Route 66 is arguably one of the most recognized highways in the United States. This one road spans over 2,400 miles or 3,900 kilometers across eight different states. Once used to connect different parts of the country, its significance can still be felt in the culture that exists in its small towns and roadside attractions. That culture is one of the main reasons a Route 66 road trip is so appealing to travelers and tourists everywhere.
Traveling on Route 66 is an extraordinary experience. But it doesn’t come without its challenges. Which is why resources like this are the best way to make sure you’re ready for your next Route 66 road trip.
The Basics
Before beginning any adventure, it’s always nice to know the basics.
Route 66 is an arduous road that requires a lot of detailed planning and careful execution. Set aside at least two weeks for this trip. You’ll be stretched far too thin trying to see it all if you’re on the road for any time less than that. If you can be on the road for longer, I’d highly recommend it. Route 66 is all about slowing down, so having that flexibility with your time is the best way to make sure you can really experience Route 66 to the fullest.
Speaking of travel time, spring is probably the best season to embark on a trip like this. Route 66 traverses through so many different landscapes that it’s hard to be certain that the weather will be agreeable the entire time. But at least in the spring, Chicago has had time to warm up a bit and the Mojave Desert hasn’t had enough time to warm up all the way.
Now, it may seem obvious, but you’ll need a reliable vehicle on this trip. Emphasis on reliable — remember, this is a cross-country trip. I would also bring a map and a resource guide. Because Route 66 was retired so many years ago, modern technology doesn’t always get you very far. A paper map ensures you always have a way through an isolated destination. And a resource guide can help you find those distinct Route 66 destinations in the first place.
Like with any kind of travel, safety is always something to keep in mind. With traveling somewhere like on Route 66, safety comes in the form of recognizing that some places aren’t suitable for driving, while others are now located on private property. But there are still so many amazing aspects of Route 66 to see experience. So bring a camera, bring a friend, and have fun!
Illinois
Illinois marks the start of this historic highway, with a simple sign in the middle of downtown Chicago. Visiting the sign isn’t a requirement by any means — especially considering the troves of traffic you’ll have to weave through just to get to it — but it does make an impressive addition to your journey. This sign is also minutes away from the Chicago Bean, officially known as Cloud Gate, Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, and the Art Institute of Chicago, which are also fun additions to any trip to Chicago.
Once you leave the Windy City, the drive gets easier in terms of traffic. However, it also gets a little bit harder in terms of navigation. Make sure you have the right resources to traverse through the state’s small towns, which hold a lot of charm and culture. You wouldn’t want to miss the Rich and Creamy ice cream shop in Joliet or the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield.
- See the official Route 66 starting point sign in downtown Chicago — at your own risk
- Spend some extra time in Chicago
- Visit Rich and Creamy in Joliet
- Stop at the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield
Missouri
Glimpse the Gateway Arch on your way into Missouri. It’s one of the most famed features of St. Louis, your first city here on Route 66.
As you continue to travel west, you’ll find eccentric oddities — like the US 66 Outpost in Fanning — stunning sights — like the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit — and sometimes a beautiful blend of both — like with Meramec Caverns, located between Stanton and Sullivan. It’s in these attractions that you’ll really start to get a feel for why so many find Route 66 an irresistible affair.
- Stand under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis
- Take photos at the US 66 Outpost in Fanning
- Enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit
- Visit Meramec Caverns between Stanton and Sullivan
Kansas
The shortest section of Route 66 passes through Kansas, with only 13 miles or 20 kilometers. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the stop though. Enjoy this quiet drive through quaint towns like Galena and Baxter Springs, with quirky car statues and old abandoned roads along every step of the way — all a part of what makes Route 66 so iconic.
- Take photos with the cars statues in Galena
- Take the Rainbow Bridge Loop near Baxter Springs
Oklahoma
From Tulsa to Oklahoma City and everywhere in-between, there’s a lot of Route 66 to be found here.
On your way into Tulsa, stop by the iconic Blue Whale in Catoosa before catching a movie at the Admiral Twin Drive-In. Talley’s Cafe is a diner-style cafe with delicious fries and milkshakes. Mother Road Market is another eatery off of the Mother Road that offers a few more options for food, including a rotating restaurant stall for local chef to display their goods. Before you leave, check out some of the signs and bridges commemorating Route 66 here. Including one that starts a miles-long riverwalk along the Arkansas River.
Oklahoma City is about two hours west. Pops, a soda-themed restaurant and shop in Arcadia, and Frontier City, a wild west amusement park, are just two of many amazing attractions here. Oklahoma City is also the perfect place to start embracing the cowboy culture so prominent in Oklahoma.
