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The Mother Road: Chicago to Santa Monica
A nostalgic 14-day journey across eight states following the historic Route 66. Experience the neon signs, vintage diners, and quirky roadside Americana that define the spirit of the open road from the Great Lakes to the Pacific.
14days
42stops
3016km
Day 1: Route 66 Begin Sign → Lou Mitchell's → Gemini Giant
1h 15min · 100km3 stops
Route 66 Begin Sign
09:00 – 11:00
12min · 5.4km
Lou Mitchell's
12:00 – 14:00
1h 3min · 95km
Gemini Giant
15:00 – 17:00
Day 2: Pontiac Route 66 Museum → Cozy Dog Drive In → Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
2h 24min · 245km3 stops
Pontiac Route 66 Museum
09:00 – 11:00
44min · 70km
Cozy Dog Drive In
12:00 – 14:00
1h 40min · 175km
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
15:00 – 17:00
Day 3: Gateway Arch → Meramec Caverns → Cuba Wagon Wheel Motel
1h 29min · 143km3 stops
Gateway Arch
09:00 – 11:00
23min · 38km
Meramec Caverns
12:00 – 14:00
1h 6min · 105km
Cuba Wagon Wheel Motel
15:00 – 17:00
Day 4: Cars on the Route → Blue Whale of Catoosa → Tulsa Arts District
4h 40min · 497km3 stops
Cars on the Route
09:00 – 11:00
3h 15min · 347km
Blue Whale of Catoosa
12:00 – 14:00
1h 25min · 151km
Tulsa Arts District
15:00 – 17:00
Day 5: Rock Cafe → Pops 66 Soda Ranch → Oklahoma City National Memori…
1h 32min · 149km3 stops
Rock Cafe
09:00 – 11:00
49min · 83km
Pops 66 Soda Ranch
12:00 – 14:00
43min · 66km
Oklahoma City National Memorial
15:00 – 17:00
Day 6: Lucille's Service Station → Oklahoma Route 66 Museum → U-Drop Inn
1h 24min · 140km3 stops
Lucille's Service Station
09:00 – 11:00
1h · 101km
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
12:00 – 14:00
24min · 39km
U-Drop Inn
15:00 – 17:00
Day 7: Cadillac Ranch → Midpoint Cafe → Tucumcari Blue Swallow Motel
2h 7min · 227km3 stops
Cadillac Ranch
09:00 – 11:00
1h 31min · 163km
Midpoint Cafe
12:00 – 14:00
36min · 64km
Tucumcari Blue Swallow Motel
15:00 – 17:00
Day 8: Santa Fe Plaza → Canyon Road → Old Town Albuquerque
2h 42min · 269km3 stops
Santa Fe Plaza
09:00 – 11:00
2h 38min · 268km
Canyon Road
12:00 – 14:00
4min · 1.2km
Old Town Albuquerque
15:00 – 17:00
Day 9: 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 10: 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 11: Grand Canyon Mather Point → Delgadillo's Snow Cap → Kingman Powerhouse Museum
3h 11min · 292km3 stops
Grand Canyon Mather Point
09:00 – 11:00
1h 30min · 128km
Delgadillo's Snow Cap
12:00 – 14:00
1h 41min · 164km
Kingman Powerhouse Museum
15:00 – 17:00
Day 12: Oatman Ghost Town → Roy's Motel & Cafe → Barstow Station
2h 40min · 211km3 stops
Oatman Ghost Town
09:00 – 11:00
47min · 45km
Roy's Motel & Cafe
12:00 – 14:00
1h 53min · 166km
Barstow Station
15:00 – 17:00
Day 13: Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch → Original McDonald's Museum → Wigwam Motel No. 7
1h 21min · 123km3 stops
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
09:00 – 11:00
30min · 43km
Original McDonald's Museum
12:00 – 14:00
51min · 80km
Wigwam Motel No. 7
15:00 – 17:00
Day 14: Fair Oaks Pharmacy → Santa Monica Pier → End of the Trail Sign
1h 30min · 123km3 stops
Fair Oaks Pharmacy
09:00 – 11:00
57min · 83km
Santa Monica Pier
12:00 – 14:00
33min · 39km
End of the Trail Sign
15:00 – 17:00
Heads Up
- 1. Many original Route 66 segments are now frontage roads or bypassed by I-40; look for 'Historic Route 66' brown signs.
- 2. Book iconic motels like the Blue Swallow or Wigwam Village at least 6-9 months in advance for 2026.
- 3. The stretch through the Mojave Desert (Day 12) is extremely hot; ensure your vehicle's cooling system is serviced and carry extra water.
- 4. Some roadside attractions have seasonal hours; verify opening times for smaller museums in Illinois and Oklahoma.
- 5. Day 4: 5h 1m driving — plan rest stops