Welcome to Chicago! After your flight make your way to your hotel where you’ll stay for the night, before picking up your motorhome the next day. Depending on your arrival time, spend the rest of the day exploring Chicago.

Millennium Knickerbocker or similar

After a night enjoying the windy city it’s time to make your way to the motorhome depot to collect your holiday home on wheels. After an introduction to your motorhome, head out on the open road and on to your first stop, Springfield, Illinois. When you arrive in Springfield, make sure you visit Lincoln’s tomb and the Salem State Historic site, a reconstruction of an 1830s village where Abraham Lincoln spent his early adulthood.

Chicago > Springfield, Illinois | 200 miles

Today you are heading for the banks of the Mississippi River and St Louis! No visit to St Louis would be complete without a visit to the country’s tallest monument, The Gateway Arch. This iconic, awe-inspiring structure commemorates Thomas Jefferson and St. Louis’ role in the westward expansion of the United States. After a trip to the top of the arch, continue your journey towards Springfield, Missouri where you will stay the night. Before arriving at your campground for the evening, its worth taking a detour to visit Route 66 State Park and paying a visit to the information centre, it has displays showcasing this famous road.

Springfield, Illinois > Springfield, Missouri | 125 miles

Today you are heading through America’s heartland to Tulsa, but make sure you stop off in the town of Joplin en route. This historic town was once a hide out for the famous duo, Bonnie & Clyde. Your next stop and destination for this evening is Tulsa, a city once known as the ‘oil capital of the world’ and is now home to the world’s largest collection of art and artefacts of the American West. Whilst in Tulsa its worth visiting the Philbrook and Gilcrease Museums, the Woody Guthrie Centre and the bars and restaurants of the Brady Arts District.

Springfield, Missouri > Tulsa | 380 miles

Today is a short but memorable drive as you head out along legendary Route 66 to Oklahoma City. Much of the ‘Mother Road’ is still negotiable and it is a living museum of old motels, diners, iconic sights and atmospheric attractions. In Oklahoma City, there’s Western and Native American history and culture galore. Experience the unique atmosphere of Stockyard City (the USA’s largest working cattle market), and the riveting nightlife of Bricktown which is alive with music, entertainment and eating places.

Tulsa > Oklahoma | 110 miles

Another comfortable driving day out on Route 66 to Elk City, perhaps following a last drive around Oklahoma City and the pretty, bustling University town of Norman. This section of 66 is the beating heart of the ‘Mother Road’, it’s littered with typical Oklahoma townships and unmissable delights – like the mouth-watering fried onion burgers in El Reno, historic Lucille’s Roadhouse and Diner in Weatherford and the two major Route 66 Museums in Clinton and Elk City. Elk City also showcases a vibrant, living history of preserved old buildings from the city’s early days.

Oklahoma > Elk City | 110 miles

Today is a long drive as you leave Oklahoma and head for Texas on the way to Amarillo! But it will be well worth it as there is a lot to see and do. Take time to visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park, it’s the 2nd largest State Park in the USA. This wonderful 20,000-acre park was once inhabited by the Apache, Cheyenne & Comanche Indians. Whilst in Amarillo visit the American Quarter Horse Heritage Centre, Cadillac Ranch and the Route 66 historic district featuring antiques, boutiques and eclectic dining.

Elk City > Amarillo | 325 miles

Today you are heading for Americas Southwest and the gateway to New Mexico, Tucumcari. Get your picture taken in front of the Route 66 Roadside Attraction at the Convention Centre or the world’s largest mural devoted to Route 66 in the United States. Tour the town during the day to see the other wonderful murals located all over the city and at night to see those famous Route 66 Neon signs. Maybe take a trip to nearby Ute Lake or Conchas Lake State Parks and go hiking, boating or fishing.

