After several self-drive trips along America’s Route 66, I found these 15 fun stops!

A Little History Before the Fun Begins

During the 19th century economic woes, Route 66 was built, providing much-needed jobs. The road was an economical freight route after it was completed. This also initiated a roadside economy of curiosities, including alligator tourist traps, Native American souvenir shops, teepee motels, and other attractions to draw truck drivers. Entrepreneurs recognized the road as a business opportunity. Red's Giant Hamburg in Missouri was the first fast-food restaurant and first drive-thru where customers could buy hamburgers from their cars. This was also the time period in which McDonald's opened in San Bernardino, CA. Route 66 was one of the main roads leading west in the country. Later, some sections of the road were made faster and wider and other sections were completely closed. Because of this, driving Route 66 is not the same as driving the original road. Typically, the route is modern I-55, I-44, and I-40. These highways have the most visible remnants of Route 66, including roadside signs and landmarks. Driving the route gives a sense of the history and the random quirks and attractions that shaped American history and culture. Some historical material was adapted from the blog Traveler Fenglei. With thanks.

The former Route 66, now reduced in places to a country lane.

A collection of Route 66 signs and markers.

2. How Route 66 Crosses Eight States

1. Route Map Across Eight States

Starting from Chicago, Route 66 crosses eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. It spans three time zones and is over 2,400 miles (nearly 4,000 kilometers) long.

Each stretch has its own character.

2. Eight States, Eight Distinct Landscapes

Illinois: Chicago is both the beginning of this journey, and the recognized start of Route 66. On Adams Street in downtown Chicago, a brown sign that reads “Historic Route 66, Illinois, US” is placed. This sign marks the official start of the route, placed there by the Route 66 association.

The sign contrasts greatly to the city's urban sprawl.

Missouri: Go under the perfect curve of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and cross the Mississippi River. What an appropriately dramatic way to start the second leg of the Route 66 journey.

Going past the ‘steel giant’

Kansas: Route 66 only grazes three towns in the southeast corner of the state. It’s a mere 20 km stretch, but this is where travelers can look for the real-life inspiration behind the character of Mater from Cars.

The inspiration for Mater in Cars

Oklahoma: With its large native American population and tribal communities, Oklahoma also offers the cowboy image in its working, everyday form. At livestock pens, travelers might see real cowboys doing ranch work, instead of the fantasy of the West.

Texas: Driving enthusiasts on Route 66, due to the higher speed limits in the state, also get to see Cadillac Ranch, famous as roadside art.

USA Route 66 motel in Texas

New Mexico: Albuquerque is very old and has strong influences from Native Americans. The historic district, along with many small shops selling souvenirs, hand-crafted in the style of the region, is worth visiting.

An odd sign directs people to an automobile museum

Arizona: The Grand Canyon, located in the northwestern plateau country of the state, is a well-known natural wonder and world favorite. To see the sunrise and sunset, it is recommended to stay overnight.

Driving through Monument Valley

California: After the deserts, grasslands and high plateaus, California feels like a great ending. The nice ending to the journey is the sunny coast, nice hotels, and lots of food.

A rest stop between Barstow and Victorville

3. How to Plan the Time and Route?

Depending on how you want to drive, you can spend 2-3 days on just 1 section, rush through the entire route in 8-9 days, or take 10-15 days to travel it at a more enjoyable pace. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to drive.

The journey spans three time zones. While the eastern part might experience harsh winters, summer weather in the Midwest can reach over 40°C, resulting in an inconvenient trip.

1. A Two-Day Journey Across Arizona, The Most Photogenic Part Of Route 66

Arizona is one of the most popular states for visitors to Route 66 due to its well-preserved historic road, vivid roadside culture and ease of access. Driving is not needed as group tours are available to visit the main attractions of this section. It is common for photographers, especially of the natural landscapes, to spend 2-3 days in this area.

Fully booked upgraded 2-Day Tour of the Western United States National Parks Highlights (14 people + Starlink Internet on board + business class NAPPA seats + access to all three rims of the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks)

Enjoy Antelope Canyon without the crowds at the ideal time / hotel pickup and drop-off in Las Vegas / stay overnight in Arizona / comfortable journey without detours).

2. Self-Drive Chicago to Los Angeles Itinerary: 13 to 16 Days (Fully Customized)

The itinerary below is a suggestion.

Day 1 Arrive Chicago
Accommodation: Freehand Chicago. Recommended restaurant: Girl & The Goat.
Day 2 Full day in Chicago
Day 3 Chicago to St. Louis (I-55 South, 478 km, about 4 hours)
Day 4 St.

Louis to the Old Riverton Store in Kansas, then to Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (I-44, about 800 km, about 7 hours)

D5 Route from Oklahoma City to Amarillo, Texas, Cadillac Ranch, to Santa Fe (I-40 W, total distance about 854 km, about 7 hours 40 minutes)

Hotel suggestion: Hotel Costa Inn. Restaurant suggestion: Cafe Pasqual’s.

