Nine Day Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary: Los Angeles to Chicago on The Mother Road
Getting to the Beginning of Route 66:
A lot of travelers begin their Route 66 adventure in Chicago and end in LA. For the purposes of this itinerary’s road trip (and to make flight options easier), I chose to begin at the western end of the route. The true beginning of Route 66 is located at the end of the famous Santa Monica Pier. Because of this, the closest airport to fly into would be LAX, where you can pick up your rental vehicle and begin your journey to the official start of Route 66. Now obviously this itinerary can be reversed, and your own road trip could begin in Chicago, Illinois. The truth is, there is no wrong way to drive Route 66, whether it’s from end to end or you start somewhere in the middle. Another important thing to note when driving Route 66 is that not the entire road is still drivable. There may be a few times you will have to divert back to the interstate and follow signs for when the original route picks back up. But for now, let’s talk about the sites, experiences and adventures that await you on “The Mother Road.”Quick Day-to-Day Summary:
Day 1: Los Angeles, CA to San Bernardino, CADay 2: San Bernardino, CA to Seligman, AZDay 3: Seligman, AZ to Flagstaff, AZDay 4: Flagstaff, AZ to Gallup, NMDay 5: Gallup, NM to Tucumcari, NMDay 6: Tucumcari, NM to Tulsa, OKDay 7: Tulsa, OK to Carthage, MODay 8: Carthage, MO to Springfield, ILDay 9: Springfield, IL to Chicago, IL
Day 1: Los Angeles, California to San Bernardino, California
Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California.
State(s) Traveled Through on Day One: California Day 1 Activities & Stops:Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA – Where your epic trip begins, the famous Santa Monica Pier is one of top tourist attractions in southern California. Take a stroll and take in the views of the Pacific Ocean and of course make sure you take the ultimate selfie with the Route 66 sign to mark the beginning of your journey!Cucamonga Service Station, Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The first of many restored service stations that you will see on Route 66, this particular station was built in 1915. It is now a museum which makes it a great first stop to start learning about the historic route you’ll be driving for the next week.Mitla Café, San Bernardino, CA – Even though you just began your Route 66 road trip, you’ve already reached your destination for the night. But first, a stop at one of the best Mexican Restaurants on the road. Make sure you grab a taco... or three!September’s Tavern, San Bernardino, CA – If you’re not quite ready to head to the motel, and maybe Mexican style food isn’t you’re a cup of tea, this tavern can offer traditional bar food and a great atmosphere! We discovered this place due to arriving in San Bernardino late in the evening due to delayed flights. The food was great, and the drinks were full!Wigwam Motel, San Bernardino, CA – It’s time to hit the pillow so you can rest for your first full day on the route. This historic motel was built in 1949 and what better place than an original Route 66 staple to stay in for your first night? Rooms at the motel are moderately priced and well worth a stay!
Day 1 Notes & Things to Know:Driving mileage: 85Parking: Santa Monica Pier is extremely popular, and parking can be difficult to find. Keep this in mind when planning for time you need to spend in this location.
Day 2: San Bernardino, California to Seligman, Arizona
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch in Bagdad, California.
