Route 66 Western Half
Route 66 road trip holiday exploring the Western half of Route 66 from Oklahoma City to Santa Monica
Follow the Mother Road across the American Southwest on this unforgettable 14-night journey along the Western Half of Route 66. Your adventure begins in Dallas before joining the classic highway in Oklahoma City, a vibrant blend of Art Deco heritage, music and neon-lit Route 66 nostalgia. From here, the landscapes unfold dramatically — from Texas plains and mid-century attractions like the U-Drop Inn and Cadillac Ranch to the 1950s glow of Tucumcari and the artisan culture of Santa Fe. Every mile reveals a new chapter of America’s favourite highway, dotted with restored diners, roadside curiosities and legendary towns that once served cross-country travellers.
Beyond New Mexico, you’ll discover the rich Indigenous culture of Gallup, the surreal colours of Petrified Forest National Park and the musical history of Winslow before taking a breathtaking detour to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Rejoin Route 66 in Williams, then sweep west through the Mojave Desert, past ghost towns and volcanic fields, to California’s vintage motor courts and the iconic Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino. Your journey ends at the sun-drenched Santa Monica Pier — the official “End of the Trail” — where the Pacific Ocean marks the perfect finale to a road trip steeped in history, adventure and American spirit.
14 night self drive holiday from £2,099pp including flights, accommodation & car rental
Highlights
Experience iconic Route 66 stops including Cadillac Ranch, Tucumcari’s neon motels and Winslow’s “Standin’ on the Corner.”
Choose the Santa Fe Loop or Albuquerque alignment, each offering culture, history and classic Mother Road scenery.
Enjoy world-famous natural wonders from Petrified Forest and Painted Desert to the spectacular Grand Canyon South Rim.
Finish your journey in style with a night in a Wigwam Motel and the legendary “End of the Trail.”
Your itinerary
DAY 1: arrive in dallas
Arrive in Texas and get ready for the Mother Road
Welcome to Texas! After touching down at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport, pick up your rental car and settle in for a relaxing first night. Dallas is a vibrant city famed for its arts district, skyline, and historic links to the JFK story, but tonight is all about resting up before the adventure begins. In the morning, you’ll head north to Oklahoma City to officially begin your Route 66 journey — one of America’s greatest road trips.
1 Night in
Dallas, TX
Arrive &
Explore
Day 2: Dallas - Oklahoma City
Route 66 begins: neon signs, iconic diners and urban energy
Your Route 66 story begins the moment you arrive in Oklahoma City, one of the most culturally rich capitals on the Mother Road. Explore Bricktown’s lively canal-side restaurants, wander through Automobile Alley’s restored neon district, and admire the unique Gold Dome — a striking mid-century landmark right on old Route 66. This is also the perfect evening to make the short scenic drive to Pops in Arcadia, where a 66-ft soda bottle marks one of the route’s most photographed stops. Energy, nostalgia and a warm Oklahoma welcome set the tone for your drive west.
1 Night in
Oklahoma City, OK
195 miles
Day 3: Oklahoma City - Amarillo
Across the Oklahoma plains into the Texas Panhandle
Today brings you through western Oklahoma into the wide-open landscapes of the Texas Panhandle. The route is packed with classic attractions: the Clinton Route 66 Museum, preserved Provine Service Station, and Coyotes, cafés and vintage petrol pumps that once served travellers in the 1930s–60s. In Shamrock, don’t miss the beautifully restored art-deco U-Drop Inn, an icon that inspired the “Cars” movie. Your night ends in Amarillo, home to the legendary Cadillac Ranch — where ten Cadillacs stand buried nose-first in the Texas earth, coated in ever-changing layers of spray paint.
1 Night in
Amarillo, TX
260 miles
Day 4: Amarillo - Tucumcari
Reach the Midpoint Café and step back into 1950s Americana
Today you’ll hit Adrian, Texas — the official halfway point of Route 66 — where “Midpoint Café” serves classic pies and has become a pilgrimage stop for enthusiasts. As you head west, the ghost town of Glenrio straddles the Texas–New Mexico border with abandoned motels and long-silent neon signs. Your night is in Tucumcari, one of Route 66’s most atmospheric towns. Its glowing neon motels, main-street murals and vintage diners create a perfect 1950s time-capsule feel that travellers adore.
1 Night in
Tucumcari, NM
115 miles
DAY 5: tucumcari to SANTA FE OR ALBUQUERQUE
Choose the original Santa Fe Loop or modern Albuquerque alignment
Today you can follow the 1926–1937 alignment to Santa Fe or take the shorter modern alignment directly to Albuquerque. Santa Fe’s route is the original one, winding through old trading towns and high desert scenery. Santa Fe itself is one of America’s oldest cities, known for adobe architecture, Georgia O’Keeffe art, centuries of cultural heritage and a beautifully preserved historic plaza. Whichever route you choose, you’ll feel the unique blend of Native American, Hispanic and Western influences that define New Mexico.
