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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
2949km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Willowbrook · Pontiac · St. Louis · Springfield · Tulsa · Oklahoma City · Amarillo · Tucumcari · Albuquerque · Holbrook · Flagstaff · Kingman · Oro Grande — start in Chicago, end in Santa Monica.

DAY01

Route 66 Begin Sign → Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket

39 km · 38m driving · Overnight in Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Route 66 Begin Sign· start
  2. 5.4 km · 12m
  3. 12:00
    Lou Mitchell's
  4. 34 km · 26m
  5. 15:00
    Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket· overnight
DAY02

Gemini Giant → Pontiac

115 km · 1h 16m driving · Overnight in Pontiac City Hall
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Gemini Giant· start
  2. 63 km · 42m
  3. 12:00
    Standard Oil Gas Station
  4. 52 km · 34m
  5. 15:00
    Pontiac City Hall· overnight
DAY03

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge → Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

357 km · 3h 18m driving · Overnight in Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  1. 09:00
    Old Chain of Rocks Bridge· start
  2. 319 km · 2h 55m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Gateway Arch
  4. 38 km · 23m
  5. 15:00
    Ted Drewes Frozen Custard· overnight
DAY04

Meramec Caverns → Gillioz Theatre

262 km · 2h 36m driving · Overnight in Gillioz Theatre
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Meramec Caverns· start
  2. 95 km · 1h
  3. 12:00
    Munger Moss Motel
  4. 167 km · 1h 36m
  5. 15:00
    Gillioz Theatre· overnight
DAY05

Cars on the Route → Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios

287 km · 2h 50m driving · Overnight in Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios
  1. 09:00
    Cars on the Route· start
  2. 136 km · 1h 25m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Blue Whale of Catoosa
  4. 151 km · 1h 25m
  5. 15:00
    Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios· overnight
DAY06

Rock Cafe → Oklahoma City

149 km · 1h 32m driving · Overnight in Oklahoma City National Memorial
  1. 09:00
    Rock Cafe· start
  2. 84 km · 49m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Pops 66 Soda Ranch
  4. 66 km · 43m
  5. 15:00
    Oklahoma City National Memorial· overnight
DAY07

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum → Amarillo

267 km · 2h 33m driving · Overnight in Amarillo Route 66 District
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Oklahoma Route 66 Museum· start
  2. 139 km · 1h 21m
  3. 12:00
    U-Drop Inn
  4. 129 km · 1h 12m
  5. 15:00
    Amarillo Route 66 District· overnight
DAY08

Cadillac Ranch → Tucumcari

75 km · 49m driving · Overnight in Tucumcari Main Street
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Cadillac Ranch· start
  2. 11 km · 13m
  3. 12:00
    Midpoint Cafe
  4. 64 km · 36m
  5. 15:00
    Tucumcari Main Street· overnight
DAY09

Blue Swallow Motel → Old Town Albuquerque

270 km · 2h 42m driving · Overnight in Old Town Albuquerque
  1. 09:00
    Blue Swallow Motel· start
  2. 1.8 km · 4m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Santa Fe Plaza
  4. 268 km · 2h 38m
  5. 15:00
    Old Town Albuquerque· overnight
DAY10

El Rancho Hotel → Wigwam Motel

402 km · 3h 42m driving · Overnight in Wigwam Motel
  1. 09:00
    El Rancho Hotel· start
  2. 217 km · 1h 59m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Petrified Forest National Park
  4. 185 km · 1h 43m
  5. 15:00
    Wigwam Motel· overnight
DAY11

Standin' on the Corner Park → Flagstaff

93 km · 1h 2m driving · Overnight in Flagstaff
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Standin' on the Corner Park· start
  2. 52 km · 33m
  3. 12:00
    Meteor Crater
  4. 42 km · 29m
  5. 15:00
    Flagstaff· overnight
DAY12

Seligman → Kingman

219 km · 2h 10m driving · Overnight in Kingman
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Seligman Main Street· start
  2. 122 km · 1h 13m
  3. 12:00
    Hackberry General Store
  4. 97 km · 57m
  5. 15:00
    Kingman· overnight
DAY13

Oatman → Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch

212 km · 2h 43m driving · Overnight in Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Oatman Ghost Town· start
  2. 46 km · 50m
  3. 12:00
    Roy's Motel & Café
  4. 166 km · 1h 53m
  5. 15:00
    Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch· overnight
DAY14

Wigwam Motel No. 7 → Route 66 End Sign

202 km · 2h 16m driving
  1. 09:00
    Wigwam Motel No. 7· start
  2. 83 km · 55m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Santa Monica Pier
  4. 119 km · 1h 21m
  5. 15:00
    Route 66 End Sign
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 1Stay in Willowbrook · Night 1
  2. Day 2Stay in Pontiac · Night 2
  3. Day 3Stay in St. Louis · Night 3
  4. Day 4Stay in Springfield · Night 4
  5. Day 5Stay in Tulsa · Night 5
  6. Day 6Stay in Oklahoma City · Night 6
  7. Day 7Stay in Amarillo · Night 7
  8. Day 8Stay in Tucumcari · Night 8
Heads Up
  • 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.