Route 66 road trip and attractions

Route 66 is an iconic journey across the US, from Chicago to Los Angeles. The road trip spans over 2,400 miles, eight states and three time zones through the beating heart of America.

Rich with history and nostalgia, a Route 66 road trip traverses spectacular scenery, diverse cities and small-town America.

You’re bound to have heard of Route 66 – either from its historic significance or its role in pop culture film and television. Here’s what you need to know about this American adventure:

Historical significance 

Known as the “Mother Road”, and the “Main Street of America”, Route 66 was a major thoroughfare for almost half a century. During the 1930s, it was the primary route for the migration of farm workers from the Midwest to California. In the 1950s, it became the main highway for holidaymakers heading to Los Angeles. The traffic along the route led to the development of motels, restaurants and gas stations – as well as Route 66 roadside attractions.

Place in US popular culture 

Route 66 is a gem in US culture. It has a role in everything from music to film, literature to TV. 

The lyrics of (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66, a popular rhythm and blues tune composed by Bobby Troup in 1946, follows the route from Chicago to LA. Plus The Grapes of Wrath novel, written by John Steinbeck in 1939 and made into a motion picture in 1940, features the protagonist’s family travelling along Route 66 from Oklahoma to California. 

Thanks to the US Highway Association, Route 66 became the first completely paved highway. The concept of roadside diners and gas stations is linked with Route 66, due to the needs of travelling motorists.

Natural beauty 

Marketed as “the shortest, best, and most scenic route from Chicago through St Louis to Los Angeles” by the Highways Association, Route 66 offers natural beauty at every turn. Spectacular landscapes along the way include the Tucumcari Mountain and the Painted Desert. 
 

Route 66 traverses eight states across the US, linking Chicago to Los Angeles. It starts in Chicago and snakes through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizonia and ends in California.

How long is route 66? 

Route 66 covers over 2,400 miles from start to finish. The culturally and historically significant route connects Chicago to Los Angeles.

What states does Route 66 cover? 

Illinois 

Illinois, also known as The Prairie State, is a midwestern landlocked state that borders Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Iowa. 

Route 66 starts in Chicago and passes through Illinois. Notable landmarks in this state include Grant Park, one of the oldest parks in the city, and the Chain of Rocks Bridge – said to be one of the most interesting bridges in America. 

Missouri 

Missouri is another midwestern state and is bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. 

While traversing Route 66 through Missouri, don’t miss the 66 Drive-In for a real piece of nostalgia. While it dates back to the 1930s, the drive-in theatre came to prominence in the late 1940s to early 1950s as part of the post-war travel boom. It’s one of the last historically intact drive-in theatres still operating today.

Kansas 

Kansas is a midwestern state bordered by Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado. It was once viewed as the country’s agricultural heart, and much of the state’s land is still used for farming.

While driving though Kansas you’ll discover three towns rich in cattle-raising, mining and history – Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs. Three and a half miles north of Baxter Springs you’ll encounter Bush Creek Bridge, built in the early 1920s to connect the mining communities of these three towns with a concrete road.

Oklahoma 

Oklahoma is in the south-central region of the US and borders six states – Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas.

In this state you’ll find nostalgic nods to Route 66’s prime, including the now-abandoned Chelsea Motel and the Lake Overholser Bridge – which today only carries local traffic. While it lost its association with Route 66 in 1958 it’s still an important landmark.

Texas 

Texas, also in the south-central region of the US, shares a border with Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico, and four states: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico.

Route 66 travels 180 miles across the Texas panhandle, starting at Texola on the Oklahoma-Texas border. Though this stretch is considered relatively short compared to some other states (at around 180 miles), it includes iconic Route 66 sights – such as the offbeat Cadillac Ranch art installation in Amarillo, and the eerie Groom water tower, known as ‘the Leaning Tower of Texas’. 

New Mexico 

New Mexico is nestled in the heart of the American southwest, between Texas and Arizonia. It shares a border with Mexico.

Along your journey catch a glimpse of Luna Lodge, a historic hotel dating back to 1949. Listed on National Register of Historic Places in 1998, it was heralded a prime example of a largely unmodified tourist court along New Mexico Route 66. It’s now been regenerated as housing.

Arizona

Arizona is located in the southwest of the US, and borders California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Mexican state Sonora.

This state is home to the only national park that protects a portion of the historic Route 66. The Petrified Forest National Park boasts the largest concentration of petrified wood in the world.

California

California sits on the western coast of the US. It borders Arizonia, Nevada and Oregon, and extends towards Mexico.

The iconic Route 66 retires its engine in California. But even on the last leg, there’s so many famous sights to observe, from one of two Wigwam Villages situated along Route 66 (Wigwam Village #7) to Colorado Street Bridge.

