Week-Long Trips
The Ultimate Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary
Meili Wyss • Last updated: April 2, 2026 • 9 min read
The Most Iconic Stops from Chicago to Santa Monica
A Route 66 road trip itinerary is not about following a single continuous road. Much of Route 66 no longer exists in one piece, and trying to trace it exactly often means missing the best stops. The experience comes from the contrast between structured towns, preserved landmarks, and more remote stretches. This Route 66 road trip itinerary shows you where to stop, how long it takes, and how to plan your route without turning it into a checklist. For a deeper breakdown of timing and trade-offs, see this Route 66 road trip planning guide. Traveling by RV gives you the flexibility to adjust your pace.
Route
Chicago ➝ Pontiac ➝ Tulsa ➝ Amarillo ➝ Tucumcari ➝ Albuquerque ➝ Holbrook ➝ Kingman ➝ Amboy ➝ Santa Monica
Distance
~2,400 miles
Trip Duration
2–3 weeks
Best For
First-time Route 66 road trip travelers
Best Time
April to June / September to October
Trip Style
Iconic stops + flexible pacing
Chicago → Pontiac · 100–110 miles · 1.5–2 hours drive
Stop 1: Illinois
Where does Route 66 start in Illinois?
Route 66 starts in downtown Chicago, and it’s the most practical and clearly defined place to begin your road trip. For most Route 66 road trip itineraries, this is the default starting point and the most straightforward place to begin planning your route.
As you leave the city, the drive quickly shifts into smaller towns and quieter roads. This is one of the most structured parts of a Route 66 road trip, with stops close together and minimal gaps between them. Early on, driving Route 66 here feels easy to follow, with frequent landmarks that make it simple to get into the rhythm of the trip.
Best for
- First-time Route 66 road trip planners: A clear starting point that makes building an itinerary easier
- Travelers who prefer frequent stops: Short distances between towns reduce long driving stretches
- Those interested in Route 66 history: A high concentration of preserved landmarks early in the route
Things to do
- Chicago Route 66 Begin Sign: The official starting point for a Route 66 road trip itinerary
- Pontiac (Murals & Route 66 Museum): One of the more engaging towns, with multiple stops grouped together
- Polk-a-Dot Drive-In (Braidwood): A classic diner stop with a more local, less curated feel
- Standard Oil Gas Station (Odell): Small and easy to visit, better as a quick stop than a detour
Recommended stay: Half a day to 1 day is enough to cover the key stops without slowing down your overall Route 66 road trip itinerary.
St. Louis → Galena · ~300 miles · 4.5–5 hours drive
Stop 1.5: Missouri & Kansas
Can you skip parts of Route 66 in Missouri and Kansas?
Yes, many travelers skip parts of Missouri and Kansas because this stretch works better as a selective transition than a continuous route. For most Route 66 road trip itineraries, this stretch is treated as a transition rather than a core highlight, with stops more spread out and less connected.
Compared to Illinois, driving Route 66 here involves longer gaps between stops and fewer clusters of attractions. Most travelers focus on a few key places instead of following every mile, especially if they are prioritizing the more iconic parts of the route.
Best for
- Selective planners: Ideal if you prefer choosing a few meaningful stops instead of following every mile
- Faster itineraries: Easy to move through quickly while still seeing a handful of highlights
- Urban + classic mix seekers: A blend of city landmarks and traditional Route 66 stops
Things to do
- Gateway Arch (St. Louis): A major landmark that marks the shift from structured Route 66 stops into a more urban, transitional stretch
- Chain of Rocks Bridge: One of the few distinctive Route 66 features in this section, worth a short stop rather than a detour
- Galena (Kansas): A quick, character-filled stop that gives a glimpse of classic Route 66 without adding much time
Recommended stay: Half a day to 1 day is usually enough if you focus on a few key stops.
This section marks the transition out of the route’s most structured stretch, where stops become more selective and driving Route 66 feels less continuous.
Tulsa → El Reno · ~130 miles · 2–2.5 hours drive
Stop 2: Oklahoma
What makes Route 66 in Oklahoma different?
Route 66 in Oklahoma feels less curated and more original, with fewer but more distinctive stops and longer stretches of uninterrupted driving. For many Route 66 road trip itineraries, this is where the pace slows down and driving Route 66 becomes more about the road itself than constant stops.
After the more clustered sections in Illinois and Missouri, this stretch gives you more uninterrupted driving, with smaller towns and older roadside businesses that feel less curated and closer to the original Route 66 experience.
