Route 66

Chicago, Illinois

Begin your journey with two nights in the cosmopolitan city of Chicago, the starting point of Route 66. Enjoy the striking architecture whilst strolling through the stunning downtown, explore historic neighbourhoods or take a cruise down the riverfront. Indulge in the dynamic dining scene, visit the first-class museums and shop until you drop at Magnificent Mile.

Springfield, Illinois

Pick up your motorhome and start your epic road trip across the country along the historic Route 66. Today’s drive will head south and take roughly three and a half hours to the pretty city of Springfield, famed for being the former residence of Abraham Lincoln. Catch a taste of classic Americano as you pass by retro roadside diners and quaint 1930’s gas stations.

St Louis, Missouri

Departing Springfield, today’s two hour drive continues south through endless cornfields, rolling farmlands and flat prairies. Visit the exquisitely elegant Gateway Arch rising from the banks of the Mississippi and considered to be the entry gate to the mythical Midwest. If time permits be sure to catch a baseball game at the Cardinal’s Busch Stadium.

Springfield, Missouri

Continue on through the state of Missouri to Springfield, recognised as the birthplace of Route 66. Today’s drive is less than four hours and we recommend a stop en route at the Meramec Caverns, an extensive and stunning set of huge limestone caves offering unique and colourful formations. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Ozark Mountains during your journey.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Today you will drive west for approximately five hours before entering the American South. En route stop at the beloved 20 foot tall Blue Whale of Catoosa. Or break up the journey with a visit to the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, housed in a beautiful Italian-style villa surrounded by idyllic gardens and home to a vast art collection. Continue onto Oklahoma City and spot an array of Route 66 nostalgia including motels, gas stations and several vintage buildings.

Amarillo, Texas

Located on a charming canal, chic Bricktown is a great stop for a filling breakfast this morning before today’s four and a half hour journey into Texas. With plenty of wonderful stops en route including the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, where you can enjoy antique cars, historical artefacts and even a replica drive-in theatre. A visit to the unique Cadillac Ranch where colourfully decorated Cadillac cars are buried in the ground is another one to check off your Route 66 bucket list. End your day with a stay in the quintessentially Texan town of Amarillo.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Continue to the MidPoint Café in Adrian and try one the famed ‘ugly crust’ pies or stop at the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa. Spend your days exploring downtown Albuquerque, home to plenty of Route 66 landmarks and enjoy a taste of New Mexico’s Spanish colonial past. There is also time to detour to Santa Fe which was originally a stop on Route 66.

Holbrook, Arizona

One of the most scenic portions of the route, don’t miss a drive through the Petrified Forest National Park with an endearing landscape of 250 million year-old wood transformed into coloured rocks. Plus the mesmerising Painted Desert is also worth a detour before enjoying a night in the old frontier town of Holbrook.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Today’s drive passes the astonishing meteor crater near Winslow before arriving at the wondrous Grand Canyon for your two night stay. Take a helicopter ride, hike down into the picturesque valley or catch the sunset amongst one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.

Barstow, California

Cross into California on this less than six hour journey, one of the longest stretches on the trip, passing the Mojave National Preserve and its pretty Joshua Trees. Visit nearby Calico, an old silver mining ghost town, stop by the Route 66 Mother Road Museum or take a detour for a few nights to enjoy the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Santa Monica, California

Your last stretch of the epic Route 66 takes just over two hours and ends in laid-back Santa Monica, the last official stop on this cross-country adventure. Located west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica is the perfect spot to spend a few days relaxing after your epic road trip. Visit the Santa Monica Pier, unwind on the beautiful beaches or head to the pretty canals of Venice Beach. Enjoy a bike tour of Beverly Hills, wander the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame or take a snap at the Hollywood Sign during your time in La La Land.

On day 14 on arrival into Santa Monica, drop off your motorhome, check into your hotel and enjoy the last three nights in the USA in style.

Depart Los Angeles