route 66 motorcycle road trip

• Remember me
• Log In Forgot your password? Forgot your username?

Reuthers Route 66 Dream / USA Guided Motorcycle Tour

A real "Dream Tour" is our 15-day Route 66 Guided motorcycle tour, where you will be cruising on and along the legendary mother road Route 66. This road trip combines the best parts of Route 66 with popular highlights along the route. Discover the great freedom on the endless highways of the American west in the saddle of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Visit fascinating natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley with its bizarre rock formations, and the Petrified Forest. During the Route 66 motorcycle tour, cozy biker bars and owner-managed restaurants with delicious American specialties await you. Get to know the culture of the Native Americans for one night at a Navajo reservation, and try your luck at one of the casinos in the glittering metropolis of Las Vegas. This Route 66 Guided motorcycle tour by Reuthers fulfills all your dreams! ...get your kicks on Route 66 - from east to west = the historical direction!

Day 1: Chicago

Welcome to Chicago. After the individual arrivals and the transfer from the airport to the hotel we will start off with a welcome drink and dinner and set the mood for our shared motorcycle tour.

Day 2: Chicago > Springfield, IL

Early in the morning we will pick up our Harley-Davidson motorcycles at the rental station and after a few safety tips, our Route 66 adventure starts. Around midday we will reach Wilmington with the Gemini Giant, a large fiberglass figure of the 1960's era. After an obligatory stop at the Dixie Truckers Home, we will end our first day in Spingfield/Illinois which was for many years the chosen home city of Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States during the civil war.

Day 3: Springfield, IL > St. Louis

Today we want to dedicate our day to the "Gateway to the West": the pioneer town St. Louis. The town's landmark is the more than 190 m high steel Gateway Arch. Inside, we will take trams to an observation platform to the top of the highest monument of the nation. The afternoon in St. Louis is free to your disposal, for dinner we will meet in downtown Lakelade's Landing.

Day 4: St. Louis > Springfield, MO

We deliberately want to do without the unnecessary challenges of confusing streets in the city, bad road conditions and misleading signs to the "Mother Road". We will travel some distances of the tour on the Route 66 and others on the Interstate. Today's highlight and absolute must are the Meramec Caverns. The famous limestone caves have been a tourist classic since the beginning of the Route 66 and served the outlaw Jesse James as a welcome hiding place from his pursuers.

Day 5: Springfield, MO > Oklahoma City

The motto of the day today is: ride, ride and ride namely through three states: Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. The latter is known through countless thunderstorms, the particularly striking red earth and for all Route 66 fans the probably longest continuous route on the Highway 66.

Day 6: Oklahoma City > Amarillo

We will start our day with a real photo highlight: A bridge with 38(!) huge arches spanning the Canadian River. And the Route 66 museum in Clinton that we will visit is a memorial that is different to all others: each room is dedicated to a decade of the "Main Street of America". A further highlight on our tour is the next stop and overnight stay at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo.

Day 7: Amarillo > Santa Fe

We continue our adventure tour on the Route 66 to the legendary Cadillac Ranch. As a reminder of the golden days of the Route 66 ten Cadillac's are buried vertically into the ground. Next stop is Adrian, the geo-mathematical center of the old Route 66. This is as important as crossing the equator. Brunch at Russell's Travel Center with its world class Car Museum rounds up the morning. At the end of our eventful day, we will spend the night in historic Santa Fe.

Day 8: Santa Fe

Today is free to relax in downtown Santa Fe, buying souvenirs and enjoying cafe's and restaurants. A must to see is the St. Francis Cathedral next to the Plaza.

Day 9: Santa Fe > Gallup

This morning we want to check out the original film location of Maggie's Diner from the cult movie "Wild Hogs" with John Travolta in Madrid. After taking a group picture our tour takes us past Mesas, cottonwood trees and continues on the gentle winding road to Laguna Pueblo where the Spaniards built the mission church, which we will visit. Just in time for dinner, we will reach the hotel El Rancho in Gallup after riding several more beautiful miles through Indian Territory. The heydays are gone, but there once was a time when famous Hollywood stars met up here. Ronald Reagan slept in room 103; Humphrey Bogart in room 213, Doris Day in room 109, Kirk Douglas stayed in 105, Gregory Peck in 111. The Marx brothers resided in room 118, John Wayne recovered in room 100 after a long days ride and for Hermann the German room 101 is regularly reserved for the night.

Day 10: Gallup > Chinle

After a hearty breakfast in the "El Rancho" we will drive the former Route 666 to the North, straight through Navajo country. After some 95 appealing miles, we will arrive after passing through Shiprock and Teec Nos Pos to the Four Corners, the single point in the United States, where the boundaries of four states come together: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Another highlight on this motorcycle tour is Monument Valley. We will spend the night appropriately in the Navajo reservation near the Canyon de Chelly in Chinle.

Day 11: Chinle > Flagstaff

Starting off in Chinle, the first stage leads us to the Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert. The more interesting of the two natural wonders is the Petrified Forest, which was formed millions of years ago by a freak of nature. The northern part of the park, the Painted Desert, consists of sedimentary rocks that change color depending on the exposure to the sun going from red to orange to purple. On our journey towards the west ("Go West", is our phrase of the day!), we will pass the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook and cruise on to Winslow, Arizona to Winslow Corner, known from the song by the Eagles. Today's destination is Flagstaff which is located between the two Indian reservations of the Navajo and Hopi on the legendary Route 66. We will end the evening at the Museum Club that the locals call "The Zoo" and which is probably the best dance club between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles.

Day 12: Flagstaff > Seligman

Today's highlight is the gigantic Grand Canyon - if you wish, enjoy a spectacular helicopter flight. After lunch we will cruise over Williams to Seligman. Here the long loop of the old Route 66 begins right up to the Californian border. Even the very old street layout is navigable along this beautiful section. Arriving in Seligman, we will first visit the founder of the "Historic Route 66 Association" at the Route 66 Visitors Center. We will certainly have the opportunity to meet the "Guardian Angel", Angel Delgadillo and perhaps somebody might be in the mood to receive one of his famous barber shaves. By the way, in his barber shop, you can find many Route 66 souvenirs - a true paradise for bargain hunters. In the evening we will set up our sleeping quarters at a typical Route 66 motel in order to get to know something very simple and rustic.

Day 13: Seligman > Las Vegas

We will have breakfast today at Westside Lilo's Cafe, an original 66 restaurant owned by an expatriate German, who ensures that all the guests in Seligman are well fed. Through Kingman we continue on to Las Vegas / Nevada and directly on to the Las Vegas Boulevard. The accommodation is booked in the legendary The Mirage which is an ideal starting point for a stroll right on the Strip. Do whatever your heart desires: dine in the Hard Rock Cafe, visit one of the many world-class shows or dive into the nightlife of the city, the afternoon and evening are of course at your disposal.

Day 14: Las Vegas > Barstow

After a long night, we will start today our "Desert Tour". We will roll past exclusive hotels on the last leg of the Las Vegas Boulevard, and then head off to our day trip in the direction of Barstow. From Needles, California we head back to our Route 66, many refer to this as being the most beautiful part of the route. Other stops are the Sahara Oasis and Roy's Cafe in Amboy. Before we arrive in Barstow we will turn a few miles north - if time allows it - to visit an old silver mine in the Mojave Desert in the ghost town of Calico. In the still inhabited and lovingly renovated original Western town over a thousand adventurers once sought their fortune. If you want to you can pick up your very own personal Western photo. A beautiful day and a beautiful trip ends in Barstow. By the way in 1886, the town was named after the president of the Santa Fe railroad company. Barstow also managed to end up in the refrain of the Route 66 classic "Get your kicks".

Day 15: Barstow > Santa Monica

The last day "on the road" starts today. From Barstow we will cruise the last miles on the Route 66 to Victorville and then take the Interstate straight to Los Angeles. After we have dropped off our Harley-Davidson motorcycles at the rental station, we will be transferred to Santa Monica Boulevard. Our Route 66 motorcycle tour ends here at the Pier of Santa Monica, where we will spend our last night near the promenade. During our final dinner we will reminisce about our dream journey.

Learn more about this Guided Motorcycle Tour:

What's included - pricing - dates.

What's included: * The Original Tour - developed and organised by Reuthers * Reuthers Tour Guide - trained and multilingual * Rental Motorcycle for the Tour including third party and comprehensive insurance * Reuthers POMZEC© (Peace Of Mind Zero Excess Coverage) for the rental vehicle * 15x Accommodation Middleclass Hotels/Motels in shared Double Room * Reuthers Partner Vacation Program© (Escort Vehicle for Companions) * Luggage Transportation during the Tour * Secured Payment Certificate (Sicherungsschein) * Reuthers Tour Book with Itineraries and Tips * Reuthers Travel Lecture (in English) * Reuthers Welcome Drink * Welcome Dinner in Restaurant * Farewell Dinner in Restaurant * Fuel for the Tour * Transfers Airport > Hotel > Rental Station > Hotel > Airport * Entrance and Parking Fees * Reuthers Rewards"> Reuthers Rewards Best Value - NO Hidden Costs > Why Reuthers ?

Pricing: Guided: Rider own Motorcycle = USD 4795 Guided: Rider Rental Motorcycle = USD 7995 Guided: Passenger Motorcycle = USD 4495 Guided: Passenger Escort Vehicle = USD 4615 Twin Room extra charge (2 separate beds instead of 1 common bed) = USD 235 Single Room extra charge (instead of shared Double Room) = USD 835

Optional Bookings: Additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = USD 95 Additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = USD 105 Additional Accommodation prior tour start in Single Room = USD 185 Additional Accommodation after the tour in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = USD 195 Additional Accommodation after the tour in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = USD 195 Additional Accommodation after the tour in Single Room = USD 375 Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = USD 315 Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = USD 345 Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in Single Room = USD 395 Chicago Best Of - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = USD 315 Chicago Best Of - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = USD 345 Chicago Best Of - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in Single Room = USD 395 Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight = USD 245

All pricing payable in US Dollar . 3% Early Bird Discount (booking more than 12 months prior tour start) 2% Golden Ager Discount (age at least 60 years prior tour start) 10% Group Discount (from 8 registrations made within one week, one common Payment of Balance) 2% Harley Owners Group Discount 2% BMW Motorcycle Owners Club Discount 2% Indian Motorcycle Riders Group Discount 2% Riders Association of Triumph Discount Please note: The Total Discount for all applicable Discounts is a maximum of 10%.

Paying in the above tour currency is the cheapest way. If you prefer another currency - simply select:

Your selected Currency

Important note about  >   Pricing

Please select from the popular > Harley-Davidson touring models

> Country-specific information > Terms and Conditions for Tours > More information on key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302

This website uses cookies > see Data Privacy Policy / Imprint

Diese Webseite verwendet Cookies > siehe Datenschutzerklärung / Impressum

Route 66 road trip planner: The best stops along the way

Editor's Note

They call it the Mother Road, a term coined by author John Steinbeck because it carried Dust Bowl refugees west across America. Even though Route 66 no longer exists on America's highway maps, a drive across the country on the stretches that remain is one of the great American road trips .

Passing through eight states between Chicago and Los Angeles , Route 66 covers nearly 2,500 miles across a broad swath of the Midwest, Great Plains, Southwest and West. Over time, most of the route was replaced by interstates, particularly Interstate 40, and finding the original road requires a series of zigzags and detours.

For that reason, most people choose just one section, leaving plenty of time for stops along the way, or base themselves out of one of the larger towns on the route and explore in either direction.

Here, from east to west, are some of the best places to celebrate the nostalgia of the Mother Road.

Chicago, Hinsdale and Joliet, Illinois

The symbolic start of Route 66 is Buckingham Fountain in Chicago's Grant Park, but it's not really a road trip until you're headed southwest out of the city.

A perfect jumping-off point for your trip is the Route 66 Welcome Center at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, with its excellent exhibit on the Muffler Men, huge fiberglass statues that were used to advertise car repair shops.

Restaurants still maintaining Route 66's traditions of roadside hospitality include the Rich & Creamy ice cream stand, Joliet Kicks on Route 66 and Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, specializing in fried chicken served under the slogan, "Get Your Chicks on Route 66."

For the ultimate all-American feast, Al's Steak House has been serving up prime cuts to weary road trippers for 60 years. As you head farther southwest on what today is Highway 55, stop for photos at the perfectly preserved Ambler's Texaco Gas Station in Dwight, where the gas pumps are painted gleaming red.

Where to stay

Between them, Chicago and Joliet have every brand of loyalty program hotel for every budget. The history of a different kind of travel is the theme at the Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop located in the former headquarters of the Chicago and North Western railway, with landmark Union Station just down the street. Opened in fall 2023, the hotel is a stylish addition to downtown, its decor paying homage to the bygone glamour of cross-country train travel. The hotel's brand-new rooftop restaurant, Seville, is a destination unto itself, serving creative cocktails, small plates and traditional Spanish dishes like paella. Rooms start at $240 or 65,000 points per night.

