Route 66: Traditional Trail
19 night self drive holiday on authentic Route 66
This self drive road trip will take you along Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles through 8 US states and includes cities such as St Louis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo and Santa Fe. A side trip to the fabulous Grand Canyon is included. Las Vegas was never part of Route 66, so this isn’t part of this itinerary - you’ll go through Oatman and the Black Mountains instead. However Las Vegas can be added as a side trip if you wish.
This is real Route 66 and we mix modern hotels with historic accommodation such as the Wigwam Motels. If you want an authentic Mother Road experience, this is the trip for you.
Remember - All our holidays can be shortened or extra nights added or modified with upgraded hotels, car etc. We love building tailor made road trip holidays!
Fly into Chicago and out of Los Angeles
2450 miles
Approx
Includes flights, car & accommodation
Our 19 Night Route 66 Traditional Trail holiday starts in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles: Chicago (3 nights), Springfield IL (1 night), St Louis (1 night), Springfield, MO ( 1 night), Tulsa (1 night), Oklahoma City (1 night), Amarillo (1 night), Tucumcari (1 night), Santa Fe (1 night), Gallup (1 night), Winslow for Petrified Forest & Painted Desert (1 night), The Grand Canyon (1 night), Williams (1 night), Needles (1 night), San Bernadino (1 night) and Santa Monica / Los Angeles (2 nights)
Your Itinerary
Days 1 - 3:
Chicago (3 nights)
Arrive in the Windy City, pick up your hire car and spend the next 3 nights in Chicago. Our recommendations include the Willis Tower, the second tallest building in the USA and the “magnificent mile”.
Collect
Car
Chicago,
IL
4 Star
Hotel
Day 4:
Springfield, Illinois
Today you’ll begin your “Mother Road” adventure. Retrace old 66 through Chicago, through rural Illinois into Springfield where Abraham Lincoln lived prior to his presidency. You can visit his home and burial places.
200
miles
Springfield,
IL
3 Star
Hotel
Day 5:
St Louis
There's just 100 miles to drive to St Louis, known as the Gateway to the West. You’ll be able to drive a short section of the original brick road in Auburn, Illinois before walking the “Chain of Rocks” bridge, opened in 1929 to take traffic over the Mississippi River.
100
miles
St Louis,
MO
3 Star
Hotel
Day 6:
Springfield, Missouri
You’re heading through the Ozark Mountains today towards Springfield in Missouri where, in 1926 a road linking Chicago and Los Angeles was agreed. Originally planned as Route 60, but was finally designated as Route 66. Springfield is known as the birthplace of Route 66.
215
miles
Springfield,
MO
Historic
Hotel
Day 7:
Tulsa
Today, you’ll visit three States! Just after Joplin you’ll leave Missouri and head into Kansas. Don’t blink though - there’s just 13 miles of Route 66 in Kansas - but they’re a good 13 miles! Next up is Oklahoma, and don’t miss the famous Blue Whale of Catoosa!
180
miles
Tulsa,
OK
3 Star
Hotel
Day 8:
Oklahoma
Just a short drive today at a mere 115 miles. You’re continuing your journey through Oklahoma - don’t miss the famous “Sidewalk Highway” section of Route 66 between Miami and Afton. So called because it was a single lane, just 9 foot wide section of the original Route 66.
115
miles
Oklahoma City, OK
3 Star
Hotel
Day 9:
Amarillo, TX
Route 66 cuts through the Texas panhandle - On the list of must-see places today is the Provine Service Station, Route 66 Museum in Clinton, U-Drop Inn and of course the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo
260
miles
Amarillo,
TX
3 Star
Hotel
Day 10:
Tucumcari
Adrian, Texas is the midway point of Route 66 - a great photo opportunity. You’ll pass the ghost town of Glenrio on the Texas and New Mexico border. Tucumcari feels like an old 1950s classic American town.
115
miles
Tucumcari,
NM
Historic
Motel
Day 11:
Santa Fe
Santa Fe, the New Mexico state capital was on the original Route 66 from 1926 until realignment in 1937. The Santa Fe loop can be missed out if you prefer to follow the later alignment - in this case, you can drive directly from Tucumcari to Albuquerque.
