Our Guide to Route 66
Americana aficionados are sure to be familiar with Route 66 – the USA's legendary 'Mother Road' that stretches across eight states, three time zones and 2,448 miles. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the revered route starts in Chicago before weaving through plains, towns, valleys and mountains. The reward at the end of the (usually) three-week journey is the sunny shores of Santa Monica, but honestly, it's the sites along the way that make it all worthwhile. So, to ensure you don't miss a thing, read on for our guide to Route 66...
Illinois
Let's start at the… well, at the start. While you can drive Route 66 the other way, the classic journey begins in Chicago, the capital of Illinois and bearer of the 'Windy City' moniker. This is where you'll find the 'Begin Route 66' sign – photos standing beside it are mandatory.
Once the city is in the rearview, the roadside village of Dwight emerges, home to Ambler's Texaco Gas Station, the first of many historic filling stations dotted along the route. Then, a little further on, the streets of Pontiac unveil a series of Route 66 murals.
Next up: Springfield, the birthplace and final resting place of Lincoln. There are several must-see sites here, including the former president's museum, tomb and home. There's also the 25ft Lauterbach Muffler Man, one of many fibreglass giants en route. And before leaving Illinois, don't miss the World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville (yes, really).
Image by Jon Hicks / Getty Images
Missouri
In keeping with its 'Show-Me state' nickname, Missouri has a lot to offer, namely the 630ft Gateway Arch in St. Louis. But the drama doesn't end there. After passing the wonderfully named town of Eureka, you'll reach Meramec Caverns, a series of mineral caves used as a hideout by infamous outlaw Jesse James.
Then comes Cuba. Yes, you read that right – Missouri has its own Cuba, which flaunts a few more Route 66 murals. Following this is the World's Second-Largest Rocking Chair in Fanning. Although first place goes to the chair in Casey, Illinois, Fanning's takes the cake because of its Route 66 iconography.
The second Springfield of the trip follows suit, flaunting fame as the supposed birthplace of Route 66 (expect souvenirs galore). For more underground adventures, don't miss Fantastic Caverns, the only ride-through cave in the USA. Finally, there's the Route 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage, and even more murals in Joplin.
Image by Brittney Butler / Unsplash.com
Kansas
Despite being the state with the shortest stretch of Route 66, Kansas packs a punch. Anyone who's seen Disney's Cars should prepare for starstruck encounters in Galena – the town is full of vehicles painted like the iconic characters. It's also geared towards history buffs with the Litch Historical and Mining Museum.
Once you leave Galena, the historic Rainbow Bridge awaits – the only surviving one of its kind on the highway. Nearby, you'll also find the Fort Baxter Civil War site and the Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum, which is packed full of local heritage.
Before bidding the rural charm of Kansas goodbye, turn off in search of the Oklahoma-Kansas-Missouri Tri-State Marker, a humble roadside monument and a fitting place to stop before delving into Oklahoma.
Image by Tiago_Fernandez / Getty Images
Oklahoma
Oklahoma's stretch of Route 66 is plentiful, starting with – perhaps surprisingly – totem poles. Near the town of Foyil is Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park, home to the World's Largest Concrete Totem Pole. Hard to beat, but the nearby Blue Whale of Catoosa (a beloved landmark built by a zoologist for his grandchildren) holds its own.
Tulsa is the next big hitter. The city is home to Buck Atom's Cosmic Curious on 66, a wacky gift shop featuring the 21ft Buck Atom Muffler Man and his 19ft beau, Stella Atom. Across town, the open-air Route 66 Historical Village also awaits.
Down the road, Sapulpa boasts the World's Tallest Gas Pump, while the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum houses vintage cars. Speaking of cars, more Disney icons await outside Rock Cafe in Stroud. Then, there's the 100ft Pops Soda Ranch bottle on the fringes of Oklahoma City, which you can marvel at before continuing to the comprehensive National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Yeehaw…
Image by redtea / Getty Images
Texas
The 'Lone Star state' needs no introduction, and it has the Route 66 kicks to boot. The first must-see in Texas is the Conoco Tower Station & U-Drop Inn Cafe in Shamrock. Then there's the Phillips Service Station in McLean, which, though closed, still glows with vintage charm.
The next few sites are huddled together in Amarillo. First is Bug Ranch, a series of half-buried Volkswagen Beetles, covered in spray paint. The installation sits outside the Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery, where courageous diners can tackle a completely free 72-ounce steak – well, it's free if you finish.
