Neon diners, deserts & Americana
Route 66
The Mother Road across America
Distance
~3,940 km (Chicago → Santa Monica)
Duration
2–3 weeks
Best season
May–Jun & Sep–Oct
Difficulty
Easy · very long distances
America's most storied highway, running from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier across eight states. Route 66 is a rolling museum of mid-century Americana — neon motels, chrome diners, ghost towns and wide desert horizons — stitched together by the brown "Historic Route 66" signs that trace the old alignment.
Along the wayStops
Chicago
The "Begin Route 66" sign on Adams Street marks the eastern start of the Mother Road.
St. Louis
The Gateway Arch rises over the Mississippi as the route crosses into the West.
Amarillo
Cadillac Ranch — ten graffiti-covered cars half-buried nose-down in a Texas field.
Santa Fe & Albuquerque
Adobe towns, red chile and a loop of the oldest original alignment through New Mexico.
Seligman
The sleepy Arizona town where the campaign to save Historic Route 66 was born.
Santa Monica Pier
The "End of the Trail" sign over the Pacific — journey's end in California.
Good to know
- Much of the original road is decommissioned — follow the brown "Historic Route 66" signs and a dedicated app or guidebook.
- Long empty desert stretches lie between towns in Arizona and New Mexico; fill the tank and carry water.
- Allow detours for the Grand Canyon and the Petrified Forest, both a short hop off the route.
Getting the car
Fly into Chicago and rent a car with a one-way drop-off in Los Angeles. An International Driving Permit alongside your home license is recommended for foreign visitors.
Next route
Pacific Coast Highway