- See the Blue Whale in Catoosa
- Catch a movie at the Admiral Twin Drive-In in Tulsa
- Eat and shop at Pops in Arcadia
- Spend a day at Frontier City in Oklahoma City
Texas
Flat and dry, Panhandle Texas brings that first wave of the western expanse that Route 66 leads you into. A vast change from the concrete jungle we started with.
Amarillo is the biggest city you’ll come across here, and while it may not have much more than a small historic Route 66 district, it still embodies the essence of the Mother Road. Take Cadillac Ranch for example. This large and interactive art installation consists of spray-painted cars buried halfway into the ground in the middle of a field off the main highway. It’s famed for its relation to Route 66 despite not actually being located on Route 66. It’s strange yet captivating, just like 66 itself, so it’s no wonder why so many people just think it belongs.
Small towns of note here in Texas are Jericho, with ghost town ruins — but on private property so be mindful of how you visit — which actually pops up on the route before you reach Amarillo, and Adrian, the official midpoint of Route 66.
- Visit Cadillac Ranch and Palo Duro Canyon in Amarillo
- Eat a 72-ounce steak at the Big Texan in Amarillo
- Witness the ruins of a ghost town in Jericho — remember, this is private property
- Celebrate making it to the midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian
New Mexico
There are two main routes you can take here — one that loops up through Santa Fe and one that goes straight through Albuquerque. This flexibility in route really allows you to plan your trip to your schedule.
Santa Fe is an old city. Like really old. One of the oldest in the country. And Santa Fe has done a good job of maintaining the history for its tourists and visitors. Step back in time and tour the Santa Fe Plaza. Albuquerque has much of the same architecture and atmosphere that Santa Fe does. For something a little different here from there, climb to the top of the Sandia Mountains. Or take the tramway up if you want to save yourself the time and the energy. There’s a restaurant at the top that overlooks the city and provides some of the best sunset views I’ve ever seen.
As for smaller towns, Tucumcari has really leaned into its Route 66 heritage as well as New Mexican culture in general. Gallup similarly publicizes a lot of galleries and public art throughout town, breathing a fanciful flair through its streets.
- Walk through and tour the Santa Fe Plaza
- Watch the sunset atop the Sandia Mountains
- Don’t miss the Singing Highway — for eastbound travelers only
- Lean into Route 66 and New Mexican culture in Tucumcari and Gallup
Arizona
This is where Route 66 goes to thrive. Arizona offers many activities and attractions that highlight the range and the glory of Route 66.
Start in Holbrook to get beautiful views of the desert landscape. Here you’ll have the opportunity to peer out at the Painted Desert and have the chance to visit Petrified Forest National Park. Further along is Meteor City which houses Meteor Crater, a large hold in the ground created by a meteor impact. This not-so-close-to-the-actual-roadside attraction is open for tours and a fascinating thing to witness. Put two more ghost towns on your radar here in Arizona as well! Two Guns and Twin Arrows give you good glimpse of the ruin and rumble that remains from old Route 66 towns. Like Jericho in Texas though, parts of these towns now belong on private property. Parts of them are also extremely run down and may not be safe for casual viewing, so please be careful.
From there, continue west to Flagstaff, your “big city stop” in Arizona. If you need a little rest and relaxation from Route 66, this is the place to do it. Route 66 is elegantly understated in hotel options and downtown signs. But overall, Flagstaff is a modern town with modern amenities. It’s also the closest Route 66 destination to Grand Canyon National Park if you’re on a national park kick. Last, but certainly not least, make sure to stop by Seligman in western Arizona. Seligman is flashy and fabulous and not apologetic about its connection to Route 66 either. If you’re looking for a wild and true Route 66 adventure, Seligman is the place to be.
- Visit Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook
- See Meteor Crater in Meteor City
- Put two more ghost towns on your radar, Two Guns and Twin Arrows — visit with care
- Rest and relax in Flagstff
- Visit Grand Canyon National Park
- Surround yourself with the spirit of Route 66 in Seligman
California
California is the culmination of a successful Route 66 road trip. The official ending point is located in Santa Monica. There’s a sign and everything here, just like at the beginning, but again, definitely not a requirement to the trip as a whole. Santa Monica itself is still very much worth the visit on its own. Stop by a fan favorite coffee shop here, Blue Bottle, and popular burger and steak joint, American Beauty in near-by Venice.
This may be the end of your Route 66 journey, but don’t skip pass some of California’s best sights. Take your time specifically in San Bernardino and Los Angeles. There’s never nothing to do in the areas, and there’s always something for everyone. But aside from that, congratulations! You made it all the way across Route 66!
- See the official Route 66 ending point sign in Santa Monica — also at your own risk
- Go around San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica
- Take your time celebrating the end of your Route 66 adventure
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