State(s) Traveled Through on Day Two: California, Arizona Day 2 Activities & Stops:California Route 66 Museum, Victorville, CA – Rise and shine on your first full day of Route 66 traveling with your first stop at this fantastic museum. This museum showcases some of the most famous history of the California portion of the route. It makes for a perfect first stop so you can prepare for the day ahead.Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, Bagdad, CA – Next up is one of the most unique stops in California. This “found art” installation contains over 200 bottle trees and is a perfect example of what makes Route 66 so special. The area is perfect for photos and is open sunrise to sunset.Ludlow Café, Ludlow, CA – After a couple of stops, it’s breakfast/brunch time and the French Toast at Ludlow Café cannot be passed up! The history on the restaurant’s walls tell great Route 66 stories and the menu prices are perfection for a hungry traveler.Mojave Desert, California – Much of the Route 66 portion in California on this day will be through the Mojave Desert where you can see many unique and historic sites such as the famous Ray’s Drive-In, a large Golden Buddha and many other abandon route attractions from another time.Wild West Ghost Town, Oatman, AZ – You’ve now crossed into a new state and your first stop is the re-creation of a town in the Old West. Oatman offers Gunfight Shows in the streets, historic buildings and even an old jail to keep those unruly travel companions in while you explore. And oh, make sure you feed the donkeys, or you might find them blocking your way out of town!Sitgreaves Pass, Arizona – Arguably one of the most dangerous sections of Route 66, but also one of the most scenic. This area is known for its curvy and winding roads, as well as the towering mountains surrounding it. Make sure to take photos, but be careful when pulling over, as it’s difficult to see around the bends.Arizona Route 66 Museum, Kingman, AZ – One of my favorite museums on the stop, it has great displays and a very extensive history of the route in Arizona and makes for a great way to learn more about the locations and people along Route 66 in the state.The Roadkill Café, Seligman, AZ – Now you’ve come to one of my favorite towns on Route 66 and the first of many great businesses in the town as well. The Roadkill Café was the perfect place for an amazing dinner after a full day on the route. It is also walking distance from anyone motel you choose to stay in the town!Black Cat Bar, Seligman, AZ – This next place is perfect for checking out a local place while still keeping with the authentic Route 66 vibes. The bartenders here were amazing and the patrons equally so. Highly recommend making this a stop, even if you’re not a drinker.Deluxe Inn, Seligman, AZ – The name may fool you, but this is no chain motel. The Deluxe Inn is perfect for your next overnight stay in Seligman and is in perfect walking distance from both the Roadkill Café and Black Cat Bar. Get some rest because you start the next day with The Grand Canyon!
Day 2 Notes & Things to Know:Driving Mileage: 369Entry fee at Arizona Route 66 Museum: Admission to the museum portion of this stop is $10.00 per person.
Day 3: Seligman, Arizona to Flagstaff, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
State(s) Traveled Through on Day Three: ArizonaDay 3 Activities & Stops:Route 66 Gift Shop, Seligman, AZ – Before you start your trek to the Grand Canyon, make sure to stop at this fantastic gift shop where they also serve fresh coffee to get your morning off to a great beginning!Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona – Now it’s time for one of the best detours you could ever take on Route 66. About 45 minutes off the route, you’ll find one of the best-known treasures in the United States. Visiting this famous National Park takes about half of your day, so make sure to prepare for this. (I’ll be posting a separate blog detailing more about what do in while at the Grand Canyon.)Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, Williams, AZ – There’s a lot of mixed reviews on this particular museum and there’s also inaccurate hours listed for when it is opened. However, it does make for a great photo-op from the outside and do recommend stopping, even if it’s just for that aspect.Pizza Factory, Williams, AZ – When you arrive in Williams, Arizona it will be overdue time for lunch and what better than some of the best pizza you can ask for. The pizza here is hand-spun and trust me, it was DELICIOUS!Parks in the Pines General Store, Parks, AZ – This store, plus many that are located in the previous town of Williams are great places to pick up snacks for the rest of the day, as well as souvenirs.Beaver Street Brewery & Whistlestop Café, Flagstaff, AZ – The once famous Whistlestop Café was a well-known stop on Route 66. Fast forward to the present day and it’s been turned into a Brewery that not only has excellent beverages, but also does it’s best to pay homage to the original restaurant.Flagstaff, Arizona is the third stopover of this road trip and I do have to admit that we stayed at a chain motel for this one. However, if you’re still wanting that authentic Route 66 motel, there are plenty to choose from and I encourage you to do so and to take the opportunity to explore Flagstaff, as it’s a great city with a great downtown area!
Day 3 Notes & Things to Know:Driving Mileage: 225Entrance Fee: Grand Canyon National Park has a $35.00 per vehicle fee
Day 4: Flagstaff, Arizona to Gallup, New Mexico
The famous “Here It Is” sign at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona.
