USA Road Trip · Centennial Edition

The UltimateRoute 66 Road Trip

Chicago to the Pacific through eight states, neon motels, diners, small towns, high desert and some of the most famous roadside America ever created — in the year Route 66 turns 100.

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Historic Route 66 road trip across the USA

Recommended length

14 days

Fast version

10 days

Historic length

Around 2,400 miles

Start

Chicago

Finish

Los Angeles / Santa Monica

2026

Route 66 Centennial

1926 → 2026

There may never be a better year to drive Route 66

Route 66 was created in 1926 as part of the first federal highway system. The National Park Service describes the route as roughly 2,400 miles linking Chicago and Los Angeles through eight states.

In 2026, the road turns 100. Communities, museums, preservation groups and the National Park Service are commemorating the centennial across the route.

That does not mean Route 66 has suddenly become one continuous tourist highway again. It was decommissioned in 1985, and today the experience is made up of surviving historic alignments, city streets, bypassed roads and preserved roadside businesses.

The best road trip embraces that. Route 66 is not about finding the fastest line from Chicago to California. It is about understanding what happened to America when the car became part of everyday life.

Eight states

One road trip, eight completely different landscapes

Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California each contribute a different chapter.

Illinois

Historic towns, diners & Chicago

Missouri

Ozarks & roadside America

Kansas

Tiny but memorable section

Oklahoma

Deep Route 66 heritage

Texas

Panhandle, midpoint & open road

New Mexico

Neon, adobe & high desert

Arizona

Petrified Forest & long historic alignments

California

Mojave Desert to the Pacific

14-day itinerary

The Route 66 itinerary we would actually drive

This route protects the strongest surviving historic sections while using modern roads where practicality or safety makes more sense.

Day 1

Chicago → Springfield, Illinois

Chicago → Joliet → Pontiac → Springfield

Driving

Around 4–5 hours before stops

Overnight

Springfield, Illinois

Start slowly. Route 66 is about roadside America, not proving how quickly you can leave Chicago behind.

Morning

Begin around the historic Chicago start area, then head southwest through the city and suburbs toward Joliet. Stop at one or two classic roadside sites rather than trying to photograph every sign.

Afternoon

Continue through Pontiac, where Route 66 heritage is easy to explore on foot, before heading toward Springfield.

Evening

Stay in Springfield and have an easy first night. The mileage is manageable, but the constant stops make the day longer than the map suggests.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Pontiac and the first real stretch of Illinois Route 66.

Skip if rushed

Trying to reach St. Louis on day one.

Splurge here

A historic or characterful Route 66-style stay.

Save money

Use museums, murals and town walks as the main activities.

Day 2

Springfield → St. Louis

Springfield → Litchfield → Chain of Rocks area → St. Louis

Driving

Around 2–3 hours before stops

Overnight

St. Louis

This is deliberately a shorter driving day so you can spend time in Springfield and arrive in St. Louis early enough to enjoy the city.

Morning

Explore Springfield’s Route 66 heritage and, if American history interests you, add the Lincoln Home National Historic Site before leaving.

Afternoon

Continue south through small Illinois towns toward the Mississippi. Approach St. Louis with enough daylight to enjoy the transition from roadside America to a major city.

Evening

Stay in St. Louis. Park the car and use the evening for food, riverfront views or the city rather than another road section.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Springfield history plus a proper St. Louis evening.

Skip if rushed

Adding several long Illinois detours because every old alignment looks interesting.

Splurge here

A central St. Louis hotel.

Save money

Build the day around historic towns and free city walking.

Day 3

St. Louis → Springfield, Missouri

St. Louis → Cuba → Lebanon → Springfield, Missouri

Driving

Around 4–5 hours before stops

Overnight

Springfield, Missouri

Missouri is where Route 66 starts feeling less urban and more like the road-trip mythology people imagine before they arrive.

Morning

Leave St. Louis after breakfast and head toward the Ozarks. Stop around Cuba for murals and classic Route 66 atmosphere.

Afternoon

Continue through the rolling landscape toward Lebanon and Springfield. Choose one roadside museum, diner or historic motel stop rather than trying to visit all of them.

Evening

Stay in Springfield, Missouri. Keep the evening relaxed and prepare for Oklahoma tomorrow.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

The Ozarks scenery and classic roadside businesses.

Skip if rushed

Detours that require an hour of interstate driving just to reach one photo stop.

