Route 66 Road Trip Guide: Planning, Time & RV Tips

Q: When was Route 66 built?

Route 66 was officially established in 1926 as part of the original U.S. Highway System following the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1925. The full route was paved by 1938 and later replaced by the Interstate Highway System beginning in the 1950s.

Q: How many miles long is Route 66?

Historic Route 66 originally ran approximately 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. The exact mileage varied slightly over time due to realignments. Today, only portions of the original route remain as drivable historic segments.

Q: Does Route 66 still exist today?

Route 66 no longer exists as an official U.S. Highway. It was decommissioned in 1985 after being replaced by interstate highways. However, many preserved sections remain drivable and are designated as Historic Route 66 by individual states.

Q: Why can Route 66 be challenging or dangerous in some areas?

Some preserved segments of historic Route 66 are narrow two-lane roads without shoulders. Desert stretches can experience extreme heat, and rural areas may have limited services. Drivers are advised to check weather and road conditions before traveling remote sections.

Meili Wyss • Last updated: February 12, 2026 • 9 min read

A Route 66 road trip is often pictured as one continuous highway stretching from Chicago to the Pacific. In reality, driving Route 66 today means navigating preserved historic segments, frontage roads, small-town main streets, and modern interstate connectors that fill the gaps between them. If you are planning a Route 66 RV road trip, that patchwork structure directly affects pacing, overnight strategy, and seasonal timing.

Route 66 is still drivable, but not as one seamless road. Most travelers need two to three weeks at a realistic pace, linking historic stretches with modern highways along the way. In an RV, the trip works best when structured by region rather than chasing every preserved mile. A Route 66 road trip is less about following a single road and more about deciding how closely you want to follow the original alignment.

What is Route 66?
Common mistakes
Planning
Route 66 by RV
FAQs

What Is Route 66 Today?

Historic Route 66 is no longer one uninterrupted highway. It is a network of preserved alignments layered onto modern infrastructure. Large sections were replaced by interstates, so a Route 66 trip today involves transitioning between original segments and contemporary connectors. Understanding that patchwork upfront prevents frustration later, and if you are planning a multi-state journey beyond nostalgia, what RV travel across the U.S. really looks like helps set realistic expectations before committing to the full drive.

Aerial view of a rural highway intersection representing historic Route 66 alignment and modern connectors

Broken alignment

These surviving stretches show Route 66 as it exists now: scattered segments, modern connectors, and gaps between preserved miles.

Driving Route 66 on a long straight desert highway toward Monument Valley rock formations

Classic Desert Stretches

These desert stretches deliver the iconic Route 66 image: open asphalt, distant mesas, and miles of uninterrupted horizon.

Vintage Route 66 diner with neon lights at dusk during a Route 66 road trip stop

Town-centered experience

These towns deliver Route 66 at its most recognizable: roadside diners, glowing neon, and historic storefronts that slow the pace.

Historic Route 66 roadside signs and motel sign along a remote desert stretch

Inconsistent signage

Route 66 lacks consistent signage across states: faded route shields, unclear intersections, and reliance on apps or detailed guides.

In practice, Route 66 behaves more like a concept layered onto modern infrastructure than a road you can blindly follow.

Common Route 66 Planning Mistakes

Most Route 66 road trips go off track for predictable reasons. The route rewards structure, not spontaneity without context.

Seamless Road Myth

Route 66 is not continuous. Gaps require modern highway connectors.

Interstate Pacing

Historic segments are slower. Full trips usually need 2–3 weeks.

Season Blindness

Arizona desert summer temperatures routinely exceed 40°C.

Itinerary Overload

Trying to see everything leads to long days and constant trade-offs.

Perfection Trap

The practical route involves selective detours and smart shortcuts.

Endpoint Obsession

The experience between Chicago and Santa Monica matters more than the start and finish.

Planning Your Route 66 Trip

A Route 66 trip is defined by distance, endpoints, and time. Where the road begins and ends sets the geographic scope, but how long you have determines whether the experience feels immersive or compressed. Since most full-route drives take two to three weeks, cost structure becomes part of the decision, especially for a Route 66 RV road trip. Comparing fuel, overnight stays, and rental duration against flights and hotels across multiple states requires a broader view, which is why reviewing RV rental versus hotels and flights helps clarify the trade-offs.

Where does Route 66 start and end?

Route 66 officially connects two well-known endpoints:

Starts in Chicago, Illinois: The eastern terminus sits in downtown Chicago and marks the symbolic beginning of the route.
Ends in Santa Monica, California: The western endpoint reaches the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Monica Pier.

The endpoints define scale. How closely you follow the historic alignment determines what happens in between.

How long does it take to drive Route 66?

Most travelers need two to three weeks to drive Route 66 at a comfortable pace. Shorter timelines are possible, but they require trade-offs.

