Making plans for a Route 66 tour and road trip in 2025 or 2026!



Route 66 Road Trip Tours in 2025

Route 66 12"x18" Wall Calendar for 2025 - At Amazon
Route 66 2025 Wall Calendar... at Amazon

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Route 66 was one of the United States' first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated to the West.

"The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) from Chicago to Los Angeles. It became the shortest, year-round route between the Midwest and the Pacific Coast, and was also known as "The Main Street of America" and the "Will Rogers Highway".

From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed southwest through Illinois and Missouri, and a small section of southeast Kansas. From there it turned in a more westward direction through Oklahoma and Texas, with the final stretches in New Mexico and Arizona before its termination point in Los Angeles.

Many are already planning their 2025 road trips as well as trips to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial in 2026 ... it's not too early! Many classic, iconic motels are booked early!

Route 66 Map from Beginning to End, from Chicago to Santa Monica

Map of Historic Route 66 from Illinois to California
Historic U.S. Route 66 Map from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, from beginning to end


Touring Route 66

Get your motor running! Get out on the highway! Route 66 attracts a variety of tourists from across the United States and Canada, as well as many from European countries, and even far away locales like Australia and Japan.

There are many ways to see and experience Route 66, whether it be by private auto, motorcycle, RV, caravan, or escorted tour bus. Trips along the entire 2,000 mile route can take 10-14 days, or more depending on the number of stops, and side trips to attractions like the Grand Canyon.

Now is a great time to be planning your Route 66 road trip for 2025, or exploring the Mother Road during its Centennial in 2026!

There are many options for touring the states along Route 66. Different people choose different modes of transportation to tour the Mother Road. Let's explore some tour options ...

Self-Driving Auto Tours on Route 66

Self-Driving Auto Tours on Route 66

Many roadtrippers elect to drive their own vehicles, venturing from state to state and city to city at their own pace. The benefits are obvious, with setting your itinerary from day to day, being able to stop when you want and for as long as you want. You can carry as much luggage and snacks as you want.

These travelers use outlets such as TripAdvisor to plan their hotel accommodations, use popular Route 66 maps, Route 66 passports and smartphone travel apps along the way.


Route 66 Escorted Vacation and Travel Packages

Route 66 Escorted Vacation and Travel Packages

If you don't want to drive your own vehicle, you should consider an escorted Route 66 travel package led by experienced travel tour guides. Tour operators can provide all inclusive Route 66 travel packages, including hotels, meals, guided sightseeing, baggage handling and attraction tickets, all in one easy to understand package.

Flights at the beginning and end of your tour can also be included in your package. You can choose from packages that emphasize stops at classic service stations, Route 66 museums, outdoor recreation venues to match whatever your interest!

Enjoy accomodations at classic Route 66 motels such as the Blue Swallow, Wagon Wheel, Wigwam Village, Boots Court or others. Your Route 66 tour might include meals at classic dining venues such as the Cozy Dog in Illinois, Hi-Way Cafe in Oklahoma, Mid-Point Cafe in Texas or the Snow Cap Drive-in in Seligman, Arizona.

Some travel packages offer tours in languages other than English, such as Chinese, Italian, German, French and Spanish.


 

Motor Coach, Mini-Bus and Van Tours on Route 66

Motor Coach, Mini-Bus and Van Tours on Historic Route 66 across eight states

For those not interested in driving, there are many guided tours in large motor coaches, mini-buses or vans. These offer "no pressure" travel in comfortable, weather-aclimated vehicles, and include a variety of related "all inclusive" amenities such as hotels, meals and baggage handling. Whether you prefer small groups or larger ones, tours are available to meet your preferences!

Smaller, more intimate mini-bus or van tours are flexible and can accommodate families or senior groups.

Car Caravans on Route 66

Car and Truck Caravans on Route 66

Car caravans offer the safety and camaraderie of traveling with a group of travelers with similar interests, either in their own car or a rental car. These are led by experienced tour guides who know the roads, attractions and lodging along the way. Caravans are often created by car type, e.g., Corvettes, Old School Chevys, Fifties Fords, Mustangs, etc.

Along the way caravans are often spotted at attractions like Motorheads Bar in Springfield, Spencer Station in Missouri, Gearhead Curios in Kansas, Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick, National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma, and the Hackberry General Store on Arizona Route 66.

Touring Route 66 by Motorcycle

Many travelers on Route 66 rent motorcycles to seek new open-air adventures on their USA road trip!

Touring Route 66 by Motorcycle

A variety of motorcycle rental plans are available, such as those from Eaglerider Motorcycle Rentals.

Out West, your motorcycle can be picked up at a number of rental locations in Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. If you are starting your Route 66 trip further north, motorcycle pickup locations in Illinois are available.

Model options are plentiful, and cycles from manufacturers such as Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle are available. Trikes can also be rented.

If you don't want to ride independently, choose from one of many guided motorcycle tours. Self-drive tours often include rental of the motorcycle, hotel reservations and detailed tour route information.

Some companies offer one-way rentals, hotel pickups, luggage storage, helmets and other amenities.

 

 

Experiencing Route 66 via RV and Motorhome Tours

RV Tours of Route 66

Others seek new Route 66 destinations in their RV or motor home, which offer spacious travel and the ease of parking for the night without any luggage movement!

