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Ultimate 15-Day Route 66 Road Trip

Experience the ultimate American road trip across eight states. From the skyscrapers of Chicago to the Pacific breakers of Santa Monica, this 15-day journey follows the Mother Road through neon-lit diners, vintage motels, and historic western landscapes.

15days
30stops
2433km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Chicago · Pontiac · St. Louis · Cuba · Catoosa · Elk City · Amarillo · Santa Rosa · Santa Fe · Gallup · Holbrook · Flagstaff · Oatman · Oro Grande — start in Chicago, end in Santa Monica.

DAY01

Historic Route 66 Begin Sign → Lou Mitchell's

1.8 km · 8m driving · Overnight in Lou Mitchell's
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Historic Route 66 Begin Sign· start
  2. 1.8 km · 8m
  3. 12:00
    Lou Mitchell's· overnight
DAY02

Gemini Giant → Route 66 Association of Illin…

95 km · 1h 3m driving · Overnight in Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame & Museum
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Gemini Giant· start
  2. 95 km · 1h 3m
  3. 12:00
    Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame & Museum· overnight
DAY03

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge → Gateway Arch

319 km · 2h 55m driving · Overnight in Gateway Arch
  1. 09:00
    Old Chain of Rocks Bridge· start
  2. 319 km · 2h 55m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Gateway Arch· overnight
DAY04

Meramec Caverns → Wagon Wheel Motel

105 km · 1h 6m driving · Overnight in Wagon Wheel Motel
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Meramec Caverns· start
  2. 105 km · 1h 6m
  3. 12:00
    Wagon Wheel Motel· overnight
DAY05

Cars on the Route → Blue Whale of Catoosa

347 km · 3h 15m driving · Overnight in Blue Whale of Catoosa
  1. 09:00
    Cars on the Route· start
  2. 347 km · 3h 15m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Blue Whale of Catoosa· overnight
DAY06

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum → National Route 66 Museum

334 km · 3h 3m driving · Overnight in National Route 66 Museum
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Oklahoma Route 66 Museum· start
  2. 334 km · 3h 3m
  3. 12:00
    National Route 66 Museum· overnight
DAY07

U-Drop Inn → Cadillac Ranch

83 km · 48m driving · Overnight in Cadillac Ranch
  1. 09:00
    U-Drop Inn· start
  2. 83 km · 48m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Cadillac Ranch· overnight
DAY08

Blue Swallow Motel → Santa Rosa

164 km · 1h 31m driving · Overnight in Santa Rosa Blue Hole
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Blue Swallow Motel· start
  2. 164 km · 1h 31m
  3. 12:00
    Santa Rosa Blue Hole· overnight
DAY09

Santa Fe → Canyon Road Art District

176 km · 1h 49m driving · Overnight in Canyon Road Art District
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Santa Fe Plaza· start
  2. 176 km · 1h 49m
  3. 12:00
    Canyon Road Art District· overnight
DAY10

Acoma → El Rancho Hotel

202 km · 1h 58m driving · Overnight in El Rancho Hotel
  1. 09:00
    Acoma Pueblo· start
  2. 202 km · 1h 58m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ El Rancho Hotel· overnight
DAY11

Petrified Forest National Park → Wigwam Motel

185 km · 1h 43m driving · Overnight in Wigwam Motel
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Petrified Forest National Park· start
  2. 185 km · 1h 43m
  3. 12:00
    Wigwam Motel· overnight
DAY12

Standin' on the Corner Park → Lowell Observatory

52 km · 33m driving · Overnight in Lowell Observatory
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Standin' on the Corner Park· start
  2. 52 km · 33m
  3. 12:00
    Lowell Observatory· overnight
DAY13

Angel & Vilma Delgadillo's Ro… → Oatman

123 km · 1h 14m driving · Overnight in Oatman Ghost Town
  1. 09:00
    Angel & Vilma Delgadillo's Route 66 Gift Shop· start
  2. 123 km · 1h 14m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Oatman Ghost Town· overnight
DAY14

Roy's Motel & Café → Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch

166 km · 1h 53m driving · Overnight in Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Roy's Motel & Café· start
  2. 166 km · 1h 53m
  3. 12:00
    Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch· overnight
DAY15

Original McDonald's Site Muse… → Santa Monica

80 km · 51m driving
  1. 09:00
    Original McDonald's Site Museum· start
  2. 80 km · 51m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Santa Monica Pier
Heads Up
  • Check local road conditions as some original segments are seasonal or may have detours.
  • Many historic diners and museums along the route close early (4-5 PM); plan daily timing carefully.
  • Carry extra water and monitor fuel levels when crossing the Mojave Desert stretches between Needles and Barstow.
  • Advance reservations are highly recommended for iconic overnight stops like the Blue Swallow or Wigwam Motel.