Before leaving Amarillo, don't miss the Route 66 Historic District on 6th Street, full of antique stores, art, craft breweries and restaurants. After this, there's the 22ft 2nd Amendment Cowboy Muffler Man and Cadillac Ranch, where you can wield a can of spray paint to mark your visit. Last up is Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, which – as the name suggests – sits slap bang in the middle of Route 66.
Image by chapin31 / Getty Images
New Mexico
The landscape changes dramatically once you enter New Mexico, with the ground taking on a rich, earthy colour reminiscent of Mars. The first stop? Tucumcari, a city chock-full of tipis, neon signs and dinosaurs (found at the Mesalands Community College's Dinosaur Museum). There's also the Blue Swallow Motel, a vintage architectural gem.
Anyone who hasn't scratched their vintage car itch should prioritise the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa next. Here, over 30 privately owned cars shine against a black-and-white checkered floor, and you can pick up more mementoes in between admiring their pristine exteriors.
Afterwards, come two starkly different, but equally appealing, cities. We're talking about the art-centric spa town of Santa Fe, and Albuquerque, the setting of Breaking Bad. Whichever one you choose to visit – perhaps even both – follow it up with a stop at St. Joseph Church in Laguna Pueblo, a pristinely preserved Spanish colonial beauty.
Image by Colin + Meg / Unsplash.com
Arizona
Shortly after crossing into Arizona, the 200-million-year-old Petrified Forest National Park rises up on the left. For another (sort of) ancient site, visit the 25ft dinosaur statue outside Rainbow Rock Shop in Holbrook, before passing the giant rabbit statue outside the Jack Rabbit Trading Post, whose signage was mimicked in Cars.
Straying from films to music, the next stop is Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona. Ring a bell? That's because it's the opening line of the 1972 Eagles song 'Take It Easy'. The site features a bronze statue of band member Glenn Frey, which you can sling an arm around for a photo.
Next up: the Twin Arrows Trading Post Ruins, a pair of giant roadside arrows. Then, in Flagstaff, Lowell Observatory offers weary drivers a stargazing interlude. Seligman swoops in after this – another contender for the 'Birthplace of Route 66' title. Finally, there's the wild west mining town of Oatman, full of vintage memorabilia and... donkeys.
Image by Camilo Morales / Getty Images
California
In a sense, your efforts will lead to gold, because Route 66 ends in the 'Golden State' of California. On the way, the road cuts through the Mojave Desert and the town of Needles, home to even more Route 66 iconography. Further on, there's the Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark, an extinct cone volcano and lava field.
Some classic Route 66 whimsy comes next with Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch in Helendale, a faux forest of over 200 glass bottles, and the World's Largest Dinosaur statue, called Mr Rex, outside Cabazon Dinosaur Park. Then, teepee huts soar into the sky at Wigwam Village No. 7.
As rural gives way to urban, Americana charm endures thanks to the striking yellow Cucamonga Service Station and the retro-style Denny's Windmill in Arcadia. Of course, there's also one last Muffler Man: the 22ft Chicken Boy in Los Angeles. He'll see you off as you journey towards Santa Monica Pier, where the official 'End of the Trail' sign awaits.
Image by nata_rass / Adobe Stock
Worthwhile detours
While Route 66 certainly has its fair share of roadside attractions and convenient detours, there are also a few out-of-the-way spots that are well worth the extra effort. First is another landscape featured on screen: the Ozarks. Watchers of the show Ozark may recognise this mountain range in Missouri and Oklahoma, which is ideal for hiking, camping and fishing.
The other worthwhile detours are all in a similar vein. They include Monument Valley on the Utah-Arizona border, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Meteor Crater in Arizona, the Painted Forest in Arizona and Joshua Tree National Park in California – U2 listeners, this one's for you.
But the star of the show (as always) is Las Vegas, Nevada. This world-famous theme park of a city is far more than a gambler's mecca. It's home to everything from aquariums and indoor amusement parks to Michelin-starred restaurants and the Sphere, a giant immersive entertainment venue.
Image by Davey Gravy / Unsplash.com
Navigation
Since the original Route 66 has largely been replaced by interstate highways, it's not always easy to stick to the storied stretch. That said, these new roads trace a similar path, so it only takes a little inside info to find all the gems dotted along the way. Thankfully, our USA expert, Dave, has driven Route 66 twice, so he's clued up on all things Mother Road. On that note – who's ready to hit the tarmac?
Image by Siegfried Layda / Getty Images
Header image by Frank Waßerführer / Adobe Stock
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