Amarillo > Tucumcari | 160 miles

Today you are heading for Albuquerque, the capital of New Mexico. En route take a scenic drive via Santa Fe National Forest to Santa Fe, a world class tourist destination which and has long been a centre for arts and culture. Due to sales, it now ranks as the USA’s third largest art market with nearly 300 galleries and dealers. American Indians inhabited New Mexico long before the Spanish and their timeless cultures, traditions, arts and beliefs continue to enrich the state today. There are 19 pueblos located around the state, including the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos north of Santa Fe. Take a tour, you will learn about Native America’s heritage as well as contemporary cultures in New Mexico.

Tucumcari > Albuquerque | 185 miles

It’s a long drive today as you head for Williams, the gateway to the Grand Canyon. En route be sure to stop off at Gallup, which some say is the ‘Indian capital of the world’ because of its location in the centre of Native American lands. Once you are in Williams you have three choices for going to the Grand Canyon. Take the hour’s drive so you have all the home comforts; join a Grand Canyon Tour or arrive by rail on the Grand Canyon Railway.

Albuquerque > Williams | 360 miles

Today there is no need to rush away from Williams – so do spend the morning enjoying this beautiful Route 66 town. The drive is 125 miles and 82 of them are along world-famous Route 66. You’re heading for Kingman, another vibrant Route 66 town with lots of attractions to immerse yourself in.

Williams > Kingman | 125 miles

Enjoy the city that never sleeps – Las Vegas! Spend the day here wandering the ‘Strip’ and then this evening enjoy one of the many world class acts or shows like Cirque du Soleil. If time permits, a visit to the Fremont Street experience is a must.  Here you can experience the free live entertainment and amazing light show!

Kingman > Las Vegas | 100 miles

Heading west, the first stop today is another icon of the Colorado River – the world-famous Hoover Dam on the border of Arizona and Nevada. Stop awhile and take in this man-made wonder before heading into Boulder City, then go south and skirt the Providence Mountains before diverting to the Mojave National Preserve. The Mojave National Preserve is the penultimate stop today, a desert solitude in Southern California; singing sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests and carpets of wildflowers await you here. A visit to its canyons, mountains and mesas will also reveal long-abandoned mines, homesteads and rock-walled military outposts.

Las Vegas > Barstow | 155 miles

Today it’s onwards to the ‘City of Angels’, Los Angeles. Santa Monic Pier is the official end of Route 66 so a visit here is a must. After that, if you fancy some shopping then visit one of the two outlet malls and their 100 stores before heading off to explore some of the city’s other icons. There is certainly plenty to do and see here; take a Beverly Hills Tour, experience Venice and Muscle Beach, head to Universal, Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm and check out the stars on Hollywood Boulevard!

Barstow > Los Angeles | 115 miles

Leaving Los Angeles today head north on Route 101 – you are on your way to stay at Santa Margarita Lake this evening. They call the area around Santa Barbara ‘America’s Riviera’ so their beaches and restaurants might make it a natural break on the way.

Los Angeles > Santa Margarita | 240 miles

Ready to get going towards Santa Cruz today? Please, be sure to stop at that well-known ‘Folly’, Hearst Castle, as you drive through San Simeon, it’s around 65 miles into your journey so a good time to take a break and stretch your legs. Take your time as you work your way up the coast, you will be driving some amazing coastal scenery as you pass through Big Sur and Pebble Beach. You might also like to stop in Monterey to take in the sights before heading on to your destination of the day, Santa Cruz.

Santa Margarita > Santa Cruz | 150 miles

Today you cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge as you head into San Francisco. It’s worth considering dropping your motorhome off today and spending your last night in a hotel, alternatively you can find a motorhome park nearby and drop your vehicle on the way to the airport on your final day. Enjoy your time here in the ‘City by the Bay’. Ride the cable cars, visit notorious Alcatraz Island, relax in Golden Gate Park and make your way around the fantastic, dining, shopping and nightlife of this vibrant city.

Santa Cruz > San Francisco | 75 miles

Sadly, all good things must come to an end and today marks the end of your epic Route 66 and California Coast Motorhome holiday. If you stayed in a hotel last night, then it is straight off to the airport to catch your flight home. If not, you will need to drop your motorhome off at the depot before you make your way to the airport for your flight home.