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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.
14days
42stops
2951km
Day 1: Route 66 Begin Sign → Lou Mitchell's → Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket
38min · 39km3 stops
Route 66 Begin Sign
09:00 – 11:00
12min · 5.4km
Lou Mitchell's
12:00 – 14:00
26min · 34km
Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket
15:00 – 17:00
Day 2: Gemini Giant → Standard Oil Gas Station → Pontiac City Hall
1h 16min · 115km3 stops
Gemini Giant
09:00 – 11:00
42min · 63km
Standard Oil Gas Station
12:00 – 14:00
34min · 52km
Pontiac City Hall
15:00 – 17:00
Day 3: Old Chain of Rocks Bridge → Gateway Arch → Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
3h 18min · 357km3 stops
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
09:00 – 11:00
2h 55min · 319km
Gateway Arch
12:00 – 14:00
23min · 38km
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
15:00 – 17:00
Day 4: Meramec Caverns → Munger Moss Motel → Gillioz Theatre
2h 36min · 262km3 stops
Meramec Caverns
09:00 – 11:00
1h · 95km
Munger Moss Motel
12:00 – 14:00
1h 36min · 167km
Gillioz Theatre
15:00 – 17:00
Day 5: Cars on the Route → Blue Whale of Catoosa → Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios
2h 50min · 287km3 stops
Cars on the Route
09:00 – 11:00
1h 25min · 136km
Blue Whale of Catoosa
12:00 – 14:00
1h 25min · 151km
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios
15:00 – 17:00
Day 6: Rock Cafe → Pops 66 Soda Ranch → Oklahoma City National Memori…
1h 32min · 149km3 stops
Rock Cafe
09:00 – 11:00
49min · 84km
Pops 66 Soda Ranch
12:00 – 14:00
43min · 66km
Oklahoma City National Memorial
15:00 – 17:00
Day 7: Oklahoma Route 66 Museum → U-Drop Inn → Amarillo Route 66 District
2h 33min · 267km3 stops
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
09:00 – 11:00
1h 21min · 139km
U-Drop Inn
12:00 – 14:00
1h 12min · 129km
Amarillo Route 66 District
15:00 – 17:00
Day 8: Cadillac Ranch → Midpoint Cafe → Tucumcari Main Street
49min · 75km3 stops
Cadillac Ranch
09:00 – 11:00
13min · 11km
Midpoint Cafe
12:00 – 14:00
36min · 64km
Tucumcari Main Street
15:00 – 17:00
Day 9: Blue Swallow Motel → Santa Fe Plaza → Old Town Albuquerque
2h 42min · 270km3 stops
Blue Swallow Motel
09:00 – 11:00
4min · 1.8km
Santa Fe Plaza
12:00 – 14:00
2h 38min · 268km
Old Town Albuquerque
15:00 – 17:00
Day 10: El Rancho Hotel → Petrified Forest National Park → Wigwam Motel
3h 42min · 402km3 stops
El Rancho Hotel
09:00 – 11:00
1h 59min · 217km
Petrified Forest National Park
12:00 – 14:00
1h 43min · 185km
Wigwam Motel
15:00 – 17:00
Day 11: Standin' on the Corner Park → Meteor Crater → Flagstaff
1h 2min · 93km3 stops
Standin' on the Corner Park
09:00 – 11:00
33min · 52km
Meteor Crater
12:00 – 14:00
29min · 42km
Flagstaff
15:00 – 17:00
Day 12: Seligman Main Street → Hackberry General Store → Kingman
2h 10min · 219km3 stops
Seligman Main Street
09:00 – 11:00
1h 13min · 122km
Hackberry General Store
12:00 – 14:00
57min · 97km
Kingman
15:00 – 17:00
Day 13: Oatman Ghost Town → Roy's Motel & Café → Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
2h 43min · 212km3 stops
Oatman Ghost Town
09:00 – 11:00
50min · 46km
Roy's Motel & Café
12:00 – 14:00
1h 53min · 166km
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
15:00 – 17:00
Day 14: Wigwam Motel No. 7 → Santa Monica Pier → Route 66 End Sign
2h 16min · 202km3 stops
Wigwam Motel No. 7
09:00 – 11:00
55min · 83km
Santa Monica Pier
12:00 – 14:00
1h 21min · 119km
Route 66 End Sign
15:00 – 17:00
Heads Up
- 1. Many historic segments are disconnected; follow the brown 'Historic Route 66' signs to stay on the original path.
- 2. Check seasonal hours for roadside museums and diners, as some smaller attractions operate on limited schedules.
- 3. The stretch through the Mojave Desert can be extremely hot; ensure your vehicle's cooling system is in top shape.
- 4. Book iconic stays like the Wigwam Motels or Blue Swallow well in advance for the 2026 season.