Best for
- Travelers who want a slower pace: Fewer stops, but each one stands out more
- Food-focused road trips: One of the best sections for classic diners and regional specialties
- Those looking for variety: A mix of well-known stops and quieter, less-visited places
Things to do
- Blue Whale of Catoosa: One of the most recognizable Route 66 landmarks, quick, quirky, and worth a short stop
- Tulsa Route 66 District: A compact area with multiple classic Route 66 elements, including shops, signs, and restored buildings
- El Reno: Known for its onion burgers, one of the most food-focused stops on the entire Route 66 road trip
Where to eat
- Sid’s Diner: The most well-known spot for onion burgers, a Route 66 classic
- Robert’s Grill: One of the oldest diners still serving this regional specialty
- Johnnie’s Grill: A quieter alternative with the same traditional cooking style
Hidden gems
- Erick, Oklahoma: A quiet town where parts of Route 66 feel frozen in time
- Texola: Nearly abandoned, with just a few remaining buildings, more atmospheric than practical
- Hydro, Oklahoma: Less visited, with stretches of road that feel closer to the original Route 66
Recommended stay: 1 to 2 days works best if you want time for both Tulsa and El Reno without rushing.
This section shifts into fewer, more distinctive stops, with longer stretches where driving Route 66 becomes the main part of the experience.
Amarillo → Adrian · ~50–60 miles · 1–1.5 hours drive
Stop 3: Texas
Where is Route 66 the easiest to drive?
The easiest part of Route 66 to drive is the short stretch between Amarillo and Adrian, where multiple key stops are grouped closely together. For most Route 66 road trip itineraries, this is one of the most efficient sections to cover in limited time.
After the longer, more spaced-out driving in Oklahoma, this stretch becomes more compact and predictable. Driving Route 66 here means shorter gaps between stops and multiple highlights grouped together, making it easy to experience several key places without extending your route.
Best for
- Time-constrained trips: Easy to include without adding much driving time
- Photo-focused travelers: Bold, highly recognizable roadside visuals
- Quick highlights: Multiple iconic stops within a short distance
Things to do
- Cadillac Ranch: The most recognizable stop in this section, quick to visit and easy to include
- Leave your mark: A short, interactive stop where you can add your own graffiti
- Explore Amarillo: A compact area where you can experience multiple Route 66 elements in one place
Recommended stay: Half a day is enough to see the main stops without extending your Route 66 road trip itinerary.
This is the most efficient stretch of the route, where driving Route 66 feels straightforward and multiple highlights can be covered quickly.
Tucumcari → Albuquerque · ~170–180 miles · 2.5–3 hours drive
Stop 5: New Mexico
What is Route 66 like in New Mexico?
Route 66 in New Mexico is more about long scenic drives and atmosphere than frequent stops, with towns spaced farther apart. For most Route 66 road trip itineraries, this is where driving Route 66 shifts toward the experience of the road itself rather than frequent stops.
Compared to earlier sections, towns are farther apart and the route feels more open and less structured. Tucumcari stands out for its neon motels and preserved roadside feel, while Albuquerque offers one of the most continuous stretches of historic Route 66. Between them, long desert drives make the journey itself a central part of the trip.
Best for
- Scenery-focused travelers: Long, open stretches where the landscape becomes the main attraction
- Atmosphere seekers: A strong contrast between neon-lit towns and wide desert surroundings
- Slower-paced itineraries: Works best if you enjoy driving Route 66 between stops rather than rushing through highlights
Things to do
- Tucumcari: Known for its neon motels and classic Route 66 roadside atmosphere
- Albuquerque (Central Avenue): One of the longest preserved urban stretches of Route 66, with a dense collection of signs, shops, and historic buildings
- Blue Swallow Motel: A well-known example of preserved Route 66 lodging and one of the most photographed neon spots
Recommended stay: 1 to 2 days works best if you want time to experience both Tucumcari and Albuquerque without rushing.
This is where driving Route 66 slows down, with longer stretches where the road and landscape become as important as the stops.
Holbrook → Kingman · ~185–195 miles · 3–3.5 hours drive
Stop 6: Arizona
Where does Route 66 feel most like the classic road trip?
Route 66 feels most like the classic road trip in Arizona, where scenery, preserved towns, and long stretches of the original road come together in one continuous section. For most Route 66 road trip itineraries, this is the section that delivers the most complete and recognizable experience.
After the longer, more distance-focused driving in New Mexico, this stretch brings more variety and cohesion. Driving Route 66 here means moving between scenic desert landscapes, historic towns, and extended sections of the original road, all within a relatively connected route.
