- #610026
- Duration: 15days
- Available: 26/06/15 - 26/10/15
- Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL
Overview and Highlights
One Highway. Eight States. Thousands of Stories. Experience America’s Greatest Road Trip — Route 66.
What an incredible adventure! Traveling Route 66 is a bucket-list experience, an authentic American adventure along the “Mother Road”! Participants can choose to ride iconic American heavyweight motorcycles or drive RVs (or even a cool convertible). This ~2,400–2,500-mile journey from Chicago to Santa Monica blends historic towns, national parks, rich culture, classic diners, and stunning landscapes.
Drives are paced for enjoyment with stops, but expect 4–8+ hours of driving per day depending on route choices, traffic, and exploration.
● Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA, Total 2,520 Miles of legendary highway.
● The Best of Both Worlds: Meticulously planned route segments that offer easy driving paths for large RVs and thrilling, scenic curves for motorcycle riders.
● Beyond the Highway: We swap the boring interstate for original Route 66 pavement, guiding you to hidden gems like Palo Duro Canyon, Santa Fe art communities, and the Mojave Desert.
● Iconic Pitstops & Photo-Ops: From the spray-paint magic of Cadillac Ranch to the neon-drenched nights of Tucumcari and the grand finish at Santa Monica Pier.
● Day-by-Day Mileage Tracking: No guessing games. Plan exactly how far you’ll travel each day so you can pace your fuel stops, rest breaks, and sightseeing.
This itinerary allows you to choose between Los Angeles or Chicago as the departure point, but the main itinerary content remains the same.
Itinerary
Estimated Driving Distance: 110–125 miles (2–3 hours), with ~82 miles on prime Route 66.
Enjoy historic stretches through Seligman and other towns. Kingman offers Route 66 museums, mining history, and desert scenery. Overnight in Kingman.
Highlights & Activities
● Seligman — inspiration for Route 66 preservation movement
● Hackberry General Store
● Route 66 memorabilia
Estimated Driving Distance: 200–220 miles (3–4 hours via I-55/Route 66 alignments).
Head southwest through Illinois farmlands and classic stops (Pontiac, Joliet prison, Gemini Giant). In Springfield, visit the Lincoln Tomb, New Salem State Historic Site, and Cozy Dog Drive-In. Relax and absorb early Route 66 vibes. Overnight in Springfield, IL.
Highlights & Activities
● Joliet — home of Route 66 history and classic roadside attractions
● Pontiac — famous for its Route 66 murals and Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum
● Bloomington-Normal — historic Route 66 communities
Estimated Driving Distance: 340–360 miles (6–8+ hours with stops; Springfield IL to St. Louis ~95–100 miles + St. Louis to Springfield MO ~240–250 miles).
Cross the Mississippi and visit St. Louis’ Gateway Arch (panoramic views), Chain of Rocks Bridge, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. Continue to Route 66 State Park near Eureka for exhibits. Arrive in Springfield, MO (Ozarks gateway) for the night. Great for BBQ and live music, also known as the birthplace of the modern Route 66 designation.
Highlights & Activities
● Route 66 State Park
● Meramec Caverns
● Historic Route 66 roadside landmarks
Estimated Driving Distance: 220–250 miles (4–6 hours).
Traverse Missouri’s Route 66 (Joplin stop for Bonnie & Clyde history) and a brief Kansas segment into Oklahoma’s heartland. Tulsa, once the “Oil Capital,” offers the Philbrook and Gilcrease Museums, Woody Guthrie Center, and vibrant Brady Arts District. Overnight in Tulsa.
Highlights & Activities
● Joplin — a historic mining town with Route 66 character
● Blue Whale of Catoosa — one of Route 66’s most famous roadside attractions
Estimated Driving Distance: 110–120 miles (2–3 hours).
A shorter, scenic day along preserved Route 66 with vintage motels, diners, and landmarks. Explore Oklahoma City’s Stockyards City (livestock market), Bricktown entertainment district, Western history, and Native American culture. Overnight in OKC.
Highlights & Activities
● Historic Route 66 towns
● Arcadia Round Barn
● Pops 66 Soda Ranch (famous giant soda bottle landmark)
Estimated Driving Distance: 110–120 miles (2–3 hours) + local exploration.
Leisurely drive through small towns. Stops include El Reno (fried onion burgers), Weatherford (Lucille’s Roadhouse), and museums in Clinton and Elk City. Tour Norman if time allows. Elk City highlights early 20th-century architecture. Overnight in Elk City.
Highlights & Activities
● El Reno — birthplace of the famous Oklahoma onion burger
● Weatherford — Lucille’s Roadhouse
● Clinton — Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
● Elk City — National Route 66 Museum
Estimated Driving Distance: 145–150 miles (2.5–3.5 hours).
Enter the Texas Panhandle. Explore Palo Duro Canyon State Park (hiking, history of Native peoples), Cadillac Ranch, American Quarter Horse Heritage Center, and Amarillo’s Route 66 Historic District. Overnight in Amarillo.