State(s) Traveled Through on Day Four: Arizona, New Mexico Day 4 Activities & Stops:Walnut Canyon National Monument, Flagstaff, AZ – Another beautiful morning on Route 66 has you starting off by visiting this lesser-known National Park areas. Walnut Canyon is the perfect place to see beautiful landscapes and ancient remains of Native American structures. While there, maybe participate in a short hike to get your day started!Falcon Restaurant and Lounge, Winslow, AZ – After working up an appetite, it’s time to make it to the next town on Route 66 and have some of the best pancakes in the state of Arizona. A true Route 66 Restaurant, the Falcon Restaurant is the perfect place to stop for a bite.Jack Rabbit Trading Post, Joseph City, AZ – Another very popular stop on the Arizona portion of Route 66, the Jack Rabbit Trading Post is the best place for some photo ops with classic cars and oh, a giant jack rabbit as well! Then grab a pic with the famous sign and hit the road!Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, AZ – In addition to the one in San Bernardino, this is one of two Wigwam Motels left on Route 66. This is a great opportunity for a photo op and more route memorabilia exploration.Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona – Finally you reach the National Park that sits right on the route. Driving through the scenic Petrified Forest was a high-lite of my time in Arizona. There will be an additional blog at a later time with more details on the activities to do in Petrified Forest National Park.Earl’s Family Restaurant, Gallup, NM – We’re now in the enchanting state of New Mexico and we’ve made it dinner! Earl’s has great food, but does close early on the weekdays.Fire Rock Navajo Casino, Gallup, NM – If you do arrive in Gallup, NM and need another option for dinner, the Fire Rock Navajo Casino not only allows you to try your luck at the slots, but also has a great restaurant that serves up a stellar steak!With Gallup, New Mexico being the next stopover, we also stayed in a chain motel (I promise we get back to some Route 66 themed motels soon) and with Gallup being such a small town, the Econo Lodge we stayed at was perfectly priced and accommodating.
Day 4 Notes & Things to Know:Driving Mileage: 190Entrance Fee: Walnut Canyon National Monument has a $25.00 per vehicle feeEntrance Fee: Petrified Forest National Park has a $25.00 per vehicle fee
Day 5: Gallup, New Mexico to Tucumcari, New Mexico
Pueblo at Pecos National Historical Site in Pecos, New Mexico.
State(s) Traveled Through on Day Five: New Mexico Day 5 Activities & Stops:Continental Divide, New Mexico – First stop on the list today is a mile-marking photo op at an elevation of 7,263 where the watersheds switch from running into the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.Villa de Cubero Trading Post, Cubero, NM – This small store makes a perfect stop for picking up your New Mexico souvenirs and grabbing a snack, as there are not many breakfasts stops until much later on the route.Petroglyph National Monument, Albuquerque, NM – Now we come upon the capital of New Mexico and into another National Park installment. This National Monument teaches about the native tribes that once called the area home and preserves the remains of their carvings into the stones surrounding the area.National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, Albuquerque, NM – This stop right of Route 66 was a pleasant and interesting surprise. It was super informative about the Atomic Bomb testing that took place in the Nex Mexico desert, the Cold War and how nuclear energy is used in the world today.Glorieta Pass Battlefield, Glorieta, NM – A small marker is how you’ll know you’ve found the location of the battle that is sometimes referred to as “the Gettysburg of the West.”Pecos National Historical Site, Pecos, NM – New Mexico is plentiful when it comes to locations that provide a look into the past of the ancient people who once called this area home. Full scale re-constructed pueblos are just one of the many reasons to make this an important stop on your road trip!Route 66 Auto Museum, Santa Rosa, NM – The first of many classic car museums that you come to while driving this famous road. This particular one houses cars from all decades that are owned by a singular man who just simply loved to collect and restore. Well worth a visit if you want to see the cars that used to travel Route 66 everyday.Del’s Restaurant, Tucumcari, NM – After the first full day of exploring New Mexico, it’s time to fuel your body with some of the best tacos in the state! Del’s was possibly one of my favorite diners on all of Route 66. Also, it is worth noting that the staff there were simply amazing.Desert Inn, Tucumcari, NM – After the taco fuel, we are back to staying at a true Route 66 Motel. This motel was worth every dime and I highly recommend making this your home for the night. While on your way from Del’s to Desert Inn, make sure to stop and see the famous Blue Swallow Motel with its unmistakable neon sign.
Day 5 Notes & Things to Know:Driving Mileage: 335Entrance Fees: The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has a $17.00 fee per person.Entrance Fees: The Route 66 Auto Museum has a $10.00 per person.
Day 6: Tucumcari, New Mexico to Tulsa, Oklahoma
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.