Best for
- First-time Route 66 road trip travelers: A balanced introduction to scenery, towns, and classic stops
- Classic road trip seekers: One of the most complete and recognizable sections of Route 66
- Photo-focused travelers: A strong combination of landscapes and preserved roadside towns
Things to do
- Petrified Forest National Park: One of the only places where Route 66 runs through a national park, combining scenic drives with historic alignment
- Seligman: A well-preserved town that reflects the nostalgic, stylized version of Route 66 many travelers expect
- Kingman to Seligman stretch: One of the best sections for driving Route 66 along longer portions of the original alignment
Recommended stay: 2 to 3 days works best if you want time to explore both towns and longer driving segments without rushing.
This is one of the most complete sections of the route, where driving Route 66 brings together scenery, towns, and historic road segments in a way that feels closest to the ideal version of the trip.
Amboy → Santa Monica · 235–245 miles · 4–5 hours drive
Stop 7: California
Where does Route 66 officially end?
Route 66 officially ends at the Santa Monica Pier, where the route reaches the Pacific Ocean. For most Route 66 road trip itineraries, this marks the final and most clearly defined endpoint of the route.
After the long desert stretches of the Southwest, this section transitions from the open landscape of the Mojave Desert into denser urban areas as you approach Los Angeles. Driving Route 66 here moves from quiet, uninterrupted roads into a more built-up environment before ending at the coastline.
Best for
- Completion-focused travelers: A clear and recognizable end to a full Route 66 road trip itinerary
- Desert driving: Long, uninterrupted stretches through the Mojave Desert
- Defined closure: A specific endpoint at the Santa Monica Pier
Things to do
- Santa Monica Pier: Reach the official endpoint of Route 66 at the Pacific Ocean
- Roy’s Motel (Amboy): A classic desert landmark that marks the beginning of the final stretch
- Drive through the Mojave Desert: One of the longest uninterrupted segments before the route transitions into urban areas
Recommended stay: 1 to 2 days works best if you want time to complete the drive and spend time at the Santa Monica endpoint.
This final section moves from long, open desert driving into a defined ending, with the Pacific Ocean marking the completion of the Route 66 road trip.
Where can you start your Route 66 road trip with an RV rental?
You can start a Route 66 road trip in Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, or Dallas, depending on how much time you have and which parts of the route you want to prioritize.
Chicago is the official starting point and best suited for travelers with 2–3 weeks who want the full progression from Midwest towns to the California coast.
Los Angeles or Phoenix are more practical starting points if you want to focus on the most iconic stretches without committing to the full distance. These routes concentrate landmarks like desert landscapes, historic motels, and roadside attractions into a shorter timeframe.
Dallas offers a middle ground, with access to central sections of Route 66 and flexibility to extend your trip in either direction.
Most travelers don’t drive all 2,400 miles, and skipping less distinctive sections does not take away from the experience.
How should you approach your Route 66 road trip?
You don’t need to drive the full Route 66 to have a complete experience, and most travelers focus on selected sections instead. Most travelers don’t, and some of the most memorable stretches happen in shorter segments rather than the full cross-country route.
If you have the time, driving Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica gives you the full progression, from preserved Midwest towns to open desert highways. But if you’re working with a tighter schedule, starting in the Southwest gives you a higher concentration of iconic stops with less driving between them.
The only real decision is where to begin and how much ground you want to cover. Once that’s clear, the rest of the trip becomes easier to shape around your pace.
Travel Tips for your Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
The most popular Route 66 stops are Cadillac Ranch, Blue Whale of Catoosa, Santa Monica Pier, and Petrified Forest National Park.
These locations are widely recognized, easy to access, and consistently included in most Route 66 road trip itineraries. If you are short on time, focusing on these stops will give you a strong version of the experience without needing to drive the entire route.
No, Route 66 is not fully drivable as a continuous road today.
Many original sections have been replaced, rerouted, or no longer maintained, so you will need to follow a Route 66 road trip map and occasionally use modern highways. This is especially common in California and parts of the Southwest.
Most travelers need 2 to 3 weeks to complete a full Route 66 road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica.
If you have less time, you can shorten the trip by focusing on the Southwest, where stops are closer together and more visually distinct. Many travelers choose this option instead of driving the full 2,400 miles.
You can start in Chicago for the full route or begin in the Southwest for a shorter, more concentrated trip.
Starting in Chicago gives you the full progression of the road, while starting in Texas, New Mexico, or Arizona reduces driving time and focuses on the most recognizable stops. Most travelers choose based on how much time they have.
No, you do not need to drive the entire route to get the full experience.
Some sections, particularly in the Midwest, are less dense in major stops. Skipping parts of the route and focusing on key regions will still give you the most memorable parts of driving Route 66.
No, planning every stop in advance is not necessary for a Route 66 road trip.
A general route is enough. Some of the most memorable parts of the trip come from unplanned stops, small towns, and roadside attractions you would not include in a strict itinerary.
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