Related: The 17 best Chicago hotels

A relative newcomer to Joliet, the Candlewood Suites Joliet Southwest offers spacious rooms and an indoor pool, and is pet-friendly. Rooms start at $113 or 21,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

Also boasting an expansive indoor pool, Marriott's TownePlace Suites Joliet South features large, well-outfitted rooms that give you plenty of room to spread out and relax after a long drive. Rooms start at $134 or 12,800 Bonvoy points per night.

Pontiac, Illinois

Pontiac's pride in its Mother Road heritage can be seen in its 23 colorful outdoor murals and its two museums dedicated to America's love affair with the automobile. The Pontiac-Oakland Museum and Resource Center displays a rotating collection of rare Oakland and Pontiac models, while the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum showcases vintage ads, signs and a classic Volkswagen hippie bus housed in an old fire station.

Litchfield, Illinois

This one is a quick stop, but you don't want to miss the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center (yes, another one!) with its collection of nostalgic paraphernalia.

Nearby, the uber-retro Ariston Cafe is one of the oldest continuously operating Route 66 establishments, serving up a melting pot of American, Southern, Greek and Italian fare since 1924.

Springfield, Missouri

Crossing into Missouri, don't miss Chain of Rocks Bridge, now open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic only, famed for its dramatic dogleg bend midspan.

Springfield's vintage Route 66 establishments are preserved along two downtown streets: St. Louis Street, east of downtown, and the Chestnut Expressway on the west side. The Route 66 Car Museum is the big attraction here, thanks to its collection of more than 70 rare and collectible vintage cars.

One of Springfield's most recognizable historic buildings is the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque. This flamboyantly Arabesque old theater was built in 1923 and is still owned by the Shriners, who use it as an auditorium and concert hall. Nearby, a plaque tells the story of Wild Bill Hickok's murder of fellow gambler Dave Tutt, supposedly because Tutt flaunted a watch he'd won off Hickok.

Bonvoy members will be happy to find the SpringHill Suites Springfield North (from $136 or 26,000 points) a sleek addition to the portfolio, with extra-spacious rooms big enough to accommodate cribs, rollaways and trundle beds, and outfitted with microwaves and minifridges.

Die-hard Route 66 fans often choose the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven (from $129 or 20,000 points per night), while Hilton Honors members will like the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Springfield (from $380 or 145,000 Hilton Honors points per night), revamped top to bottom with earth-toned furnishings and a midcentury modern vibe.

Galena and Riverton, Kansas

The Kansas section of Route 66 is just 13.2 miles long, but it includes a couple of key stops. These include the town of Galena, a must for the old Kan-O-Tex gas station that now houses Cars on the Route, a tribute to Pixar's animated movie "Cars."

Housed inside the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas train depot, Galena Mining & Historical Museum is filled with vintage furnishings, tools and historical records documenting life in a mining boomtown.

Just west in Riverton, stop for lunch or snacks at the Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, a road trip staple since the 1920s. This deli serves up classic sandwiches, and the owner, who happens to be president of the Kansas Route 66 Association, displays his memorabilia.

Less well known, but beloved by locals, is the white-painted Rainbow Bridge that arches over Brush Creek approximately 2 miles west of Riverton.

Clinton, Oklahoma

Oklahoma has more original and still-driveable miles of Route 66 than any other state and takes great pride in this heritage. This includes the key role Route 66 played in the 1930s Dust Bowl migration.

Nowhere is this pride more on display than in the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The museum has used its significant state and local funding to pull together a comprehensive collection that even includes the chance to sit in a re-created 1950s diner.

Those who've traveled this route before will mourn the loss of the classic Trade Winds Inn, which until recently sat across the street from the museum and was a favorite of Elvis Presley, who stayed there four times. Clinton also has an indoor water park known as the Water-Zoo that makes a perfect road trip break for tired kids.

Points-friendly lodging options in Clinton include the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Clinton Historic Route 66 , with its expansive outdoor pool (from $96 or 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night) and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Clinton (from $110 or 18,000 IHG One Rewards points per night).

Tulsa, Stroud and Chandler, Oklahoma

Tulsa is the food capital of the Route 66 road trip, boasting a number of eateries with some variation on a Mother Road theme, chief among them El Rancho Grande, which has been serving up Mexican food for more than 60 years under a photogenic neon sign. Looking exactly as a vintage Mother Road diner should, Tally's is a must for breakfast all day long.

You'll find something tasty for everyone at Mother Road Market, where you can choose from Chicken & the Wolf, Bodhi's Bowl and even Brazilian food at Doctor Kustom, then eat on a family-friendly outdoor patio complete with Route 66-themed murals and a minigolf course.

Don't leave without checking out the eclectic shops at Mother Road Market, where you'll find books, toys and inspired souvenirs. Make a final stop at the Desert Hills Motel to snap a photo of its beloved neon sign.

Departing Tulsa to the west, the first landmark to watch for is Rock Creek Bridge. At just 12 feet wide, it provides a vivid sense of just how narrow highways like Route 66 were back in the early days of the Model T. You'll find another great example of Route 66 neon in Stroud, where the Skyliner Motel beckons visitors with a towering red arrow.

Now, back to the movie "Cars." The Rock Cafe just west of Stroud — which is made from local stone quarried in the 1920s — is a must-stop for fans because of its association with director John Lasseter. He visited numerous times as he wrote and directed the movie, leaving behind signed posters, napkins and graffiti.

Chandler is home to the Route 66 Interpretive Center, which is a bit of a departure from other Mother Road museums for its emphasis on education.

Related reading: The best American road trips to take with your family this summer

McLean, Texas

Stretching across the pancake-flat plains of the Texas panhandle for almost 200 miles, Route 66 in Texas has largely been directly supplanted by Interstate 40, with old Mother Road businesses left behind on the various towns' business loops.

The first of these, from east to west, is the old ranching town of McLean. It wasn't bypassed by the interstate until the early 1980s and has made impressive efforts to preserve its historic structures.

Stop for a photo op with the giant neon Texas sign and another at the perfectly preserved Phillips 66 station, where the pumps still list a price of 19 cents a gallon.

Well worth a stop is the Devil's Rope Museum. It's dedicated to barbed wire, called the "devil's rope" by cowboys, and holds one of the entire Mother Road's best collections of Route 66 memorabilia and souvenirs.

Amarillo and Cadillac Ranch, Texas

The beef industry still reigns supreme in Amarillo, which handles 2 million head of cattle a year, providing plenty of that old Wild West vibe, despite its booming population. Route 66 follows Sixth Street through what is now called the Old Jacinto District, so head there to browse boot, saddle and Western shops and antiques stores.

Back on I-40, you can't miss the giant steer head marking the Big Texan Steak Ranch, which was located on Route 66 when it opened in 1960. Families will like the old false-front Wild West-themed building, kitschy decor and the enormous portions at reasonable prices.

However, the Amarillo area's most photographed road-themed attraction is Cadillac Ranch, just off I-40 and about 10 miles west of town. Here, 10 rusting Cadillacs are buried nose down in the dirt, their finned backsides rising toward the sky and demonstrating iconic American midcentury design in order from 1949 to 1964.

Cadillac Ranch was created by a collective of San Francisco-based artists in 1974 at the behest of eccentric millionaire Stanley Marsh III, who moved them in the late 1990s to put them farther outside the city's sprawl. Since Marsh's death in 2014, the installation's future has been less secure, but filmmakers use the day-glo-painted cars so frequently for advertisements and photo shoots that the installation seems likely to survive awhile longer.

The Big Texan (from $76) offers rooms as well as meals, and a stay here will be more than memorable with choices including authentic covered wagons and vintage Airstreams.

You'll also find options for almost every loyalty point program; choose from the Hilton Garden Inn Amarillo (rooms from $87 or 24,000 Hilton Honors points per night), Marriott's Residence Inn Amarillo (rooms from $149 or 20,500 Bonvoy points per night) and many more.

Tucumcari, New Mexico

Tucumcari arguably has more time capsule photo ops than perhaps anywhere else on Route 66, thanks to the abundance of cool vintage signs lining aptly named Route 66 Boulevard. Many adorn classic motor lodges and diners, including Del's Restaurant, which features a giant cow on its sign.

The other thing you'll notice is the murals — nearly 100 of them — which stretch down side streets and adorn shops, restaurants and grocery stores. Make sure to see the Mother Road-themed mural at the corner of Second Street and Tucumcari Boulevard and also seek out the Magnolia gas station decorated with Route 66 signs and memorabilia.

In your sign-spotting, you probably noticed the photogenic monikers of Tucumcari's many 1940s-style motor lodges, among them the Blue Swallow Motel (rooms from $134 a night) and the Historic Route 66 Motel , which has taken midcentury chic to the max, outfitting its street-side patio with "Jetsons"-style chairs. Rooms, which start at just $76 a night, have refrigerators, microwaves and comfortable armchairs; some come with sleeper sofas to expand the number of beds.

The brand-new Fairfield Inn & Suites Tucumcari, a great option for Bonvoy members, combines modern amenities with midcentury modern decor perfectly in keeping with Route 66 nostalgia. Rooms start at $119 or 40,000 Bonvoy points per night.

Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Known for its preservation of retro signs and buildings, Santa Rosa is also home to the Route 66 Auto Museum, which you can't miss thanks to the bright yellow car perched atop a pole high in the air.

In addition to classic cars dating back to the earliest days of the automobile, the museum has an excellent collection of vintage gas pumps that say Route 66 better than anything else. Santa Rosa's other claim to fame, the Blue Hole, is an astoundingly deep spring-fed lake popular with scuba divers.

The Hampton Inn Santa Rosa , right on Route 66, is a favorite low-category property for Hilton Honors members looking to stretch points, with rooms starting at 20,000 points a night.

Like all La Quinta Inns, the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Rosa is popular with dog-owning Wyndham members for its pet-friendly policies; rooms start at $124 a night.

Related reading: 6 tips for surviving a road trip with a large family

Williams, Arizona

"Last town bypassed by I-40," reads the mural on the wall as you drive down Williams' main street. It's no surprise that Williams celebrates its dual identity as both a shoot-'em-up Western town and a nostalgic 1950s cruising strip.

Retro-chic photo ops are aplenty here, including the sky-blue sign for the Arizona 9 Motor Hotel and the neon cow beckoning diners to Rod's Steakhouse. The Coca-Cola-red car on the roof of Cruiser's 66 Cafe is visible for blocks.

Just an hour away from Grand Canyon National Park , Williams makes a perfect home base from which to explore. The Grand Canyon Railway provides "door to door" service, bringing travelers directly to Grand Canyon Village while entertaining them on the way with a staged "shootout" and close-up wildlife viewing.

In Williams, IHG members will find Holiday Inn Express & Suites Williams (rooms from $132 or 24,000 IHG points per night); Choice Hotels members can opt for either Quality Inn Near Grand Canyon or Comfort Inn Near Grand Canyon (both from $90 or 20,000 Choice points per night).

Wyndham Rewards members will be thrilled with the wide selection, which includes La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Williams-Grand Canyon Area ($97 or 30,000 points per night), Ramada by Wyndham Williams ($60 or 15,000 points per night) and Howard Johnson by Wyndham Williams ($56 or 15,000 points per night).

For something different and more adventurous, stay at the brand-new Backland Luxury Camping , a luxury glamping resort just 20 minutes outside Williams, which is spread over 160 thickly forested acres and features an on-site spa and restaurant. Tents come in four variations and start at $395 a night.

Related reading: Visiting the Grand Canyon with a family: Where to camp, stay and play

Seligman and Hackberry, Arizona

Filled with a string of vintage cafes, stores and gas stations, now colorfully painted and festooned in antiques rescued from the surrounding desert, Seligman is one big photo op — and what a photo op it is. From here, Route 66 diverted from I-40 through Hackberry, where the Hackberry General Store has the gritty Mother Road vibe so many of the more cleaned-up museums lack.

Kingman and Oatman, Arizona

A key stop on the Route 66 pilgrimage, Kingman houses the unusually comprehensive Arizona Route 66 Museum. In the Powerhouse Visitor Center, it traces the history of the westward route back to when it was an Indian trail, wagon train route and railroad line before it carried road trippers. Exhibits include a covered wagon and a characteristic Dust Bowl truck, as well as brightly painted 1950s roadsters.

The sharp jog north to visit the old mining town of Oatman is well worth the detour to see a town with a main street that appears to be frozen in time. Its sidewalks are still made of wood, and burros still wander among the old storefronts.

Barstow, California

Several quirky landmarks pay tribute to Barstow's former importance as a rail hub — including a McDonald's made from old railroad cars. However, Barstow's big lure for Route 66 fans is the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, located in the faded glory of the Casa del Desierto, a Fred Harvey hotel.

Outside Barstow in the Mojave National Preserve, the Kelso Depot has become a visitors center, bookstore and museum, with its former baggage room ticket office and dormitory rooms refurbished to their 1930s glory. The Desert Light Gallery has natural history and art exhibits.