State(s) Traveled Through on Day Six: New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma Day 6 Activities & Stops:Kix on 66, Tucumcari, NM – Before heading out of New Mexico and crossing into Texas, this great diner serves up some of the best classic American dishes for breakfast!Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX – This is the stop that a lot of people think of when Route 66 comes up. Considered an art installation, this is a must visit stop along the route and well worth it since you are able to leave your own personal mark. Just make sure to bring some spray paint!Magnolia Gas Station, Shamrock, TX – Another re-stored Route 66 service station and probably one of best-preserved ones. It now serves as a great photo op and small museum.National Route 66 Museum Complex, Elk City, OK – One of the largest Route 66 Museums on this road trip, it also houses a transportation museum, blacksmith museum and more!Stafford Air & Space Museum, Weatherford, OK – A nice quirky stop where you can learn about all kinds of air and space travel, as well as test your skills as a pilot on the flight simulator.Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Oklahoma City, OK – A place that deserves a stop on the route and the respect of this memorial that honors the tragedy that happened here in 1995.POPS 66 Soda Ranch, Arcadia, OK – Now it’s time for a refresher like no other at the Soda Ranch! With hundreds of different kinds of soda and several kinds of snacks, this a great place to stop and explore.NEFF Brewing, Tulsa, OK – Upon arriving in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the next stayover on your trip down the Mother Road, it’s time to grab a great beer and delicious food at this unique brewery. This place was a nice random find due to us arriving in Tulsa late at night and the staff was super friendly and the whole establishment had such a chill vibe.For this night of the trip, we ended up staying in another chain motel in order to save money, as Tulsa, Oklahoma can be expensive since it is one of the larger cities on Route 66. We stayed at the Quality Inn nearest the route, however I’d highly recommend researching some other options for your stay.
Day 6 Notes & Things to Know:Driving Mileage: 473Entrance Fees: The National Route 66 Museum Complex has a $5.00 per person fee.Entrance Fees: The Stafford Air & Space Museum has a $9.50 per person fee.Entrance Fees: The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum has a $15.00 per person fee and reservations are required in advance to visit.Driving: this day involves a lot more driving than previous days on the road trip and if you are needing to break it up more, Oklahoma City is a great place to stay overnight as well.
Day 7: Tulsa, Oklahoma to Carthage, Missouri
The Blue Whale of Catoosa in Catoosa, Oklahoma.
State(s) Traveled Through on Day Seven: Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri
Day 7 Activities & Stops:
Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, Tulsa, OK – Before heading out of the city the next morning, it’s worth stopping at this landmark honoring “the father of Route 66.”
Giant Blue Whale, Catoosa, OK – Next up we have another very well-known Route 66 landmark, The Blue Whale of Catoosa. This preserved landmark allows you to walk through the whale and where you can still see the ladders and slides that past generations would play on. However, swimming is no longer allowed!
Totem Pole Park, Foyil, OK – Today is a day of landmarks and these artful totem poles are such an impressive stop! Boasting the tallest concrete totem pole in the world that you can also walk inside of, this a necessary photo op for any Route 66 road trip.
Phillips 66 Station Visitor Center, Baxter Springs, KS – Now we’re crossing through Kansas where only 13 miles of Route 66 exist, and this re-stored service station turned museum is the first stop! Make sure to go inside, where the owner will be thrilled to tell you directions on every landmark you need to visit while on the Kansas section of Route 66!
Old Riverton Store, Riverton, KS – A great place to check out and spend a short amount of time at just taking in the sights of the surrounding downtown area and maybe pick up a few souvenirs.
Cars on the Route Gas Station, Galena, KS – If you are a Pixar Cars fan then this will definitely be the stop for you! With replicas of Tow-Mater, Lightning McQueen and more, it’s great for some photo opportunities.
Grand Falls, Joplin, MO – A waterfall in Missouri? If you’re surprised by this, then we are in the same boat my friends! This place was super neat and great for getting out into nature on this road trip. Grand Falls is the largest natural flowing waterfall in Missouri.
Carthage Civil War Museum, Carthage, MO – A great stop in downtown Carthage, this museum gives a great insight into a dark time in the history of this small Missouri town.
Whisler’s Drive-Up, Carthage, MO – One of the last original drive-up diners on Route 66, this is a must for dinner when you arrive in Carthage your next stopover location.
Guest House Motel, Carthage, MO – For this stayover, we’re back in one of the original Route 66 motels. The Guest House Motel was reasonably priced and perfect for having an outdoor area where you could just relax with a cold beverage before getting some rest for the next day of travel.
Day 7 Notes & Things to Know:
Driving Milage: 140
Day 8: Carthage, Missouri to Springfield, Illinois
Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri.
