Historic Route 66
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Chicago Arrival
Arrive at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and transfer independently to your hotel.
Day 2
Chicago
Step outside today and experience mile after magnificent mile of the Windy City. Stand on the corner of Michigan and Adams, marked as the starting point of historic Route 66. Enjoy coffee and a big breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s, a Chicago institution since 1923 and a must for Route 66 travelers. Stroll the lakefront, peruse the shops, bike the parks, grab a Chicago Dog, or explore the city’s incredible sights and architectural treasures including Willis Tower, one of the tallest buildings in North Americas.
Day 3
Chicago – St. Louis / driving distance: 300 mi / 480 km
This morning, pick up your rental car and get ready for an unforgettable journey into the then and now of America along historic Route 66. This legendary old road passes through a variety of pure Americana landscapes and takes in some of the country’s biggest, oldest and most peculiar sites along the way. Begin your journey by following the traditional east-to-west path of Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis, Missouri, cruising through endless cornfields and flat prairies. En route, don’t miss Wilmington’s most photographed “citizen”, the larger-than-life green Gemini Giant, and Atlanta’s Bunyan Giant, a 19-foot statue of Paul Bunyan holding a giant hot dog. In Springfield, stop at the Cozy Dog Drive-In, the birthplace of the corn dog, and explore the legacy of Abraham Lincoln with a visit to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Once in St. Louis, the largest city along Route 66, you can follow in the footsteps of legendary explorers by visiting the historic sites found throughout the city including the Gateway Arch, the nation’s tallest monument.
Day 4
St. Louis – Springfield / driving distance: 210 mi / 340 km
Continue through the Ozark Highlands of southern Missouri to Springfield, recognized as the birthplace of Route 66. En route, stop at Meramec Caverns, an extensive set of natural limestone caves whose formations and colors are as unique as they are beautiful. Adding to the pleasure of exploring the caves is learning that Jesse James used them as a hideout and took advantage of the underground river to escape through the “back door”.
Day 5
Springfield – Tulsa – Oklahoma City / driving distance: 310 mi / 520 km
This morning, cut through the southeastern corner of Kansas on your way to Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma section of Route 66 contains more driveable miles than any other state as well as several miles of the original 9-foot road segment that served Oklahoman families headed west in search of better opportunities during the 1930’s. En route to Oklahoma City, stop to view the beloved 20-foot tall cement Blue Whale in Catoosa, a landmark along Route 66, and the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge in Tulsa, honoring the “Father of Route 66’s” memory and connection to the historic highway. Once in Oklahoma City, the state’s capital, be sure to check out the old Route 66 motels, gas stations and numerous vintage buildings.
Day 6
Oklahoma City – Amarillo / driving distance: 260 mi / 420 km
Continue to Amarillo, located in the pancake-flat plains of the Texas Panhandle. This area of Texas was once the buffalo-rich grasslands of the Great Plains, inhabited by bands of Kiowa and Comanche Indians. Stop at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton where you can experience six decades of Route 66 history. See Shamrock’s Tower Station and the U-Drop Inn Café whose towering spire is still a reminder of the booming business it once saw. See the first restored Phillips 66 gas station in McLean, and in Groom the leaning water tower and a 150-foot tall stainless steel cross. Once in Amarillo, be sure to stop at Big Texas Steak Ranch where you can attempt their 72oz. steak challenge.
Day 7
Amarillo – Albuquerque / driving distance: 270 mi / 450 km
Before leaving Amarillo be sure to visit Cadillac Ranch. This unique display of art features a row of ten colorfully painted Cadillac cars buried grille first in the ground. Continue to the MidPoint Café in Adrian famous for its “ugly crust” pies. From Adrian you’ll follow Route 66 to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a great taste of the Land of Enchantment.
Day 8
Albuquerque – Holbrook / driving distance: 260 mi / 420 km
This morning, the state of Arizona welcomes Route 66 travelers with an overwhelming display of trading posts. View huge concrete tepees that stand at the foot of brilliant red-rock mesas en route to Petrified Forest National Park, the only park in the National Park System containing a section of Historic Route 66. Here you will come face-to-face with over 13,000 years of human history and one of the world’s largest and most colorful assemblies of petrified wood, historic structures and archeological sites. Catch a sunset over the Painted Desert from the park’s Kachina Point before heading to Holbrook. Once in Holbrook, stop at the Wigwam Motel whose steel and concrete teepees featuring modern conveniences have welcomed guests since the 1950’s.
Day 9
Holbrook – Flagstaff – Williams / driving distance: 180 mi / 290 km
Continue to Meteor City, a true vintage trading post whose distinctive dome can be seen for miles along this stretch of Route 66. Stop in Flagstaff, is a beautiful college town surrounded by large stands of Ponderosa Pine forest, and is a town surrounded by many national Monuments: Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki. From red rock canyons to soaring peaks (Mt. Humphreys is 12,635 feet/3,852 meters), take time to explore the wide open spaces or visit the 127-year old Lowell Observatory, the Home of Pluto, for stargazing before you make your way to Williams for the night.
