US
Blue Whale of Catoosa
Blue Whale of Catoosa, Catoosa, Oklahoma, US
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
The Heart of Oklahoma
Rock Cafe
Rock Cafe, Stroud, 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
Museums and the Texas Panhandle
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Clinton, Oklahoma, US
U-Drop Inn
U-Drop Inn, Shamrock, Texas, US
Amarillo Route 66 District
Amarillo Route 66 District, Amarillo, Texas, US
Cadillacs and the Midpoint
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas, US
Midpoint Cafe
Midpoint Cafe, Adrian, Texas, US
Tucumcari Main Street
Tucumcari Main Street, Tucumcari, New Mexico, US
Neon Nights in New Mexico
Blue Swallow Motel
Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico, US
Santa Fe Plaza
Santa Fe Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
Old Town Albuquerque
Old Town Albuquerque, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
Red Rocks and Trading Posts
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
Flagstaff Visitor Center
Flagstaff Visitor Center, Flagstaff, Arizona, US
The Longest Remaining Stretch
Seligman Main Street
Seligman Main Street, Seligman, Arizona, US
Hackberry General Store
Hackberry General Store, Hackberry, Arizona, US
Kingman Visitor Center
Kingman Visitor Center, Kingman, Arizona, US
Burros and the Mojave Desert
Oatman Ghost Town
Oatman Ghost Town, Oatman, Arizona, US
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
The End of the Trail
Wigwam Motel No. 7
Wigwam Motel No. 7, San Bernardino, California, US
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, US
Route 66 End Sign
Route 66 End Sign, Santa Monica, California, US
- Many historic segments are disconnected; follow the brown 'Historic Route 66' signs to stay on the original path.
- Check seasonal hours for roadside museums and diners, as some smaller attractions operate on limited schedules.
- The stretch through the Mojave Desert can be extremely hot; ensure your vehicle's cooling system is in top shape.
- Book iconic stays like the Wigwam Motels or Blue Swallow well in advance for the 2026 season.