Splurge here

A restored historic motel if one fits your route.

Save money

Use roadside architecture and town centres as the experience.

Day 4

Springfield → Tulsa

Springfield → Joplin → Kansas Route 66 → Tulsa

Driving

Around 4–5 hours before stops

Overnight

Tulsa

Kansas only gets a tiny section of Route 66, which is exactly why it is worth driving rather than bypassing.

Morning

Head west through Joplin, then cross into Kansas for the short historic segment through places such as Galena and Baxter Springs.

Afternoon

Continue into Oklahoma and work toward Tulsa. The route begins to feel increasingly tied to petroleum, neon and mid-century road culture.

Evening

Stay in Tulsa and explore some of the city’s preserved Route 66 landmarks after dark when the signs and neon come alive.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Driving the short Kansas section rather than skipping it.

Skip if rushed

Treating Tulsa as only a sleep stop.

Splurge here

A stylish downtown Tulsa stay.

Save money

Spend the evening walking and photographing restored signs and architecture.

Day 5

Tulsa → Oklahoma City

Tulsa → Stroud → Chandler → Arcadia → Oklahoma City

Driving

Around 2.5–3.5 hours before stops

Overnight

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma contains one of the richest concentrations of Route 66 history on the entire journey. Give it a full day even though the mileage is modest.

Morning

Leave Tulsa slowly and follow historic alignments where practical. Stop in towns such as Stroud and Chandler for preserved road culture.

Afternoon

Continue toward Arcadia and Oklahoma City. Pick one museum or roadside icon and spend real time there rather than rushing between five.

Evening

Stay in Oklahoma City. Use the evening for the city itself rather than immediately chasing more Route 66 landmarks.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

A slower Oklahoma day with genuine roadside stops.

Skip if rushed

Using Interstate 44 for the entire day just because it is quicker.

Splurge here

A standout dinner in Oklahoma City.

Save money

Roadside towns and exterior heritage stops keep costs low.

Day 6

Oklahoma City → Amarillo

Oklahoma City → Clinton → Elk City → Shamrock → Amarillo

Driving

Around 4.5–5.5 hours before stops

Overnight

Amarillo

The landscape opens up dramatically as you head toward the Texas Panhandle. This is one of the days where Route 66 feels unmistakably western.

Morning

Leave Oklahoma City and work west through Clinton and Elk City. Choose one museum if you want deeper Route 66 history.

Afternoon

Cross into Texas, stop in Shamrock for classic Art Deco roadside architecture, then continue toward Amarillo.

Evening

Stay in Amarillo. If you want the full Route 66 experience, make the evening about classic roadside food and neon rather than a generic chain hotel meal.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Shamrock and the transition into the Panhandle.

Skip if rushed

Trying to reach New Mexico tonight.

Splurge here

A memorable Route 66 dinner.

Save money

Use towns and roadside landmarks rather than paid attractions.

Day 7

Amarillo → Tucumcari

Amarillo → Cadillac Ranch → Adrian → Tucumcari

Driving

Around 2.5–3.5 hours before stops

Overnight

Tucumcari

This is one of the most Route 66-looking days of the entire trip: Cadillac Ranch, wide-open Texas, the midpoint and then Tucumcari’s neon motels.

Morning

Visit Cadillac Ranch early, then continue west toward Adrian and the famous Route 66 midpoint area.

Afternoon

Cross into New Mexico and reach Tucumcari with enough daylight to explore murals and historic businesses.

Evening

Stay in a classic Tucumcari motel if that appeals to you. This is one of the best nights on the trip for neon and roadside atmosphere.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Adrian plus a full evening in Tucumcari.

Skip if rushed

Driving straight through to Albuquerque because today’s mileage looks too short.

Splurge here

A restored historic motel room.

Save money

Most of the day is free roadside sightseeing.

Day 8

Tucumcari → Santa Fe

Tucumcari → Santa Rosa → Santa Fe

Driving

Around 3.5–4.5 hours before stops

Overnight

Santa Fe

Historic Route 66 had multiple alignments in New Mexico. Taking the older Santa Fe alignment adds culture and scenery rather than simply following the later road through Albuquerque.

Morning

Leave Tucumcari and stop around Santa Rosa before heading north toward Santa Fe.

Afternoon

Arrive in Santa Fe with enough time to explore the historic centre, adobe architecture, galleries and food scene on foot.