Highlights & Activities
● Texas Route 66 landmarks
● Shamrock — historic U-Drop Inn
● McLean Route 66 Museum
● Cadillac Ranch
Estimated Driving Distance: 110–130 miles (2–3 hours).
Cross into the Southwest. Tucumcari is a Route 66 gem with murals, neon signs, the convention center photo op, and nearby state parks (Ute Lake, Conchas) for hiking/boating/fishing. Overnight in Tucumcari.
Highlights & Activities
● Route 66 murals
● Historic neon signs
● Classic motels
● Route 66 Museum
Estimated Driving Distance: 170–200+ miles (3–5 hours direct; more with Santa Fe detour).
Scenic drive through Santa Fe National Forest to Santa Fe (art galleries, Pueblo culture, Native American heritage). Continue to Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city. Explore Old Town, museums, and ballooning vibes. Overnight in Albuquerque.
Highlights & Activities
● Historic Plaza
● Canyon Road art district
● Adobe architecture
● Native American cultural sites
Estimated Driving Distance: 320–350 miles (5–7 hours) from Albuquerque, with Gallup stop.
Stop in Gallup (Native American country). Arrive in Williams for Grand Canyon National Park exploration (driving, guided tours, or Grand Canyon Railway). Two days allow deeper canyon time, hiking, and village visits. Overnight in Williams.
Highlights & Activities
● Gallup — gateway to Native American culture
● Petrified Forest National Park (optional detour)
● Historic Winslow, Arizona (“Take It Easy” Eagles landmark)
● South Rim viewpoints
Estimated Driving Distance: 110–125 miles (2–3 hours), with ~82 miles on prime Route 66.
Enjoy historic stretches through Seligman and other towns. Kingman offers Route 66 museums, mining history, and desert scenery. Overnight in Kingman.
Highlights & Activities
● Seligman — inspiration for Route 66 preservation movement
● Hackberry General Store
● Route 66 memorabilia
Estimated Driving Distance: 100–110 miles (2 hours) from Kingman.
Short hop to the entertainment capital. Stroll the Strip, catch shows (e.g., Cirque du Soleil), visit Fremont Street Experience, and enjoy nightlife. Two days for casinos, shows, and optional Hoover Dam side trip. Overnight in Las Vegas.
Highlights & Activities
● Hoover Dam
● Lake Mead
● Las Vegas Strip
● Fremont Street Experience
● Bellagio fountains
● World-class shows
Estimated Driving Distance: 270–300+ miles (5–7+ hours) via Mojave National Preserve.
Traverse dramatic desert landscapes (singing dunes, Joshua trees, historic sites). Arrive at Santa Monica Pier—the official Route 66 terminus. Celebrate with ocean views, pier attractions, and a group toast. Guide assists with vehicle drop-off and transfers to airport/hotel.
Highlights & Activities
● Mojave National Preserve
● Kelso Dunes
● Joshua tree forests
Pacing & Flexibility: This itinerary is designed to be relatively relaxed, allowing time for independent exploration. Motorcyclists may prefer shorter daily riding distances, while those driving RVs should book campsites well in advance. Some travel days are longer (e.g., Days 3, 9, and 15); these can be adjusted by departing earlier or taking shortcuts.
Highlights Across Modes: Travelers can choose from various self-drive options—such as RVs, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, or classic convertibles—all offering scenic views along the route. Motorcycles offer greater agility for navigating niche attractions, whereas RVs excel in comfort and the camping experience.
Enhancements: Travelers can opt for side trips (such as to Petrified Forest National Park or other national parks), visit iconic American eateries (like the Big Texan Steak Ranch), or schedule stops for photography. The overall schedule allows ample time to experience local culture, cuisine (such as chili, barbecue, and green chile dishes), and historical heritage.
Practicalities: In the event of adverse weather conditions (such as desert heat and potential storms), the tour guide may adjust the itinerary as needed.
PRICE
Final pricing and service content are subject to change based on factors such as season, group size, and your preferred level of food and lodging.
For a specific quote, please reach out to our team.
Good to Know Before You Go
● This is a private, fully independent tour, featuring a dedicated guide and vehicle throughout your journey. Unless otherwise specified for certain activities that require a minimum number of participants, all arrangements can be made for groups starting from just one traveler.
● If you’d prefer to join a shared group for cost-sharing or other reasons, please get in touch with our customer service team in advance to explore available options.
● Activity schedules and availability listed on our website may not always reflect real-time updates and are subject to change without notice.
● Before booking, please confirm the final price and itinerary details with our customer service team to ensure accuracy prior to payment.
● EasyTour can only process formally confirmed reservations. Any unconfirmed bookings will be refunded in full to your original payment method after review by our finance department.
● EasyTour provides fully customized travel solutions, including transportation, accommodation, registration support, and more.
● Want to adjust your itinerary, change travel dates, or add personal arrangements? Just contact our customer service team—we’re here to help tailor your experience.
