Route 66: Drive from Chicago to Los Angeles

What is Route 66?

Route 66, also known as Will Rogers Highway or Mother Road, was one of the earliest and most important expressways in the country.
Officially opened on November 11, 1926, this road, which has become the most famous in America, crossed 8 states and was open 365 days a year. For decades, it was the hub of the myriad of cities it passed through, and the companion of many trips for truckers and ordinary citizens in search of adventure or a better life.

Where does Route 66 begin and end?

By convention, Route 66 runs east to west, from Illinois to California.The starting point is in Chicago, Illinois. You can start at the intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue, or between Jackson Boulevard and Lake Shore Drive, although the start sign is at the intersection of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue.
As for the arrival point of Route 66, however, over the years a dispute has arisen about where it was located. Although, in fact, Santa Monica Pier, in Los Angeles, has always been considered the point where the Mother Road officially ends, in reality the original Route 66 ended a few blocks away, at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic. Boulevard.
Only after its dismissal, and precisely in 2009, the various associations that are dedicated to keeping the myth of the Mother Road have decided to affix the "End of the Trail" in the Santa Monica Pier area, above all for a matter of marketing.
If you want to go the other way around (no one forbids you to do it!) The “End of the Trail” sign is located in Chicago, at the intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue.

How much does a trip on Route 66 cost?

The cost of a trip on Route 66 is extremely variable, because there are so many factors to consider:

• The duration of the trip and the path you choose to follow (for example if you choose to travel the entire distance or just a stretch);
• the return flight;
• accommodation and meals;
• the rental of the means of transport.

The duration of the trip can be a few days, if you decide to explore only part of Route 66, or it can exceed two weeks, if you decide to strictly follow the Mother Road, from Chicago to California or vice versa.
Obviously, if the trip lasts more than a day, you must stop and sleep in a hotel or motel. The average cost of a room on the Route 66 route varies from 30 to 60 dollars, depending on the place where you stop and the prestige of the hotel (in the cost of a hypothetical tour of Route 66 we have calculated an average cost for the room of 45 euros per night).
The means of transport is another item that has a significant impact on the budget. You can choose to undertake the trip by motorbike or by car; it's up to you to decide. Surely, in a trip that lasts more than 7 days, it is advisable rent a car, because the luggage can be quite bulky. Furthermore, the cost of renting a motorbike alone can exceed € 2000, while with the car you can get away with less than € 1500.
In addition to the items already mentioned, you must add the cost of the round trip flight, the cost of the ESTA (electronic travel authorization), and the cost of the international driving license (having a valid driving license is essential for a trip of this type).
Don't forget meals, fuel and tolls.
In short, for a 10-day trip on Route 66 you get to spend an amount of about 3000 euros per person.

Key statistics: everything you need to know about the Mother Road!

Are you curious to know more about the mythical Mother Road? Here are the main facts and curiosities about the road that made millions of travelers dream.
How long is it ?
Spanning 2,200 miles (about 4000km), Route 66 was the first link between the two coasts, the east and the west.
How many states does it cross ?
The original Route 66 traversed the entire United States, passing through 8 states of the Union : Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
How many hours does it take to cover it non-stop ?
It takes about 30 hours to travel the entire Route 66 without stopping, maintaining an ideal cruising speed of 80 miles per hour.
How many days does it take to visit Route 66 ?
The correct answer to this question would be: at least fifteen.Yes, because in two weeks it is possible to explore every corner of this road that has made the history of America.
Of course, not everyone has the time (and money!) For such a long and demanding road trip. Don't think about giving up, though! In a week you will have plenty of time to see many of Route 66's most interesting attractions.
To get an idea of how long a trip on Route 66 can last, you can always use the Tool proposed by the - Route 66.com website.

