Route 66 Road Trip Planner for 2023

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Planning a Route 66 road trip and not sure where to start? With nearly 2,500 miles of road to cover across eight states, a Route 66 road trip can be difficult to plan. We’ve put together a Route 66 road trip planner to help you plan your stops, itinerary, lodging, packing list and more.

Historic U.S. Route 66 (AKA US 66, the Will Rogers Highway, Main Street of America, and the Mother Road) was established on November 11, 1926. It was the primary road that travelers took while moving west during the dust bowl. Covering around 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, Route 66 took travelers through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Although Route 66 was removed from the United States Highway System in 1985, it is still a popular road trip route for travelers looking for a sense of vintage nostalgia.

Explore the links below to plan your Route 66 road trip from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier and every small town and big city in between!

Route 66 Road Trip Planner

​​Route 66 Shield Mural in Pontiac, Illinois

Route 66 Must See Stops

Ready to get your kicks on Route 66? Check out these must-see stops on Route 66 in every state on the Mother Road and get ready to add them all to your travel itinerary or road trip bucket list.

Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven hotel in Springfield, Missouri

Route 66 Hotels and Motels

Whether your Route 66 road trip takes you a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months, you’re definitely going to need to find a few hotels along Route 66 to rest up in. If you want to experience the real magic of the Mother Road you should look for some of the most iconic and historic Route 66 hotels and motels that are still operating today.

Giant Route 66 Sign at the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma

Route 66 Museums

You have plenty of options for stops on a Route 66 road trip. But if you want to dig deeper and learn more about the Mother Road or a local town, you’ll definitely want to add a few Route 66 museums and visitors centers to your travel itinerary.

Route 66 Packing List

Route 66 Packing List

Planning a Route 66 road trip and not quite sure what to wear or what to bring? We’ve put together a Route 66 packing list to make it easy for you.

Route 66 Books to plan & inspire your road trip

Route 66 Books

If you’re planning a Route 66 road trip and are looking for a guidebook to help determine your stops, books to entertain your kids, books that will inspire and inform, or books that will entertain you, check out these must-read Route 66 Books.

Illinois Route 66 Road Trip Planner

Historic Route 66 Begin Sign in Chicago, Illinois

Route 66 in Illinois

Around 300 miles of the road’s stretch runs through Illinois. At every turn you’ll find something new and fun to see. Explore a complete list of Illinois Route 66 attractions to add to your Route 66 itinerary. 

Gemini Giant muffler man at the Launching Pad in Wilmington, Illinois Route 66 roadside attraction

Top 10 Illinois Route 66 Attractions

Are you ready to get your kicks on Illinois Route 66? Let’s check out the top 10 Illinois Route 66 Attractions to see on this stretch of your road trip.

Waldmire Memorial - Giant Route 66 Map mural - Mural City Route 66 Murals in Pontiac, Illinois

Illinois Route 66 Map

If you’re planning a Route 66 road trip you need to know what to see and where to go. Our Illinois Route 66 map contains all the best stops in the state for the first 300 mile stretch of your cross-country drive. 

Missouri Route 66 Road Trip Planner

Route 66 Rocker in Cuba, Missouri World's Largest Rocking Chair on Route 66 roadside attraction

Route 66 in Missouri

Over 300 miles of the road’s stretch runs through Missouri. At every turn you’ll find something new and fun to see. Explore a complete list of Missouri Route 66 attractions to add to your Route 66 itinerary. 

Uranus, Missouri and the Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store - Route 66 Roadside Attraction

Top 10 Missouri Route 66 Attractions

Are you ready to get your kicks on Illinois Route 66? Let’s check out the top 10 Missouri Route 66 Attractions to see on this stretch of your road trip.

Route 66 Mural Park in Joplin, Missouri

Missouri Route 66 Map

If you’re planning a Route 66 road trip you need to know what to see and where to go. Our Missouri Route 66 map contains all the best stops in the state for this 300-mile stretch of your cross-country drive.

Kansas Route 66 Road Trip Planner

Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66

Route 66 in Kansas

Just around 13 miles of the road’s stretch runs through Kansas. At every turn you’ll find something new and fun to see. Explore a complete list of Kansas Route 66 attractions to add to your Route 66 itinerary. 

Route 66 Rainbow Bridge in Baxter Springs, Kansas

Top 8 Kansas Route 66 Attractions

Are you ready to get your kicks on Illinois Route 66? Let’s check out the top 8 Kansas Route 66 Attractions to see on this stretch of your road trip.

Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station in Baxter Springs, Kansas Route 66 Visitor Center

Kansas Route 66 Map

If you’re planning a Route 66 road trip you need to know what to see and where to go. Our Kansas Route 66 map contains all the best stops in the state for this 13-mile stretch of your cross-country drive.

