For many, Route 66 is the typical road route that every lover of the United States should take at least once in their life. And his path transports the so-called “Deep America” in one fell swoop to a moment in history when many people crossed the country to the West Coast in search of a better future.
The combination of circumstances in which the United States found itself in the first half of the 20th century, including a severe economic crisis caused by a very adverse weather phenomenon such as dust storms or the Dust Bowl, led to the construction of a route that some states in connected the interior with the West Coast, which was more productive and offered better future prospects for Americans. In this way, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California were connected. Route 66 was dedicated in November 1926, but had to wait until 1938 to be fully paved. Since then, vehicle drivers, especially trucks, transporting goods from one side of the country to the other were welcomed there. This was reason enough to provide the towns the road passed through with services such as motels or restaurants that would support them, and gave Route 66 its crowning achievement.
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The development of the country, as well as the fact that the new network of state highways was introduced in the United States in 1985, meant that Route 66 fell into disuse and was no longer an option for those looking for an efficient route. That’s when it started to make sense for tourists and curious people looking for a trip with the spirit of a return to the past. Every year, motorcyclists, professional riders and die-hard travelers travel along the sections of the original route that are still preserved today, passing through the main cities and towns that were once at the forefront of the search for nostalgia. These are our top favorite stops depending on the state, considering we still have many stops planned, most of which you can see in our full Route 66 route post
Illinois
Chicago is one of the most important places in Illinois; In addition, it is the beginning of the route. It goes without saying that the perfect plan is to arrive in the city a few days beforehand to see the main attractions. Once that’s done, on the day you start the route, it’s time to have breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s and take a photo at the Route 66 start sign.
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Route 66 sign on one of the streets of Chicago. Adrian Rodriguez
Once you start the journey you will make many stops, but undoubtedly some in the city of Joliet with the Rialto Theater or the White Fence Farm restaurant; also in Pontiac, where you can visit the Route 66 Museum (one of the coolest on the route) or a school bus converted into a house. Another important stop in the state of Illinois will be Springfield, the city of Abraham Lincoln, where there are several tributes to him worth visiting, such as a monument to his grave or what was once his home.
We said goodbye to Illinois and visited an authentic collection of vintage cars for sale as well as some typical gas stations along the route to make way for the next state.
Missouri
St. Louis is one of the most important stops in Missouri. An old bridge welcomes you, frequented by both tourists and pickpockets, so be careful. The city is a different story. You’ll want to view it from above, for example from the Gateway Arch, or from the banks of the Mississippi, which you can also drive on.
In addition to San Louis, the cities of Cuba and Lebanon also provided us with cool pictures of the trip. And we visited another Springfield (there are several cities in the USA that bear this name). One of the most important stops for road users is the Gay Parita gas station, one of the best preserved on the route.
The Gay Parita gas station on Route 66 in the state of Missouri. Adrian Rodriguez
Kansas
Only 12 miles of Route 66 runs through Kansas, but it’s enough to make you stop at the gas station in the movie “Cars on the Route.” The little ones in the house will definitely like it. The cities of Riverton and Baxter Springs will give way to the next state.
Cars on the route, the gas station from the movie “Car’s”, in the city of Galena (Kansas). Adrian Rodriguez
Oklahoma
There are several notable stops in Oklahoma. For example, it is worth taking a walk around the city of Miami and visiting the Coleman Theater or arriving in Catoosa and meeting a survivor of an old water park: a giant whale. You should also stop in Arcadia and try your luck at entering John Hargrove’s House, an ode to Route 66.
Tulsa, Stroud, Chandler, Weatherford, Clinton or Erick are other cities that you will pass through in Oklahoma and that will delight you with more picturesque settings on this mythical road trip: from a museum dedicated to airplanes to another dedicated to the aircraft pays tribute to the history of the route and even the house of a person passionate about this route, as picturesque as the route itself, which preserves memories from all eras.
Texas
A new state of the United States welcomes us and shows us another part of the deep America that shapes the journey. Texas has three important stops. The first is in Amarillo (specifically at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, a restaurant known for its eating contests). Next is the Cadillac Ranch, a collection of cars stuck in the ground where people let their creativity run wild while painting, and finally Adrian, the setting for several photos of the drivers as he is the focal point.
Cadillac Ranch, a stop on Route 66 on its way through Texas. Adrian Rodriguez
New Mexico
Tucumcari with its murals or places like the Blue Swallow Motel or Santa Rosa with the museum dedicated to the route are usually a must-stop in New Mexico.
In addition, Santa Fe is a very pleasant city to stroll around and, on the other hand, Albuquerque is a must-stop for any fan of the Breaking Bad series, as many of its outdoor locations were filmed there and are still fully recognizable. And if not, tell the real owner of Walter White’s house, who greets all her visitors with little enthusiasm.
Arizona
We reach the penultimate state through which Route 66 passes, which not only follows the general trend of the previous ones in terms of exhibitions, museums and gas stations, but is also complemented by natural environments such as the Petrified Forest National Park, giving a little contact with nature after so much asphalt.
The Petrified Forest National Park in the northern part of the state of Arizona. Adrian Rodriguez
Additionally, you can do some major excursions from Arizona: Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. If you want to extend the route, this is the right time. If not, you must continue your way through Flagstaff, Williams, Seligman and Kingman, stopping in this last town at Mr Dz, a typical restaurant with a street atmosphere.
California
We finally reach the coast of the Pacific, but there are still several stops ahead of us before we reach the Santa Monica Pier. Some of the significant ones are the following: Calico Ghost Town, a ghost town; Peggie Sue’s, a restaurant in Yermo where you can find typical items of the route, from groceries to souvenirs; Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, a small forest of glass bottles; Victoriville and of course the end of the route at the Santa Monica Pier, where you can’t miss the photo on the end of the route sign (although history says this wasn’t the original end, no one can deny that). It’s a spectacular end to the trip).
A sign at the Santa Monica Pier (California) indicates the end point of Route 66. Adrian Rodriguez
Travel tips
- Make the route clear beforehand. If you rely on a standard GPS, it is extremely easy to leave the original route and end up on the main road, which, although faster and more convenient to get to the next point, loses the charm of a so-called “mother road”. There are applications, usually paid, that mark the path to perfection, as well as the most important milestones, so that nothing is left out.
- At the typical Route 66 excursion sites you will find a type of passport that you can stamp during your visit. If you feel like filling it out, don’t hesitate to start halfway, just be clear about it from the start.
Map of the various US states that Route 66 passes through. Adrian Rodriguez
- It’s a common practice to stop your motorcycle or car in the middle of nowhere to take a photo with one of the Route 66 signs you find along the way. Be patient, everyone wants their photo and, on the other hand, you will find thousands along the way unless the sign has a peculiarity.
- It’s not surprising that some of the places you want to visit are closed when you arrive. The journey may be long and you may not arrive at your destination on time. So if you are very interested in visiting something specific, plan your schedule.
- The mere fact of renting a car in Chicago and returning it in Los Angeles incurs additional costs that can blow any vacation budget (it’s not hard to break the $600 limit just for that). However, there is no additional cost for the reverse option… So if you don’t mind driving along the legendary Route 66, which starts in Santa Monica and ends in Chicago, you will do your wallet a treat.
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