Barstow is a common overnight spot for drivers on the way to San Francisco or Los Angeles, as well as the desert national parks of Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon.

You'll find numerous points-friendly lodging options, including Hampton Inn & Suites Barstow (from $299 or 50,000 Hilton points per night) and the Quality Inn on Historic Route 66 (from $103 or 16,000 Choice Privileges points per night).

Best Western Rewards members have two choices, the Best Western Desert Villa Inn (rooms from $134 or 20,000 points per night) and the more recently debuted Best Western Plus New Barstow Inn & Suites (rooms from $143 or 28,000 points per night).

Westward to the coast

Route 66 was rejiggered so many times as it passed through California that it's not always easy to trace the route or even find the remnants that exist. They're in small zigzag patches, some no longer even connected.

Victorville, California, has one short section, marked by an optimistic over-the-road welcome sign and the California Route 66 Museum. In all-but-abandoned Newberry Springs, the Baghdad Cafe had its 15 minutes of fame thanks to its namesake film, a 1980s art-house favorite.

But if you want a true sense of times long gone, these stretches of Highway 66 are perfect. Here are miles upon miles of lonely emptiness, where tumbleweeds blow across the pockmarked pavement. Motel signs stand abandoned, and vintage gas pumps behind chain-link fences still beg for attention from motorists long gone.

While at this point in the trip most travelers continue on to Los Angeles for the night, you might choose to cap off your trip with a stay at San Bernardino's '50s time-capsule Wigwam Motel (rooms from $109 a night), where the individual stucco structures cluster around a pool under swaying palms.

Related reading: From California to British Columbia: 10 best places for an idyllic West Coast getaway

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

UK: 0845 557 8513 (Local Rate)

Int: +44 1285 343 015

• Annual Coast to Coast Run
• Canadian Rockies to Yellowstone
• Pacific Coast Highway
• Suggested Bikes
• Tips & Reviews
• Photos & Videos
• Get Lost Gear
• US Motorcycle Touring Guide

Route 66 Motorcycle Tour

Tour Overview

Ride the mother road

Interested in riding the Mother Road, the famous Route 66 on a motorcycle? We can help make your dream come true. Whether you prefer a premium Guided Tour, a Self-Guided Tour with bike and hotels pre-booked, or a straight bike rental for this year or beyond, we can sort it for you. We've ridden Route 66 ourselves multiple times and have helped thousands of motorcyclists all over the world make their dreams of riding "The Mother Road" come true.

EagleRider’s World famous Route 66 motorcycle tour travels the original Route 66, known as the “Mainstreet of America” or “Mother Road”. 2400 miles long from Chicago to Los Angeles, it crosses three time zones and 8 States: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Route 66 has been the path of migrants, dreamers, desperadoes and an entire generation of vacationers discovering the way west. The 1950′s were the Route 66 glory days, when thousands of cars rode bumper to bumper behind each other to experience the Western frontier. Hotels, motels, gas stations, classic restaurants, and the “New” America sprang up everywhere. Much of Route 66′s classic roads, restaurants, gas stations, and nostalgic landmarks are preserved just as they were in the 1950’s. A motorcycle tour of Route 66 is about nostalgia, a journey into the past where a time long since past becomes tangible - you'll feel a part of it.

View Route 66 Photos & Videos

Riding Route 66 isn't technically challenging for a competent rider; that said, it's very easy to get lost. The road is no longer complete, with some sections dead ending in the middle of nowhere. The first time we rode 66 ourselves, we did a lot of cursing and doubling back as we tried to follow it. Like a living thing, 66 evolved over the years. America was growing; people were headed west, and as new sections were added to accommodate them, older portions of the road were sidetracked or abandoned. So Route 66 circa 1921 was very different than circa 1952. Which version of the road should you follow?

Well, EagleRider has perfected their tour over many years, enabling you to enjoy your ride and see the best of Route 66 without all the dead ends and turnarounds. On a fully Guided Tour, you just follow the leader and enjoy, while on a Self-Guided tour, you have detailed directions so you'll know exactly where you're going with no guesswork. Like exploring off the beaten track? Then do a bike hire, bring a map, and have at it! We've done it all three ways, and which way is "best"is really down to individual taste. Read more about Route 66 Motorcycle Hire and Rental .

Check Guided Tour prices with EagleRider

Check Self Guided prices with EagleRider

Check Bike Hire prices with EagleRider

Read stories and riding tips for route 66.

Get your eats on Route 66!

50 Tips For Riding A Motorcycle Across America

Keep Your Bike and Gear Safe While Touring

Tips For Safe Group Riding

Riding Historic Route 66 on Motorcycle

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. Today, many choose to ride and tour the historic route by motorcycle.

In the early years many sections connected only one small town to the next, and had no official federal route number. However, in 1926 the route was formalized as a Federal Highway numbered as "U.S. 66".

It became known as "The Mother Road" and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. The route was also called "The Main Street of America" and the "Will Rogers Highway".

From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed south 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.

Alignments of the road changed often over the years, as improved sections of highway were constructed.

The passage of the Federal Highway Act of 1956 sounded the death knell for the old road, and gradually segments were replaced with new, safer superhighways.

Its final demise was the completion of the Interstate Highway System, and Route 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System on June 27, 1985. Route 66 was replaced by five Interstates: I-55 from Chicago, I-44, I-40, I-15 and finally I-10 into Los Angeles.

We've had the pleasure of driving in all 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.

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, RV, or 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 .

Many travelers on Route 66 also ride their own bikes or rent motorcycles to seek new open-air adventures on their USA road trip!

Renting Motorcycles for a Route 66 Trip

A variety of motorcycle rental plans and guided tours are available, such as those from Eaglerider Motorcycle Rentals . These are excellent plans for those traveling from Europe, Australia or other countries to ride on Route 66.

Groups in other countries such as JoyRides - Explorify Tours also provide services and tours related to Route 66 - It is one of the world’s largest car and motorcycle tour operators.

In Spain, a popular company arranging Route 66 trips, bike rentals, and guided tours is the Route66Experience.eu

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 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.

Insurance, Licenses and More

Whether you are riding your own bike, or renting one, we highly recommend investigating all travel considerations, and then planning accordingly.

Make sure you have necessary travel insurance and health insurance, and coverage for lost passports, theft, damage to your bike, and travel disruptions. Consider mileage limitations from renters and roadside assistance before embarking on your trip. Also, be knowledgeable on motorcycle laws such as helmet usage and licenses in each state.

The Lore of Route 66: The Main Street of America

Route 66 became one of the most famous roads in the United States, outdistancing others such as the Lincoln Highway.

It is popular lore in movies, songs, books, and TV shows. The movie "Easy Rider" was filmed at several locations along Route 66.

The route was known far and wide for its variety of "mom and pop" motels, neon lights, drive-ins, quirky roadside attractions, flat tires, cars with no air conditioning, dangerous curves, steep hills, and narrow lanes.

The popularity stuck, and grew!

Route 66: The TV Show

A popular television show during the early 1960s bore the road's name: "Route 66". Starring George Maharis as Buz, and Martin Milner as Tod, the two young adventurers drove the road in their Corvette for 116 episodes.

Despite the name of the series, most episodes did NOT take place on the historic road, but in 25 different U.S. states.

The show was filmed mostly on location, and became known for its cinematography. A long list of well-known actors and actresses appeared on the series.

The show ran from October, 1960, through March, 1964, and created a huge following.

The interest in the show continues today by "Baby Boomers" who remember the original showings, and new generations of viewers fascinated by the show who watch it on DVD.

Read more about the Route 66 TV series ... and those Corvettes!

Route 66 Map from Chicago to Santa Monica

Road Trip Travel Guides for Various States Along Route 66

Planning a road trip on Route 66? Here are the travel guides and reviews by state...

Route 66 Today

Today, several states recognize the historical significance of the road, and have it marked with "66" in the state highway number.

The road is also a major tourist attraction, so many states openly market attractions and lodging along the old route.

The old road still traverses dozens of small towns with vintage gas stations, quirky tourist attractions, diners, "Mom & Pop" motels, historic sites, stunning vistas, and gift shops.

Photo Highlights from Road Trips Along Route 66

Included below are photo highlights of some of the more popular attractions and stops along Route 66. Hopefully the photographs will convey the type of sights you will experience riding your bike on the Mother Road!

Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum

The museum is a repository for thousands of pieces of historic memorabilia from the glory days of the Mother Road.

This is a great place to learn the history of Route 66 in Illinois, see images of the road's wonderful history, and hear a few great stories about life in America when Route 66 was the most important highway in the nation.

Located at 115 W. Howard Street in Pontiac, Illinois

A Texas Ghost Town

Sitting directly on the Texas - New Mexico border at Exit 0 is the abandoned ghost town of Glenrio .

The townsite still has noticeable traces of Route 66 and the motels and restaurants that used to thrive there before the arrival of I-40.

Today it includes the Glenrio Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The district encompasses the Route 66 roadbed and 17 abandoned structures.

Remains can still be seen of an old motel, cafe, service station, the post office, and a few other buildings, as well as the old Route 66 roadbed.

Read more about the history and current status of Glenrio .

Standin' on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona

This area was dedicated on September 11, 1999, as a tribute to the memorable song of the 1970s that made Winslow , Arizona a town to sing about on famous Route 66.

The song "Take It Easy" includes the verse "Well, I'm a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see".

The park is located at the corner of Old Route 66 and North Kinsley Avenue.

Seligman ... Birth Place of Historic Route 66

One of the original U.S. Highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926, stretching 2,448 miles.

Route 66 served as a major path for those who migrated west.

A favorite stopping place on Rouge 66 in Arizona is the town of Seligman .

Its earlier roots was as a railroad town. Originally Seligman was called “Prescott Junction” because it was the railroad stop on the Santa Fe Railroad mainline junction with the Prescott and Arizona Central Railway Company.

In 1886 it was renamed Seligman, after Jesse Seligman, one of the founders of J.W. Seligman Co. of New York, who helped finance the railroad lines in the area.

In 1987 Seligman became known as the “Birthplace of Historic Route 66” .

Today, Seligman is home to numerous gift shops, restaurants and several small motels. It is truly a step back in time!

SITE MAP | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE | CONTACT US

Copyright © 2024 Route66RoadTrip.com • All Rights Reserved.

Loading... Please wait

THE BEST VACATION EVER. – Bill and Judy Gore, Australia View Reviews

ROUTE 66 GUIDED MOTORCYCLE TOUR

ROUTE 66 TOUR INFO     |     WHAT’S INCLUDED     |     MOTORCYCLE CHOICES     |     WHERE WE STAY    |     GUIDED TOUR FAQ’S     |     BOOK

ROUTE 66 TOUR INFO WHAT’S INCLUDED MOTORCYCLE CHOICES WHERE WE STAY GUIDED TOUR FAQ’S BOOK

Why Choose Our Guided Motorcycle Tour?

Talk to the owner anytime We care about your dream coming true Small family business, not corporate Every person is important to us READ MORE No Mass Production

Small group Stay in small local hotels Go to small local stops and restaurants Shorter riding days to experience more READ MORE Real American Experience

15 DAY ROUTE 66 TOUR

Sturgis Tour

"The Greatest Trip of my life!"

Hello Wil and Erin. Just a short note to thank you for the ‘BEST VACATION EVER’. Both Brian and Andy were exceptionally professional and it is fair to say that that trip would not have been as good without the professional and friendly banter between the group and the guides. They were well able to cater for the differences in the group and this aided the holiday. The locations, lodgings and roads traveled matched and, sometimes, exceeded our expectations. On at least two occasions the accommodations were part of our dreams. ( Log cabin on a lake ) Read More

310-978-9558

© 2019 Ride Free Motorcycle Tours

• Route 66 Self Guided Motorcycle

Route 66 Self Guided Motorcycle Tour

14 or 21 night self guided motorcycle tour from £3,796pp including flights, motorbike rental and accommodation, see iconic america at it’s best with a route 66 self guided motorcycle tour from complete north america. , the route is 2400 miles long from chicago to los angeles, and crosses three time zones and eight states: illinois, missouri, kansas, oklahoma, texas, new mexico, arizona and california..

DISCOVER ROUTE 66 YOUR WAY.

Take it as you see it or change it to suit. This Route 66 motorcycle holiday can be tailored to suit your own tastes & budget.

All our holidays offer complete financial protection and you will receive a uniquely personalised travelling pack to ensure you get the most from your adventure.

What you get

Explore route 66.

14 nights from £3,796  and 21 nights from £5,876

Day 1 Chicago Arrival

Depart London Heathrow – 11:50 Arrive Chicago – 13:55 Journey Time – 8 hours 30 minutes

Upon arrival into Chicago O’Hare airport proceed to your overnight hotel located in downtown Chicago, here you can begin your own historic ‘road trip’ after settling in. Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue, Watertower Place, the Navy Pier, the Merchandise Mart, Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum are not far away.