Route 66 map

Finding a Route 66 map isn't as simple as it might seem. The road, in fact, having been abandoned in the 1980s, has been canceled from the official maps, and exists for about 80% of the original route, with some sections that have been eliminated or have been incorporated by other roads. To know which path to follow to find the legendary Mother Road, therefore, you must rely on a specific tourist map.
On the Historic Route 66, for example, you can find several useful resources, such as the Turn by Turn map, or the names of the most valid paper maps.
As an alternative to paper maps, you can always rely on those for GPS, which can also be purchased before departure and downloaded to your device, so that you can use them offline once you have left for the journey.
Also very useful is the EZ 66 Guide for Travelers, a guide for Route 66 travelers written by Jerry Mc Clanahan.

Main cities touched by Route 66

Route 66, on its way from the east coast to the west coast of America, passed through countless cities. Some were larger, many others were small, others still, after the closure of the road, have become real ghost towns. But which are the most important cities that meet along the Mother Road?
Obviously, starting from the starting point, the first big city we meet is Chicago, the Windy City. Continuing east, we find the first Springfield, which was the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Halfway between Illinois and Missouri is the city of Saint Louis, with its famous Gateway Arch, the gateway to the city.
To find another major center, one must then wait until it has crossed the border into Oklahoma. In this state, Route 66 passed through Tulsa, which in the days of the Great Depression was considered the capital of oil.
After Tulsa, the largest center you come across is Oklahoma City, which fascinates the traveler with its typically western character. To fully immerse yourself in the cowboy world, however, you have to wait until you've crossed the border into Texas. Here, the first city we meet is Amarillo.
From Texas we then move on to New Mexico, and precisely to Albuquerque, a typical city of the American Southwest, rich in history and with that special charm typical of the southernmost areas of the United States. Always staying in New Mexico, you will come across the city of Santa Fe, which with its chaotic cheerfulness recalls the times when these areas were still part of Mexico.
Leaving New Mexico, we move towards the last stages of the journey. Before meeting the last major city of Route 66, you must cross Arizona, where the largest center through which the Mother Road passed is the city of Flagstaff.
After leaving Arizona behind, we finally reach our destination, with the last, important city of the route, which is also the arrival point: Los Angeles, California.

Route 66: the itinerary

The classic Route 66 itinerary, which takes about 20 days, starts in Chicago, Illinois, and arrives in Los Angeles.

Chicago

Chicago is the historic starting point of Route 66. Sure, you can also go the other way around, but it was to the west that people headed for a better life.
Obviously, you can choose to arrive in Chicago and get directly in your car, or you can dedicate at least a day to explore it. The attractions that you cannot miss are the Skydeck, the Shedd Aquarium and the Millennium Park.
When you are ready to embark on your Route 66 adventure, take I - 294 and then I - 55, heading for Springfield, Illinois.

Travel from Chicago to Springfield: 325 Km | 202 miles

that made Route 66 famous icons.statue of the Blues Brothers, Wilmington's Gemini Giant mythical Pontiac's, 's Funks Grove natural maple syrup Shirley McLean's Dixie Cafe and Lincoln's giant wagon.

Springfield Illinois

Springfield, Illinois, is the last stop on the journey before the Missouri border and is a town that deserves an in-depth visit. In addition to being (perhaps?) The city of the Simpsons, it is certainly the hometown of one of the most famous presidents of the United States: Abraham Lincoln.Here are his grave and his house.
In addition to these two iconic places, if you decide to take a tour of Springfield you should definitely visit the Old State Capitol, the Henson Robinson Zoo and Washington Park with its Botanica Garden.

Travel from Springfield Illinois to St. Louis: 155 Km | 96.2 miles

Leaving Springfield behind, Route 66 continues straight into Missouri and the city of St. Louis. Before reaching it, stop to admire the Chain of Rocks Bridge, which was once part of Route 66 and used to cross the Mississippi River. Once in St. Louis, if you have time, take at least a day to visit it.
In addition to the iconic Gateway Arch, other must-see attractions are Lone Elk Park, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Old Cathedral, and Old Courthouse.