1 Night in Santa Fe or
Albuquerque, NM
115 miles
DAY 6: GALLUP
Across New Mexico, past lava fields, vintage motels and the Continental Divide
Continue west through Albuquerque — Route 66’s largest city — where highlights include Old Town, the neon-lit Central Avenue strip, and filming sites from “Breaking Bad.” As you push deeper into New Mexico, you’ll pass old motor courts, cafés and gas stations that once greeted weary travellers. Don’t miss the El Malpais lava fields before crossing the Continental Divide. Your overnight stay is in Gallup, long known as a centre for Indigenous art and as a filming base for classic Hollywood westerns.
1 Night in
Gallup, NM
200 miles
Day 7: Gallup - Winslow
Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and “Standin’ on the Corner”
Cross into Arizona and spend a few hours exploring Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert, where multi-coloured badlands and ancient fossilised trees create astonishing photo opportunities. Continue to Winslow — immortalised by the Eagles’ hit “Take It Easy.” Pose at the famous “Standin’ on the Corner” statue, browse historic trading posts, and enjoy a charming small-town atmosphere steeped in Route 66 nostalgia.
1 Night in
Winslow, AZ
130 miles
day 8: Winslow - Grand Canyon national park
One of the world’s greatest natural wonders
Rejoin Route 66 through Flagstaff before turning north toward the Grand Canyon. Your hotel places you just minutes from the South Rim, where jaw-dropping vistas stretch for miles across layered cliffs and deep canyons. Sunset here is essential — the canyon glows with shades of red, gold and violet as the sun slips away, creating unforgettable memories. Trails, viewpoints and historic buildings in Grand Canyon Village offer plenty to enjoy before and after the main event.
1 Night in
Grand Canyon, AZ
140 miles
Day 9: Grand Canyon - Williams
Return to Route 66 in a classic Wild West railway town
After sunrise at the South Rim, head back to historic Route 66 and the delightful town of Williams. Known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon,” Williams retains its Wild West charm with wooden storefronts, saloons and neon signs. You can watch the Grand Canyon Railway trains roll into the depot, explore vintage shops, and enjoy hearty Western dining — all wrapped in a nostalgic small-town atmosphere.
1 Night in
Williams, AZ
60 miles
Days 10–11: Williams - Las Vegas
A spectacular detour to the Entertainment Capital of the World
After enjoying the Route 66 charm of Williams, point your wheels west and make your way toward Las Vegas — a dazzling contrast to the small-town nostalgia of the Mother Road. The journey takes you past historic towns such as Seligman, often credited with sparking the revival of Route 66, and through wide desert landscapes framed by rugged Arizona mountains. As you near Nevada, the scenery gives way to brilliant neon, shimmering towers and the iconic Las Vegas Strip. Spend two unforgettable nights exploring its world-class dining, spectacular shows, themed resorts and attractions such as the Bellagio fountains and Fremont Street’s immersive light canopy. Whether you choose to unwind by a resort pool or dive into the city’s mesmerising nightlife, Las Vegas adds a burst of excitement to your Route 66 adventure.
2 Nights in
Las Vegas, NV
220 miles
Day 12: Las Vegas - San Bernardino
Back to the Mother Road: Mojave Desert, museums and a night in a wigwam
Leaving the extravagance of Las Vegas behind, today you rejoin authentic Route 66 as you cross the arid beauty of the Mojave Desert. This legendary stretch offers some truly atmospheric stops: the ghost-town remnants around Goffs, the volcanic fields and long-abandoned motels near Amboy, and the iconic Roy’s Motel & Café, whose striking mid-century neon has become one of the most photographed landmarks on the route. Further west lie Barstow and Victorville, home to the superb California Route 66 Museum with vintage cars, retro signage and fascinating local history. Tonight you’ll stay in San Bernardino — famously home to one of the last remaining concrete Wigwam Motels, an unforgettable slice of Americana that encapsulates the golden age of road travel.
1 Night in
San Bernardino, CA
230 miles
Days 13–14: San Bernardino - Santa Monica
End of the Trail: beaches, boulevards and the perfect finale
The final leg of your journey carries you from San Bernardino through metropolitan Los Angeles and all the way to the Pacific Ocean. As you follow the last miles of old Route 66, palm-lined streets guide you toward Santa Monica Pier — the official “End of the Trail.” Pause for the quintessential photo under the famous sign before exploring the lively boardwalk, historic carousel, Pacific surf and sunset views that make this one of America’s most iconic coastal settings. Spend two nights in Los Angeles, perfectly placed to enjoy highlights such as Hollywood Boulevard, Beverly Hills, the Griffith Observatory and classic film locations scattered across the city. On your final morning, wander Santa Monica Beach, sip coffee along Ocean Avenue or pick up last-minute souvenirs before returning your car and catching your flight back to the UK — completing an unforgettable Route 66 adventure.
2 Nights in
Santa Monica, CA
70 miles
May- Jun & Sept- Oct: Weather is likely to be pleasant for the entire trip. The midwest shouldn’t be too cold and the southwestern states shouldn’t be too hot.
We would expect maximum temperatures to be in the 20°C - 30°C range in the midwest and 25°C - 35°C in the south and southwestern states
Flight times to/from Chicago is around 8 hours and Los Angeles is approx 11 hours. You’ll drive through 3 time zones. Chicago is 5 hours and Los Angeles is 8 hours behind the UK.
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