Evening

Stay in Santa Fe. This is one of the best places on the route to spend a little more on dinner and accommodation.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Using the older alignment to include Santa Fe.

Skip if rushed

Treating Santa Fe as a two-hour detour.

Splurge here

A central adobe-style hotel or special New Mexican dinner.

Save money

Walk the historic centre and plazas.

Day 9

Santa Fe → Albuquerque → Gallup

Santa Fe → Albuquerque → Grants → Gallup

Driving

Around 4.5–5.5 hours before stops

Overnight

Gallup

New Mexico gives you one of the strongest cultural shifts of the entire road trip. Make the day about towns and landscape, not just highway mileage.

Morning

Leave Santa Fe and head toward Albuquerque. Explore a short stretch of Central Avenue and Route 66 heritage without trying to drive every city alignment.

Afternoon

Continue west through Grants and toward Gallup. The route increasingly moves into high-desert landscapes.

Evening

Stay in Gallup. Explore its Route 66-era architecture and local food scene before an early start for Arizona.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Albuquerque plus the western New Mexico landscape.

Skip if rushed

Spending the whole afternoon in Albuquerque if you still need to reach Gallup.

Splurge here

A historic hotel stay.

Save money

Walk central districts and use classic roadside stops.

Day 10

Gallup → Petrified Forest → Winslow

Gallup → Petrified Forest National Park → Holbrook → Winslow

Driving

Around 3–4 hours before park stops

Overnight

Winslow / Holbrook

Petrified Forest is one of the best places to connect the modern road trip with the original highway. It is also the only National Park Service unit that contains a section of Historic Route 66.

Morning

Cross into Arizona and enter Petrified Forest National Park. Give the park several hours rather than treating it as another roadside pull-off.

Afternoon

Continue toward Holbrook and Winslow. Stop at preserved roadside architecture, then reach Winslow before evening.

Evening

Stay in Winslow or Holbrook depending on your accommodation preference. Both keep you well positioned for northern Arizona tomorrow.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Petrified Forest as a full national-park stop.

Skip if rushed

Trying to add the Grand Canyon on the same day.

Splurge here

A historic Winslow stay.

Save money

Use the national park and roadside towns as the core experiences.

Day 11

Winslow → Flagstaff → Grand Canyon option

Winslow → Flagstaff → Grand Canyon detour / Williams

Driving

Around 2–4 hours before detours

Overnight

Flagstaff / Williams

The Grand Canyon is not literally on Route 66, but it is close enough to be one of the most worthwhile optional detours in America.

Morning

Drive west toward Flagstaff. Explore the city’s Route 66 heritage and decide whether today is a pure Route 66 day or a Grand Canyon day.

Afternoon

If this is your first time in northern Arizona, detour north to Grand Canyon National Park and give it the rest of the day. Otherwise continue toward Williams and enjoy a slower Route 66 afternoon.

Evening

Stay in Flagstaff or Williams. Avoid driving back from the canyon exhausted after dark if you can.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

The Grand Canyon detour if you have never been.

Skip if rushed

A rushed two-hour canyon visit just to say you saw it.

Splurge here

One night near the canyon or in a historic Flagstaff hotel.

Save money

Skip the detour if you have already visited and enjoy Route 66 towns instead.

Day 12

Flagstaff / Williams → Kingman

Flagstaff → Williams → Seligman → Hackberry → Kingman

Driving

Around 3–4 hours before stops

Overnight

Kingman

This is one of the classic surviving stretches of Historic Route 66. Seligman and the long road toward Kingman feel closer to the popular image of the Mother Road than almost anywhere else.

Morning

Leave Flagstaff or Williams and head to Seligman. Spend time in town rather than simply photographing one sign.

Afternoon

Continue west on the historic alignment toward Hackberry and Kingman. This is a road to drive slowly and stop where something genuinely catches your eye.

Evening

Stay in Kingman and use the town’s Route 66 heritage as the final major Arizona overnight.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Seligman to Kingman on the historic road.

Skip if rushed

Using I-40 for the entire distance.

Splurge here

Not necessary — the road itself is the experience.

Save money

This is one of the cheapest sightseeing days of the trip.

Day 13

Kingman → Oatman → Barstow

Kingman → Oatman → Needles → Amboy → Barstow

Driving

Around 5–6 hours before stops

Overnight

Barstow

The desert day is long, hot and unforgettable. This is where planning fuel, water and daylight matters more than collecting attractions.