As you explore one or a selection of these world class attractions, you can begin thinking about your upcoming journey on the Mother Road. Although Route 66 virtually parallels the interstate anywhere portions of the actual road exist, even today hundreds of men & women, young and old, take this trip every year from Chicago to Los Angeles. America unfolds as you travel through the Ozarks, authentic American towns in southwest and vast open deserts. You can start your trip at Grant Park, the exact place where Route 66 begins.

Route 66 through Illinois was first used by Native Americans as a trading path followed by fur trappers and traders who sought a path to the Mississippi River to ship their goods downstream to French New Orleans. Al Capone and the rumrunners kept the road busy right after it became the first fully paved highway in Illinois in the early 1920s. When the old Route 66 road signs came down in 1977, the strong relationship of the road to the people who travel it brought new Historic Route 66 signs back almost immediately. When the highway department would not pay for them, bake sales, auctions, festivals and other truly American events raised money to bring them back.

Overnight – Chicago

Day 2 Chicago to St. Louis 300 miles

This morning you will collect your bike.

Most of today will be spent traveling through Illinois farmlands on your way to St. Louis, the crossroads where highways from Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, Nashville, and Indianapolis meet. The city was originally the focal point of Indian trails that ran all across the US and the jumping off point for Lewis and Clark’s Expedition of Discovery to open the West through the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. It will also be your jumping off point to points south and west, as you begin your journey through the wide open spaces.

Springfield, the Illinois State Capital, is Abraham Lincoln country. He left here to serve as President of the United States during the most awful period in American history, the Civil War and returned as a fallen hero, a casualty of the same war. New Salem where Lincoln lived and worked for six years has been reconstructed. Costumed interpreters bring the village alive. The Lincoln Home National Historic Site is the centerpiece of a four block historic neighborhood. The President’s Tomb, Presidential Library and original law office are also open for touring.

As you cross from Illinois into Missouri you’ll be crossing the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge. Be sure to stop at Ted Drew’s Frozen Custard, serving Route 66 travelers since 1929. In St. Louis, the original Route 66 tracked through town very near the Gateway Arch and we definitely recommend riding the elevator inside Arch to the top of the 630 foot structure. Spectacular views of the Mississippi River await. In the evening, you can catch up with the St. Louie Blues, which were born right here and taste the fruits of Anheuser-Busch, the world’s largest brewer.

Overnight – St. Louis  

Day 3 St. Louis to Springfield 210 miles

Route 66 from St. Louis to Springfield, Missouri takes you through the lush rolling hills of the Missouri Ozark Mountains. The road follows the Great Osage Trail, a major Indian path across the state and a route used by Jess James, of famed James Gang fame, who locals knew as ‘just a nice Missouri boy!’ One of the most famous attractions on Route 66, Meramec Caverns was also used by the James Gang as a hideout when escaping the law. Lester Dill who owns Meramec Caverns started the American advertising institution, the bumper sticker, when he gave away portable advertising to all who stopped by to visit.

Much of the rural Ozark region, punctuated by the second oldest mountains in the world, looks much as it did when the first settlers arrived. Springfield has been bustling since the St. Louis-San Francisco railroad arrived in 1870. Even though most of Route 66 through here is now Interstate-44, remnants of the old road are everywhere just off the highway.

Interestingly, Springfield is considered the mother of the Mother Road itself. It was here that Cyrus Avery of Oklahoma who fought for a route through Oklahoma met with John Woodruff of Springfield, to plan and promote the idea of an interregional link that would bring trade and access to the area. In honor, Springfield has preserved much of the old highway frontage along St. Louis Street as well as the ‘Chestnut Expressway.’ If you’re a fan of western lore, delve into the ‘Wild’ Bill Hickock legend surrounding his fellow gambler Dave Tutt. There are so many different stories no one really knows what happened.

Overnight – Springfield

Day 4 Springfield to Tulsa to Oklahoma City 310 miles

Oklahoma was the home of Cyrus Avery, who came to be known as the ‘Father of Route 66.’ After he was appointed to head the commission that reviewed the routes of new national highways, he fought for several years to bring a major highway through his home state, knowing it would boost the economy. Ultimately, he was successful in the choice of a route that followed the National Old Trails Road in 1925, which just happened to cross right through the middle of Oklahoma.

‘Been on this road for a mighty long time, Ten million men like me, You drive us from you’ town We ramble around And got them 66 Highway Blues.’

Woody Guthrie of ‘This Land is Your Land’ fame who hailed from Oklahoma, illustrated the icon which Route 66 had already become in a song that told of the plight of the Okies fleeing to California. The Los Angeles police stationed themselves at the Arizona border in 1934 to stop the flood of Dust Bowlers looking for a better life.

Southwest of Springfield, you’ll begin to see why they would leave, as the landscape changes from the rich crop raising Midwest into the American southwest; red, dry and dusty. During the1930s, more than 15% of Oklahoma’s population took Route 66 to escape the constantly blowing sand. They picked up their belongings, their families, their hopes and their dreams and headed west.

After World War II, the pretty Oklahoma City referred to by the Nat King Cole in ‘Get Your Kicks on Route 66’ rose to new heights during the oil boom (the State Capitol is the only one in the country with an oil well on the grounds), only to suffer a dramatic decline at the end of the 1980s. Since then, the city has gone through an astounding transformation which continued during the re-building which followed the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The monument to the victims is very moving and an adjacent museum tells the story.

For nightlife, make sure you visit Bricktown, a former warehouse district that has been reinvigorated with restaurants, cafes, night clubs and a vibrant atmosphere.

Overnight – Oklahoma City

Day 5 Oklahoma City to Amarillo 260 miles

For the traveler going west on Route 66, Texas is Cowboy Country. It is here that some of the most wonderful icons of Route 66, those ‘functional simple buildings that were adorned with all manner of exterior signs promising all things larger than life, still exist. Two headed snakes, reptile farms, alligators, wondrous caves and petrified mummies all vied for the attention of the vacationer in a unique side show that would have made P. T. Barnum proud. The tales carried home from these vacations would entice and amaze the neighborhood for months.

Amarillo is one of the last places on earth where the Old West is just minutes away or depending on where you are, could be closer than that. The vast ranches of the Texas Panhandle, some numbering in the millions of acres are just outside of Amarillo. Shortly after being discovered by Spanish explorer Francisco Coronado in 1541, the area became a magnet for cattlemen and sheep herders from all points of the compass looking for fresh grazing grounds. As the Dust Bowl farmers headed to California, more cattlemen and cowhands moved in to claim the same territory for ranching. Step into ‘The Real Texas’ as the locals say.

Today, Amarillo and the surrounding Panhandle area is still a unique blend of the Old West and the New West, populated by American cowboys, roughnecks and self made millionaires and the ever present oil derricks. Working ranches, essentially unchanged from the day-to-day operations of the late nineteenth century peacefully coexist with a vibrant twenty-first century economy powered by petroleum. More than 2 million cattle are still shipped out of Amarillo each year. Make sure to drive Amarillo Boulevard which is the original Route 66 that is still lined with block after block of strip shopping centers and roadside motels straight out of the 1950s.

Overnight – Amarillo

Day 6 Amarillo to Tucumcari 120 miles

For many people traveling the old Mother Road during its hey-day, New Mexico presented their first glimpse of the more exotic cultures of the Southwest. To people who had never left the Midwest before, it was as if they had entered another country. Back then, the Native American and Spanish cultures were much stronger, not having been diluted as much with contemporary life. It was a fascinating heritage of old Indian Pueblos that dated back to before European colonization and Santa Fe and Albuquerque that looked like they could have fallen straight out of Mexico with adobe buildings and a Spanish plaza in the middle town. What adventure and discovery these lands presented; a phenomenal contrast to Middle America.

Unique to New Mexico also was the number of Mom and Pop businesses that sprung up along Route 66. Some are still there. More amazing are the materials used to create workable spaces for the businesses. Crates left over from World War II became the walls of a motor court. Oilcans became shingles used to roof a service station. Cast away bottles and roadside trash became the material to create a wondrous roadside attraction. Diners could be ordered from a catalog and shipped by railroad to their destination. These are the same icons we marvel at along the road that so represented America’s love affair with the automobile. As a result, New Mexico still has the most miles of original Route 66 that can be driven today.

On your way between Amarillo and Tucumcari, New Mexico, be sure to stop at Cadillac Ranch to see the ten tail- finned Cadillacs buried in the sand.

Once nicknamed ‘Six-Shooter Siding,’ Tucumcari, New Mexico got its start in 1901 as a rowdy railroad camp filled with saloons and outlaws. Soon, it became one of the many small railroad towns in the southwest with a flagging economy and diminishing population. Today, Route 66 is critically important, since it was the new businesses that were established along Route 66 which allowed Tucumcari to hang on, when other towns failed completely. Realizing that they have one of a handful of authentic roadside towns still intact and thriving has promoted a renaissance and revival among the gentlemen and businesses who just refused to let this wonderful piece of Americana and the American ‘road trip’ pass away entirely. Let the signs that read ‘Tucumcari Tonight!’ beckon you to this interesting place.

Overnight – Tucumcari

Day 7 Tucumcari to Albuquerque 180 miles

Next up, Albuquerque – New Mexico’s capital city. Younger than its more northerly counterpart, Santa Fe, Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by a group of Spanish colonists who were granted permission by the King of Spain to establish a new city on the river. Old Town Plaza was the result of Spain’s Laws of the Indies which required setting a plaza at the center of any city. This Plaza still fronts the San Felipe Neri Church complex built in 1793 and the El Camino Real, the main route through town that connected Santa Fe and Albuquerque with Mexico City. The Santa Fe Trail also criss-crossed the region in 1821. Today, both routes are National Scenic Byways and All American Roads.

Historic neon signs still glow on the old Route 66 through Albuquerque which is now Central Avenue. Alongside the vintage signs, you’ll see new versions put up by businesses that are continuing the aesthetic traditions of the old Route 66, adorning their shops with bright buzzing neon. The famous Route 66 continues to guide visitors through Albuquerque from the volcanoes on the city’s far west side past the Rio Grande Botanical Garden and the Albuquerque Aquarium through the historic Old Towns and Downtown business districts and continuing eastward through the University of New Mexico and trendy Nob Hill, where you’ll find many of the city’s best restaurants, distinctive shops and boutiques.

Overnight – Albuquerque

Day 8 Explore Albuquerque

As you complete the self-guided Historic Walking Tour from Plaza to Plaza, you will be passing from Old ‘Villa Albuquerque’ in Old Town, to the Downtown Civic Plaza, created in 1972. In between, you will witness 300 years of history.

It will be challenging to determine which other places to visit. Sandia Peak Tramway takes you over 2.5 miles to the 10,000 foot peak of the Sandia Mountains. Visit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque Museum and the National Hispanic Cultural Center to learn more about local culture and history. Petroglyphs at the Petroglyph National Museum and El Morro National Monument reveal the life of ancient peoples who inhabited the area. The National Atomic Museum and Trinity Site, the exact spot where the first atomic bomb was detonated tell the story of this momentous event in American history.

Alternatively take a drive North East (approx 64 miles/1 hour) along Highway 25 to historic & cultural Santa Fe.

Day 9 Albuquerque to Holbrook 230 miles

On the way between Albuquerque and Holbrook, you’ll be entering the dramatic lands of western New Mexico and ultimately traveling through the Navajo Reservation. The New Mexico Mining Museum at Grants has replicated an entire uranium mine. Natural attractions include the El Malpais National Monument, the Continental Divide. The excavated Pueblo at Inspiration Rock dates back to AD 1200. Skirting the southern foothills of the Zuni Mountains, the drive along Highway 53 is likely the most scenic in all of New Mexico.

Staying on this route brings you to Gallup, you can follow Hwy 40/Route 66 thru Gallup for about 9 miles until you reconnect with I-40. The Rex Museum in downtown Gallup offers local history including the WWII saga of the Navajo code talkers and Route 66 of course. Crossing into Arizona this part of the highway runs through a canyon with dramatic scenery. At Lupton you can see the Giant Tee Pee Trading Post whose Native American arts and crafts are made locally. Watch for the exits for Painted Desert and Petrified Forest before arriving to Holbrook. In Holbrook stop at the Wigwam Motel for a picture in front of the teepee motel rooms.

Overnight – Holbrook

Day 10 Holbrook to Williams 125 miles

Just outside Joseph City you finally reach the famous Jackrabbit Trading Post whose iconic billboards are plastered 1000 miles along Route 66. Take your picture beside of or on top of the giant jackrabbit! At Winslow see the “Standing on the Corner” statue dedicated to the Eagles song “Take it Easy”. Reaching Flagstaff you leave Highway 40 for the Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon is not actually on Route 66 but you couldn’t miss an opportunity to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World! After experiencing the grandeur of the Grand Canyon continue back to Route 66 and your overnight destination Williams. Williams is a beautiful mountainside town where soda fountains, quirky motels and diners line the mother road as it was back in the day. Williams is proud of their nightly (7:00 pm) gunfight with the world famous Cataract Creek Gang, known for their raucous, rambunctious behavior, as they shoot it out in the streets of Williams.

