How to Plan a Trip Along Route 66
Route 66 - the classic American road trip adventure. Winding through eight American states, this road epitomises the freedom of the open road.
Read our guide to learn more.
How long is Route 66?
Running for 2,448 miles (3,940 km), the original Route 66 is one of the world’s most famous roads.
Established in 1926, the road was removed from the United States Highway System in 1985 - but remains a mecca for road trip lovers worldwide.
Where does Route 66 start and end? Where is Route 66?
Route 66 starts in Chicago, Illinois, and ends in Santa Monica, California (or should that be the other way round?) - It cuts through eight American states in total.
How long do I need for my Route 66 trip?
You’ll be hard-pushed to complete the 2,500 miles in under two weeks - unless you skip many of the key attractions. And even if you have a fortnight you’ll need to cover more than 100 miles a day.
If you have time, setting aside a month would let you experience the route at a much more leisurely pace.
Researching your Route 66 trip: guidebooks
A host of guide books have been written explaining how best to explore and enjoy Route 66. These include:
- Route 66: EZ66 GUIDE For Travellers - Jerry McClanahan
- Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide – National Historic Route 66 Federation
- Lonely Planet Route 66 Road Trips (Travel Guide)
- Route 66 Traveller’s Guide and Roadside Companion – Tom Snyder
- Route 66 Adventure Handbook – Drew Knowles
Researching your Route 66 trip: apps
A number of apps have also been developed to help motorists plan and execute their journey. These show you where key attractions are, and how to stay as close as possible to the original Route 66.
Attractions along Route 66
It's a good idea to have a solid plan when it comes to attractions, and use that as the basis for your Route 66 road trip. Some of the top attractions along Route 66 include:
Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas) - A surreal collection of half-buried, graffiti’d Cadillacs.
The Painted Desert (Indian Wells, Arizona) - Experience the many colourful layers of this unique desert-scape.
Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum (Pontiac, Illinois) - See artefacts from the original 'mother road'.
Petrified Forest (Holbrook, Arizona) - Home to the world’s largest collection of petrified wood (some 225 million years old!)
How much does a Route 66 road trip cost?
A rough cost for a 14-day Route 66 road trip, based on two sharing is $4,750 (£3,550).
- Hotels - $1200
- Experiences - $350
- Car rental - $2000
- Meals - $900
- Fuel - $300
Flights
If you're a Brit looking to enjoy Route 66, you will of course need to factor in flights to and from the United States. You may also need an internal flight; for example, if you arrive in New York from the UK, you would need to reach either Los Angeles or Chicago to begin your journey.
One-way car rental
Unless you're planning to explore Route 66 with friends or relatives in the States (who have a car), your only option is to rent.
Most people rent a car from a nationwide car rental firm and take it from Chicago to Los Angeles, or vice-versa. It's less common to drive both legs (although people with their own car will obviously need to go there and back).
Road trip along Route 66: East-west, or west-east?
A key decision you'll need to make is: should you go from the east (Chicago) to the west (Los Angeles), or the other way round?
A major factor here will be cost; one direction may be cheaper than the other at certain times of year. However, which direction you choose may depend on other factors like onward travel plans etc.
It’s likely the most suitable starting point will depend on which airport you fly into.
A search revealed the following prices for car rental for June 2022 (checked March 2022):
Avis car rental, June 2022 (15 days)
Chicago to Los Angeles $1,822.38
Los Angeles to Chicago $2,558.48
Hertz car rental, June 2022 (15 days)
Chicago to Los Angeles $2200.86
Los Angeles to Chicago $2062.34
As you can see, prices vary among rental firms, so it’s worth hunting around for the best price. Indeed, you may be able to find rentals for considerably less than those detailed above.
Pay now, or later?
Some rental firms let you pay later - but they will charge extra for the privilege.
What size/type of car should you rent?
Of course, the cheaper the rental, the smaller your vehicle is likely to be. How much leg- and headroom your car has - not to mention storage space - will impact how comfortable your trip will be.
Considering you are heading out on an epic, once-in-a-lifetime road trip, it might be worth investing in a car you will enjoy driving or riding in.