And for those that don't own an RV yet, companies like Cruise America, El Monte RV Rentals, Road Bear RV Rentals, and Camping World offer a variety of RV sizes and rental plans.

Whether you prefer large cities or small towns on Route 66, your RV can take you there!


Tour Guides for Various States Along Route 66

Planning a road trip on Route 66 in 2025 or for the Centennial in 2026? Here are the travel guides and reviews by state...

Travel Guide for Route 66 Road Trips in Illinois Travel Guide for Route 66 in Missouri Travel Guide for Route 66 in Kansas Travel Guide for Route 66 Road Trips Across Oklahoma
Travel Guide for Route 66 in Texas Travel Guide for Road Trips on Route 66 Across New Mexico Travel Guide for Road Trips on Historic U.S. Route 66 Across Arizona Travel Guide for Route 66 Across California

 

 

ALWAYS POPULAR TOUR STOPS ON ROUTE 66

The Blue Whale of Catoosa on Route 66 in Oklahoma Standin' on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona, on Route 66 Wigwam Village Number 6 in Holbrook, Arizona
The Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma on Route 66 Cadillac Ranch just west of Amarillo, Texas Meramec Caverns in Missouri near Route 66
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park in Oklahoma Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jack Rabbit Trading Post on Route 66 near Joseph City, Arizona - Here It Is! Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch on Route 66 in California Angel and Vilma's Original Route 66 Gift Shop in Seligman, Arizona

What You Will See on Your Route 66 Tour ... Chicago, Where the Route Begins

The beginning point for a Route 66 road trip could be either Chicago or Los Angeles, depending on the direction of the trip. Most travelers seem to start their journey on Route 66 in Chicago, and head westbound, the direction taken by those leaving the Dust Bowl and those seeking a new life in the West. That is the direction we take on this website.

Illinois was the first of the eight states through which Route 66 passed to have its segment of U.S. 66 paved, at a time when much of the route across the country was still a gravel or dirt road. Illinois Route 66 took over Illinois State Highway 4, a pre-existing, fully paved two-lane road between Chicago and St. Louis.

The beginning point of Route 66 in Chicago has changed over the years. Today, the starting point is at East Adams Street at South Michigan Avenue, and the end point is at East Jackson at South Michigan. One way streets in the area can be difficult to navigate for first-time Route 66 visitors!

While in Chicago, many Route 66 travelers seek out Grant Park, the Willis Tower, Chicago Architecture River Cruise, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science & Industry, the Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Park Zoo and the lakeshore shopping areas.

Read more about Route 66 in Chicago

Chicago ... the beginning point of Route 66 when heading westbound
Chicago, Illinois ... the beginning point of Route 66 when heading westbound

Midpoint Cafe & Gift Shop in Adrian

Route 66 Roadside Attraction: Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop, Adrian, Texas

Located at the exact geo-mathematical center of Route 66 ... 1,139 miles to either Chicago or Los Angeles.

Read more about The Route 66 Midpoint

Welcome to Adrian, Texas ... the midpoint of Historic Route 66 ... at the exact geo-mathematical center of Route 66 ... 1,139 miles to either Chicago or Los Angeles.

 

 

Santa Monica: The End of the Trail

The original terminus of U.S. Route 66 was at 7th and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. However, over the years, and decades, Route 66 has had several “official” and “unofficial" ending points.

The route was later extended to the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic boulevards in Santa Monica, about one mile from the Pacific Ocean. This is often referred to as the official ending point of Route 66.

Read more about Route 66 in Santa Monica

Map showing the "official" and "unofficial" ending points of Route 66 in Santa Monica, California
(click image to open in Google Maps)
Map showing the "official" and "unofficial" ending points of Route 66 in Santa Monica, California

The End of the Trail ... Santa Monica, California (Staff Photo)
The End of the Trail ... Santa Monica, California


Popular Route 66 resources for your next road trip!
Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places
by Mark Watson
Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places, at Amazon
Route 66 Full-throttle Adventure Handbook,
by Drew Knowles
Route 66 Full-throttle Adventure Handbook ... at Amazon
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Looking for a place to stay? Route 66 Hotel Listings and Traveler Reviews
TripAdvisor
Route 66 hotel listings and traveler reviews

Chicago, Illinois Joliet, Illinois
Pontiac, Illinois Bloomington, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois Litchfield, Illinois
St. Louis, Missouri Lebanon, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri Joplin, Missouri
Tulsa, Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Yukon, Oklahoma Weatherford, Oklahoma
Clinton, Oklahoma Elk City, Oklahoma
Shamrock, Texas Amarillo, Texas
Tucumcari, New Mexico Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico
Grants, New Mexico Gallup, New Mexico
Holbrook, Arizona Winslow, Arizona
Flagstaff, Arizona Williams, Arizona
Seligman, Arizona Kingman, Arizona
Needles, California Barstow, California
Victorville, California San Bernardino, California
Arcadia, California Santa Monica, California

Route 66 Centennial: 1926-2026

Route 66 in 2026 ... celebrating 100 years of The Mother Road during the Route 66 Centennial

Route 66 was one of the United State's first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated west.

"The Mother Road" was commissioned on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.

In 2026, the nation will be celebrating the Route 66 Centennial ... 100 years of the Mother Road serving the traveling public! Many states and organizations are planning special events and tours to highlight the Centennial.

The Route 66 Centennial in 2026 ... 100 years along the Mother Road! Read more about the Route 66 Centennial