Faster trips are possible: Expect longer driving days and more interstate mileage.
Rushing changes the character: Interstate shortcuts reduce time in historic Route 66 towns.
Shorter days work better: Flexible pacing allows space for spontaneous stops and smaller communities.
Under two weeks requires focus: You will likely prioritize specific regions rather than the entire route.

When is the best time to drive Route 66?

Timing matters on a Route 66 road trip because the route crosses multiple climate zones. Desert heat in summer and winter weather in higher elevations can limit flexibility and comfort. Late spring and early fall usually offer the most balanced driving conditions across the full route.

Cactus-filled desert landscape along historic Route 66 in the American Southwest

Best overall weather across the full route

Late Spring to Early Summer (April–June)

Moderate temperatures: Desert heat has not yet peaked, making long drives more manageable.
Full access: Museums, roadside attractions, and small-town businesses are typically open.
Longer daylight: Extended evenings support shorter, flexible driving days.

Two-lane rural road beside cornfields and barns in fall during a Route 66 road trip through the Midwest

Cooler temperatures and lighter traffic

Early Fall (September–October)

Comfortable desert climate: Cooler than midsummer while still generally dry.
Lighter crowds: Fewer peak-season travelers in popular stretches.
Balanced conditions: Lower weather risk compared to winter and less heat stress than summer.

How to structure your Route 66 road trip

Once you understand distance and timing, the next question becomes structural. How much of historic Route 66 do you actually want to drive? Most travelers choose one of three practical approaches depending on schedule and priorities.

Option 1

Drive the full route

A complete Chicago-to-Santa Monica Route 66 road trip typically takes two to three weeks. This approach allows space for small towns, preserved segments, and scenic stretches without relying heavily on interstates.

Option 2

Focus on a region

Many travelers concentrate on one region. The Southwest offers desert landscapes and classic roadside landmarks, while Midwest segments highlight historic town centers. Regional drives often suit one- to ten-day vacations.

Option 3

A compressed highlights trip

If time is limited, you can prioritize well-preserved segments and widely recognized towns while using interstates strategically. This approach favors efficiency over historical completeness.

Which Direction Should You Drive Route 66?

Most Route 66 road trip guides describe the drive from Chicago to Santa Monica, the traditional westbound direction of historic Route 66. However, driving Route 66 eastbound changes how the landscape unfolds and how you experience desert heat. The route remains the same, but timing and starting point influence rhythm and conclusion.

Chicago → Santa Monica

East to West

Traditional direction: Follows the historic narrative from the Midwest to the Pacific coast.
Gradual landscape shift: Urban skylines and farmland slowly give way to desert highways and open horizons.
Defined finish: Reaching the Pacific Ocean delivers a clear and symbolic endpoint.

Santa Monica → Chicago

West to East

Desert first: Southwestern stretches appear early while energy and momentum are high.
Seasonal flexibility: Depending on timing, you can manage desert heat before or after peak summer conditions.
City conclusion: Ending in Chicago provides a structured urban finish after long rural segments.

Is Route 66 Worth Doing in an RV?

Route 66 works especially well as an RV road trip when approached with realistic planning. The route rewards controlled pacing and flexibility, and combining transportation with accommodation reduces friction during long rural stretches and small-town stops. Driving Route 66 in an RV makes it easier to shorten driving days, adjust to desert heat or shifting weather, and stay near preserved historic segments rather than defaulting to interstate hotels. If your Route 66 RV road trip begins and ends in different states, understanding how one-way RV rentals work, what they cost, and when they make sense helps make coast-to-coast planning more realistic.

RV parked on Route 66 highway with the Route 66 shield painted on the road during sunset

The Big Picture

A Route 66 road trip is less about following a single uninterrupted highway and more about making informed choices. Define your timeframe first. Then decide whether to drive the full historic route or focus on specific regions. That structural decision shapes pacing, overnight strategy, and overall experience, especially when driving Route 66 in an RV.

FAQs: Route 66 Road Trip

Why is Route 66 so famous?

Route 66 became famous as one of the first continuous highways linking Chicago to Los Angeles.

Established in 1926 as part of the original U.S. Highway System.
Played a major role during the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s.
Recognized by the National Park Service as a significant cultural corridor in U.S. history.

When was Route 66 built?

Route 66 was officially established in 1926.

Created following the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1925.
Fully paved by 1938.
Gradually replaced by the Interstate Highway System beginning in the 1950s.

How many miles long is Route 66?

Historic Route 66 originally ran approximately 2,448 miles.

Stretched from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California.
Mileage varied slightly due to realignments.
Only portions remain drivable today as historic segments.

Does Route 66 still exist today?

Route 66 no longer exists as an official U.S. Highway.

Officially decommissioned in 1985.
Replaced by interstate highways.
Many preserved sections remain designated as Historic Route 66.

Why can Route 66 be challenging or dangerous in some areas?

Some preserved segments require cautious driving.

Narrow two-lane roads without shoulders in certain areas.
Extreme desert heat during summer months.
Limited services and long rural distances between towns.

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