Route 66
Subregion

Route 66

America's legendary highway through heartland towns and desert landscapes

Route 66 isn't just a highway—it's America's most storied road trip, stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. The Mother Road cuts through eight states and dozens of small towns that time forgot, past neon motel signs and classic diners that have been serving pie since the 1950s. You'll drive through cornfields in Illinois, cross the painted desert in Arizona, and end up watching the sunset over the Pacific. But here's the thing: Route 66 died officially in 1985 when the interstate system replaced it. What remains today is a patchwork of old highway segments, some perfectly preserved, others crumbling back into prairie grass. The magic lies in hunting down these original stretches and the roadside attractions that refuse to give up—like the Blue Whale of Catoosa or the Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo.

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Route 66 officially ran from Grant Park in Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier, but today's road trip is more like a treasure hunt. The original route got chopped up when I-40, I-44, and other interstates took over, so you'll be jumping between historic alignments and modern highways. Illinois gives you flat farmland and the route's starting point at Lou Mitchell's diner on Jackson Boulevard. Missouri brings the Ozark Mountains and some of the best-preserved stretches near Springfield. Oklahoma has more driveable miles of original 66 than any other state—about 400 miles worth. Kansas barely gets 13 miles, but it includes the tiny town of Galena that inspired the movie Cars. Texas stretches the route through Amarillo and the famous Cadillac Ranch. New Mexico offers high desert and the longest continuous stretch of original pavement. Arizona delivers the most dramatic scenery through Flagstaff and the painted desert. California ends it all with the Mojave Desert and that final push to the Pacific. Look, not every mile is scenic. You'll drive through plenty of strip malls and industrial areas. But the authentic pieces—those hit different.

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1.Budget $150-200 per day for two people including gas, food, and lodging
  • 2.Many historic motels cost $60-80 per night and offer more character than chain hotels
  • 3.Fill up at truck stops in small towns - they're often 20-30 cents cheaper than highway stations
  • 4.Pack snacks and water - some stretches have limited services and inflated prices
  • 5.Free attractions outnumber paid ones 3-to-1 along the route
  • 6.Wednesday through Sunday offers better rates at most motels
  • 7.Many diners offer early bird specials before 9 AM
  • 8.State parks along the route charge $5-15 for day use and often have the best picnic spots

Travel Tips

  • •Download offline maps - cell service disappears for long stretches in rural areas
  • •Carry a spare tire and basic tools - some original route sections are rough on tires
  • •Start early each day to avoid afternoon heat in desert sections
  • •Bring cash - many authentic stops don't accept credit cards
  • •Pack layers - you'll experience multiple climate zones in a single day
  • •Book lodging ahead in Flagstaff and Santa Fe - they fill up quickly
  • •Keep your gas tank above half full in rural stretches
  • •Take photos of vintage neon signs at dusk when they look best

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan minimum 10-14 days to drive the full 2,448 miles with stops. You could technically drive it in 4-5 days straight, but you'd miss the entire point. Most people spend 2-3 weeks to really experience the roadside attractions and historic towns.

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