Travel from St. Louis to Springfield (Mo): 348 Km | 216 miles

The adventure continues to the second Springfield (in Missouri), which is said to be the place where Route 66 was born.
Along the way we meet Fanning, with the second largest giant rocking chair in the world. Arriving near the city of Stanton, we stop to visit the Meramec Caverns, then continue towards Devil's Elbow, with the old bridge over which the travelers of Route 66 passed.
Leaving the “devil's elbow”, we continue on to Springfield, with its Fantastic Caverns, the Dickerson Park Zoo and the beautiful Pythian Castle.

Travel from Springfield to Oklahoma City: 460 Km | 286 miles

The journey continues. You are leaving Missouri to enter Oklahoma. Before arriving in Oklahoma City, however, there are several cities to go through and things to see. Starting from Carthage, where there is the legendary 66 Drive - In.
Passing through Catoosa, you cannot forget to stop and take a picture of the giant whale.
Some leave it behind, many decide to visit it. The choice is up to you; what city are we talking about? Of Tulsa, which in the heyday of Route 66 was known as the "oil Capital of the World".If you decide to stop here, you should definitely visit the Jazz Hall of Fame, inside Union Station, the Woodie Guthrie Center, the Greenwood Cultural Center, the Prayer Tower, which is shaped like a space disc and the Cave House.
After visiting Tulsa, we leave for Oklahoma City with its Bricktown Entertainment District, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and the Stockyard City, the gigantic cattle market.

Travel from Oklahoma City to Amarillo: 418 Km | 260 miles

Texas, we are coming!
If in Oklahoma you can already breathe the air of Old Wild West, in Texas you are totally immersed in the world of cowboys. Before leaving Oklahoma, however, you must stop and visit the National Route 66 Museum, one of the most beautiful dedicated to the mythical Mother Road.
Passing through the (now ghost) town of Texola, you can see the Magnolia Service Station, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Crossing the center of Groom, Texas, you will see its slightly leaning water tank (like the tower of Pisa), the sign of the Tower Lounge and Restaurant, the only remaining testimony of the old restaurant on Route 66, which was destroyed a few years ago in a fire, and the Groom Cross, the largest cross in the Northern Hemisphere.
Now continue towards Amarillo, where you have to stop and sleep at least for one night in one of the many hotels or motels.Of course, you can't leave Amarillo without visiting one of the icons of Route 66: the Cadillac Ranch.

Travel from Amarillo to Santa Fe: 449 Km | 279 miles

We leave for Santa Fe. On the way you will meet the town of Adrian, with the famous Midpoint Cafe, which is the ideal place to have a nice snack, and Tucumcari, where one of the most famous Motels of Route 66, the Blue Swallow.
Santa Fe is a city with a typically Mexican flavor. Among the attractions to visit are the Santa Fe Plaza and Canyon Road, the Loretto Chapel, the Cathedral of San Francesco of Assisi and the Mission of San Miguel ; and then, again, the Museum of Indian Art and Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art.

Travel from Santa Fe to Albuquerque: 104 Km | 64.7 miles

Continue your journey to Albuquerque: by now you have passed the halfway point. The city is one of the largest in New Mexico, and this is where the famous Breaking Bad.Before you leave, you should definitely visit the Old Town and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Travel from Albuquerque to Flagstaff: 523 Km | 325 miles

Now you are about to leave New Mexico and enter spectacular Arizona. Before arriving at our destination we meet the small town of Grants, with its Mining Museum, and then Gallup, with its 11 murals dedicated to local history and culture, the Rex Museum and the famous El Rancho Hotel.
Once you've visited Gallup, get back in your car and continue on Route 66: Flagstaff is still a long way off. As you travel, you will find yourself in Four Corners, the place where 4 states of the Union meet (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah) and where the Four Corners Monument is located.
After this curious passing place, you continue driving until you reach Winslow, which became famous after being mentioned in an Eagles song. Here, in addition to the legendary La Posada hotel in Downtown Winslow, there is also the Old Trails Museum.
Another one hour drive and you have finally arrived in Flagstaff, with its many natural beauties (Antelope Canyon, Meteor Crater), which is the perfect starting point for a quick visit to the imposing Grand Canyon.

