Road trip across America on Historic U.S. Route 66, The Mother Road, from beginning to end



The States Along Historic U.S. Route 66

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.

Many travelers want to know ... "What states did Route 66 travel through?"

The "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" mural in Tucumcari, New Mexico

"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.

From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed southwest through Illinois and Missouri, and a small section of southeast Kansas. Then 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.

We've had the pleasure of driving in all of these eight states along Route 66, The Main Street of America!

Included on this website are photographs, personal experiences, commentary and travel recommendations on the various segments of the Mother Road, from start to finish. We hope that this site will help with the planning of your next vacation or holiday, and get Route 66 checked off your bucket list of destinations in 2024!


Route 66 Map from Chicago to Santa Monica

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


Interactive Map of Route 66 States, Cities and Points of Interest

Shown below is an interactive Google map of over 200 popular cities, attractions, motels and points of interest along Historic Route 66.

Is this all of them? Certainly not, as there are literally thousands of places to see along the Mother Road! Hopefully this map will help you plan your next Route 66 road trip.

Zoom / pan map for more detail, and click on icons for information on points of interest and photos.

Click on this icon Icon to list Route 66 attractions below to see a list of attractions and features in other map layers. 

You can enable/disable the following layers by checking/unchecking the layer in the left column of the map...

Icon to list Route 66 attractions
Route 66 cities and towns

Attractions and points of interest

Museums

Classic motels and lodging

Classic service stations

Classic drive-ins, cafes and restaurants



List of Route 66 Mileage by State (1926 Alignment)

State - Miles

Illinois - 301
Missouri - 317
Kansas - 13
Oklahoma - 432
Texas - 186
New Mexico - 487
Arizona - 401
California - 314

TOTAL - 2,448 Miles

It's time to stop for a "selfie"!
The arch in Grants, New Mexico on Route 66
The arch in Grants, New Mexico on Historic Route 66 ... a great place to stop for a "selfie"!


Road Trip Travel Guides for the Eight States Along Route 66

Planning a road trip on Route 66 in 2024 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

 

Travelers Love These Route 66 Features

Route 66 maps of all eight states The murals along Historic Route 66 The time to drive Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California
Route 66 store: books, maps, clothing, memorabilia and more! Route 66 Facts and FAQs The giant "muffler men" of Route 66

Always Popular 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