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The Ultimate Mother Road: Route 66 Across America

Embark on the definitive 2,400-mile American road trip from Chicago to the Pacific Coast. Experience neon nostalgia, vintage diners, and the changing landscapes of eight states along the historic 'Main Street of America'.

15days
45stops
3230km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Chicago · Springfield · St. Louis · Cuba · Tulsa · Oklahoma City · Amarillo · Tucumcari · Santa Fe · Albuquerque · Holbrook · Williams · Oatman · Victorville — start in Chicago, end in Santa Monica.

DAY01

Route 66 Begin Sign → Millennium Park

8.6 km · 21m driving · Overnight in Millennium Park
  1. 09:00
    Route 66 Begin Sign· start
  2. 5.4 km · 12m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Lou Mitchell's Restaurant & Bakery
  4. 3.2 km · 9m
  5. 15:00
    Millennium Park· overnight
DAY02

Gemini Giant → Cozy Dog Drive In

167 km · 1h 49m driving · Overnight in Cozy Dog Drive In
  1. 09:00
    Gemini Giant· start
  2. 97 km · 1h 5m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum
  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 → Route 66 Mural City

137 km · 1h 29m driving · Overnight in Route 66 Mural City
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Meramec Caverns· start
  2. 95 km · 1h
  3. 12:00
    Wagon Wheel Motel
  4. 42 km · 29m
  5. 15:00
    Route 66 Mural City· overnight
DAY05

Cars on the Route → Center of the Universe

496 km · 4h 38m driving · Overnight in Center of the Universe
  1. 09:00
    Cars on the Route· start
  2. 345 km · 3h 13m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Blue Whale of Catoosa
  4. 151 km · 1h 25m
  5. 15:00
    Center of the Universe· overnight
DAY06

Arcadia → Oklahoma State Capitol

144 km · 1h 24m driving · Overnight in Oklahoma State Capitol
  1. 09:00
    Arcadia Round Barn· start
  2. 142 km · 1h 22m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Pops 66 Soda Ranch
  4. 1.1 km · 2m
  5. 15:00
    Oklahoma State Capitol· overnight
DAY07

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum → The Big Texan Steak Ranch

436 km · 4h 2m driving · Overnight in The Big Texan Steak Ranch
  1. 09:00
    Oklahoma Route 66 Museum· start
  2. 145 km · 1h 23m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Cadillac Ranch
  4. 291 km · 2h 39m
  5. 15:00
    The Big Texan Steak Ranch· overnight
DAY08

Midpoint Cafe → Tee Pee Curios

185 km · 1h 45m driving · Overnight in Tee Pee Curios
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Midpoint Cafe· start
  2. 85 km · 49m
  3. 12:00
    Blue Swallow Motel
  4. 100 km · 56m
  5. 15:00
    Tee Pee Curios· overnight
DAY09

Santa Fe → Canyon Road Art Stroll

269 km · 2h 41m driving · Overnight in Canyon Road Art Stroll
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Santa Fe Plaza· start
  2. 268 km · 2h 39m
  3. 12:00
    Loretto Chapel
  4. 0.4 km · 2m
  5. 15:00
    Canyon Road Art Stroll· overnight
DAY10

Old Town Plaza → KiMo Theatre

131 km · 1h 26m driving · Overnight in KiMo Theatre
  1. 09:00
    Old Town Plaza· start
  2. 104 km · 1h 1m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Sandia Peak Tramway
  4. 27 km · 25m
  5. 15:00
    KiMo Theatre· overnight
DAY11

El Rancho Hotel → Wigwam Motel

406 km · 3h 46m driving · Overnight in Wigwam Motel
  1. 09:00
    El Rancho Hotel· start
  2. 221 km · 2h 3m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Petrified Forest National Park
  4. 185 km · 1h 43m
  5. 15:00
    Wigwam Motel· overnight
DAY12

Standin' on the Corner Park → Williams

93 km · 1h 2m driving · Overnight in Williams Historic District
  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
    Williams Historic District· overnight
DAY13

Delgadillo's Snow Cap → Oatman

165 km · 1h 36m driving · Overnight in Oatman Highway
  1. 09:00
    Delgadillo's Snow Cap· start
  2. 68 km · 40m
  3. 12:00
    Hackberry General Store
  4. 97 km · 56m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Oatman Highway· overnight
DAY14

Roy's Motel & Café → California Route 66 Museum

335 km · 3h 42m driving · Overnight in California Route 66 Museum
  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
    California Route 66 Museum· overnight
DAY15

Original McDonald's Site Muse… → Santa Monica

71 km · 52m driving
  1. 09:00
    Original McDonald's Site Museum· start
  2. 64 km · 40m
  3. 12:00
    Wigwam Motel No. 7
  4. 7.4 km · 12m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Santa Monica Pier
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Stay in Chicago & St. Louis · Nights 1-3
  2. Stay in Oklahoma City & Amarillo · Nights 6-7
  3. Stay in Santa Fe & Holbrook · Nights 9-11
Heads Up
  • Old Route 66 is disconnected; use a dedicated GPS app or maps specifically for the historic alignment to avoid staying purely on I-40.
  • Many vintage gas stations and roadside attractions close early or operate seasonally; plan to arrive at key spots before 4:00 PM.
  • Verify road conditions in the Mojave Desert and New Mexico highlands, as extreme heat or flash floods can affect travel.