D6 Trip Santa Fe to Albuquerque (I-25 S, 100 km, about 1 hour)

D7 From Albuquerque to the Petrified Forest, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, and Williams (I-40 W, 657 km, about 6 hours)

D8 From Williams to Kingman and then to Las Vegas

D9 Full day to explore Las Vegas

D10 Route from Las Vegas to Santa Monica Beach and San Diego (I-15 S, 664 km, about 4 hours 30 mins; I-405 S and I-5 S, 216 km, 1 hour 46 mins)

Hotel suggestion: Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Dining suggestion: The Lobster

D11 From San Diego to Los Angeles (I-5 N, 200 km, 1 hour 39 mins)

Hotel suggestion: Hilton Los Angeles Airport. Restaurant suggestions: Orsa & Winston; Moonshadows Malibu

D12 Full day exploring Los Angeles

D13 Los Angeles: return the rental car at the airport

4. Now we can start driving and finding the fun.

1. Illinois: Check In at the Starting Point of Route 66 in Chicago.

Route 66 pilgrims should make time for several Chicago-area stops: the Route 66 Start Sign; Pontiac, a landmark Route 66 town; Route 66 murals; the Hall of Fame; the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum; and the Museum of Gilding Arts.

Route 66 Start Sign

Route 66 mural

Automobile museum

Tips:

Make it a point to check the schedule and maybe catch a game in Chicago, even if basketball isn't the main reason for the trip. The Bulls are past their prime, but the vibe in the arena is still a must-do in Chicago. The Bulls' arena also has the Michael Jordan statue, a hotspot for fans to take pictures. This site is a pilgrimage for fans of both the Bulls and Jordan. 2. Illinois: Rise Above Chicago in a 102-Story Tower At the Willis Tower in Chicago, the names Windy City, Chicago, and Chi-Town are painted on the wall. There is an elevator that tells you what floor it is on. You can see the entire Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan from the 103rd floor. Don't skip the glass ledges. The west side of the building has 4 balconies that extend 1.2 meters. Standing on one of the glass floors is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the street below you. You will see people standing, crouching, and lying on the glass trying to take advantage of the suspended-in-midair feel. You will get a feel for the size of Chicago in the daytime. The city looks dark and beautiful at nighttime. To see the transition from day to night, it is best to arrive at the observation deck 30 to 45 minutes before sunset.

The highly exciting tilted glass observation deck

3. Illinois: The Green Giant of Wilmington

Leaving Chicago via I-55 S, take Exit 241 and follow Highway 44 to Wilmington. It’s really a tiny little town, containing just a gas station and a store, but it does have a gigantic roadside attraction: The Gemini Giant, a giant figure holding a rocket.

I-55 exit
The Gemini Giant

4. Illinois: Braidwood’s Restaurant of “Stars”

It’s an eight-minute drive southwest on Illinois Route 55 to Braidwood. Its Polk-A-Dot Drive In is famous for the life-sized statues of celebrities that stand outside. It’s delightfully kitsch—and just the sort of place to stop that Route 66 does best.

5. Kansas: Galena and the Spirit of Cars

Galena is marketed as the inspiration for the car characters in the movie Cars. Here, the real-life references to Mater and Doc Hudson, along with the judge and former racing champion, and Red the fire engine can be found.

6. Oklahoma: The Unforgettable Elderly Couple

The streets of Erick are wide and sparsely populated. The town’s main tourist attraction, the Sandhills Curiosity Shop, which sells unusual and quirky souvenirs, is run by an enthusiastic couple who used to sing Oklahoma country. They’re known to sing for visitors, which makes for a wonderfully quirky Route 66 experience.

A photo-loving elderly couple

7. Texas: The Midpoint of Route 66

Adrian, a small town near the Texas border, features a “Midpoint” sign along the roadside. The distance remaining to Los Angeles is just under 565 miles. This puts your travel history at 1,130 miles.\ The Midpoint Cafe is at the midpoint of your journey. They serve basic American fast-food style food. They close for the winter, but they prepare nice gifts during the last day of winter for customers. Friends are said to drive 5 hours to visit the winter closing.\

8. Texas: The Automotive Graffiti Ranch

Just west of Amarillo on Route 66 is a slanted row of graffiti-painted Cadillacs. 10 old, scrapped, and half-buried cars create a sculpture that was created in the 1970’s by the artist Ant Farm. The piece is a tribute to American Car Culture.

Visitors enjoy striking a pose

And a dramatic shot taken by a photographer

9. New Mexico: In Early October, Fly With Over 700 Balloons

From the first Saturday of October until the second Sunday of October, Albuquerque hosts its International Balloon Fiesta. People from all over the world came to launch massive balloons of all shapes and sizes. If your Route 66 trip coincides with the event, you should take the opportunity to get a ride into this beautifully colored world.

Official website: The dawn patrol

A varied activity schedule

During the event, large numbers of balloons lift off from the park at 6 a.m. each morning. Other activities include performances, music carnivals, photography competitions, laser light displays, and fireworks.