State(s) Traveled Through on Day Eight: Missouri, Illinois Day 8 Activities & Stops:Red Oak 2, Carthage, MO – Immediately after departing from Carthage, you come across what seems like a ghost town, but in reality, is total re-creation of a town that had been abandoned in the past. These re-stored buildings paint an amazing picture of life in a small Missouri town from the past.Route 66 Car Museum, Springfield, MO – Perhaps the best car museum on the route, this collection of classic cars goes all the way back to the early 1900’s to the modern day. It even has the Bat Mobile and the car from Ghostbusters! What more could you ask for?Totem Pole Trading Post, Rolla, MO – Another unique spot to stop for collectibles while traveling with multiple types of Route 66 memorabilia.Stonehenge, Rolla, MO – A half-scale replica of the originally landmark in the United Kingdom, this makes for an interesting stop and makes seeing the mysterious structure a whole lot easier!Giant Rocking Chair, Fanning, MO – Once called the largest rocking chair in the world, this Mother Road landmark is perfect for a quick photo-op stop.1932 Phillips 66 Gas Station, Cuba, MO – Another perfectly restored service station for your viewing pleasure! These service stations are plentiful and you could possibly make a road trip just out of these.Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba, MO – Plot twist, this is not the motel you’re staying at, but it is a great stop to see and explore one of the original motels along Route 66.Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis, MO – The famous Gateway to the West in St. Louis is an urban National Park that offers a spectacular look into the history of the United States expansion.Pink Elephant Antiques Mall, Livingston, IL – We’ve now crossed into the final state on our road trip and what better way to celebrate than some antiquing! But really though, stop here for all your Route 66 antique needs and more.Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, Staunton, IL – When you see the “Hare it is!” signs, make sure to stop here for some much-needed playtime with furry friends. It’s important to note that special reservations are now required to visit Henry’s Rabbit Ranch.Cozy Dog Drive-In, Springfield, IL – Known for their amazing corndogs, this is the must stop location for dinner in your next stayover city of Springfield. Also, these prices are straight out of a couple decades ago with $1.50 hamburgers! I mean, yes please!For Springfield, Illinois we chose to stay in a chain motel, however there are many nice hotels/motels in this area, just make sure to do your research first.
Day 8 Notes & Things to Know:Driving Mileage: 380Entrance Fees: The Route 66 Car Museum has a $15.00 per person fee.
Day 9: Springfield, Illinois to Chicago, Illinois
1932 Standard Oil Gas Station in Odell, Illinois.
State(s) Traveled Through on Day Nine: Illinois Day 9 Activities & Stops:Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Springfield, IL – It’s the last day of this epic road trip through time on Route 66. It’s a short day with few stops, but still a ton to explore! The first of which is this amazing re-creation of Springfield when former President Lincoln lived with his family there. His home and several others are at this site and it’s awesome to be able to walk through these pieces of history.Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum, Pontiac, IL – This museum boasts a great collection of photographs and items from every portion of the route. The upstairs portion includes a World War II exhibit as well, which was almost too perfectly set up!1932 Standard Oil Gas Station, Odell, IL – Another official Route 66 attraction, a perfectly restored service station for a photo op.Ambler’s Texaco Station, Dwight, IL – Well, I did say there were many of these. But make sure to take those photos! You never know how long these service stations will remain taken care of.Gemini Giant, Wilmington, IL – One of the last few stops on the route is another one the more famous landmarks that may have seen in photos. The Gemini Giant, or the Rocket Man towers over a piece of Route 66 and makes for a perfect last day photo op.Joliet Area Historical Museum, Joliet, IL – This final museum on the route houses a truly complex and interesting history of this small midwestern town. A full-scale replica of a trolly bus is just one of the impressive things you’ll find here.Chicago, Illinois – We now come to the place where the famous Route 66 comes to an end or where some may begin their journey. Make sure to see the famous sign at the corner of Adams St. and Michigan Ave. Once the final photo-op is taken care of, make sure to take time to explore Chicago. There’s plenty to do, but that could be a whole other itinerary!
Day 9 Notes & Things to Know:Driving Mileage: 209Entrance Fees & Parking: The Lincoln Home National Historical Site is free; however parking is $2.00 per vehicle.Entrance Fees: The Joliet Area Historical Museum has a $8.00 per person fee.
The road trip down “The Mother Road” has come to an end and after spending a well-deserved rest in Chicago, you’re probably flying back home. But fear not, now that you’ve conquered Route 66, any road trip you decide to take on next, will be a piece of cake! So, keep wandering, keep adventuring and keep experiencing!