United States of America
Route 66 self drive
21 nights from £3,650pp
Includes: flights from London, car hire, mid range hotels.
Overview & Highlights
This historic highway, born in 1926, spans 8 states over 2,278 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.
In 1985 it was declared no longer an official highway and was expected to fade into history. However people began travelling the ‘old road’ in search of its glory days and to this day remains the most popular road trip in the USA.
Depart Chicago from the ‘start sign’ and leave the city into the heart of rural America. Pass by green hills, grassy plains and farms, amazing deserts and awesome mountains.
- Admire the stunning architecture of Chicago & take a river cruise.
- View St.Louis from high up the Gateway Arch.
- Explore the Central Deco District in Tulsa.
- Stop by the Cadillac Ranch, an open-air art installation.
- Take the giant steak challenge at The Big Texan in Amarillo.
- Experience Native American history and Mexican cuisine in New Mexico.
- Drive through stark beauty of Arizona and the Grand Canyon – its multicoloured landscapes and sublime sunsets.
- Detour of R66 and soak up Navajo Indian culture in Monument Valley.
- Stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona
- Walk to the ‘end of the trail’ on Santa Monica Pier
“I’ve lost count of how many Route 66 holidays I have booked over the years and I don’t think any two have been identical! Whether you are riding Harley Davidsons with your friends, sharing a Motorhome with your family or feeling the wind in your hair in a convertible, there is something on Route 66 for everyone.”
We can tailor your holiday to suit your requirements with a range of vehicles including motor homes or motorbikes. This is the traditional route from Chicago to Los Angeles.
- Day 1: Arrive Chicago for 2 nights.
- Day 3: Chicago to Springfield Ilinois, home of Abraham Lincoln.
- Day 4: Onwards to St Louis Missouri. Enjoy the sites of the famous Mississippi river and the Gateway Arch.
- Days 5: Drive to Springfield Missouri through the Ozarks and Mark Twain National Forest stopping at small towns along the way.
- Day 6: From Missouri drive through Kansas and into Oklahoma. Stop at Catoosa just before Tulsa to see the famous ‘Blue Whale’. Tulsa has some great Art Deco architecture.
- Day 7: On the stretch of road between Tulsa and Oklahoma pass the old towns of Chandler and Stroud. Oklahoma City has several cowboy and heritage museums.
- Day 8: Stop at Mclean, home to the ‘Devils Rope’ museum. Heading over the Texas panhandle you come to Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Amarillo – just outside the town is the famous ‘Cadillac Ranch’.
- Day 9: Leaving Amarillo make a stop just before the state border with New Mexico at the café at Adrian – the half way point of Route 66. There is a time change at the state line from Texas into New Mexico. Tucumcari has plenty of old picturesque motels.
- Day 10: Travel across the plains to the Native Indian and arts centre of Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico.
- Day 11: A short drive today to Albuquerque. Here you can take in the neon lights of downtown which celebrates the American road culture of the 50s and 60s.
- Day 12: Cross the New Mexico desert and you soon get to Gallup, the gateway to the Four Corners area and the Navajo Nation.
- Day 13: Just before Holbrook on Route 66 turn off to visit the Petrified Forest National Park. Just past Winslow is a turn off to the Meteor Crater. Continue to Flagstaff today from where you can visit the Grand Canyon. Two nights here to allow time to explore the Canyon area.
- Day 14: Day at leisure exploring around Grand Canyon (optin to visit Monument Valley)
- Day 15: Travel west across desert scenery through Tuba City and Peach Springs. Continue on Route 66 as it winds its way through some of the most scenic parts of its journey. At Kingman you can detour off Route 66 to Las Vegas.
- Day 16: Las Vegas
- Day 17: Heading back from Vegas to R66, re-join again at Kingman and take the old R66 as it switches back and forth down a river valley escarpment. This will take you through Oatman, an old gold mining town where you can see cowboy shoot outs and roadside Burros.
- Day 18: Follow the old rail road past ghost towns, alongside Route 66 and San Bernardino to the end of the road just before the Pacific Ocean. Turn into Sunset Boulevard and end at Santa Monica by the famous pier. This is where the road and America ends!
- Day 19 & 20: Relax and enjoy Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Visit Beverley Hills and the famous sites of the area.
- Day 21: Drop your car at Los Angeles airport and fly home
This is just one example of a Route 66 holiday. You may wish to extend you stay and explore California, or even fly over to Hawaii.
A few impressions…
“We had every confidence in you and trusted you implicitly. It was so reassuring knowing you were there for us throughout. Arranging our flights, bike hire and accommodation from Chicago to LA, over 2,000 miles – you did this with great care and attention. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We would highly recommend your services to all our friends and family..”
Sue and Simon
Let us begin the journey that will create memories to last a lifetime.