The program for the first days of the event will feature the usual round balloons, while on the other days, there will be gatherings with balloons of specific shapes. The event draws a number of enthusiasts, as well as professional pilots, and the variety of strange balloon shapes has made hot air ballooning a popular topic in the media. For the entire program, visit the official website. Tips: If you want to avoid long lines, plan to arrive between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. There are two lines to buy tickets: one for cash payments and one for credit cards. Ticket prices are $10 for a half-day visit. If you enter the park in the morning, you can stay all day. If you want to be in the park all day, go in the morning and leave for lunch, as food is available in the park, and there are few seating areas. Definitely try to get a ride in a hot air balloon. The best way to get a ride in a hot air balloon is to use the services of Rainbowryders. This is the only company authorized to take off from the Balloon Fiesta Park, while the other rides take off from outside the park. Booking site: Rainbowryders.com Tips: You can make your reservation 1-2 months in advance. The first option (Basic Package) is the “Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Ride,” where about 10 people will share one balloon. After you book, you will receive an email with registration instructions. Make sure to register all members of your group. For your group to ride together in the same balloon, please make one reservation for the entire group. Arrivals: If you are assigned to different balloons, you have to check in separately and request at the service desk to change. If there is availability, it may be possible. Selecting Your Accommodation

RV camps are a well-liked option, though availability sells out quickly. RV bookings can be made at the official site: *.

Another choice is hotels located close to the park. Given the scale of a global event, bookings should be made at least 3-4 months in advance for a stay in the range of event capacity. Central Albuquerque hotels tend to be a good deal.

Staying with locals can also be an interesting option.

**Transportation The simplest option is to rent a vehicle as there is limited public transportation and not a lot of walking occurs. Be there an hour early if you have booked a balloon ride. The lots may be full and you may want to park a little further away. Remember where you parked as it is easy to lose track. Dining Local cuisine includes tacos, fajitas, and sauces with rice dishes that are characteristically different. Other Destinations In Albuquerque, you may want to see Old Town and Petroglyph National Monument, Sandia Peak Tramway. For a richer Mexican culture experience, you can visit Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico. ARIZONA—A STATE OF DESERT AND CANYON As you drive along your journey through Arizona, you will see a lot of national parks. The Painted Desert at Petrified Forest National Park has some of the most beautiful views, lifeless for miles with rolling hills as far as the eye can see. The desert is all but empty and alive with a history of an ancient world. An abandoned car in the desert Red rock. Magnificent.

Arizona: The American Western Film Set

In Flagstaff, the sky is almost always clear of clouds, making for nearly 300 sunny days a year. The clouds can dry will look quite interesting. This area has a history with western movies and can be compared to a movie backlot.

Arizona: A Williams with History but also Life.

Old style vintage cars are located all over the town of Williams. The town also serves as the southern terminus for the Grand Canyon Railway which leads to a lot of visitors traveling to the canyon. Old cars parked here permanently along New cars that will only be temporarily stopped here

Arizona: The Greatest Intensity of Route 66 Culture

The portion of Route 66 that runs through Seligman is one of the most well preserved. It has been recreated to look like the “quintessential American roadside.” There are old vehicles and Harley Davidson motorcycles intentionally placed to look disorganized. Route 66 road signs are also placed everywhere.

California: Bottle Man of Oro Grande

In Oro Grande, a mythical entity known as the “Bottle Man” built a kingdom out of discarded glass bottles. The roadside entrance can’t be missed. There is a giant wheel, an iron bull, and a tree-shaped iron frame with a trident and covered in glass bottles. The 15th Pleasure: A Detour to Las Vegas. These are the pleasures located on the famous Route 66, but one important temptation should not be missed. A detour into Nevada will get you to Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the desert. Try to stay on the Las Vegas Strip. The concentration of the city’s energy is along this street with all the famous hotels and shops. There’s more than enough racing, shooting, shows, a Ferris wheel, extravagant buffets, and a neon night view to keep you entertained for days.

Alter Your American Road Trip

Too many views and too little time to plan? If your departure date is approaching and the research is still incomplete, a customized self-drive trip will save you time and stress while still allowing you to enjoy the best views along your route. Crossing America: 16-Day Route 66 Self-Drive Journey, the Mother Road on Wheels (cross eight American states in one trip + step into a real-life Western world + experience the eye-catching Balloon Fiesta + photograph the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon + explore the Route 66 terminus at Santa Monica) Travel through the Western world / classic twin cities of the American West / America’s Mother Road / a paradise for photography enthusiasts

A Customized Road Book Printed With Your Name

A personalized trip comes with a road book where the traveler’s name is printed. The itinerary made available is centered around a singular journey. It offers clear and easy to follow instructions and guidance and will become a unique keepsake when the trip is over.

2. Anytime Anywhere Travel Concierge

Trips that are personalized will include a concierge service. The support team in the US and China are able to provide support across time zones through WeChat as they are available to assist during the trip if there are any questions or emergencies that arise.

Conclusion

Route 66 is much more than just a self drive route that takes you through a variety of different cities and landscapes including deserts and grasslands as well as canyons and other wilderness areas. It is also a showcase of North American automobile culture including bright, colorful gas stations, artistic sculptures, unique diners with unforgettable people, motels with their own character and shops. Each journey is different and offers new experiences to be discovered, and that is what keeps people coming back.