Travel from Flagstaff to Barstow: 612 Km | 380 miles

You are almost at the end of your journey, now California is getting closer and closer. Before arriving in Barstow, stop and visit Kingman : among the most interesting attractions of this town are the Grand Canyon Western Ranch, the Grand Canyon Caverns and, a few kilometers from the town, the abandoned city of Chloride; if you want to have a snack, Mister D's Route 66 Diner is the place to be.
Leaving Kingman, resume Route 66 for the final part of your journey. Barstow is a real open-air museum of the Mother Road, with the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, the Western American Railroad Museum, the Desert Discovery Center, the various signs and signs dating back to the time when the road was still officially recognized and clubs with a 1950s taste.

Travel from Barstow to Los Angeles: 185 Km | 115 miles

Well friends, get back in your car and drive to the final stretch of Route 66, the one that leads directly to the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles I don't think Once you arrive at your destination, stop and look at that sign with the words “End of the Trail” : after many days of travel, full of emotion, you have completed your itinerary on the legendary Route 66.

Route 66 today: how to find the original Mother Road?

Given the downgrading and subsequent cancellation of Route 66, finding it is not exactly an easy task.
When it was canceled, many of the states it passed through were quick to remove the signs that indicated it: the birth of new roads, which in some cases incorporated it, and the overlap with part of the modern Highways did the rest.
The good news is that the battles waged by many of the associations wanting to safeguard the Route 66 route have resulted in states putting up signs indicating their presence. With a good guide, a specific map of the Mother Road and a good GPS, you shouldn't have a hard time tracking it down.
To understand where Route 66 is and which route to follow, it is also useful to know which roads have replaced.There are 5 in all, here they are:

• I – 55 da Chicago a St. Louis;
• I – 44 da St. Louis to Oklahoma City;
• I – 40 da Oklahoma City a Barstow;
• I – 15 da Barstow a San Bernardino;
• I - 10 from San Bernardino to S. Monica.

What's to see on Route 66? The most important attractions divided state by state

In 4000 km there are things to see! Let's find out together which are the most interesting attractions of Route 66, divided state by state, from east to west.

Illinois

The first interesting thing to see in Illinois is, of course, the sign indicating the start of Route 66 (and also the sign indicating its end, for those who decide to follow it "in reverse").
There are plenty of gas stations along the way, some of which have been listed as Historic Places in the United States. The most famous are Dwight's Ambler's Texaco Gas Station, Odell's Standard Oil Gas Station, Pontiac's Sprague's Super Service and Mount Olive's Soulby Service Station.
In Litchfield there are two activities that have made the history of Route 66, the legendary Belvidere Motel, Cafè and Gas Station, and the Ariston Cafè, both included in the list of Historic Places.
Also not to be missed are Pontiac's famous murals and the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison, on the Missouri border, which spans the Mississippi River.

Missouri

Let's move to Missouri.
In Fanning we find the second largest rocking chair in the world, while in Eureka we find another famous bridge, the Meramec River US 66 Bridge.
In this state there are also several Motels that have marked the history of the Mother Road: the Big Chief Motel (Wildwood), the Red Cedar Inn (Pacific), the Wagon Wheel Motel, Cafè and Gas Station (Cuba) and the Historic Rock Fountain Tourist Court Motel (Springfield, MO), are all on the list of Historic Places.
Two others, which are not on the list, are the Circle Inn Malt Shop in Bourbon and the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon.
In Carthage, on the other hand, there is one of the still functioning Drive - Ins of the Mother Road, the 66 Drive - In Theater, while in Springfield there is the Gillioz Theater, which is not a Drive In but is an icon of Route 66.

Kansas

Kansas is the state where the shortest section of Route 66 is located. Here, the most interesting attractions are concentrated in a handful of towns. Among them are Baxter Springs, where you can see the monument dedicated to the fallen in the Fort Blair massacre of 1870 and the site of Fort Baxter, always linked to the American Civil War.
Still in Baxter Springs we find the Independent Oil & Gas, included in the list of Historic Places, and the Café on Route 66.
to Riverton the Historic Rainbow Brige and the Williams Store - Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store (the oldest open store on Route 66).
In Galena, on the other hand, there are the Kan - O - Tex, the Historic District and the Litch Historical and Mining Museum.

