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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
3014km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Wilmington · St. Louis · Cuba · Tulsa · Oklahoma City · Shamrock · Tucumcari · Albuquerque · Holbrook · Flagstaff · Kingman · Barstow · San Bernardino — start in Chicago, end in Santa Monica.

DAY01

Route 66 Begin Sign → Gemini Giant

100 km · 1h 15m driving · Overnight in Gemini Giant
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Route 66 Begin Sign· start
  2. 5.4 km · 12m
  3. 12:00
    Lou Mitchell's
  4. 95 km · 1h 3m
  5. 15:00
    Gemini Giant· overnight
DAY02

Pontiac → Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

245 km · 2h 24m driving · Overnight in Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Pontiac Route 66 Museum· start
  2. 70 km · 44m
  3. 12:00
    Cozy Dog Drive In
  4. 175 km · 1h 40m
  5. 15:00
    Old Chain of Rocks Bridge· overnight
DAY03

Gateway Arch → Cuba

143 km · 1h 29m driving · Overnight in Cuba Wagon Wheel Motel
  1. 09:00
    Gateway Arch· start
  2. 38 km · 23m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Meramec Caverns
  4. 105 km · 1h 6m
  5. 15:00
    Cuba Wagon Wheel Motel· overnight
DAY04

Cars on the Route → Tulsa

497 km · 4h 40m driving · long drive · Overnight in Tulsa Arts District
  1. 09:00
    Cars on the Route· start
  2. 347 km · 3h 15m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Blue Whale of Catoosa
  4. 151 km · 1h 25m
  5. 15:00
    Tulsa Arts District· overnight
DAY05

Rock Cafe → Oklahoma City

149 km · 1h 32m driving · Overnight in Oklahoma City National Memorial
  1. 09:00
    Rock Cafe· start
  2. 83 km · 49m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Pops 66 Soda Ranch
  4. 66 km · 43m
  5. 15:00
    Oklahoma City National Memorial· overnight
DAY06

Lucille's Service Station → U-Drop Inn

140 km · 1h 24m driving · Overnight in U-Drop Inn
  1. 09:00
    Lucille's Service Station· start
  2. 101 km · 1h
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
  4. 39 km · 24m
  5. 15:00
    U-Drop Inn· overnight
DAY07

Cadillac Ranch → Tucumcari

227 km · 2h 7m driving · Overnight in Tucumcari Blue Swallow Motel
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Cadillac Ranch· start
  2. 163 km · 1h 31m
  3. 12:00
    Midpoint Cafe
  4. 64 km · 36m
  5. 15:00
    Tucumcari Blue Swallow Motel· overnight
DAY08

Santa Fe → Old Town Albuquerque

269 km · 2h 42m driving · Overnight in Old Town Albuquerque
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Santa Fe Plaza· start
  2. 268 km · 2h 38m
  3. 12:00
    Canyon Road
  4. 1.2 km · 4m
  5. 15:00
    Old Town Albuquerque· overnight
DAY09

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
DAY10

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
DAY11

Grand Canyon Mather Point → Kingman

292 km · 3h 11m driving · Overnight in Kingman Powerhouse Museum
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Grand Canyon Mather Point· start
  2. 128 km · 1h 30m
  3. 12:00
    Delgadillo's Snow Cap
  4. 164 km · 1h 41m
  5. 15:00
    Kingman Powerhouse Museum· overnight
DAY12

Oatman → Barstow

211 km · 2h 40m driving · Overnight in Barstow Station
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Oatman Ghost Town· start
  2. 45 km · 47m
  3. 12:00
    Roy's Motel & Cafe
  4. 166 km · 1h 53m
  5. 15:00
    Barstow Station· overnight
DAY13

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch → Wigwam Motel No. 7

123 km · 1h 21m driving · Overnight in Wigwam Motel No. 7
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch· start
  2. 43 km · 30m
  3. 12:00
    Original McDonald's Museum
  4. 80 km · 51m
  5. 15:00
    Wigwam Motel No. 7· overnight
DAY14

Fair Oaks Pharmacy → End of the Trail Sign

123 km · 1h 30m driving
  1. 09:00
    Fair Oaks Pharmacy· start
  2. 83 km · 57m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Santa Monica Pier
  4. 39 km · 33m
  5. 15:00
    End of the Trail Sign
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 1Stay in Wilmington · Night 1
  2. Day 2Stay in St. Louis · Night 2
  3. Day 3Stay in Cuba · Night 3
  4. Day 4Stay in Tulsa · Night 4
  5. Day 5Stay in Oklahoma City · Night 5
  6. Day 6Stay in Shamrock · Night 6
  7. Day 7Stay in Tucumcari · Night 7
  8. Day 8Stay in Albuquerque · Night 8
Heads Up
  • Day 4: 5h 1m driving — plan rest stops
  • Many original Route 66 segments are now frontage roads or bypassed by I-40; look for 'Historic Route 66' brown signs.
  • Book iconic motels like the Blue Swallow or Wigwam Village at least 6-9 months in advance for 2026.
  • The stretch through the Mojave Desert (Day 12) is extremely hot; ensure your vehicle's cooling system is serviced and carry extra water.
  • Some roadside attractions have seasonal hours; verify opening times for smaller museums in Illinois and Oklahoma.