Itinerary
- Day 1
Chicago
You'll arrive and pick up your rental car, then drive to your hotel in Chicago. You're settling in here for two nights, so take time to get oriented to your base before heading out to explore.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Lake Michigan - Day 2
Chicago
Leave the rental car at your hotel and catch the free shuttle to the Blue Line for downtown. You've got several options to fill your day: the Adler Planetarium, Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District over in Oak Park, shopping through the city center, or an architectural cruise along the water. Mix and match what interests you most.
Optional Activities
- Visit Adler Planetarium
- Visit Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District in Oak Park
- Stroll through city center with elegant stores
- Take an Architectural Cruise
Landmarks Adler Planetarium Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District - Day 3
Chicago to Springfield
Head southwest on Route 66 through Illinois farmland and forests. Stop in Pontiac to check out the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in an old fire station and walk around the 20 murals. Then continue to Springfield, the state capital, where you can optionally see the state museum or Dana-Thomas House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac
- View 20 historic murals in Pontiac old town
- Visit state museum in Springfield
- Visit Dana-Thomas House in Springfield
Landmarks Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum Dana-Thomas House - Day 4
Springfield to St. Louis
Drive to St. Louis on the Mississippi River banks. The iconic Gateway Arch greets you when you arrive. You'll stay two nights here, so settle in and prepare to explore this historic city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Gateway Arch Mississippi River - Day 5
St. Louis
Spend the day getting to know St. Louis as a historic gateway to the West. Check out Forest Park, site of the 1904 World's Fair with exhibits about Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight launching from there. Head north to see the Old Chain of Rocks bridge spanning the Mississippi, now open only to walkers and cyclists.
Optional Activities
- Visit Forest Park and 1904 World's Fair exhibits
- View Charles Lindbergh exhibition
- Cross the Old Chain of Rocks bridge
Landmarks Forest Park Old Chain of Rocks Bridge - Day 6
St. Louis to Springfield, Missouri
Drive through Missouri's varied landscape, following in Mark Twain's footsteps. You'll reach Springfield for the night, moving closer to the Plains and deeper into Route 66 territory.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 7
Springfield, Missouri to Tulsa
Cross into Oklahoma, which joined the Union in 1907 and holds deep connections to Native American history and 67 tribes. Walk through Cyrus Avery Centennial Square with flags from all eight Route 66 states, explore the Route 66 Skywalk, and see the bronze statues. Later in the evening, check out Tulsa's various restaurant and bar districts.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Cyrus Avery Centennial Square
- Explore Route 66 Skywalk
- View bronze statues
- Stroll through evening districts with bars and restaurants
Landmarks Cyrus Avery Centennial Square - Day 8
Tulsa to Oklahoma City
After a 200 km drive, you'll roll into Oklahoma City, a historic oil town that drew thousands of job seekers during the Depression. Once you arrive, settle into your accommodation for the night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Oklahoma City - Day 9
Tulsa to Amarillo
Head southwest to Anadarko, known as the 'Indian Capital of the Nation'. The Plains Indian Museum displays exhibits and artifacts from Kiowa, Comanche, Kiowa-Apache, Southern Cheyenne, Southern Arapaho, Wichita, Caddo, and Delaware tribes. Check out the post office with 16 murals by Kiowa artist Stephen Mopope. Then drive to Amarillo for the night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Plains Indian Museum in Anadarko
- View 16 murals by Stephen Mopope at Anadarko post office
Landmarks Plains Indian Museum - Day 10
Amarillo to Santa Fe
Travel through Comanche country and the High Plains to Santa Fe, New Mexico's capital and the oldest capital in the USA. The city blends Native American and Spanish influences throughout. You're staying two nights, so get comfortable and start soaking in the local culture.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Santa Fe - Day 11
Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, you'll find yourself in a vibrant center for Southwest art and culture sitting at 7,020 feet elevation. The city's known for its artistic scene, fashion, interior design, and that distinctive colorful architecture that defines the place. There's plenty to walk through and see throughout the day.
Landmarks Santa Fe - Day 12
Santa Fe to Gallup
If you're interested, take a detour to Acoma Pueblo, accessible sunrise to sunset on weekdays. Continue to Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city with over 500,000 people, sitting in the Rio Grande Valley at 4,945 feet with Sandia Crest at 10,678 feet nearby. Stop in Gallup to see the historic El Rancho Hotel, a preserved landmark where celebrities like John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn stayed during Wild West movie filming.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Detour to Acoma Pueblo (accessible sunrise to sunset on weekdays)
- Visit El Rancho Hotel in Gallup
Landmarks Acoma Pueblo El Rancho Hotel Sandia Crest - Day 13
Gallup to Grand Canyon National Park
Enter Arizona and stop at Petrified Forest National Park. Drive through and take short hikes to see Triassic period fossils from over 200 million years ago. The Painted Desert offers a surreal landscape reflecting an ancient ecosystem. Then head to Grand Canyon National Park for a two-night stay.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Drive through Petrified Forest National Park
- Take short hikes in Petrified Forest National Park
- Explore the Painted Desert
Landmarks Petrified Forest National Park Painted Desert - Day 14
Grand Canyon National Park
Dedicate your day to the Grand Canyon at the South Rim. Walk from viewpoint to viewpoint and take in the scale of it all. If you want something extra, a scenic helicopter flight is available as an optional add-on.
Optional Activities
- Hike from viewpoint to viewpoint at South Rim
- Scenic helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon
Landmarks Grand Canyon National Park South Rim - Day 15
Grand Canyon National Park to Las Vegas
Drive across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas. You'll arrive in this glittering city of millions. In the evening, consider catching one of the legendary Las Vegas shows if that appeals to you. You're staying two nights.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit legendary Las Vegas shows in the evening
Landmarks Mojave Desert - Day 16
Las Vegas
Explore Vegas by checking out the impressive themed hotels and the colorful casino world the city's known for. Try your luck at the tables, walk through the different properties, and experience what makes Las Vegas different from anywhere else on your Route 66 journey.
Optional Activities
- Explore themed hotels
- Visit casinos
- Day 17
Las Vegas to Los Angeles
Head toward Los Angeles across the Mojave Desert. Stop at the ghost town of Calico, an impressive look at life during the 'Wild West' era. Then continue to Los Angeles for your final night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit ghost town of Calico
Landmarks Calico Ghost Town - Day 18
Los Angeles
Your road trip ends today. Return your rental car and finish up in Los Angeles. Individual extensions are possible if you want to stay longer and explore more.