Overnight – Williams

Day 11 Williams to Las Vegas 216 miles

Ahead of you lays the longest unbroken portion of the “old road”. It runs from Seligman all the way to Topock, at the California border. Completely bypassed by I-40, it’s as unspoiled as any section of the road anywhere. The historic Route 66 runs North and curves back to the interstate in Kingman, where you can connect with Highway 93 to Las Vegas. The Route 66 detour is only about 15 miles / 24 kilometers longer, but it’s of course slower to drive than the interstate. The road passes through small towns like Peach Springs, Truxton and Hackberry in the Hulapai Indian reservation. As you approach Peach Springs, look to the north. There is a point where you can see all the way to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, which makes it closest approach to the highway in this area. Finish your day at Las Vegas, the neon oasis that never sleeps!

Overnight – Las Vegas

Day 12 Explore Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Strip, now an All American Road and National Scenic Byway, is a sparkling fantasyland at the heart of the city. Its unique blend of exciting entertainment, scenic beauty, and lavishly landscaped resorts take you to a wide variety of exotic realms from a medieval castle to a Parisian sidewalk cafe, a lakeside Italian village, or a pyramid in ancient Egypt. Once you arrive on the Strip, however, you might be surprised to find that it’s also an enjoyable walking environment. Whether it’s pirates plundering, fiery volcanoes spouting or tropical gardens luring the weary, the Las Vegas Strip offers a variety of fascinating visual experiences. Las Vegas is home to some of the most spectacular shopping in the world. The Forum Shops at Caesars is Las Vegas’ premier luxury retail destination offering top retail, dining, entertainment, location and thematic Roman ambiance. And with two distinct locations together featuring 290 designer and name-brand outlet stores, Las Vegas Premium Outlets® is a must stop for savvy shoppers.

Day 13 Las Vegas to Santa Monica / Los Angeles 290 miles

Finally, after a journey through the Mojave Desert today, you’ll reach the bright lights of Hollywood. It may be hard to believe that the area around Barstow was once covered by immense lakes ringed with Native American villages. When silver was discovered in Calico, the area became a mining center that included borax mining. Route 66 is Main Street through Barstow. Just off Main on First Street, you’ll discover the original Harvey House which gave rise to hospitality complexes all over the southwest.

Rainbow Basin about 15 miles north of Barstow is one of the lakebeds that existed between 10 and 30 million years ago. Calico Ghost Town is California’s official Silver Rush Ghost Town, preserving one of the few original mining camps in the Old West. One third of the town is original with the rest constructed in the ‘spirit’ of Calico’s Old West past. Today’s destination, Santa Monica is where the Mother Road meets the Pacific Ocean at the Pier. Many a dream has begun and ended on those beaches.

Overnight – Los Angeles

Day 14 Explore Los Angeles / Santa Monica

The sky’s the limit in Los Angeles. Take a go-behind-the scenes tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, visit the UCLA Armand Hammer Museum which presents the work of unprecedented artists, the California Heritage Museum, the Autry National Center Museum of the American West, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Be sure to visit the new Getty Center perched high on a hill atop the city. The view doesn’t get much better than that. Or if none of those things suit you, you can always go to Disneyland! But be sure to call in at The Outlets at Orange 40 minutes from Los Angeles Airport and less than four miles away from Disneyland, to bag some last-minute bargains!

Day 15 Depart Los Angeles

Make sure you take some time to relax in the California sunshine before you catch your plane Savor your journey to the bright lights of California all the way home.

Depart Los Angeles – 17:45 Arrive London Heathrow – 12:00 (Next Day) Journey time – 10 hours 20 minutes

Additional Stops for Route 66 motorcycle 21 night itinerary

Chicago, illinois – 1 extra night (2 in total).

There’s so much to see in this iconic city – famed Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue, Watertower Place, the Navy Pier, the Merchandise Mart, Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum to name but a few!

Springfield, Illinois – (Not to be confused with Springfield, Missouri already included) – 1 night

Explore the legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

St Louis, MO – 1 extra night (2 in total)

Try your hand at some science experiments, interact with butterflies or immerse yourself in a little arts and culture – it’s all in a day’s fun in St. Louis, Missouri. From sports and shopping – to tours and attractions.

Santa Fe, New Mexico – 2 nights

One of the original routings of Route 66 that was abandoned went through Santa Fe, the capital city of New Mexico which was established 13 years before Plymouth Colony was settled by the Massachusetts Company. The city began with a handful of European style dwellings constructed by Spanish settlers and soon became the seat of power for the Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande River. It began to prosper when Don Pedro de Peralta settled in 1610, the same year that Hampton, Virginia, the oldest continuous city on the East Coast, was settled. Santa Fe served as the capital of the Spanish Kingdom of New Mexico, the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, and the capital of the New Mexico Territory.

Once you arrive, it will be challenging to decide which locations to visit. Everything is focused on the Plaza, the center of the historic downtown. We suggest visiting the Palace of the Governors, the oldest public building still in use in America, constructed in 1610. It is now a southwestern history museum. The Museum of Fine Arts, next to the Palace, is older than the state itself. The extensive collection of southwestern art also includes paintings by Georgia O’Keefe, who called Santa Fe home for many years.

There are cultural museums of many other varieties, including the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, and World Folk Art, with diverse works from artisans all over the world. If that’s not enough, there a huge list of art galleries, a myriad of restaurants and other interesting shops. Enjoy whatever you choose to do, there is more than enough to fill two days.

Grand Canyon – 1 extra night (2 in total)

Take a full day to explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. First stop should be the Visitor Centre located at the South Rim Village. Here you can pick up information on short hikes, special areas that you may wish to visit during the day and helicopter or airplane rides over the Grand Canyon. A visit to see the El Tovar Lodge if you are not staying there is a must, but we also suggest any of the scenic stops or even taking one of the guided coach tours that will explain the history and geology of the area. Another must is a visit to the IMAX Theatre located close to your hotel for a thrilling 3D show based around the Grand Canyon.

We strongly suggest you that spend one of your evenings and maybe even an early morning at the Grand Canyon Rim to experience the spectacular sunrise and sunset.

Los Angeles – 1 extra night (3 in total)

There’s so much to see and do in this amazing city… Take a tour of Los Angeles and Movie Stars Homes, the Hollywood Trolley Tour, the California Science Center, the Music Center, the Japanese American National Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Grand Avenue, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and more.  

Route 66 Motorcycle – 14 Night Itinerary:

Route 66 motorcycle – 21 night itinerary:, your route 66 motorcycle holiday includes.

• Scheduled flights
• UK & US Airport taxes
• Accommodation – 14 or 21 nights
• Eaglerider Class A Motorbike (model based on availability – models can be requested but not guaranteed – click for details)  to include 14 (or 21 day) rental, Unlimited Mileage, Tax, Environmental Surcharge
• Helmets provided for drivers and passengers
• Motorcycles come equipped with saddlebags for storage of personal items
• Client orientation which covers all aspects of safe motorcycle operation, the maintenance responsibilities, local and state laws.
• Exclusive travel documentation package including EZ-66 guide, personalised maps, itinerary and  driver directions along with all applicable tickets and vouchers

Additional Experiences

Our holidays are completely tailored to suit you. We would be happy to help you choose from a vast array of additional experiences that will enhance your North America holiday adventure.

These might include:

• Helicopter flights
• Sporting event tickets
• Horseback riding
• Restaurant reservations

There are many more, often quite unique to your chosen destination so please do ask.

Personalised Documentation

We prepare every travel pack individually. We want this to be the perfect travelling companion for your adventure and to offer you all the information you need. Your personally prepared ring-bound travel itinerary booklet is detailed and is designed to serve as a wonderful reminder of your experiences for years to come when you return.

Route 66 Motorcycle – Guided

Guided by a professional tour leader this Route 66 motorcycle tour is different to the self-guided itinerary but equally as amazing.

EXPLORE TOUR »

Route 66 Fly Drive

The classic way to experience Route 66, here you will follow the route that still passes through small towns offering a wonderful taste of a simpler time.

10 Reasons to do Route 66

This post was written by our client Emma Clarke who travelled with Complete North America on a Route 66 trip in January 2014.

READ MORE »

Route 66 Facts & FAQs

Over 30 questions regarding general Route 66 facts and Complete North America quirks and what you get booking through us!

Ultimate Route 66 Photo Gallery

This photo gallery includes over 100 photos taken by our clients and staff alike along their travels on the Mother Road!

The Mother Road – Day by Day Route 66 Blog

Our client Sue Wright has written a Route 66 blog detailing her day to day movements on her Route 66 holiday booked through Complete North America. You can read Part 2 here and Part 3 here

By the time Route 66 had become America’s Main Street, it was intended to be replaced entirely by the new Interstate highway system. Some of it has. But Route 66 refused to die so other places still have the wonderful old trading posts, filling stations, motels, tourist traps, and diners that have been there for decades. Preservation groups are working diligently to preserve what remains of the authenticity and icons of America’s golden age of road trips. As you travel you can enjoy the scents of new mown hay and hickory smoke drifting from the pit barbeque chimneys. Taste a real American hamburger and a rich creamy malt prepared they way they used to be. Experience Sky City where Native Americans live exactly like they did four hundred years ago. Pull over along a deserted stretch in the Mojave and listen to the hum of millions of wheels that have passed this way.

We invite you to take a once in a lifetime road trip and drive a real piece of American history, while staying in a collection of completely unique accommodations related to Route 66 lore. Savour and enjoy this truly authentic American experience.

Below is a video detailing what you will see in Illinois from Chicago to Springfield 

• Eaglerider Class A Motorbike (model based on availability – models can be requested but not guaranteed) to include 14 (or 21 day) rental, Unlimited Mileage, Tax, Environmental Surcharge

Motorcycle Hire USA & Canada

Check out all the vital information for our USA & Canada rental motorcycles below. Everything from classic Harley Davidson’s to Slingshots.

Click on the motorcycle you would like to complete the enquiry form & tell us where you’d like to ride.

Comprehensive support from start to finish, ride the dream, feel the wind in your face and live for adventure.

North America Motorcycles

HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE

HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE CHIEFTAIN

INDIAN ROADMASTER MOTORCYCLE

HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA LOW RIDER

HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SOFTAIL

HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING

HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE SCOUT

YAMAHA XV250

TRIUMPH BONNEVILE T100

HONDA GOLDWING GL 1800

TRIUMP TIGER EXPLORER 1200

TRIUMPH TIGER 800

BWM R1200GS

HARLEY DAVIDSON TRIKE

“Thank you and your team for your support with the logistics for our Route 66 Road Trip. 

We had an absolutely wonderful time and are so grateful for the opportunity.  The flights and car hire you arranged provided a seamless way of our getting on the road and seeing some amazing things – a trip of a lifetime.

Thank you again.  We are already planning another trip – this time to the Southern States and we shall not hesitate to use your services once more.”

The trip itself was beyond our wildest dreams , everything was absolutely superb. All the accommodation was first class and everywhere was truly original . It was great when we arrived at each hotel/motel which all had great facilities.

I just wanted to thank you and the Complete North America team for your work in arranging our Route 66 Holiday in the USA. I could not have asked for a more efficient and well-organised plan which worked perfectly for us. The itinerary booklet was and excellent baseline to work from and everything just clicked into place.

Make an Enquiry

Call 0115 9610590.

• Packages & Tours
• Off-road new

Route 66 Motorcycle Tour™

Guided tour - 15 days/ 14 nights, 2807 mi 4491.2 km, summer, spring, fall, 55 - 105 °f 12.8 - 40.6 °c.

Show me how to save up to CA$6,747.89 per person today!

Book Your Tour

Starting at ca$6,111.82, bike selection, include bike, select tour package.

CA$6,790.76/ person

CA$9,191.24/ person

CA$11,438.23/ person

Number of Tour Packages

Tour itinerary, 0 mi / 0 km, chicago, il - arrival.

Welcome to the Windy City! Nicknamed the 'Paris of the Prairie', Chicago is the biggest and most exciting of the Great Lake cities. It includes a stunning skyline along Lake Michigan, and a gamut of top-rated museums, restaurants and cafes, and innumerable bars and nightclubs that pay homage to the city’s strong jazz and blues heritage. Tonight you will get to meet your fellow riders and Tour Guides at an Orientation Meeting at the tour hotel, followed by a great Welcome Dinner to kick-off your dream Route 66 journey!

187 mi / 299.2 km

Chicago, il – springfield, il.

This morning you pick up your bike and are off to the ultimate American road trip. The legendary Route 66 begins at the doorstep of our EagleRider location, cutting through the state of Illinois before running all the way to the Pacific Coast. From Chicago you head south along the Pontiac Trail, the original name for this bit of the road here, passing through Joliet, stopping at the amazing RT 66 Museum in Pontiac and generally getting a feel for the rubber on the Mother Road.

