Day 1 CHICAGO
Welcome to the “Windy City” where your journey begins! Chicago is the quintessential American City – with vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, stunning architecture, world famous museums, fabulous shopping, award winning restaurants and an exciting nightlife. Chicago also offers a wealth of entertainment opportunities: from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago to Chicago Jazz and Blues clubs, the Joffrey Ballet to modern and jazz dance troupes, Broadway-style theatre to comedy and improve clubs. There’s something here for everyone!
Day 2 CHICAGO – SPRINGFIELD, IL
(204 mi / 328 km)
Spend the morning exploring the “Windy City”. Take a walk down the Magnificent Mile with its world class shopping or visit the new Hancock Observatory, located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Tower. The Skywalk, Chicago's highest open-air viewing deck, offers the city’s best views, spanning up to 80 miles and four states! In the afternoon, begin your trip down Historic Route 66. The corner of Michigan Avenue and Adams Street is the official beginning of Route 66. From here, head southwest into America’s Heartland. Arrive in Springfield, Illinois, birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and site of the yearly International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in September.
Day 3 SPRINGFIELD, IL – ST LOUIS
(98 mi / 158 km)
Before leaving Springfield, visit Bill Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Museum, an icon of Route 66. Then head south to the Gateway City - St Louis, Missouri, located on the banks of the Mississippi and best known for its graceful stainless steel “Gateway Arch.” Tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, the world’s largest brewery. Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and the Missouri Botanical Gardens, or take a river cruise on a paddlewheel riverboat on the mighty Mississippi River.
Day 4 ST LOUIS – SPRINGFIELD, MO
(219 mi / 352 km)
As you depart St Louis, stop in at Ted Drewes’ for his famous Frozen Custard before continuing through Missouri, the land of Mark Twain. Take a side trip to visit Meramec Caverns, the most promoted attraction on Route 66. It claims to be the site of sensational finds from archeological artifacts to the hideout of the notorious outlaw Jesse James. On the way to Springfield, stop in at a Trading Post and pick up some Route 66 souvenirs!
Day 5 SPRINGFIELD, MO – OKLAHOMA CITY
(320 mi / 515 km)
The drive today follows Historic Route 66 through small towns and farmland. Continue through the southeast corner of Kansas on it’s mere 13 miles of Route 66 before entering Oklahoma. If time permits, stop in Claremore to visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. At the end of the day arrive in Oklahoma City, the State Capitol.
Day 6 OKLAHOMA CITY – AMARILLO
(258 mi / 413 km)
As you continue along the Mother Road, stop in El Reno to see, Fort Reno, established in 1874 to protect the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians. Then proceed to Clinton, OK to visit the Route 66 Museum with its vintage cars and Route 66 memorabilia, before heading to Amarillo in the “Lone Star State” of Texas.
Day 7 AMARILLO – TUCUMCARI
(113 mi / 182 km)
Just west of Amarillo is the legendary “Cadillac Ranch” where 10 Cadillacs have been half-buried nose down in ground as an homage to the road. Make a stop at the Midpoint Café in Adrian, located at an equal distance to both Chicago and Los Angeles. You’re half way there! Continue on to Tucumcari, New Mexico the Land of Enchantment and home of the Pueblo Indians.
Day 8 TUCUMCARI – SANTA FE – ALBUQUERQUE
(248 mi / 399 km)
On the road to Albuquerque, pass through Santa Rosa and admire the many historic buildings downtown. Be sure to stop at the Route 66 Auto Museum to marvel at the collection of classic cars and Route 66 memorabilia. Then head north to Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in North America. This “city different” is best known for its art and the unique Southwestern Pueblo architecture dominating the city landscape. Visit the colorful local Indian crafts market held daily in front of the Palace of Governors. Continue to Albuquerque, the city of the Rio Grande and New Mexico’s “Big City.”
Day 9 ALBUQUERQUE – HOLBROOK
(230 mi / 370 km)
Leave Albuquerque and take a short side trip to Acoma Pueblo, the ancient “Sky City”. Located atop a 357 foot high sandstone mesa, this Pueblo is the oldest continually inhabited city in North America dating back to 1250. Pass through Gallup, the “Indian Capital of the World”, known for its varied indigenous population including Navajo, Zuni and Hopi tribes among others. Enter Arizona and take a detour through Petrified Forest National Park. Enjoy a first hand look at the beautiful work of nature that is petrified wood. Proceed to Holbrook where Trading Posts, old cafes and colorful motels still line the old Route 66.
Day 10 HOLBROOK – GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
(188 mi / 303 km)
Continue on to Flagstaff, a city rich with the Route 66 legacy. Then take another detour north to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the Grand Canyon – a place of tremendous beauty and grandeur. There is time to go for a walk, visit numerous viewpoints and just take in the magnificent scenery. The mile deep canyon is a remarkable masterpiece sculptured by the Colorado River over millions of years.
Day 11 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – SELIGMAN – LAS VEGAS
(294 mi / 473 km)
Sunrise is the perfect time to view the spectacular interplay of color, shadow and light in the horizontal strata of the Grand Canyon. After revelling in the beauty of the canyon, depart for the return to old Route 66. Continue west to Seligman, once a bustling town on America’s “Mother Road” and still very much as it was during the heyday of Route 66. Then deviate again from Historic Route 66 and proceed to the must see city for any trip to the Western US - Las Vegas, Nevada, the “Entertainment Capital of the World!”
Day 12 LAS VEGAS
Today is a day at leisure. The “Strip” will mesmerize you with its dazzling lights, opulent hotels, lavish shows and its myriad of gambling machines. Try your hand with “Lady Luck” or see one of the famous shows with top-name performers. Take the time to visit the well known resorts with their individual themes and a myriad of attractions or just relax poolside.
Day 13 LAS VEGAS – CALICO – SANTA MONICA
(307 mi / 494 km)
You’re almost there! The road today leads through the Mohave Desert and back to the Historic Route 66. If time permits, turn off the highway shortly before Barstow and drive into the Mohave Desert for a few miles to see Calico Ghost town and its old silver mine. Cross the San Bernardino Mountains and - Welcome to Los Angeles, the Dream Factory; home to sunshine, palm trees, big cars and beautiful people. Route 66 becomes Santa Monica Boulevard and travels through Hollywood and Beverly Hills until it ends at the Santa Monica Boardwalk and the Pacific Ocean.
