Planning a Route 66 Holiday
When you picture an American road trip, it’s hard not to conjure up images of driving along wide roads, passing old service stations, historic motels and rugged desert. What you’re envisioning is America’s Route 66. Beginning in the vibrant city of Chicago, you journey through the rolling plains of Texas and end in laid back coastal California. This road trip is an icon of America, immortalised in culture, films and songs, and once you’ve travelled it, you’ll understand why.
Our team of America Experts can help you put together your dream Route 66 holiday, just simply tell them where, when and how you’d like to travel, and we’ll design tailor made trip for you.
How long does it take to drive Route 66?
Typically, it will take a minimum of two weeks for you to drive the 3,940km of road and still have time to stop and enjoy the sights. A holiday on Route 66 can be completed in eight days if you were to drive long hours with minimal breaks, though we would recommend the longer the better, and it’s not uncommon for people to take up to a month to complete the route.
Where does Route 66 start and end?
Most holidays on Route 66 begin in Chicago, Illinois, where the road originally began, and end in California’s Santa Monica. You journey through eight other states including New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. Route 66 can also be driven in reverse and is often a cheaper alternative.
What is there to do and see along Route 66?
With such a vast area to cover, there’s plenty to do and see along the way. Our favourite Route 66 landmarks and highlights include:
- Get a photo of yourself at the iconic Route 66 sign in Chicago – marking the beginning of America’s ‘Mother Road’
- Visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum in Pontiac and learn more about this historic route and view iconic memorabilia
- Stop at the surreal Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, a unique art installation of graffitied cars buried in the desert
- Get unparalleled views of St Louis city from the top of Gateway Arch, a 630 ft monument that holds the title as the worlds tallest arch
- Embark on an exciting helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon
- Visit the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona and take in its unique landscape of brightly coloured petrified trees
- Catch an exciting Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas
- Spot your favourite stars on Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame in Los Angeles
- Take a selfie at the iconic ‘Route 66 – End of the Trail’ sign at Santa Monica Pier
What vehicle is best for me?
The three most popular ways to travel Route 66 are by car, motorhome or motorcycle.
We have available a large range of cars to suit couples and families of all sizes, with everything from compact cars to large SUVs. You can choose to just hire a car or alternatively take advantage of our America’s Route 66 self drive itinerary that includes car hire, one way fees and accommodation pre-booked for you.
Hiring a motorhome is a great choice for couples and families looking for an economical and convenient way to travel. All of our motorhomes are equipped with kitchens, so you can make your own meals, and as your accommodation comes with you it removes the need to pack and unpack each day.
If you are looking for a more adventurous way to travel, there’s nothing like cruising America’s ‘Mother Road’ on a Harley Davidson! We offer a variety of touring, sport and classic motorbikes for hire, as well as a popular 15 day self guided Route 66 Motorcycle Tour including bike hire, travel guide app and pre-booked hotels or motels.
How much does it cost to drive Route 66?
Route 66 holidays can vary in cost depending on duration, seasonality and the choice of vehicle hired. Our popular 16 day America’s Route 66 self drive is from £1629 per person, including car hire, pre-booked hotels and one way fees.
How do I plan a Route 66 road trip?
A great place to start is by browsing our range of holiday ideas. Or you can simply talk to one of our Travel Consultants who can design a bespoke Route 66 itinerary just for you. All of our team have either lived in or travelled America extensively, and would love to use their expert knowledge to help you plan a tailor made Route 66 holiday.
Plan your road trip