116 mi / 185.6 km

Springfield, il – st. louis, mo.

Today we head towards St. Louis! We will stay primarily on the 2-lane sections of the Mother Road, traversing cornfields and small towns that represent the heartland of America. Our arrival into St. Louis will be over the Chain of Rocks Bridge, the original bridge where RT 66 crossed the Mississippi River. Enjoy the short ride today into the "Gateway to the West," St. Louis. This amazing city rests along the shores of the mighty Mississippi River and is home to some of the best live music and BBQ ribs in the country.

15 Days Guided Route 66 Motorcycle Tour™ Inclusions

Save ca$6,747.89 /person, eaglerider tour price ca$6,111.82, individual price ca$12,859.71, late model motorcycle rental, ca$3,090.48 /person, bike model guarantee, ca$373.35 /person, grand canyon helicopter tour, 3 - 4 star motorcycle friendly hotels, ca$4,106.81 /person, fuel on riding days, ca$394.09 /person, custom armored riding jacket, breakfast on riding days, ca$456.31 /person, hosted welcome dinner, half-shell helmet for rider and pillion, ca$207.41 /person, eaglerider legendary farewell party, experienced multilingual tour guide, support vehicle equipped for luggage and spare bike, ca$3,111.22 /person, support vehicle driver, door to door luggage service, eaglerider on-road concierge, custom tour completion patch, national park entrance fees, hotel parking fees, transportation between tour hotel and eaglerider locations, total tour value, ca$12,859.71 per person, total tour price, ca$6,111.82 per person, total savings, ca$6,747.89 per person, not included.

Show me more ways to explore Route 66

Tour experiences caught on camera.

EagleRider tour guide on his 66th tour of famous Route 66

EagleRider's Route 66 Guided Motorcycle Tour

Route 66 Guided Motorcycle Tour

Day 7 & 8

Riders Who Explored This Trip Also Explored

Route 66 Motorcycle Tour - Albuquerque to Los Angeles

Albuquerque, NM

9 Days/ 8 Nights

CA$3,989.28

Route 66 Motorcycle Tour - Chicago to Albuquerque

Chicago, IL

8 Days/ 7 Nights

CA$3,284.07

Route 66 Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

Self-Guided

15 Days/ 14 Nights

CA$4,010.02

• © Roadtrippers
• © Mapbox
• © OpenStreetMap
• Improve this map

The Ultimate Route 66 Motorcycle Road Trip

• Featured Trip Guides

Created by Roadtrippers - March 21st 2022

65 E Adams St, Chicago, IL, US

Route 66 Starts Here Sign

565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, US

Lou Mitchell's Restaurant

645 Joliet Rd, Willowbrook, IL, US

Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket

S Park St, Wilmington, IL, US

The Gemini Giant

W Waupansie St, Dwight, IL, US

Ambler's Texaco Gas Station

110 W Howard St, Pontiac, IL, US

Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum

110 Southwest Arch Street, Atlanta, IL, US

Bunyon With a Hotdog

114 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL, US

Route 66 Arcade Museum

908 Veterans Memorial Dr., Livingston, IL, US

Pink Elephant Antiques

800 S Morrison Ave,, Collinsville, IL, US

World's Largest Catsup Bottle

11 North 4th Street, St. Louis, MO, US

Gateway Arch National Park

750 N 16th St, St. Louis, MO, US

City Museum

97 North Outer Road (Visitor Center & Museum), Eureka, MO, US

Route 66 State Park

via Old Highway 66 & Old 66 & Old 66

901 E Washington St, Cuba, MO, US

Wagon Wheel Motel

Click to discover a great deal!

112 N Filmore St, Cuba, MO, US

Murals of Cuba, MO

5957 Hwy ZZ, Cuba, MO, US

World’s (Second) Largest Rocking Chair

Teardrop Road, Devils Elbow, MO, US

Devil's Elbow Bridge

14400 Highway Z, MO, US

Uranus Fudge Factory And General Store

1451 E Pythian St, Springfield, MO, US

Pythian Castle

21118 Old 66, Ash Grove, MO, US

Gary's Gay Parita

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.

Keep exploring with the Roadtrippers mobile apps.

Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road!

Connect with us and hit up #roadtrippers

Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful.

• Roadpass Digital
• Mobile Apps

Business Tools

• Partnerships

Get Inspired

• Road trip ideas by state
• National parks
• Famous routes
• Voices from the Road

Fresh Guides

• The ultimate guide to Mammoth Cave National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Badlands National Park
• Route 66 Leg 2: St. Louis to Tulsa
• Route 66 Leg 1: Chicago to St. Louis
• Route 66 Leg 3: Tulsa to Amarillo
• Top 10 things to do in Ohio
• Offbeat Road Trip Guides
• Road Trip USA
• Scenic Routes America
• National Park Road Trips
• Terms and Conditions

• Route 66 Motorcycle (guided), 15 days
• Route 66 Motorcycle (self-guide), 15 days
• Route 66 Motorcycle Small Group Tour (guided), 17 days
• Half of Route 66 - 8 Days, East
• Half of Route 66 - 9 Days, West
• Route 66 + Wild West Motorcycle, 16 days
• Route 66 + Wild West Motorcycle, 9 days
• Route 66 + Wild West Motorcycle, 8 days
• Minibus tour on Route 66 (small group)
• Bus tour on Route 66
• Route 66 by car (11-20+ day holidays)
• USA coast to coast via Route 66
• Easy Rider Self-Guide Tour
• Accommodation on Route 66
• Motorcycle rental
• Route 66 Magazine
• Video gallery
• The Fascinating Journey on Route 66: An Iconic American Road Trip
• The Fun of Riding Route 66 - A Journey of Adventure and Nostalgia

Travel Route 66: 15 day self-guided motorcycle tour!

Optional departure to harley-davidson headquarters + museum visit $85 pp.

• 3 time zones
• Quality accommodation
• 50+ roadside attractions
• 2 national parks, 1 national mon. to visit
• Optional helicopter flight in Grand Canyon
• A chance to eat a free 72 oz. steak in Texas
• Helmets for driver and passenger
• Motorcycle rental and tax
• One Way Transfer fees (motorcycle only)

Day 1: Arrive to Chicago, IL

After touching down at Chicago International Airport we ask you to transfer to your hotel. Chicago, it almost goes out with saying, is one hell of a town; the largest, most vibrant of the Great Lake cities. The city skyline has few peers and down on the streets you’ll find a fantastic selection of world class museums, restaurants and cafes. There is also the city’s famed bar and nightclub scene that is still anchored in an incredible jazz and blues tradition. In the morning the long dreamt of journey across Route 66 begins.

Day 2: Chicago, IL - Springfield, IL ( Miles:187, Kilometers:301)

First order of business is to pick up your Harley-Davidson before you can start on the ultimate American road trip. Parallel to I-55, (the Interstate 55) the legendary Route 66 began its run right here. It cut through the state before it ran the whole way to the Pacific Coast. Along the way you’ll see old-time diners and service stations which are a real slice of Americana. Riding South from Chicago, we will pass the old archetypal truck stop town of McLean, but we don’t linger, instead we barrel through the coal-mining area of Illinois and continue along the Pontiac Trail, as this road used to be known. Your hotel is just a stone’s throw from the site of Abraham Lincoln's Illinois home.

Day 3: Springfield, IL - Rolla, MO ( Miles:205, Kilometers:328)

Making your way south, you head towards the state of Missouri on your way to St. Louis, a town rich in history. Along the way, you will pass through a number of Highway towns, which are great places for a stop en route. One thing’s for sure, you should see the famous Dixie truck stop, "Our Lady of the Highway Statue", Litchfield and the "Ariston Café". You will also set aside some time to visit Meramec Caverns as you head for the Mississippi River – a complex of mineral formations which are as rare as they are exquisite. And of course you couldn’t miss the famous "Chain of Rocks Bridge" - at least from a distance as it is now closed to motor traffic. Now you are properly in Missouri, the state where the Mississippi River meets the Missouri River, and where you can find both forests meet the grassland prairies. It’s a short ride from the state border into the "Gateway to the West," St. Louis, a dynamic and cultured city nestled along the shores of the almighty Mississippi River. Soon after you will have St. Louis in your rear view mirrors as you leave the city for the rolling Missouri hills. You will soon see why this is such a popular stretch for riders.

Day 4: Rolla, MO - Tulsa OK ( Miles:290, Kilometers:464)

You visit "Gay Parita Service Station" just West of Springfield MO. This is a must stop in a wonderful world of Route 66 attractions. You could easily spend hours just going through all the treasures there.

Welcome to Kansas! Kansas has got the shortest stretch of Route 66 asphalt: only 13 beautiful miles. In Galena there is a chance you meet "Tow Mater" from the movie CARS – the original 1951 International boom truck next to the old garage on the old Route 66.

On your way to Baxter Springs, Kansas and just few miles west of Riverton we come to the Marsh Arch "Rainbow Bridge" on the old alignment of Route 66. This is one elegant old bridge, though it is far smaller than the old Spring River Bridge, which did not survive the "new is better" ethos so evident during the 1970s and 80s.

However, not on Route 66 but with a little detour you can visit the Totem Pole Park (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) - home to the World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole, a 90 foot totem pole that towers over the park in an astonishing array of folk art colors, with the four nine-foot Indians near the top each representing a different tribe.

Between 1937 and 1948, one Ed Galloway built the totem pole utilizing some 28 tons of cement, six tons of steel, and 100 tons of sand and rock. Ed’s personal tribute to the American Indian features a collection of some 200 carved pictures.

Day 5: Tulsa, MO - Clinton, OK ( Miles:195, Kilometers:312)

Seaba Filling Station: listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Route 66 landmark is now filled with over 65 vintage motorcycles from 1908 to present. The Seaba Station was built in 1921, five years before historic Route 66 was certified as a national highway. Let you pay a visit to browse through motorcycle displays, antiques, souvenirs and more.

At Arcadia, Travelers frequently pause to consider the statue of Washington Irving, and all his works and deeds. Then there’s the iconic Round Barn, according to many the most photographed spot of all on Route 66. These days there is yet another reason to stop in Arcadia: POP'S, a somewhat futuristic looking restaurant on Route 66 that’s bound to become one of the many instantly recognizable landmarks on "America’s Main Street"!

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on Oklahoma City features a superb collection of classic and contemporary western art. The exhibition wing houses a turn-of-the-century town and interactive history galleries that focus on the American cowboy, rodeos, Native American culture, Victorian firearms, frontier military and western performers.

All in good fun, but you should continue your trip West reaching the interestingly named South Canadian River and the 38-arch bridge which traverses it. This bridge was indeed constructed using 38 low-rise truss arches, some 19 on each side. These arches are also known as "ponies": they are painted yellow and visible from some distance. It’s here you get the authentic feeling that comes from riding on a two-lane cement road which hugs the very contours of the earth, and rises and falls gently with the hills. Going down this road you get a sense of what it must’ve been like crossing Route 66 back in the 1930s ... except that you're almost certainly going much faster than they did back then!

The seams in the cement reverberate with a gentle rhythm on the ride up to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Largely due to Jim Ross and Shellee Graham's many fine Route 66 photographs, probably this is the best out of the many museums on Route 66 (Clinton OK).

Day 6: Clinton, OK - Amarillo, TX ( Miles:180, Kilometers:288)

Get up nice and early for your trip into the Panhandle, the southernmost portion of the Great Plains. Frequently referred to as "the real Texas", the Panhandle really lives up to the popular stereotype of how Texas is supposed to look. Where the buffalo once roamed and the indigenous peoples once lived was considered perilous and uninhabitable frontier country. However its value went up sharply during the 1870s as a source of natural resources - specifically Helium, especially in Amarillo, and oil. Together with agriculture, this brought enormous wealth to the region. Although Amarillo can seem cut off, even from the rest of Texas, it sits on one of the great American cross-country routes – the I-40 (once a part of legendary Route 66), roughly 300 miles from Albuquerque and 250 miles west of Oklahoma City. Home to a few of the world’s largest cattle ranches, Amarillo takes its name from Spanish and means "yellow", the color so distinctive to this territory. Not only that but our good buddies from "The Big Texan Steakhouse" will pick everybody up at the hotel in a fleet of old Cadillacs with giant bull horns across the hood. On tonight’s menu are the finest steaks in the whole of Texas! Do not forget to arrange your complimentery limo ride from the hotel reception!

Day 7: Amarillo, TX - Santa Fe, NM ( Miles:303, Kilometers:488)

It’s time to bid a fond farewell to the Lone Star State. You are on your way to "The Land of Enchantment", that is New Mexico. After passing through the eccentric and colorful art installation known as Cadillac Ranch, you come to the highly atmospheric ghost town of Glen Rio, where you can stand with one foot in Texas and the other in New Mexico. At this stage of the trip, you have 5 states passed and 3 still ahead. The ride continues through the land of Comanche Indians and into Tucumcari, the largest town between Albuquerque and Amarillo. Then you head up into the High Plains and the slightly dizzying altitudes of Santa Fe in central New Mexico. Santa Fe is one of the oldest and most picturesque cities in the United States. It will be your base for the following two nights, in a hotel just steps from the historic town square and mission, in the heart of Santa Fe’s Old Town.

