Top Five Tips for Driving Route 66

Route 66 is arguably the most iconic road trip in the world. Stretching more than 3,900 km and covering eight states and three different time zones, this is the real deal.

When planning a Route 66 holiday, there’s a lot to be said for doing some homework, getting some expert tips and creating an itinerary that features the most incredible aspects of the ‘Mother Road’.

This guide will provide five top tips for intrepid explorers keen to take on the drive of a lifetime in America.

A Brief Introduction to Route 66

Most people who take an interest in plotting their journey along Route 66 have a host of questions. Here, we’ll answer the most common ones, including:

1. How long is Route 66?
2. How much time is required to see the best bits?
3. Where is Route 66?

Before setting off, it’s a good idea to find the answers to these questions and draw up a rough itinerary. This will enable you to plan each day, work out travel times and ensure that everything you want to see makes it onto the list.

It’s difficult to get a real sense of the sheer scale of this epic road without consulting a detailed map! Closer inspection affords the opportunity to follow the winding tarmac as it weaves through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The road takes travellers from Chicago to Los Angeles, taking in a series of spectacular views, enigmatic cities and amazing landscapes along the way. It truly offers a once in a lifetime taste of America’s geographical and cultural diversity. From the bustling city streets of Chicago to the ranches of the Lone Star State and the sun-drenched beaches of LA, this is a trip that has it all.

Top Five Driving Tips for Route 66

A Route 66 road trip is no ordinary holiday. Driving it is an exhilarating prospect, but putting plans together may also be slightly daunting. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and not everybody has time to explore every town or city that crops up along the route.

To make the most of Route 66, we recommend these five driving tips:

1. Plan your Route 66 itinerary in advance

By looking at a Route 66 map or using a Route 66 planner, you can work out what you want to see, how far you want to drive each day and where you want to spend the most time.

Some people may want to enjoy the wonderful rural scenery in Texas and Oklahoma, while others may be more enthused by city slicking in Chicago or Los Angeles.

We recommend that you take a look at the major cities running through Route 66, think about how you’d like to spend your time and draw up an itinerary that reflects your interests and travel preferences.

You can use a variety of planning tools and maps to see how far popular stops are from each other, and to create a plan that affords the option to see everything without spending the entire time in the car or motorhome!

2. Research the things to see along Route 66

Route 66 is blessed with some truly incredible locations, landmarks and landscapes, but there are parts of this stretch of road that are much more appealing to visitors than others. Every state has something to offer and it’s worth doing some research to see their highlights and must-sees, especially if you are a bit short on time.

Crossing the country opens up all kinds of different experiences, and it’s worth finding out about the main sights and attractions to avoid missing anything.

Every traveller has different preferences and interests but some of the main sights and attractions along Route 66 include:

• The John Hancock Centre, Chinatown and Little Italy, Chicago
• Route 66 Memory Lane and the former home of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois
• Union Square and a Mississippi River cruise, St Louis
• Downtown Springfield, Missouri
• Dale’s Ole 66 Barber Shop, Joplin
• Cowboy country in Tulsa and Oklahoma City
• The Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
• Tucumcari Historical Museum, Albuquerque
• America’s oldest city, Santa Fe
• Petrified National Forest Park, Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Casa del Decierto (Harvey House), Barstow, California
• Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood, LA

Start planning your journey with an America Expert for free.

3. Set a realistic budget for your road trip

Most travellers plan journeys with a budget in mind. Organising a road trip can be more complex than budgeting for a package holiday or an all-inclusive break.

The cost of a Route 66 road trip can vary depending on vehicle rental options from car hire, vintage classics and motorhomes to different types of accommodation which range from motels and guesthouses to luxury hotels.

Therefore, whatever your budget, there’s a Route 66 itinerary that’s suited to you.

4. Will you book hotels or hire a motorhome?

Route 66 is one of the most high-profile attractions in the USA and it can get busy. It’s wise to research where to stay to break up long drives and ensure easy access to parts of the route that are most appealing. Discover our recommendations for hotels in Chicago and hotels in Los Angeles.

Alternatively, you can have your own home on wheels and hire a USA motorhome for your trip. These range from compact small motorhomes to larger ones which can accommodate four adults and two children to travel and sleep comfortably.

There are plenty of motorhome or ‘RV’ parks along the way with great facilities. Just ask your Freedom Travel Consultant for their personal recommendations.

5. How to make the most of Route 66 road trip

There’s much excitement and anticipation surrounding a road trip, especially one as symbolic and nostalgic as Route 66. It is part of American history and culture, and it has been photographed and written about for many years.

Aim to create an itinerary that makes the most of your time available and showcase the route in all its glory. Embrace every individual state and the diverse range of experiences it offers, and soak up the atmosphere!

We can help you find the right flights to America for a one-way Route 66 itinerary.

If you are unsure what you want to see and do along Route 66, or where to start with your planning, this popular Route 66 self drive itinerary can be booked as is or used as a starting point to your holiday plans.

Route 66 Self Drive Holiday Itinerary

Day 1: Explore the city of Chicago
Day 2: Travel to St Louis visiting the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum on the way
Day 3: Spend the day in St Louis and visit the Gateway Arch and the National Blues Museum
Day 4: Head to Tulsa via the Meramec Caverns and the Blue Whale of Catoosa statue
Day 5: Make your way to Oklahoma City and visit Stockyard City and the National Memorial and its Museum
Day 6: Drive to Amarillo, Texas stopping off at Devil’s Rope Museum and Cadillac Ranch
Day 7: Make for Albuquerque, New Mexico stopping off to explore the quirky shops at Tucumcari
Day 8: Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway to enjoy amazing views of Albuquerque
Day 9: Head to Flagstaff, Arizona to visit the Lowell Observatory and explore the charming pedestrianised town centre
Day 10: Enjoy a day in the great outdoors discovering the beauty of the national parks such as Red Rock State Park. It’s also possible to veer slightly off-piste here and take a trip to the Grand Canyon.
Day 11: Cross the border with California and visit the historic town of Barstow
Day 12: Enjoy the thrills and spills of Santa Monica Pier and stick around for the sunset
Day 13: Tick off the tourist attractions in Los Angeles before heading home the next day

Learn more about this America’s Route 66 itinerary…

Route 66 has most definitely earned its reputation as the world’s best road trip. Take these tips on board, and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. If you have more questions about Route 66, get in touch with an America Expert now.