Morning

Leave Kingman and take the historic route toward Oatman if weather and road conditions are suitable. Expect narrow, winding sections and drive accordingly.

Afternoon

Cross the Colorado River into California, then continue through the Mojave toward Amboy and Barstow. Carry water and refuel when sensible rather than assuming the next historic station is operating.

Evening

Stay in Barstow. After a desert day, the smartest evening is food, hydration and rest.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Oatman and the Mojave transition.

Skip if rushed

Remote desert detours in extreme heat or without adequate fuel and water.

Splurge here

Not much — spend on a comfortable hotel and proper dinner.

Save money

Historic desert scenery is the attraction.

Day 14

Barstow → Los Angeles → Santa Monica

Barstow → San Bernardino → Pasadena → Los Angeles → Santa Monica

Driving

Around 4–6 hours depending on traffic

Overnight

Trip ends / Los Angeles

The final day changes from desert highway to one of America’s largest urban areas. Do not underestimate Los Angeles traffic simply because the mileage looks modest.

Morning

Leave Barstow early and descend toward the Los Angeles basin through the historic Route 66 corridor.

Afternoon

Work west through the city toward the Pacific. Historic alignments and endpoints changed over the decades, so treat Santa Monica as the celebratory modern finale rather than obsessing over one exact line of pavement.

Evening

Finish at the Pacific, return the rental car when convenient and enjoy a final night without another long drive.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Ending at the ocean after two weeks of changing landscapes.

Skip if rushed

Booking a flight too close to your expected arrival time.

Splurge here

A final-night hotel near the coast.

Save money

Celebrate with a sunset walk rather than another attraction.

National Park highlight

Petrified Forest is different from every other Route 66 stop

It is the only National Park Service park containing a section of Historic Route 66.

Historic Route

Original road traces remain

The NPS notes that weathered telephone poles and traces of the old roadbed still mark the historic Route 66 alignment inside the park.

Why stop

Painted Desert + petrified wood

Give yourself several hours for overlooks, trails and the changing desert landscape rather than driving through only to photograph the Route 66 marker.

Best strategy

Make it a destination

This is why our itinerary stops overnight nearby rather than trying to combine the park with the Grand Canyon.

Shorter option

Only have 10 days?

Ten days works if the full Chicago-to-California drive is the priority. You will need to use the interstate more often and choose fewer museums and detours.

Day 1

Chicago → Springfield, Illinois

Historic Illinois Route 66.

Day 2

Springfield → St. Louis → Springfield, Missouri

Longer day through two states.

Day 3

Springfield → Tulsa → Oklahoma City

Kansas segment plus Oklahoma.

Day 4

Oklahoma City → Amarillo

Museums and Panhandle road culture.

Day 5

Amarillo → Tucumcari → Albuquerque

Cadillac Ranch, midpoint and New Mexico.

Day 6

Albuquerque → Gallup → Winslow

High desert and classic motels.

Day 7

Winslow → Petrified Forest → Flagstaff

National park plus northern Arizona.

Day 8

Flagstaff → Seligman → Kingman

Historic Arizona alignment.

Day 9

Kingman → Oatman → Barstow

Mojave desert day.

Day 10

Barstow → Los Angeles → Santa Monica

Finish at the Pacific.

What we would not do

We would not try to complete Chicago to California in seven days unless the driving itself is the entire goal. You would pass through Route 66 rather than experience it.

Trip budget

How much does a Route 66 road trip cost?

These planning ranges are for two people sharing a room and rental car for 14 days, excluding flights to Chicago and from California.

Cost	Budget	Comfort	Higher-end
Rental car	$900–1,300	$1,200–1,700	$1,700–2,500+
Fuel	$450–650	$500–700	$600–850
Accommodation	$1,300–2,000	$2,200–3,400	$4,000–7,500+
Food & drink	$800–1,200	$1,400–2,100	$2,600–4,500+
Parking / tolls / extras	$180–300	$250–400	$350–600
Activities / parks	$200–450	$500–900	$1,000–2,000+

Budget trip

$3,830–5,900

Approx. total for two, excluding flights.

Comfort trip

$6,050–9,200

Approx. total for two, excluding flights.

Higher-end

$10,250–17,950+

Approx. total for two, excluding flights.

These are planning estimates, not live quotes. One-way car rental fees, major-city accommodation and the 2026 centennial may materially affect pricing.