Oklahoma Route 66 Road Trip Planner

El Reno Mother Road Monument on Oklahoma Route 66 - Giant Route 66 shield photo opportunity

Route 66 in Oklahoma

Around 400 miles of the road’s stretch runs through Oklahoma. At every turn you’ll find something new and fun to see. Explore a complete list of Oklahoma Route 66 attractions to add to your Route 66 itinerary. 

Blue Whale of Catoosa on Route 66 in Oklahoma - Route 66 Roadside Attraction

Top 15 Oklahoma Route 66 Attractions

Are you ready to get your kicks on Illinois Route 66? Let’s check out the top 15 Oklahoma Route 66 Attractions to see on this stretch of your road trip.

Oklahoma Route 66 attractions mural at the Mother Road Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Route 66 Map

If you’re planning a Route 66 road trip you need to know what to see and where to go. Our Oklahoma Route 66 Map contains all the best stops in the state for this 400-mile stretch of your cross-country drive.

Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City to Tulsa Route 66 Itinerary

Oklahoma has the longest stretch of Route 66 within its borders, with over 400 miles of the famed Mother Road. Two of the best destinations on the route are located in the state too: Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Located only about 120 miles apart, taking a road trip from Oklahoma City to Tulsa makes for a fun and easy drive with lots of interesting stops on both ends and in between.

Texas Route 66 Road Trip Planner

Route 66 Midpoint sign in Adrian, Texas

Route 66 in Texas

Around 300 miles of the road’s stretch runs through Illinois. At every turn you’ll find something new and fun to see. Explore a complete list of Texas Route 66 attractions to add to your Route 66 itinerary. 

Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas Route 66 roadside attraction

Top 10 Texas Route 66 Attractions

Are you ready to get your kicks on Illinois Route 66? Let’s check out the top 10 Texas Route 66 Attractions to see on this stretch of your road trip.

Texas shaped waffle at Shamrock Country Inn motel in Shamrock, Texas - Route 66 motel

Texas Route 66 Map

f you’re planning a Route 66 road trip you need to know what to see and where to go. Our Texas Route 66 map contains all the best stops in the state for this 180-mile stretch of your cross-country drive. 

The Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café in Shamrock, Texas

Shamrock, Texas Attractions on Route 66

From the The Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café to a piece of Ireland’s Blarney Stone, there are many fun Shamrock, Texas Attractions on Route 66. And, if you want to spend the night, there are plenty of Shamrock motels to choose from. Let’s check them out.

New Mexico Route 66 Road Trip Planner

New Mexico information and itineraries coming soon.

Arizona Route 66 Road Trip Planner

Arizona information and itineraries coming soon.

California Route 66 Road Trip Planner

California information and itineraries coming soon.

Route 66 Road Trip Planning Resources

Elvis Suite at the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven Motel in Springfield, Missouri

Book Your Route 66 Hotels

Your Route 66 road trip will probably involve staying at multiple hotels along your drive. To save stress of driving around until you see a lit up Vacancy sign, book your Route 66 road trip hotels ahead of time.

VW Slug Bug Ranch in Conway, Texas Route 66 Roadside Attraction

Book a Route 66 Road Trip Rental Car

If you are flying in and starting your Route 66 road trip from a different city or state, don’t have a car, or just don’t want to put the miles on your own car, renting a car to drive Route 66 is a great option. Be sure to book ahead to make sure a car is available and ready for you.

Airplane in the ground at OK County 66 - John's Place in Arcadia, Oklahoma - reproductions of famous Route 66 roadside attractions

Book a Flight

Not all road trips start at home. If you don’t live on the Mother Road and are starting your road trip in a different location you might need to fly to your starting point first. Compare and book flights using a website like CheapOair.

Soulsby Service Station in Mount Olive, Illinois Route 66

Road Trip Planner

Planning a road trip can be fun, but daunting. If you’re not sure where to start or need some travel advice or tips, visit our road trip planner. This road trip planner walks you through all of the things you need to think about before and during your trip to have the best time possible.

 

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation. The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book features fun and engaging journal prompts. plus 100 activities and games to play in the car, at your hotel, or at stops along your route.

Pin this Route 66 Road Trip Planner to save for later!

Planning a Route 66 road trip and not sure where to start? With nearly 2,500 miles of road to cover across eight states, a Route 66 road trip can be difficult to plan. We've put together a Route 66 road trip planner to help you plan your stops, itinerary, lodging, packing list and more. Explore the links to plan your Route 66 road trip from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier and every small town and big city in between! #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #RoadTrip #RoadTripPlanner
Planning a Route 66 road trip and not sure where to start? With nearly 2,500 miles of road to cover across eight states, a Route 66 road trip can be difficult to plan. We've put together a Route 66 road trip planner to help you plan your stops, itinerary, lodging, packing list and more. Explore the links to plan your Route 66 road trip from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier and every small town and big city in between! #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #RoadTrip #RoadTripPlanner

Plan Your Road Trip

Valerie Bromann

Founder & ROad Trip Expert

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book, she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

World's Largest Mailbox in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction

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Last modified: March 12, 2023
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The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.