Day 10
Williams – Grand Canyon - Williams / driving distance: 260 mi / 420 km
Today you have ample time to explore Grand Canyon National Park, a natural wonder that you simply have to see to believe. Spend the day discovering the distinct South Rim of the Canyon. Stop at one of the numerous overlooks, walk part of the Rim Trail or along the historic Hermit Road. Visit a Photo Hot Spot, or climb to the top of a stone Watchtower for panoramic views that extend over 100 miles on clear days.
Day 11
Williams – Las Vegas / driving distance: 300 mi / 480 km
Leave the town of Williams and the Grand Canyon behind as you make your way to Seligman, the first stop heading west on the longest uninterrupted stretch of Route 66. Continue through Kingman whose old Route 66 cafés and motels still flourish, to one of Arizona’s hidden treasures, Hoover Dam. Considered the largest single public works project in the history of the U.S., Hoover Dam straddles the mighty Colorado River, which forms the border between Nevada and Arizona and brings much-needed water and power to the Southwest. Continue to Las Vegas, Nevada, a city that needs no introduction.
Day 12
Las Vegas
Enjoy a full day Las Vegas style. Walk the famous Strip lined with mega-resorts and flashing neon lights, place a bet at one of the many casinos, dine at world-class restaurants, catch the latest must-see show, shop designer boutiques, ride a rollercoaster, lay by the pool … the list goes on.
Day 13
Las Vegas
More time to explore Las Vegas or take a day trip to Red Rock Canyon or Zion National Park.
Day 14
Las Vegas – Santa Monica/Los Angeles / driving distance: 290 mi / 470 km
This morning, set out through the Mojave Desert for Calico Ghost Town, Yermo, California’s authentic silver mining town and one of the few original mining camps of the Old West. Rejoin Route 66 in Barstow where a collection of historic photographs and artifacts related to Route 66 and the Mojave Desert Communities are on display at the Route 66 “Mother Road” Museum. Continue through Pasadena, Los Angeles, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills to Santa Monica for a true Hollywood ending to your cross-country journey. Park and venture the last few blocks on foot to view the “End of the Trail” sign on Santa Monica’s Pier. This sign officially marks the western end of historic Route 66.
Day 15
Los Angeles/Santa Monica
Spend the day strolling along the beaches of Santa Monica or browsing the adjacent indoor/ outdoor shops at Third Street Promenade. Or, further explore L.A.’s one-of-a-kind destinations, playgrounds of the rich and famous and architectural gems. Universal Studios Hollywood and Anaheim’s original Disneyland Park are also located within easy driving distance.
Day 16
Los Angeles Departure
Return your rental car at Los Angeles International Airport prior to your departure.
Prices, Dates, Hotels & Conditions
CHANGE CURRENCY
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The final price you will pay for this tour is that displayed in USD. Prices converted in other
currencies are for guidance purposes only and are approximate.
| DAILY DEPARTURES | PRICE FROM (STANDARD) |
PRICE FROM (UPGRADE) |
|---|---|---|
| April, May, June, July, August, September, October | 1085 | 1285 |
| NIGHT | CITY | HOTEL ACCOMMODATION STANDARD |
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Chicago | Wyndham Chicago O'Hare | Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile |
| 3 | St. Louis | Best Western St.Louis Inn | Aviator Hotel & Suites, BW Signature Collection |
| 4 | Springfield | Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven | Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven |
| 5 | Oklahoma City | Wingate by Windham Oklahoma City Aiport | Wyndham Grand Oklahoma City Downtown |
| 6 | Amarillo | La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Amarillo West Medical Center | Days Inn by Wyndham Amarillo East |
| 7 | Albuquerque | Quality Inn & Suites Albuquerque Downtown - University | Quality Inn & Suites Albuquerque Downtown - University |
| 8 | Holbrook | Travelodge by Wyndham Holbrook | Travelodge by Wyndham Holbrook |
| 9-10 | Grand Canyon / Williams | Howard Johnson by Wyndham Williams | Howard Johnson by Wyndham Williams |
| 11-13 | Las Vegas | Excalibur Hotel & Casino | Luxor Hotel & Casino |
| 14-15 | Los Angeles | Best Western Plus Meridian Inn & Suites, Anaheim-Orange | Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Gaze at Chicago’s Willis Tower, the tallest building in North America
- Take a nostalgic ride along historic Route 66
- Get a bird’s eye view of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis
- Lose yourself in the quiet beauty of Missouri’s Ozark Region
- Experience the nation’s longest drivable stretch of Route 66 in Oklahoma
- Pay a visit to Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch, a ritual site on The Mother Road
- Sample rich culture and the true Southwest in Albuquerque
- Visit Santa Fe, a UNESCO designated City of Design, Crafts and Folk Art
- Explore one of the best remnants of native Arizona grassland in Petrified Forest
- View one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon
- Pay a visit to Hoover Dam
- Enjoy 24 Hour entertainment in glittering Las Vegas
- Explore Calico Ghost Town
- See the replica of the long-lost Route 66 “End of the Trail” sign at the Santa Monica Pier
- Get closer to the stars at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, a Hollywood landmark
- Commemorative certificate of having driven Historic Route 66
Admission fees not included
