Route 66 – USA

Undoubtedly, you must have already seen a photo, decoration or someone talking about Route 66 – USA, so we decided to answer all your doubts about this emblematic route and all the good things it can offer you. I already anticipate, it was one of the best routes we did!

How many kilometers is Route 66

The Route is about 4,000 kilometers long (2,448 miles).

The famous Route joins Chicago and Los Angeles.

Why was Route 66 famous?

It became very famous for being the path followed by immigrants traveling to the West in search of fortune and a better life, especially during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Where does Route 66 start and where does it end?

In theory, your official road is from Chicago to Los Angeles, but you can do it from Los Angeles to Chicago if you want 🙂

Officially, there is no more as such and was no longer considered Route 66 in the mid-1980s. marked as a historic route , and parts of the route are preserved intact; others are part of the interstate road network or have disappeared.

Route 66 starts in Chicago. Chicago it's a fantastic city with so much to see and do. At least you have to spare 3 days to visit the minimum.

The good thing about starting the route from here is that you arrive with all your strength, and can take advantage of the time you have to get to know the city, take the rented car/motorbike, have a drink at Lou Mitchell's Restaurant (an obligatory stop for all those who are doing or going to do route 66).

And as you progress along the route, you gain an hour due to the time difference between the different coasts.

Planning Route 66: TIPS

This section explains how to start planning and organizing your trip along Route 66, the main road in the United States.

How many kilometers to do per day on Route 66?

It's clearly delimiting which part of the road you'll drive each day, and therefore where you'll sleep, and at least some options for where you'll eat.

Tip: we like to drive a maximum of 250 kilometers a day and enjoy the places to visit and rest.

Also, you should know what you want to see during the day, or at least what you don't want to miss.

This is important to consider because many places you'll want to see have a schedule; they usually close at five in the afternoon, sometimes even earlier, so you have to get there at least before three o'clock.

Also, remember that if you have any stretch of the route scheduled after this time, it must be a stretch with nothing of interest to stop that may be closed.

On the other hand, if it's a natural feature or a landscape, it's important not to run out of natural light; therefore, you will need to arrive before eight in the evening

Route 66 : car, bike or motorhome?

I'm a biker. I have had a motorcycle for many years, of all types; however, we definitely wanted to do it by car or RV.

Seeing Route 66 on a Harley is very romantic and all, but 15 days with luggage, in the summer, with extreme heat, a few storms every now and then, and for some of you in a foreign country and on your own? It wouldn't be cool.

Choose a car or an RV , without a doubt, and very important: with a decent trunk. If you are a group of three or four people, the cost is lower and it is more comfortable. 

It's your decision. This is just my opinion. 🙂

What to do if the police stop you on Route 66?

If the police pull you over, be respectful, keep your hands on the steering wheel and don't make any awkward movements in the car. When they approach you, carefully roll down the window, give the police your car documents and see what happens.

If you don't speak English, write a few sentences on a piece of paper like “I” m from XXXXX” and “I don't speak English”.

Another important thing, not mandatory but recommended, is to apply for an international driver's license. It's easy to get, and will allow you to drive if you're not going to be in the country for more than three months.

Where to stay on Route 66

Several chain hotels or motels are good for one night and are located in the United States, such as Travelodge, Motel 6 or Super 8.

It's best to book in advance; being unable to find a place to sleep once you're already there can be an unpleasant situation.

Places you must see on Route 66

Below is the list of places you can add to your itinerary!

Lucille Hamons gas station on Route 66

It was built by Carl Ditmore in 1929, three years after Route 66 was built, half a mile south of Hydro. It had two floors; upstairs lived the Ditmore family, and customers were served downstairs.

As in other bungalow designs, the top floor covered the veranda at the bottom where the pumps were located. In 1934 it was acquired by WO Waldrup and his wife, and they added 5 motel rooms. In 1941 he was traded again to Carl and Lucille Hamons.

Lucille Hamons was born in 1915 and died in 2000. She owned this service station and operated it for nearly 60 years. The establishment became so well known on Route 66 that it became known directly as Lucille's.

She became known for her kindness and good treatment with tourists, so much so that they ended up calling her “The Mother of the Mother Road”.

In 1997, it was registered as a National Historic Site, and in 1999, it received Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame Awards.

Big Texas Ranch in Amarillo

This restaurant is famous across America because everything is huge. However, the most famous is 72 Once Steak.