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Navigation

You cannot navigate Route 66 like a normal modern highway

Historic alignments changed, some sections disappeared and others survive as frontage roads, local streets or unsigned pavement.

Use a dedicated map

Do not rely on Google Maps alone

Normal navigation apps optimise for speed. Route 66 requires a map or guide designed around historic alignments.

Interstates are tools

Use them when sensible

Using the interstate for a broken, unsafe or low-value section is not cheating. The aim is to experience Route 66, not turn navigation into a purity test.

Check locally

Road conditions change

Weather, construction and local closures can affect historic sections. Use current state and local road information when conditions are uncertain.

Rental car

What should you drive on Route 66?

Something comfortable, reliable and easy to live with for two weeks. The fantasy car is not always the best road-trip car.

Our practical choice

A midsize car or comfortable SUV gives you luggage space, air conditioning and long-distance comfort without making city parking unnecessarily difficult.

Route 66 does not require an off-road vehicle on the normal driveable alignments.

Air conditioning matters enormously once you reach Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California in warmer months.

The convertible question

A convertible sounds perfect for Route 66 and can be brilliant in the right season.

But compare luggage space, rental cost, heat and two weeks of highway noise before paying a major premium.

If the convertible is part of the dream, it can absolutely be worth it. Just treat it as a splurge rather than a requirement.

When to go

The best time to drive Route 66

April–May

Excellent

Generally comfortable temperatures across much of the route before the hottest desert weather.

June–August

Peak road-trip season

Long daylight and 2026 centennial activity, but major heat in the Southwest and higher demand.

September–October

Our favourite

A strong compromise between weather, daylight, desert temperatures and road-trip atmosphere.

Winter

Not our first choice

Cold and snow can affect the Midwest and high-elevation sections while the desert remains a completely different climate.

Avoid these

Six Route 66 mistakes we would avoid

Mistake 01

Trying to follow one 'official' modern road

Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985 and historic alignments changed over time. Use a trusted route map and treat the journey as a network of preserved alignments rather than one continuously signed highway.

Mistake 02

Driving only on the interstate

Interstates are useful when time or safety requires them, but using them for the entire journey removes the small towns, old roadbeds and roadside businesses that make Route 66 worth driving.

Mistake 03

Booking every night before understanding your pace

Some accommodation should be reserved, but leave enough flexibility that an unexpectedly great town does not become a fifteen-minute stop.

Mistake 04

Underestimating desert heat

Western Arizona and California can be dangerously hot. Carry water, monitor the car, refuel sensibly and avoid unnecessary remote detours in extreme conditions.

Mistake 05

Treating the roadside as abandoned scenery

Many Route 66 businesses are active local businesses and communities. Spend money locally, respect private property and do not enter abandoned structures without permission.

Mistake 06

Turning every roadside attraction into an obligation

The route is full of signs, museums, diners and photo stops. Choose what interests you and let the rest go.

Packing

What we would actually bring

You are crossing half a continent. Pack for changing climates, long driving days and desert sections rather than one destination.

✓ Large reusable water bottles

✓ Sunscreen & sunglasses

✓ Light layers

✓ Cooler / road snacks

✓ Car phone charger

✓ Offline maps

✓ Comfortable walking shoes

✓ Emergency roadside basics

FAQ

Route 66 road trip questions

How long is Route 66?

The National Park Service describes the historic highway as roughly 2,400 miles between Chicago and Los Angeles. Exact mileage varies depending on which historic alignment you follow.

How many states does Route 66 cross?

Eight: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Is Route 66 still an official US highway?

No. U.S. Highway 66 was decommissioned in 1985, but many historic alignments remain driveable and are preserved or signed by states and local communities.

How many days do you need?

Ten days is possible if you keep moving, but 14 days is a much better first trip. Three weeks is ideal if you want museums, national-park detours and slower town stops.

Why is 2026 special?

Route 66 was established in 1926, making 2026 its centennial year. The National Park Service and communities across the route are commemorating the 100th anniversary.

Is Route 66 one continuous road today?

No. The historic route exists through surviving alignments, city streets, frontage roads and bypassed sections. Some stretches are no longer passable, so modern navigation and route-specific planning are essential.

Final verdict

Route 66 is not one old road. It is 100 years of America stretched between Chicago and the Pacific.

Drive the historic pavement when it adds something, use the interstate when it makes sense, spend money in the towns that keep the route alive and leave enough time for the places you never expected to care about. In its centennial year, that is still the best way to understand the Mother Road.

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