Route 66 crosses eight states and three time zones. Some of its best-preserved sections include
the stretch between Springfield, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma
; the road west of Seligman, Arizona; and the Oatman Highway through the Black Hills of Arizona.
What is the best month to do Route 66?
The Short Answer:
The best time to take a Route 66 road trip is between
April (late spring) to early July (early summer)
, and then, after the summer break ⁄ summer holidays: early fall (Labor day till late October).
Where should I start my Route 66 trip?
Where does Route 66 start and end? Route 66 starts in
downtown Chicago
and ends at the Santa Monica pier in California. Throughout the journey from Chicago to Santa Monica, you’ll discover sections where the original route diverges, seemingly shooting off in two directions and yet nowhere at once.
Is there anything worth seeing on Route 66?
For anyone who thrives on nostalgia,
driving the 2,448 miles of Route 66 is a must
. The iconic highway has inspired road trips, songs, and animated movie characters since construction on the “Main Street of America” was approved in 1926, back when gas cost less than a quarter a gallon.
Does Route 66 go near Grand Canyon?
The magical Grand Canyon National Park is just north of Route 66
and is worth the slight detour. This 200-mile-long, dramatic canyon of the Colorado River is a destination in and of itself, and is easily one of the best natural formations along the historic route.
How do you plan a Route 66 trip?
- Day 1: Chicago, IL to Springfield, IL.
- Day 2: Springfield, IL, to Sullivan, MO.
- Day 3: Sullivan, MO to Carthage, MO.
- Day 4: Carthage, MO to Tulsa, OK.
- Day 5: Tulsa, OK to Clinton, OK.
- Day 6: Clinton, OK to Amarillo, TX.
- Day 7: Amarillo, TX to Tucumcari, NM.
How long should you take to do Route 66?
You need
around three weeks
to complete Route 66. There is no perfect time to drive Route 66. Due to its sheer size, you’re likely to experience some adverse weather conditions, whatever the month.
Can you do Route 66 in 3weeks?
On our
three week fly-drive holiday
you’ll pack in all the iconic sights you’d expect to see along the Mother Road, plus detours to incredible places such as Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Santa Fe and historic Durango at the base of the great Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Does Route 66 go through Vegas?
Strictly speaking,
Las Vegas is not on Route 66
. Fortunately, this city is a either the beginning or the end point for Route 66 Tours, and it’s one of our favourite destinations. It seems like quite the oversight that the Mother Road never passes through this still-growing town.
How long does it take to drive Route 66 from Chicago to LA?
The drive takes about
40 hours
.
Route 66 rolls through small towns (with plenty of stop lights) along the way, so you won’t be driving as fast as you would on an interstate highway.
Can you drive Route 66 in a week?
So to those asking “Can you do Route 66 in a week?, the answer is
yes! you can and have a lot of fun doing it
. Having said this, you should consider at least extending the ride to two weeks.
Is Route 66 and i40 the same?
Interstate 40 subsequently replaced a large segment of Route 66
and the roadway was decommissioned in 1985. However, in the aftermath, a variety of non-profit groups were formed to help preserve the historic highway and much of Route 66 remains drivable today.
Can you still drive the entire Route 66?
No, you can’t drive the “entire” original Route 66
, but you can still drive the sections that have been preserved -which are quite a few! Route 66 was decertified on June 27, 1985 and no longer exists as a U.S. Highway.
Is Route 66 still open?
By 1985, Route 66 was decommissioned and officially ceased to exist
. Only 85% of the road has survived, but its spirit lives on. In the past decade, non-profit organisations and the US National Park Service have mobilised efforts and provided grants to protect and preserve what is left.
How far does Route 66 stretch?
Route 66 embodies a complex, rich history that goes well beyond any chronicle of the road itself. An artery of transportation, an agent of social transformation, and a remnant of America’s past, it stretches
2,400 miles
across two-thirds of the continent.
Why is Route 66 abandoned?
Route 66’s popularity led to its downfall, with
traffic swelling beyond its two-lane capacity
. In 1956, legislation created the Interstate System, and over the course of three decades, five separate interstates bypassed segment after segment of Route 66.
Does Route 66 go through Monument Valley?
Route 66 doesn’t go through Monument Valley
.
Does the Grand Canyon Take Route 66 to Flagstaff?
From Flagstaff the road passes through Williams, the jumping off point to the Grand Canyon, Ash Fork, and then into Seligman
. Read more about hotels and lodging in Williams, Arizona. The last section of Route 66 nationally was decommissioned through Williams in 1984, replaced by I-40.
How much of the original Route 66 is left?
U.S. Route 66: The Road. Nowadays,
over 85%
of the original alignments of U.S. Route 66 are still drivable. Many segments of the road are simple two-laned highways, so you should drive with care and pay attention to the road signs.
Is Route 66 RV friendly?
The entire 2,400-mile route makes for an epic RV trip, or you can tick off one segment at a time, in any of the eight states that the route passes through
. Either way, a Route 66 RV trip is a nostalgic journey through America’s early days of westward travel.
Can you do half of Route 66?
Half Way Point.
Adrian, Texas is the midway point of Route 66
– a great photo opportunity. You’ll pass the ghost town of Glenrio on the Texas and New Mexico border. Tucumcari feels like an old 1950s town.
Can you Cycle Route 66?
In many places Historic Route 66 was replaced by interstate highways.
Bicycle Route 66 travels west on bike paths, county roads, and state, federal, and interstate highways
. However, please note Bicycle Route 66 does not always follow Historic Route 66.
What cities does Route 66 go through?
- Chicago, Illinois. One of the U.S. Route 66 major cities you’ll find on your historic route 66 road trip is Chicago. …
- Joliet, Illinois. …
- Wilmington, Illinois. …
- Bloomington, Illinois. …
- St Louis, Missouri. …
- Cuba, Missouri. …
- Lebanon, Missouri. …
- Springfield, Missouri.
How long does it take to drive across the United States?
It takes
about 45 hours, or six 8-hour days
, to drive coast-to-coast. You will need to decide if you want to take one of four coast-to-coast interstates or traverse the country as the old-timers did on U.S. highways. If you have about three months to travel, you can even see all 48 continental states.
