What is the best route for Route 66?

US Route 66: An Ideal 14-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Chicago, Illinois to Springfield, Illinois.
• Day 2: Illinois to Missouri.
• Day 3: Missouri to Kansas.
• Day 4: Kansas to Oklahoma.
• Day 5: Tulsa, Oklahoma to Oklahoma City.
• Day 6: Oklahoma City to Texas.
• Day 7: Texas to New Mexico.
• Day 8: Tucumcari, New Mexico to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What is the most scenic part of Route 66?

16 Route 66 Attractions Worth a Stop

• Meteor Crater — Winslow, Arizona.
• Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert — Arizona.
• Calico Ghost Town — California.
• Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch — Oro Grande, California.
• Original McDonald’s Museum — San Bernardino, California.
• Santa Monica Pier — Santa Monica, California.

Why Route 66 is the most famous highway in the US?

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.

Is Route 66 worth the trip?

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.

What road is Route 66 now?

Although Route 66 no longer exists as a U.S. Highway, the efforts of the communities along “America’s Main Street” have kept it alive.

How far is the Grand Canyon off Route 66?

200-mile
The magical Grand Canyon National Park is just north of Route 66 and is worth the slight detour. This 200-mile-long, dramatic canyon of the Colorado River is a destination in and of itself, and is easily one of the best natural formations along the historic route.

How long is the loneliest road in America?

408.8 mi
U.S. Route 50 in Nevada/Length

What is the best month to drive cross country?

The off-peak seasons of spring and fall tend to be the best times to drive, providing mild temperatures and perfect weather for both sight-seeing and cruising. However, to avoid pitfalls, check the weather daily during your cross-country road trip.

Why is Route 66?

Route 66 received official designation in 1926, after the government enacted a plan for national highways. Planners intended Route 66 to be more than just a quick way to get from east to west — they wanted to connect the main streets of rural and urban communities.

Why is Route 66 popular?

Route 66 became a popular route because of the active promotion of the U.S 66 Highway Association, which advertised it as “the shortest, best and most scenic route from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles.”

Did you know Route 66 has a stretch in New Mexico?

One thing many tourists may not know about Route 66 is that it has a stretch in New Mexico that plays the song “ America the Beautiful ” when you drive over the rumble strips. This part of Route 66 is known as the Singing Road or the Musical Road, and it’s a must-see for road trip enthusiasts!

Why is Route 66 so popular with tourists?

As more Americans took to the highway, a roadside culture would spring up along Route 66—motels, diners, gas stations, tourist attractions—to cater to a population that was increasingly mobile. Today it is that classic roadside culture and the appeal of the open road that continues to attract tourists.

How long would it take to drive Route 66?

Historic Route 66 was about 2,448 miles (3940 km) long and today the trip is approximately 2,278 miles (3,665 km) long. So if you have 12 days to drive 2,278 miles of Route 66, you’d need to drive an average of 189 miles (304 km) per day at an average speed of 45 MPH, that would be 4.2 hours of driving each day.

Why is Route 66 called the Mother Road?

Given its “66” designation in 1926, it became a well-traveled highway, bringing together people from all walks of life. John Steinbeck would refer to Route 66 as “the mother road, the road of flight” for those trying to escape the Dust Bowl and ravages of the Great Depression in the 1930’s.