Renting a convertible, for example, will add several hundred dollars to your rental costs. The same is true of an SUV - but you'll benefit from a higher riding position and lots of boot (trunk) space.
Should I rent an off road vehicle?
Around 85% of Route 66 remains paved and driveable. There are however a few sections of 'dirt' road, also known as 'alignments' - which were once part of the original route. If you plan to drive on these, you may wish to rent an off road (4WD) vehicle.
Be aware you can bypass the rougher sections of Route 66 by taking to newer Interstate highways - Which means you can enjoy the vast majority of Route 66 in a regular car.
EZ66 Guide
The well-known EZ66 Guide is worth buying if you want to plan your trip in detail, and particularly if you want to explore the 'alignment' dirt roads.
There have been modifications to Route 66 ever since it was first laid down, with some sections being repurposed or abandoned completely.
Managers' specials for car rental for Route 66
Some rental firms offer 'manager's specials'. These are often the very cheapest options but you may not find out which car you've rented until you pick it up. However, you will be told which 'group' it is in i.e how many passengers it can carry and whether it is manual or automatic (most US cars are automatic).
Extras
Rental firms offer a raft of extras, including loss damage waiver, liability insurance supplement, prepaid tank of fuel (so you don't have to fill up before returning the vehicle), and infant and booster seats.
Credit: jon_chica - stock.adobe.com
Don’t fancy driving Route 66?
There are a number of coach tours along Route 66. At around $2,500-$3,000 per person, the cost is comparable to that of a road trip.
A coach tour is arguably more relaxing since everything is organised, but it may lack some of the cinematic ‘open road’ thrills of getting behind the wheel yourself.
Food options on Route 66
Dining options may be limited outside the big population centres.
Most roadside eateries offer fast food like burgers and pizzas.
If you have strict dietary needs then you may wish to stock up on supplies to bring with you. However, when in places like Oklahoma City, you'll find plenty for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diners (among other specialist eateries), as well as all the classic meat-based meals for which America is famed.
Chat with locals to discover the best eating and entertainment spots.
Attraction opening times
There are plenty of small museums and attractions along Route 66, but many only operate on certain days or for a few hours a day.
Since many are run by one or two people, don’t be surprised if you see a 'gone on vacation' or 'be back soon' sign.
Going with the flow is all part of the Route 66 vibe.
Route 66 Passport
The Route 66 Passport is a collectible passport-style booklet with information about 39 attractions along the way.
You can get your 'passport' stamped at each venue, and take advantage of free gifts and souvenirs.
MelissaMN - stock.adobe.com
What accommodation is available along Route 66?
If you have a preference for certain hotels, be sure to book them in advance. Otherwise, aim for cancellable accommodation, in case your plans change.
Famous Route 66 Hotels include the El Rancho (Gallup) and the Monte Vista (Flagstaff).
Hotel cost guide:
- Famous hotel like El Rancho - $150 (100 GBP)
- Regular motel - $50 - $75. (35-50 GBP)
Get inspired for your Route 66 road trip
While John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath is hardly your classic ‘easy holiday novel’, reading it before your trip - or while you’re planning it - will offer an insight into the rich history behind this great road.
The book focuses on the trials of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression as they move west - many along Route 66 - in search of work.
Massive soil erosion in places like Oklahoma meant huge tracts of farmland became useless in the 1930s - garnering the area ‘The Dust Bowl’ moniker.
Classic road trip movies
Get in the mood for your Route 66 odyssey by enjoying some classic American road trip movies. Some of the most acclaimed include:
- Easy Rider (1969) - The quintessential motorbike road movie, starring Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda.
- Into the Wild (2007) - Follow Christopher McCandless on his ill-fated, one-man trip as he hitchhikes towards Alaska. It’s a tear-jerker - but may oddly give you a taste for adventure.
- National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) - Join Chevy Chase and his family as they leave a wake of chaos across the States, in this classic road trip comedy from Harold Ramis.
- Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) - Another laugh-a-minute road trip favourite. Steve Martin and John Candy play two men thrown together in a race to get home in time for Christmas.