Day 8: Santa Fe, NM

You have the day at your leisure to rest and enjoy the distinct character of this nearly 400-year-old city. The mix of cultures in Santa Fe is evident in the Southwestern architectural style. In any case there’s no shortage of things to do in and around New Mexico’s capital city. Get up early and experience a hot air balloon trip at sunrise, be a cowboy for the day with a horseback ride on a mountain or canyon trail or take a ride along the river valley to Taos, an authentic Native American Indian ‘Pueblos’ or community.

Day 9: Santa Fe, NM - Gallup, NM ( Miles:200, Kilometers:320)

Heading south this morning you rode down to Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city. Home to a third of the state’s population, Albuquerque is a sprawling city situated at the crossroads of New Mexico, right at the spot where the main east - west road and rail routes cross both the old road south to Mexico and the fabled Rio Grande. Crossing this legendary waterway, you head west – all the way into the open country. Prepare to be overawed by the shapes and hues of this Navajo wilderness, with its steep cliff sides and table-top mesas. On into Laguna we ride - then through Grants and Cibola National Forest towards the quaint Route 66 town of Gallup. It’s an old railroad town - and a former Native American stronghold. Enjoy your stay in Gallup where it’s easy to strike up conversation with fellow riders from around the world at one of the town’s numerous biker-friendly hotels.

Day 10: Gallup, NM - Flagstaff, AZ ( Miles:185, Kilometers:296)

From Gallup it’s a 30 minute ride to the Arizona border. You no sooner enter the state, before enjoying an awe-inspiring ride through the Petrified Forest. The multiple layers of colored terrain might remind you of an alien landscape but what you are looking at is actually a fossilized prehistoric forest of gigantic trees unearthed over the centuries by erosion. Just a little bit further west you will pass through Holbrook and Winslow – two old Route 66 towns whose livelihood is sustained by transcontinental truckers.

About six miles south of I-40 exit 233 and three miles east of the evocatively named Two Guns you arrive at Meteor Crater, another one of Arizona’s remarkable holes in the ground. It’s the result of an asteroid crashing to earth at a speed of 26,000 miles, some 50,000 years ago. Some 550 feet deep and almost a mile in diameter, these days the crater is actually a privately owned tourist attraction. Its "Astronauts Hall of Fame" plays up the crater’s likeness to the moon, not without justification when you learn that Apollo astronauts used to practice their moon-walk at Meteor Crater.

You ride on through the dense forestland southeast of Flagstaff, passing by the small seasonal stream of Walnut Creek, which over 1000s of years has engraved a 600 foot deep canyon into the local Kaibab limestone. As it flows east, it eventually joins with the Little Colorado River en route to the Grand Canyon. Over time, shallow caves were formed in the canyon walls. Way back in the 12th to 13th centuries the Sinagua Indians constructed many cave-dwellings high above the canyon floor, along the steep, easily defensible ledges.

Day 11: Flagstaff, AZ - Williams, AZ ( Miles:165, Kilometers:264)

The dream has become real right before your very eyes. If you don’t mind an early start, we can arrange a morning helicopter flight over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you want to lie in just a little longer, that’s fine too. There will be ample time to ride along the rim, stopping to admire the spectacular vistas, and making the best out of photo opportunities. Then it’s finally time to leave the Grand Canyon and pick Route 66 back up in Williams, Arizona. Williams was the last Route 66 town that is bypassed the new highway system in 1984.

Day 12: Williams, AZ - Laughlin, NV ( Miles:190, Kilometers:304)

Route 66’s place in American history becomes the subject of ever more interest, Ash Fork’s place on the map seems assured. With all the stone quarries surrounding it, Ash Fork bills itself as "The Flagstone Capital of the World", It is also starting point for Crookton Road, which has the distinction of being one of the longest stretches of unbroken Route 66 highway in existence today.

Eventually you come to Seligman, which is a great little town, with clean streets and friendly people. There are, it has to be said, gift shops galore, most of them focused on Route 66 and American memorabilia, but there’s also a fine selection of biking clothing and accessories such as boots and leather jackets. Out on the street, there are vintage cars, colorfully dressed mannequins, and funny little street signs galore. As you’ll see, it’s a one of a kind.

Grand Canyon Caverns have been a must-see Route 66 tourist spot ever since the 1930s. A maze of limestone caves some 21 stories underground that wend their way all the way to the Grand Canyon, these caverns were formed over the course of 35 million years. You could fit 3 football fields inside the parts of the caverns where you can take a tour staring every 30 minutes.

On a smaller scale but interesting in its own way, is the old gas station at Hackberry. This former gas station and general store doesn't sell gas these days, but it does sell practically anything and everything associated with Old Route 66. Run by John and Kerry Pritchard, we recommend a walk behind the store, where they keep the really interesting memorabilia. That means old cars, sheds, garages, cactus, signs and more than we can list here. You can even take a carrot or two and feed the mules beyond the water garden.

Then if you like root beer, may we recommend Mr. D’z Kingman Route 66 Diner, proudly serving the finest root beer in the world. Root beer is in fact a kind of soda.

Tonight you kick back in Laughlin which is situated along the Colorado River, and adjacent to the best steakhouse West of Texas!

Day 13: Laughlin, NV - Victorville, CA ( Miles:215, Kilometers:344)

You are on your way to the sunshine state of California, the final state on your journey across the famed Route 66. We traverse the dunes and salt flats of the so-called Devil’s Playground. Indeed the Mojave Desert offers some of the most striking scenery in Southern California - or anywhere for that matter. Think dramatic volcanic formations, rolling grasslands, clusters of Joshua trees, and even in some spots, Pinion pine trees. Leaving the desert for dust, your ride takes you into the cooling forestlands of the San Gabriel Mountains. The final stop today is the former air force base town of Victorville, where you will spend the night.

Day 14: Victorville, CA - Los Angeles, CA ( Miles:124, Kilometers:200)

It will be with a mixture of emotions that you set out for the final destination of your legendary American road trip – Los Angeles. You make directly for Santa Monica, for the very good reason that Historic Route 66 actually comes to an end on Santa Monica Boulevard. When you see the "End of the Trail" sign on Santa Monica Pier, you’re bound to feel a sense of accomplishment, having finally made a dream come true, but also some sadness that the ride has finally ended. Of all LA’s resorts, Santa Monica is the largest and the oldest. Back in the flower-power days it was a hedonistic beachfront playground. It is still a liberal kind of place, but a lot more health-conscious these days. Now you have the afternoon free for sightseeing and can take in Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, the famous Chinese Theatre, and so much more besides.

Day 15: Los Angeles, CA

This journey of a lifetime comes to its end today in Los Angeles, unless of course you would like an extra night or two in L.A. – in which case let us know. We can even arrange a discounted motorcycle rental!

Rates for Standard Self-guide Tours (per person):

Various discounts may apply (season, group booking, early-bird, last-minute etc - please always contact us for your special rate )

1 rider 1 motorcycle 1 room from: US $5,550.00 (£4,274.00, AU $8,325.00, NZ $9,213.00, 5.050,00 €)

2 people 1 motorcycle 1 room, per person from: US $2,930.00 (£2,256.00, AU $4,395.00, NZ $4,864.00, 2.666,00 €)

2 people 2 motorcycles 1 room, per person from: US $4,350.00 (£3,350.00, AU $6,525.00, NZ $7,221.00, 3.958,00 €)

3 people 3 motorcycles 1 room, per person from: US $3,660.00 (£2,818.00, AU $5,490.00, NZ $6,076.00, 3.331,00 €)

3 people 2 motorcycles 1 room, per person from: US $2,980.00 (£2,295.00, AU $4,470.00, NZ $4,947.00, 2.712,00 €)

1 or 2 people, 1 convertible car (most likely Mustang), 1 room from: US $5,200.00 (£4,004.00, AU $7,800.00, NZ $8,632.00, 4.732,00 €)

What's included in self-guide tours?

• All hotel accommodations
• Late model motorcycle rental
• Unlimited mileage
• All taxes, fees, and environmental surcharges
• Transportation between hotel and rental location (within 5 miles, save receipt for rental location)
• Mobile Tour Guide App
• Sights and attractions pdf file
• Detailed day by day or hour by hour itinerary
• Routing with scenic drive specific for motorbikes
• Tips for local areas
• GPS Navigation Unit (taxable): $15.00 per day (Required Security Deposit: authorized $250 hold on a major credit card)
• Customized Pre-Planned Trip to the GPS Unit (taxable): $10.00 per day

What's NOT included in self-guide tours?

• Motorcycle security deposit (amount based on selected insurance)
• Food and snacks
• Fuel and oil
• Personal souvenirs
• Parking fees, park entrance fees, road or toll charges
• Seasonal surcharges
• Rally surcharges
• Transfer airport-hotel-airport

Cancellation terms: Self-guide tours

• 31 days or greater cancellation notice: No charge, security deposit is (20%) non-refundable, but can be used as store credit.
• Cancelling between 30-21 out from your tour start date will have a 33% cancellation fee and the remainder will be put into store credit.
• Cancelling between 20-11 out from your tour start date will have a 66% cancellation fee and the remainder will be put into store credit.
• Cancelling inside of 10 days would forfeit everything as a cancellation fee.
• Refunds, if applicable, will be issued in a form of store credit that can be redeemed within 1 year from the date it was issued.
• Cancellation/Change Fees: Fees are based on Total Booking Amount (Daily rental rate + VIP/VIP Zero, Taxes & Fees).
• Payments: Deposits are non-refundable, some payments in the event of cancellation can be used as store credit.
• Any and all balances remaining after Cancellation Fees have been applied will be issued in the form of a Store Credit that may be redeemed within one year.

Various motorcycle insurances are available that you can book with your rental, for more information please have a look at our Insurance webpage .

To book this tour we need following information from you:

• Date of arrival (rental/riding starts next morning)
• Rider(s) : name, nationality, home address, required insurance option(s): VIP Zero, VIP, SLI , 1st and 2nd motorcycle model choice , room type: one or two beds in room? Any additional hotel rooms before or after the tour?
• Pillion(s) : name, nationality
• Booking deposit : 20% per motorcycle
• Final payment: 6 weeks before tour commences
• Payment method: bank transfer to our bank account. We also accept US personal checks (scanned to e-mail or mailed to our office).
• PayPal and MoneyGram payments are not accepted

Please note : please do not purchase domestic/international airline tickets until tour is confirmed by us!

Book your own programs:

Where It Starts & Ends: 12 Things You Can Still See On Old Route 66

• Lou Mitchell's in Chicago is a classic American diner and the perfect place for travelers wondering where to start a Route 66 road trip.
• The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is easily one of the most iconic landmarks on Route 66 to see.
• Santa Monica Pier is the perfect final stop on Route 66 to celebrate completing a cross-country journey.

Lore and myth have been built around Old Route 66 and the people who traveled it. From quirky diners and kitschy motels to breathtaking natural wonders and landmarks, the stops along Old Route 66 encapsulate that classic Americana culture and invoke a strong sense of nostalgia.

Forever immortalized in movies, songs, and books, Route 66 continues to fascinate travelers from around the globe. It remains one of the most famous road trips in the United States , even though this road was technically decommissioned in the 1980s to make space for America's current interstate system. Luckily, many of the original stops on Route 66 from its heyday can still be visited. For adventures with their hearts set on precisely that, here are some of the things to still see on Route 66.

UPDATE: 2023/12/27 11:45 EST BY NOAH STAATS

Route 66 Remains A Southwest Staple

This article has been refreshed with even more stops along Old Route 66, plus additional information on existing hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Whether road-trippers come in the summer, fall, winter, or spring, there's always something to see here; have fun!

Related: Road Trip Worthy: Explore These Scenic Drives Across The Southwest U.S.

Lou Mitchell's (Chicago, Illinois)

Get comfy at this classic american diner on route 66, serving hearty grub since 1923.

Though there are plenty of historic stops and fun attractions on Route 66 in Illinois , grabbing a meal at Lou Mitchell's is the hearty way to commemorate the journey. Route 66 officially starts in Chicago, and Lou Mitchell's diner has been there from the start, serving classic American diner fare to hungry drivers.

Colloquially known as "the first stop on the Mother Road," starting a journey on Route 66 with a big breakfast at Lou Mitchell's is a rite of passage. Since 1923, Lou Mitchell's has been in business, and the establishment quickly became an iconic Chicago diner for weary travelers looking for a hearty breakfast to start their Route 66 adventure.

• Address: 565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661
• Hours: Open daily from 6 AM to 2 PM (opens 7 AM on weekends)

Related: 10 Road Trips From Chicago That Will Have You Ready To Hit The Gas

The Gateway Arch (St. Louis, Missouri)

As one of the united states' most iconic landmarks, this arch stands over a midwest gem.

