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The Mother Road: Classic Route 66 Cross-Country

A nostalgic 14-day odyssey across eight states, tracing the 2,448-mile ribbon of asphalt from the neon lights of Chicago to the Pacific breakers of Santa Monica, featuring iconic diners, vintage motels, and mid-century Americana.

14days
42stops
2730km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Chicago · Springfield · St. Louis · Lebanon · Tulsa · Oklahoma City · Amarillo · Santa Fe · Gallup · Joseph City · Williams · Oatman · 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
  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 → Munger Moss Motel

221 km · 2h 16m driving · Overnight in Munger Moss Motel
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Meramec Caverns· start
  2. 104 km · 1h 6m
  3. 12:00
    Elbow Inn Bar & BBQ
  4. 117 km · 1h 10m
  5. 15:00
    Munger Moss Motel· overnight
DAY05

Cars on the Route → Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios

370 km · 3h 28m driving · Overnight in Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios
  1. 09:00
    Cars on the Route· start
  2. 219 km · 2h 3m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Blue Whale of Catoosa
  4. 151 km · 1h 25m
  5. 15:00
    Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios· overnight
DAY06

Route 66 Interpretive Center → Oklahoma City

149 km · 1h 31m driving · Overnight in Oklahoma City National Memorial
  1. 09:00
    Route 66 Interpretive Center· start
  2. 104 km · 59m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Pops 66 Soda Ranch
  4. 45 km · 32m
  5. 15:00
    Oklahoma City National Memorial· overnight
DAY07

U-Drop Inn → Cadillac Ranch

407 km · 3h 47m driving · Overnight in Cadillac Ranch
  1. 09:00
    U-Drop Inn· start
  2. 266 km · 2h 29m
  3. 12:00
    Big Texan Steak Ranch
  4. 141 km · 1h 18m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Cadillac Ranch· overnight
DAY08

Midpoint Cafe → Santa Fe

260 km · 2h 24m driving · Overnight in Santa Fe Plaza
  1. 09:00
    Midpoint Cafe· start
  2. 64 km · 36m
  3. 12:00
    Blue Hole of Santa Rosa
  4. 196 km · 1h 48m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Santa Fe Plaza· overnight
DAY09

Old Town Albuquerque → El Rancho Hotel

112 km · 1h 13m driving · Overnight in El Rancho Hotel
  1. 09:00
    Old Town Albuquerque· start
  2. 104 km · 1h 3m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ 66 Diner
  4. 7.6 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    El Rancho Hotel· overnight
DAY10

Petrified Forest National Park → Jack Rabbit Trading Post

160 km · 1h 31m driving · Overnight in Jack Rabbit Trading Post
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Petrified Forest National Park· start
  2. 115 km · 1h 4m
  3. 12:00
    Wigwam Motel
  4. 45 km · 27m
  5. 15:00
    Jack Rabbit Trading Post· overnight
DAY11

Standin' on the Corner Park → Historic Downtown Williams

68 km · 47m driving · Overnight in Historic Downtown Williams
  1. 09:00
    Standin' on the Corner Park· start
  2. 26 km · 18m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Meteor Crater
  4. 42 km · 29m
  5. 15:00
    Historic Downtown Williams· overnight
DAY12

Seligman → Oatman

165 km · 1h 39m driving · Overnight in Oatman Highway
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Seligman· start
  2. 69 km · 42m
  3. 12:00
    Hackberry General Store
  4. 97 km · 57m
  5. 15:00
    Oatman Highway· overnight
DAY13

Roy's Motel & Café → Wigwam Motel #7

335 km · 3h 42m driving · Overnight in Wigwam Motel #7
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Roy's Motel & Café· start
  2. 167 km · 1h 54m
  3. 12:00
    Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
  4. 168 km · 1h 48m
  5. 15:00
    Wigwam Motel #7· overnight
DAY14

Fair Oaks Pharmacy → Santa Monica

123 km · 1h 30m driving
  1. 09:00
    Fair Oaks Pharmacy· start
  2. 83 km · 57m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Route 66 End of the Trail Sign
  4. 39 km · 33m
  5. 15:00
    Santa Monica Pier
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Stay in Springfield & St. Louis · Nights 2-3
  2. Stay in Santa Fe & Albuquerque · Nights 8-9
  3. Stay in Williams or Flagstaff · Nights 11-12
Heads Up
  • Book historic motels like the Wigwam or Blue Swallow at least 6-9 months in advance for 2026.
  • Route 66 is decommissioned; follow the 'Historic Route 66' brown signs and use a dedicated GPS app.
  • Many vintage gas stations are now museums; keep your actual fuel tank above a quarter in desert stretches.