115
miles
Santa Fe,
NM
Historic
Motel
Day 12:
Gallup
Drive west through Albuquerque and various small towns with some great old cafes, motels and gas stations and pass the Continental Divide before arriving in Gallup where you’ll stay in a historic hotel frequented by stars of the silver screen.
200
miles
Gallup,
NM
Historic
Hotel
Day 13:
Petrified Forest
As you cross into Arizona you will want to spend a couple of hours at the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert before you arrive in Winslow where you can take a photo “Standin' on the Corner” made famous from the Eagles song Take It Easy.
130
miles
Winslow,
AZ
4 Star
Hotel
Day 14:
Grand Canyon
At Flagstaff you’ll leave Route 66 temporarily to head north to the Grand Canyon. Your hotel will be near the south rim and you’ll want to make sure you get to see sunset in this wonderful National Park.
140
miles
Grand Canyon,
AZ
3 Star
Hotel
Day 15:
Williams, Arizona
Its well worth getting up early to catch sunrise at the specular South Rim of the Grand Canyon and then spending a few hours enjoying the breathtaking views. In the afternoon you’ll make the short drive South to historical Williams.
60
miles
Williams,
AZ
Historic
Hotel
Day 16:
Into California
There’s plenty of old Route 66 sections to drive today. Drive through Seligman and, further on make sure you stop at the Hackberry General Store. Winding roads take you through the Black Mountains into Oatman, an old mining town.
190
miles
Needles,
CA
Historic
Hotel
Day 17:
California Desert
Today you’ll be in the California desert passing various ghost towns. Stop for a photo at Roy’s Motel & Cafe in Amboy. Further along you’ll pass many old Route 66 towns including Barstow and Victorville, home of the California Route 66 Museum and tonight you’ll sleep in a concrete wigwam!
230
miles
San Bernadino, CA
Historic
Motel
Days 18 & 19:
Santa Monica (2 nights)
You’ll start the final leg of your journey to Santa Monica Pier, the western terminus of Route 66. Make sure you get a photo at the “End of the Trail” sign. You will stay in Los Angeles for 2 nights
70
miles
Los Angeles,
CA
3 Star
Hotel
Days 20 & 21:
LA & Fly Home
Make the most of your final morning in Los Angeles today. Perhaps you’d like to see the famous Hollywood sign or walk down Rodeo Drive. This evening you’ll catch your overnight flight back to the UK.
Return
Car
Fly
Home
Route 66 Guides
When you book your Route 66 holiday with us, you will receive the EZ66 Guide (left) in your road trip pack.
Click the button below for more information on three of our favourite Route 66 guides to help you along your way. There’s also a link to buy them if you wish!
Upgrades
For some trips you might like to upgrade to a large car, convertible or SUV. Take a look at your car choice here.
We carefully handpick accommodation to suit your trip and requirements. However, we're independent and have a wide choice if you wish to upgrade.
Upgrade to Premium, Business or First Class
Local Guide in Arizona
Based in Kingman, Arizona, our Route 66 Destination Consultant can be available for guided or walking tours in the region for groups of all sizes. Renowned road trip author Jim Hinckley has an extensive knowledge of Route 66. Please let us know if you would like to meet Jim for an afternoon or evening on your road trip.
Helicopter Flight
Take a helicopter flight over the Las Vegas Strip's bright lights, capture a new perspective of the Vegas Valley plus see Red Rock Canyon, or journey out to the natural wonder that is the Grand Canyon. We have a selection of different trips and durations available which can be incorporated into your trip or purchased separately.
Visit Las Vegas
Fabulous Las Vegas! There’s plenty to see here including the Bellagio Fountains, Fremont Street, Neon Boneyard and the Mob Museum. Maybe take in a show, or try your luck in one of the casinos! 2-3 nights can be added to include Sin City into your trip, or you might prefer our Route 66 Classic Trail which includes Las Vegas as standard
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