Oklahoma

The section of Route 66 that passes through Oklahoma is also full of things to see.
Between the towns of Miami and Afton is the stretch of road called Ribbon Road (or Sidewalk Road), and it is the narrowest section of the entire route.
In Davenport, on the other hand, is Brick Paved Broadway Street, a street entirely paved with red bricks.
In Arcadia there is the Round Barn, a curious circular barn, while in Commerce there is a service station that looks like something out of a 1930s photo, the Conoco Hole in the Wall Station; not far away is the Dairy King, also an old service station, now disused, serving hamburgers and biscuits with the shape of the symbol of Route 66.
Crossing Oklahoma you cannot fail to stop and take a look at the Blue Whale of Catoosa and the largest Totem in the world, which is located in Foyil.
If you want to learn more about the history of Route 66, in Clinton is the Route 66 Museum.

Texas

The stretch of Route 66 that runs through Texas is full of interesting attractions to see. Here are the iconic Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo) and Buggy Ranch (Conway), Conoco Tower Station (Shamrock) and Phillips Tower Station Mc Lean
Historic clubs and motels include the Midpoint of Route 66 - Cafe, in Adrian, The Triangle Motel in Amarillo and the Vega Motel in Vega.
In Conway there is also the Historic Segment of Route 66, the best preserved stretch of the Mother Road, so much so that it is included in the list of Historic Places. Passing through Glenrio, don't forget to visit its Historic District.

New Mexico

Crossing the portion of Route 66 in New Mexico, you can admire a wonderful landscape, punctuated by many interesting attractions, including several religious buildings: the Saint Joseph Church in Laguna Pueblo and the San Miguel Mission in Santa Fe are two of the most important. Also in Santa Fe, do not miss the opportunity to visit the historic district Barrio De Analco.
Like the rest of the route, New Mexico also has its own service stations: Whiting Rogers Service Station in Moriarty, the ruins of Whiting Bros Gas Station in San Fidel and Roy T. Herman's Garage and Service Station in Thoreau.
Among the most interesting Motels, we point out the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari and the De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque.

Arizona

Among the states crossed by Route 66, Arizona is certainly the one with the most spectacular views. When crossing this state, it is practically mandatory to take a small detour to see the Grand Canyon.
The Petrified Forest is also a sight that you absolutely cannot miss. Don't forget the Barringer Crater, the crater created by a meteorite that fell 50,000 years ago. There are also several ghost towns in Arizona, Oatman's Mining Ghost Town, Toonerville and Twin Arrows, with its two "twin arrows" located directly on the roadside.
The two iconic shopping spots on Route 66 in this state are Holbrook's Hackberry Store and Rainbow Rock Shop, and Joseph City's Jack Rabbit Trading Post.

California

Here we are at the last state crossed by Route 66: California
In Los Angeles, of course, you will find the sign indicating the end of the route and all the attractions of the Santa Monica Pier but, before you get there, there are still many things to see. First of all the Motels and Cafes: the most famous are the Wigwam Village, in San Bernardino, where you can sleep in characteristic Tepees, the Roy's Cafe and Motel in Amboy, the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia and the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs.
One of the most curious things to be found along California's stretch of Route 66 is the Bottle Tree Ranch, a forest of metal trees filled with bottles; in Rancho Cucamonga, on the other hand, there is the oldest winery in United States California.
Passing through Pasadena, you will see the impressive Colorado Street Bridge, the Howard Motor Company Building and the Foothill Boulevard Milestone. If you like ghost towns, once in Daggets you can take a small detour to find yourself in the Ghost Town of Calico.

