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What are the best things to see on Route 66?

Author

Sophia Bowman

Updated on March 19, 2026

What are the best things to see on Route 66?

21 Top Things to See & Do on Route 66
  1. Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas)
  2. The Painted Desert (Indian Wells, Arizona)
  3. The Milk Bottle Grocery (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
  4. St Louis and the Gateway Arch (St Louis, Missouri)
  5. Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum (Pontiac, Illinois)
  6. Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park (Foyil, Oklahoma)

In respect to this, what can you not miss on Route 66?

16 Route 66 Attractions Worth a Stop

  • Gemini Giant — Wilmington, Illinois.
  • Route History — Springfield, Illinois.
  • Gateway Arch — St.
  • Meramec Caverns — Sullivan, Missouri.
  • Blue Whale — Catoosa, Oklahoma.
  • Pops — Arcadia, Oklahoma.
  • Leaning Tower of Texas — Groom, Texas.
  • Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe — Shamrock, Texas.

Subsequently, question is, what is the best time to do Route 66? The best time to take a Route 66 road trip is from late spring to early summer and in the early fall. The weather is usually temperate and roads are open, as are most Route 66 businesses.

Also Know, is Route 66 worth seeing?

Driving Route 66 is still a great experience. Historic motels dot the entire route and serve as an authentic way to drive along Route 66. On top of that, due to how Route 66 stretches across the Southwest and Midwest, there are plenty of other major attractions not too far from Route 66.

Why is Route 66 so special?

US Highway 66, popularly known as “Route 66,” is significant as the nation's first all-weather highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles. Route 66 reduced the distance between Chicago and Los Angeles by more than 200 miles, which made Route 66 popular among thousands of motorists who drove west in subsequent decades.

How do I plan a Route 66 trip?

Chose your itinerary and plan your Route 66 road trip, either eastbound or westbound.
  1. Your Trip begins at: Choose the State where your journey begins.
  2. Define your Driving time: How many hours will you be driving every day.
  3. Your Trip ends at:
  4. Define your Driving speed:
  5. Get Road Trip Details.

How much of Route 66 still exists?

These are common questions when people are considering their road trip, and while it's certainly true that you can no longer drive Route 66 from end to end uninterrupted, a significantly large portion (approximately 85%) remains paved and drivable.

Is Route 66 the same as i40?

Completed in 1926, Route 66 winds 2,448 miles from Chicago to L.A. Through most of the Western states, Route 66 follows Interstate 40, which eventually replaced much of the Mother Road.

What major cities does Route 66 go through?

The Best Major Cities on Route 66
  • Chicago, Illinois. Since the purpose of Route 66 was to connect Chicago to Los Angeles, it would be strange if we didn't start with Chicago as our first important city to visit on Route 66.
  • Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • Amarillo, Texas.
  • Albequrque, New Mexico.
  • Flagstaff, Arizona.

Can you still drive Route 66?

Can All of Route 66 be Driven? No, you can't drive the "entire" original Route 66, but you can still drive the sections that have been preserved -which are quite a few! Route 66 was decertified on June 27, 1985 and no longer exists as a U.S. Highway.

Where does the famous Route 66 begin and end?

Historic Route 66 spans over 2,400 miles and crosses 8 states, starting in Chicago, Illinois and terminating at the Pacific Coast in Santa Monica, California.

How much does it cost to drive Route 66?

So how much does Route 66 cost? – It can, of course, vary but a good minimum to budget (excluding flights and car hire) is around $150 a day.

What is the best stretch of Route 66?

Route 66 crosses eight states and three time zones. Some of its best-preserved sections include the stretch between Springfield, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma; the road west of Seligman, Arizona; and the Oatman Highway through the Black Hills of Arizona.

Where can I drive on Route 66?

  • Chicago River.
  • Springfield State Capitol Building.
  • Devil's Elbow Bridge on the original Route 66.
  • Oklahoma State Capitol Building.
  • A ranch in Amarillo.
  • Cadillac Ranch.
  • Adrian: the mid-way point on Route 66.
  • Santa Fe.

What is the best part of Route 66 to drive?

10 places you need to see when driving Route 66
  • London Bridge. Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
  • Seligman. Seligman, Ariz.
  • Grand Canyon. South Rim Visitor Center: 36°03'32"N 112°06'33"W.
  • Wigwam Village. 811 West Hopi Drive, Holbrook, Ariz.
  • The Petrified Forest.
  • Sky City.
  • Cadillac Ranch.
  • Chain of Rocks Bridge.

Is Route 66 A good road trip?

The California section of Route 66 will give you a proper taste of the Golden State's diverse scenery, from tiny desert ghost towns to the urban sprawl of Los Angeles. This stretch is also packed with iconic roadside attractions.

Why was Route 66 closed?

Unfortunately for Route 66 and the people who depended on it, the Federal Interstate Act meant that parts of the Mother Road had to be upgraded, replaced, or bypassed entirely. By the 1970s, the original route had been almost entirely chopped up; on June 27, 1985, the all-American roadway was decommissioned.

Can you do Route 66 2 weeks?

Two weeks is a quick trip on Route 66, we would usually suggest three weeks, so you are going to have to make a few choices, and in that there is I'm afraid no substitute for homework to get the trip to your own taste.

Can you do Route 66 in a week?

So to those asking "Can you do Route 66 in a week?, the answer is yes! you can and have a lot of fun doing it. Having said this, you should consider at least extending the ride to two weeks.

Does Route 66 go through Sedona Arizona?

Northern Arizona presents some lovely sceneryfrom the Red Rocks of Sedona to the longest section of preserved historic Route 66 - the Mother Road - in the country. Route 66 ran from Chicago to Los Angeles and there are many other portions still remaining in a number of western states.

Does Route 66 run through Colorado?

Although a number of western states retain their "state highway 66" as the decommissioned US 66, the "Mother Road" did not run through Colorado, and SH 66 has no connection to the famed Historic Route 66.

Colorado State Highway 66.

State Highway 66
East endUS 85 in Platteville
Location
CountiesBoulder, Weld
Highway system