The restaurant bets you don't have to pay for it if you eat the whole steak with all its sides and are done. Otherwise it was 72 dollars, at least when I was, now it could be more.

Needless to say, finishing it is next to impossible. See, it got so famous that it even appeared in an episode of The Simpsons.

used to be in Route 66 , but was transferred when the interstate arrived.

A must stop when you travel on Route 66!

Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo

Cadillac Ranch is a work of urban art commissioned by local representative Stanley Marsh from a group of artists who called themselves “The Ant Farm”.

Two architects founded this group in the 1960s and involved several artists.

Cadillac Ranch consists of 10 Cadillacs partially buried in the ground at an angle, pointing their trunks towards the sky.

The tradition is to go with a spray can and paint graffiti on cars. But do not worry; it is part of the artwork.

They are periodically repainted in the base color so they can be repainted. Its current location is not the original one, as it was moved when Route 66 was removed from its original route.

Some authors say that it has never been on Route 66, but it is a mandatory stop for all travelers traveling along Route 66.

midpoint cafe

It's just the midpoint between Chicago and Los Angeles and it's a popular stop for travelers on Route 66, letting them know you're halfway there.

You are precisely halfway there. You leave behind 1,139 miles (approximately 1,830 km), and you have another 1,139 miles to travel ahead of you. Then it's a good time to stop and have a coffee or soda.

Meteor Crater Route 66

Meteor Crater is a huge crater left by an asteroid that traveled over 26,000 miles per hour about 50,000 years ago.

During the golden age of Route 66, an observatory was built to view the crater through a telescope for 25 cents; today, only the ruins remain. To see the crater, you need to go to the visitor center and pay the entrance fee of US$ 18 per adult.

bagdad cafe

It's one of those places with history, and it reminds you of those images you have of Route 66 or the typical cafes lost in the middle of nowhere.

Therefore, it is an important point to stop, eat and take a break. It's full of images and references to Route 66.

Santa Monica Pier 

The last point is Santa Monica Pier and its famous archway symbolizing the end of Route 66. It is not the original sign, as it had to be moved with changes in route. 

You can visit the Santa Monica Pier and take a dip in the Pacific waters!

Must See Cities on Route 66

Below is the list of cities where you need to stop to take some pictures, have a coffee and take that walk to explore.

Chicago – Illinois

One of the major U.S. Route 66 cities you'll encounter on your historic Route 66 road trip is Chicago.

The city of Chicago, known as “The Windy City”, is architecturally beautiful with many places to see.

Joliet – Illinois

Known as “The City of Spiers”, it pointed out spiers in the area for many churches. 

In addition, this city has been featured in well-known films such as “The Blues Brothers”, “Natural Born Killers” and “Public Enemies”, as well as in series such as “Prison Break”.

Wilmington – Illinois

Wilmington is a small town, but it has a monument that is a Route 66 classic.

St Louis – Missouri

Three bridges can cross St. Louis and, depending on which bridge you travel to, you can see different sites and attractions. The three bridges are:

• McKinley Bridge.
• New Chain of Rocks Bridge (the new one, not the old one).
• McArthur Bridge.

Lebanon – Missouri

It is here that you will meet the famous Route 66 Museum.

Vinita – Oklahoma

McDougal Filling Station: Is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a house-type service station built in 1940 on Route 66.

Clinton – Oklahoma

Clinton is a town where you have to stop and take a little time. It was founded in 1903 and is still a thriving city.

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

Here you can see some of the history of Route 66 told decade by decade. Here, you can see neon posters of vintage motels and rooms with classic cars. In some, you can enter and take a picture!

Amarillo – Texas

Amarillo is the largest town you'll find between Oklahoma City and Albuquerque.

It is in this city that you need to visit: Rancho Big Texan Steak and Rancho Cadillac (situated above).

 Flagstaff – Arizona

is surrounded by grand canyon , Oak Creek Canyon, Walnut Canyon Wupatki National Monument, Sunset Crater National Monument and the peaks of San Francisco.

Founded in 1876, it began its history with the arrival of the railroad in 1881 and the University of Northern Arizona in 1899.

Tourism became an industry in Flagstaff in the early 20th century and grew rapidly with the arrival of Route 66 and its proximity to the Grand Canyon.

Los Angeles – California

Los Angeles is either the beginning or the end of Route 66, depending on where you start.

Route 66 on the map