Tips for organizing a trip along Route 66

Did you want to leave for Route 66 when reading this article? Very good! Here are some tips for organizing your trip:

• 1. I'm starting from the east… Or from the west? Well, that's up to you to decide. The conventional starting point is in the east, in Chicago, but no one forbids you to take Route 66 "the other way around"; in the Wind City there is also a sign indicating the "End of the Trail".
• 2. Navigator: yes or no? Let's say nì. GPS is a very useful tool, especially because it can tell you exactly where you are. If you plan to use it, before leaving, download the maps that you will need to orient yourself along Route 66. The best thing is to buy a guide and a detailed map of the Mother Road and, once you leave for the journey, do not rely totally on the navigator..
• 3. Which maps to buy? The map is an essential tool when planning a trip on Route 66. The most reliable is the “Here it is! Route 66, the map series ”, a series of 8 maps compiled by the artist and Mother Road expert Jerry McClanahan together with Jim Ross, which also includes all the variations suffered by Route 66 during its existence.
• 4. Where to get petrol? To refuel on Route 66, the rule is the same as when, in our part, you decide to take a ride in the countryside: you buy fuel in large centers.In small cities, in fact, gasoline can cost up to twice as much as in large cities.
• 5. When to go? The best time to leave for Route 66 is the spring and fall months (May and September). The summer ones are fine too, but you risk getting hot and a lot of traffic, while in spring and autumn the temperatures are hot, but not exaggeratedly, and the traffic is also moderate.

Where to sleep along Route 66?

I talk about this topic in more depth in this article.
Given the type of travel, practically every night you will find yourself sleeping in a different city. Route 66 is dotted with dozens and dozens of hotels and motels, ready to welcome travelers with their vintage style.

Route 66 in popular culture

Route 66 is a true icon of popular culture not only in the United States, but also in the world. The sense of freedom, the hope for a better life that he inspired, are characteristics that still today are able to fascinate the general public; the decline of the Mother Road and the impact it has had on the small communities it passed through have only increased its myth.
The golden years (and not only those) of Route 66 inspired many masterpieces of music, literature and cinema.

Route 66 and music

Get your kicks, on Route 66… sang this way in 1946 Bobby Troup : his song (Get your kicks on) Route 66, in fact, recounts the experience of the same author on the legendary American Highway.
First sung by Nat King Cole, the song was later picked up by artists such as Chuck Berry, Bing Crosby and the Rolling Stones.
Bruce Springsteen, on the other hand, mentions it in his song Cadillac Ranch, while the Eagles made the small town of Winslow, Arizona famous with their song Take it Easy. The phrase "Well, I'm standin 'on a corner in Winslow, Arizona ..." was enough to save a small town from abandonment.

Route 66 and the cinema

Over the years, Route 66 has appeared in numerous films, both as a "protagonist" and as a backdrop for dozens of other stories. The only film ever to bear his name, Route 66, is a 1998 film directed by Steve Austin.
In the recent past one cannot fail to remember the Disney animated film, Cars, in which the protagonist, Lightning McQueen gets lost and ends up in a semi-abandoned town after the decommissioning of Route 66: Radiator Springs. If you pay close attention, you will notice that some of the attractions of the real Route 66 have found a place in the animated film.
From book to film, with the film Furore, directed by John Ford, which stages the vicissitudes of the Joad family, told in the book of the same name by John Steinbeck.
Route 66 also appears in the famous Blues Brothers movie and in Rain Man.

Route 66 in literature

The world of literature was also inspired by the legendary Route 66. In 1939 John Steinbeck wrote Grapes of Wrath (Furore), which told the story of the Joad family and their fruitless and painful journey on Route 66 in search of better living conditions. It was Steinbeck himself, with his fury, who coined the term Mother Road referring to Route 66.
Twelve years later, in 1951, another literary masterpiece was released that helped fuel Route 66's fame: it was Jack Kerouac's On the Road.Sulla Strada, which told of the author's adventures on the American streets and his desire for freedom, became the manifesto of the Beat Generation.
Jason Shores is an art lover, developer, writer, who loves to travel, meet new people and he is into photography as a hobby.