The iconic Gateway Arch in Missouri proudly stands as a monument to America's westward expansion. A feat of engineering, this colossal arch stands at 630 feet, welcoming visitors who are eager to explore the city of St. Louis .

Whether road-trippers are just passing by or riding the tram that takes passengers smoothly up the arch , the Gateway Arch is a classic American landmark that has long greeted those traveling through Route 66.

• Address: Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO 63102
• Hours: Open daily from 5 AM to 11 PM

Meramec Caverns (Sullivan, Missouri)

See the underground caves under route 66 and learn about geological and native american history.

When passing through Missouri, road-trippers on Route 66 must stop at Meramec Caverns . This impressive series of underground caves is home to out-of-this-world rock formations and underground lakes.

Guided tours provide a fascinating glimpse into the area's geological formation and Native American history.

• Address: 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080
• Hours: Open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM
• Tickets: $27

The Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas)

Super quirky, this is one of the most instagrammable stops on route 66.

Cadillac Ranch is a unique public art installation in Amarillo, Texas, that features 10 Cadillac cars half-submerged in the ground and covered in graffiti. Along with serving as an incredible photo opportunity, this spot on Old Route 66 is a notable example of American pop art and, to this day, continues to be one of the best stops on a Route 66 road trip .

Designed in the 1970s by a group of artists known as the Ant Farm, visitors are encouraged to climb on top of the cars and even add their own graffiti before continuing their journey along Route 66.

• Address: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124
• Hours: Open 24 hours

Midpoint Café (Adrian, Texas)

Established in 1928, this cafe is route 66's midpoint at 1,139 miles from chicago and los angeles.

The Midpoint Café proudly declares itself as the midpoint of the original Route 66. At precisely 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles, this restaurant was open 24 hours a day during the height of travel on Route 66.

Established in 1928, this diner served hungry travelers on Route 66. Its slogan was "When you're here, you're halfway there." Along with serving delicious pies and traditional American comfort food (and being the Old Route 66 halfway point), the Midpoint Café has an antique shop and souvenir store for Route 66 enthusiasts.

• Address: 305 Historic Rte 66, Adrian, TX 79001
• Hours: Open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM

Historic El Rancho Hotel (Gallup, New Mexico)

This famous route 66 hotel welcomed many of hollywood's golden age legends.

Built in 1936, the El Rancho Hotel was the place Hollywood stars stayed while filming on location in Gallup, New Mexico. From John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart to Katherine Hepburn and Joan Crawford, the El Rancho Hotel played host to countless film legends, forever linking it with the history of the Golden Age of cinema.

One of the most famous hotels on Route 66, the accommodation eventually became a popular stop on Old Route 66 for tourists. Its Western-style architecture and old Hollywood charm make it a sought-after lodging choice for travelers seeking a touch of Hollywood glamor mixed with a large dose of Old Western nostalgia.

• Address: 1000 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301

Painted Desert (Arizona)

Stop off and soak up the otherworldly desert scenery.

Few places on Earth can beat the views found in the Painted Desert , which is probably why this stop just slightly off Route 66 was such a popular spot for road-trippers passing through Arizona.

This mesmerizing landscape, adorned with colorful layered rock formations, showcases nature's breathtaking beauty. The Painted Desert is a photographer's dream and worth the stop on Route 66.

• Address: Painted Desert, AZ, 86031
• Area: 93,500 acres
• Length: 160 miles
• Borders on: Little Colorado and Puerco Rivers

Petrified Forest National Park (Holbrook, Arizona)

Ancient trees, petroglyphs, a ruined village, and epic hikes year-round.

Known as one of Route 66's most natural stops, Petrified Forest National Park is well worth the trip. Here lies the old forest boasting ancient trees, critters, art, and trails to hike throughout the year.

Because Arizona remains fairly stable climate-wise, Petrified Forest National Park is a great year-round destination. It boasts the petroglyphs of Newspaper Rock and the ruined village of Puerco Pueblo. There is the Painted Desert Inn and the Rainbow Forest Museum here as well.

• Established: December 9, 1962
• Hours: Open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM
• Entry Fee: $15-$25

Wigwam Village Motel (Holbrook, Arizona)

There's an authentic native american-style wigwam motel on route 66.

The Wigwam Village Motel in Holbrook allows guests to spend the night in cozy teepee-shaped cabins.

Interestingly, it's one of just three Wigwam Villages left in the country, and it is a nostalgic throwback to the whimsical motor courts and unique accommodations that were once synonymous with the Route 66 experience.

• Address: 811 W Hopi Dr, Holbrook, AZ 86025

Debate over the cultural appropriation surrounding these Wigwam Villages exists. However, some of the remaining motels have tried in recent years to educate guests about these villages' history and place in American history as a roadside attraction.

Twin Arrows Trading Post (Flagstaff, Arizona)

A perfect spot to pull off route 66 along flagstaff and winslow.

For those between Flagstaff and Winslow, Arizona, visiting the Twin Arrows Trading Post is worth the trip. This is the perfect place to pull off Route 66 and snap a shot, as there are two massive arrows positioned in the ground (it's one of the many quirky roadside attractions on Route 66!).

What was once a fairly busy area in the Arizona desert, Twin Arrows Trading Post now currently sits pretty quiet, as much of this route does.

• Address: Flagstaff, AZ 86004

There are many other scenic small towns in Arizona worth seeing for those looking to extend their trip or check out a few detours while driving Route 66.

Oatman Ghost Town (Oatman, Arizona)

An old mining town of the wild west where wild burros roam the streets.

Once a bustling mining town, Oatman is now one of the many ghost towns on Route 66 to visit; it's completely frozen in time, providing travelers with a glimpse into the past. The town of Oatman is the real deal; it comes complete with saloons, wooden sidewalks, and Western-themed shops.

Oatman isn't one of the amazing historic ghost towns of the American West with nothing going on, though; visitors can also stop to pet the beloved local burros that roam the streets or enjoy one of the daily gunfight reenactments that pay homage to the long-gone days of the Old Wild West.

• Address: Oatman, AZ, 86433

Related: Quirky & Historic: 10 Route 66 Attractions That Are Worth Pulling Over For

Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica, California)

Amusement park rides, hotels, restaurants, and more await at the end of route 66.

There's no better way to end a journey across Old Route 66 than by gazing into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Indeed, visiting the Santa Monica Pier is the perfect end for road-trippers to celebrate completing their cross-country journey.

The Santa Monica Pier isn't just the penultimate of California's Route 66 portion; it's an important historic landmark that features a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean, a vibrant amusement park, and numerous restaurants and hotels where travelers can unwind. The ultimate family-friendly stop on Route 66, there are tons of exciting things to do on the Santa Monica Pier for all ages.

• Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

• Motorcycle Roads in United States

Route 66 Side Trip

Motorcycle Route Author

Rider Reviews

Written directions, drive enjoyment, tourism opportunities, photo gallery of route 66 side trip (0 photos), interactive views along this route.

Latitude 35.8501585

Longitude -96.3905826

Latitude 35.8784527

Longitude -96.4317376

Latitude 35.9043641

Longitude -96.493066

Latitude 35.9049652

Longitude -96.5816691

Latitude 35.9741083

Longitude -96.5840116

Latitude 35.9860838

Longitude -96.5839841

Most helpful review of this route

Featured video.

Newest Motorcycle Roads & Rides

Best Motorcycle Roads & Rides

Popular Motorcycle Places

Popular Motorcycle Clubs

Signup For eNewsletter

Updates on new roads, events, motorcycle news and more!

  Earn McR Points

Help keep motorcycleroads.com free by:, accumulate mcr profile-points to increase your rider status.

• Use our sharing links on the page to notify other riding friends about great roads, events, clubs, & places & earn 1-profile point per share!
• Add likes, star-ratings, comments about a route, event, club, or place & earn 2-profile point per activity!
• Add a route to your wish-list or route’s I’ve ridden list and earn 2-profile points per add!
• Add a photo or video to a route, event, club, or place and earn 3-profile points
• Add a new route, event, club or place and earn profile 5-points! (must be reviewed, approved, & posted)

What to look for

Modal Header

• Packages & Tours
• Off-road new

Route 66 Motorcycle Tour™

Guided tour - 15 days/ 14 nights, 2807 mi 4491.2 km, summer, spring, fall, 55 - 105 °f 12.8 - 40.6 °c.

EagleRider's world-famous Route 66 motorcycle tour travels the original Route 66, known as the "Mainstreet of America" or the "Mother Road". Stretched over 2400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 crosses three time zones and 8 states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Route 66 has been the path of migrants, dreamers, desperadoes, and an entire generation of holidaymakers discovering the way west. The 1950s were the glory days of Route 66, when thousands of cars rode bumper to bumper to experience the Western frontier. Hotels, motels, service stations, classic restaurants, and the "New" America sprouted up everywhere. Much of Route 66's classic roads, restaurants, service stations, and nostalgic landmarks are preserved just as they were in the 1950s. The famous and nostalgic Route 66 is like a road created in heaven for motorcycle touring. In simple terms, this is the guided tour of America!

Turn your journey into an exhilarating Harley Tour by selecting one of our incredible Harley models, such as the Harley-Davidson Street Glide Touring Edition, Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, Harley-Davidson Street Glide, Harley-Davidson Road Glide, Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, Harley-Davidson Street Bob, Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra, Harley-Davidson Road Glide Touring Edition, or for a different riding experience, choose from our sport touring models like the Yamaha FJR1300 and Yamaha Super Tenere 1200.

Show me how to save up to A$7,459.78 per person today!

Book Your Tour

Starting at a$6,756.61, bike selection, include bike, select tour package.

A$7,507.17/ person

A$10,160.90/ person

A$12,644.94/ person

Number of Tour Packages

Tour itinerary, 0 mi / 0 km, chicago, il - arrival.

Welcome to the Windy City! Nicknamed the 'Paris of the Prairie', Chicago is the biggest and most exciting of the Great Lake cities. It includes a stunning skyline along Lake Michigan, and a gamut of top-rated museums, restaurants and cafes, and innumerable bars and nightclubs that pay homage to the city’s strong jazz and blues heritage. Tonight you will get to meet your fellow riders and Tour Guides at an Orientation Meeting at the tour hotel, followed by a great Welcome Dinner to kick-off your dream Route 66 journey!

187 mi / 299.2 km

Chicago, il – springfield, il.

This morning you pick up your bike and are off to the ultimate American road trip. The legendary Route 66 begins at the doorstep of our EagleRider location, cutting through the state of Illinois before running all the way to the Pacific Coast. From Chicago you head south along the Pontiac Trail, the original name for this bit of the road here, passing through Joliet, stopping at the amazing RT 66 Museum in Pontiac and generally getting a feel for the rubber on the Mother Road.

116 mi / 185.6 km

Springfield, il – st. louis, mo.

Today we head towards St. Louis! We will stay primarily on the 2-lane sections of the Mother Road, traversing cornfields and small towns that represent the heartland of America. Our arrival into St. Louis will be over the Chain of Rocks Bridge, the original bridge where RT 66 crossed the Mississippi River. Enjoy the short ride today into the "Gateway to the West," St. Louis. This amazing city rests along the shores of the mighty Mississippi River and is home to some of the best live music and BBQ ribs in the country.

15 Days Guided Route 66 Motorcycle Tour™ Inclusions

Save a$7,459.78 /person, eaglerider tour price a$6,756.61, individual price a$14,216.39, late model motorcycle rental, a$3,416.52 /person, bike model guarantee, a$412.73 /person, grand canyon helicopter tour, 3 - 4 star motorcycle friendly hotels, a$4,540.07 /person, fuel on riding days, a$435.66 /person, custom armored riding jacket, breakfast on riding days, a$504.45 /person, hosted welcome dinner, half-shell helmet for rider and pillion, a$229.30 /person, eaglerider legendary farewell party, experienced multilingual tour guide, support vehicle equipped for luggage and spare bike, a$3,439.45 /person, support vehicle driver, door to door luggage service, eaglerider on-road concierge, custom tour completion patch, national park entrance fees, hotel parking fees, transportation between tour hotel and eaglerider locations, total tour value, a$14,216.39 per person, total tour price, a$6,756.61 per person, total savings, a$7,459.78 per person, not included.

Show me more ways to explore Route 66

Tour experiences caught on camera.

EagleRider tour guide on his 66th tour of famous Route 66

EagleRider's Route 66 Guided Motorcycle Tour

Route 66 Guided Motorcycle Tour

Day 7 & 8

Riders Who Explored This Trip Also Explored

Route 66 Motorbike Tour - Albuquerque to Los Angeles

Albuquerque, NM

9 Days/ 8 Nights

Route 66 Motorcycle Tour - Chicago to Albuquerque

Chicago, IL

8 Days/ 7 Nights

Route 66 Self-Guided Motorbike Tour

Self-Guided

15 Days/ 14 Nights