When planning your Route 66 trip there are plenty of attractions to squeeze in. Whether you’re all about history, seeking solace in nature, or planning to follow in the footsteps of journeys depicted in novels and television, there’s so much to see on this bucket-list adventure.

Route 66 Museum, route-wide

Naturally, for a route steeped in history, there are multiple Route 66 museums to choose from along your journey. The list includes the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma, which explores the people who lived, worked and travelled the route. It includes murals depicting different eras of the “Mother Road”. 

Another popular spot is the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, which boasts a treasure trove of historic memorabilia. It also provides a great photo opportunity in front of the Route 66 shield mural, while standing on original Route 66 bricks. 

Cadillac Ranch, Texas   

A shrine to America’s love of the open road, the Cadillac Ranch is a particularly eye-catching spot along the famous Route 66. Around halfway between Chicago and Los Angeles, just outside Amarillo, you’ll find the 10 ‘caddies’ nose-down, adorned in eccentric spray paint and graffiti. The public art installation dates back to 1974.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas 

Heralded one of the most beautiful spots in Texas, Palo Duro Canyon State Park hosts more than 60 miles of ravines and steep canyon walls reaching 800 feet. Drive to the visitor centre and take the short trail to the canyon overlook before exploring the incredible natural scenery the second largest canyon in the country has to offer.

Painted Desert, Arizona

A favourite stop along Route 66, the Painted Desert is the only national park that contains a section of the route. Park up and stretch your legs among the beautiful hues of red, orange, purple, pink and grey and enjoy the trails by hiking, cycling or camping. 

It’s home to over 400 species of plants, 200 types of birds and a wild variety of animals from coyotes and bobcats to snakes and lizards.

Gateway Arch, Missouri 

The Gateway Arch is the perfect place to take a breath and reflect on your journey along Route 66 so far. Take a tram to the top of the 630-foot arch and enjoy views of St. Louis, the Mississippi River and the vast landscape. Or stay low with a riverboat cruise and enjoy the city skyline and the Gateway Arch from the water.

Santa Monica Pier, California 

While the ‘official’ Route 66 end point was originally in downtown LA, in 1936 it was realigned to the intersection of Olympic and Lincoln Boulevards in Santa Monica. But more recently the intersection of Pier Avenue and Main Street has been named as the ‘unofficial’ or ‘symbolic’ end of Route 66.

Let off some steam at Santa Monica Pier – where a Route 66 sign commemorates the end of the trail. Enjoy breathtaking views across the sea on the solar-powered ferris wheel and experience the best of the Pacific Park amusement park.
 

When planning your Route 66 road trip, you’ll find that not all the historic route is still labelled as ‘66’. Sections have been preserved and maintained, and, in some areas, what’s left of the historic highway runs alongside or close to modern interstates. But while the official road was decommissioned as a US highway, the spirit of the road trip still holds strong.

How long does it take to drive Route 66? 

The length of time needed to travel the whole of Route 66 depends on many factors. It’s subjective to how many stops you make and how long you plan to spend in each place. In general, two to three weeks is a good amount of time to plan for a Route 66 trip.

How much to take on your Route 66 trip?

Travelling Route 66 varies in cost depending on your travel style, duration, time of year and the type of vehicle you hire. You’ll also need to factor in food and accommodation expenses along the way, as well as fuel prices and any one-way fees for car rental companies. As there are so many variables, USA road trips require a lot of research – but it may be possible to plan a trip to suit a range of budgets.

Tips for travelling Route 66

Route 66 is a bucket-list USA road trip for a reason. But with so much to experience along the way, it can help to follow a Route 66 travel guide to keep on the straight and narrow.

Here are our top Route 66 travel tips:

• Plan your route in advance – including stopovers. Look at a Route 66 map or planner and consider how far you’re comfortable driving each day.
• Research your itinerary. Plan in the highlights you really don’t want to miss. You may need to prioritise some landmarks over others.
• Choose a good time to do it. Consider the time of year and factor in the weather and safety on the roads, crowd level and how much time you’re able to allocate to your adventure.
• Book hotels early. If you’re travelling in peak season, you may want to consider if there are any stops you can book in advance.
• Get a good paper map. Technology can fail at the worst of times, so having a paper map as a backup could come in handy.

Ready to hit the roads on your American adventure? Travel with confidence knowing that your insurance is taken care of. With Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance, you can choose from Single Trip, Annual Multi-trip and Extended Trip policies to find your perfect level of cover.

Don’t waste a second of your US road trip and get your US dollars sorted before you go full throttle on Route 66. 

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