Rt.66 Road Trip - Early Planning Stages

[CCRsAC]

I'm planning on doing a Rt.66 roadtrip next year and would love to hear of your experiences if you've done the trip. I'll be starting in Chicago and going all the way to Santa Monica and I'm planning on driving as much of the old road as possible. The route home will be more northerly and likely interstate most of the way - at least once I hit Boulder and go to the Shelby American Collection museum. That's the last planned stop, but now I just need to fill-in all the other stops and "must-see" places along the way.

Please share your suggestions about places to stay, see, and eat along Rt.66 to help in the planning.

[GWL]

I am signing onto this thread as it is one I would like to do. Can't wait to see the responses.

You will find many books on Route 66. You will also find it hard to actually follow the old route as it has been chopped up but there are books and maps detailing the 'New' Route 66.

George

[mcwho]

I did parts of route 66 when I ws working out in Ft. Irwin ca. East of KIngman az is a littl town called Hackberry, very nice stretch.

In Barstow, ca, rt 66 is the main drag, another nice spot. There are some spots out west that are not maintained and may be unpassable, don't know for sure.

There is a Bagdad CA which is on the old rt 66 and maybe where the idea for the movie "Hotel Bagdad" came from. I lived in the "Other" Baghdad for several years, Iraq and its not a fun place at all.

[ZoaFan08]

When you're in Socal let us know, I'm sure a lot of us SoCal guys will cruise with you.

[CCRsAC]

Thanks for the initial responses. I didn't give much in the way of detail in the first post, so here's some background and a rough idea of the plan as of now.

I've driven just able all of the original road that is left in Illinois, so our plan is to start on the Missouri side of the Chain-of-Rocks bridge over the Mississippi, then follow as much of the original road as remains - at least where it remains driveable. We'd like to stay at the old motels along the way, such as the Munger Moss in Lebanon, MO, the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, NM, and the Wigwam in CA (not the Holbrook version, though). As for food, we'll definitely leave the chain restaurants to those on the interstate and opt for locally owned diners and cafes.

I've made the trip on I-40 out to Flagstaff (and points south of there) a few times, but never seemed to have time to check out the sights along the old road. I have a couple of tour guides, as well as a few history books on the road, but some of those are from the early to mid-'90s; I'm sure much has changed (some for the better and some not so much). I'm really looking forward to the stretches out west, especially the west of Flagstaff and between Kingman and Oatman where the road winds through the mountains.

We're going to put together a huge list of all the places we'd like to eat, sleep, and see, then just play the trip by ear and keep our own schedule - no rush to get to the next place. We'll see what we can along the way and then save the rest for another trip someday.

The return route will take us east to the Bonneville Salt Flats (probably just hop on I-80 for that), down to the Four Corners area, then diagonally up through CO on backroads to Boulder for the visit to the Shelby museum. Hopefully, somewhere in the middle we'll find a day or two in the schedule to head up the Pacific Coast Highway for a couple hundred miles, too.

So... let the ideas flow!!!

[R Edgar]

Just don't forget to feed carrots to the Burros in Oatman, AZ.

Please be careful, as some of the old parts of the road are really, really bad. 4-wheel drive bad.

Roy from Springboro

[cdamsch]

And the question of the day.......

What car are you driving?

[RButton]

Much of old Route 66 you will be on I40 BUT do take a stop back in time at Blue Swallow Motel | A Unique Experience out of Another Time Back to a time when people traveled the 2 lane highway, needed a place to rest where they could park in a garage next to the room. Yes the rooms are small but they are clean. You just want to sit out in the metal yard chairs and watch cars go by on main street of Tucumcari, NM.



And they did leave the garage door open for me...

[CobraDreaming]

How much time you planning on?

I hit out on it from McLean TX. Plan on slow drives sometimes as it goes through towns. stop lights etc. I recall one part being residential somewhat. If you do it hardcore some of it is actually the service road on I-40 and all of a sudden it dead ends then you backtrack. Things like that but I had a kick doing it. Be aware that LA is a much bigger town than it was when the road was in it hey-day. I veered off the route when I got to CA as I was heading to meet friends further north. I kicked off my return home from Santa Monica and driving through LA will take a while. Let me put it this way. I had my first In and Out experience on the western side of LA. By the time I got to the east side and was able to hit the freeway part of it I was hungry and was able to hit another In and Out

Some of the 2 lane twisties in AZ ( I think it was AZ) are a thrill. Desolate. I tried to put myself back in time... what it would have been like in the dust bowl days driving those twisties not knowing what the future held at the end of that desolate road. Very thought provoking.

Ditto the carrots to the burros in Oatman. They walk anywhere unmolested. Actually I think it is against the law to do anything to them. I recall some other touristas on the boardwalk with a kiddo, in a stroller sucking on an orange bottle. Up strolls a burro. sees the thing thinks its a carrot and sticks its face about 6 inches from the kid and trys to grab it. The kid starts screaming bloody murder of course. Poor thing.

[Chief]

About 6 years ago, I tried riding route 66 from L.A. to Texas. From Barstow thru about half of Cali, you needed a dirt bike. The roads were that bad. We wound up back tracking and got on the 40. But in the middile of no where, we found a road that went thru the desert and connected back with the 66. From there to Az was a good ride.

All of the roads we rode in Az were great. I've also spent the night at the blue swallow in tukemkari, N.M with my son. Everything is the way it was back in the early days. Nice clean rooms with old TV's and no remotes.

Trying to follow 66 down to Santa Monica pier may be a bit difficult. You just have to pay attention to the signs.

But it should be a fun drive. Take plenty of pictures.

[JeepFlyer]

Judging by your planned return route, I would suggest Moab, UT as well as Monument Valley. They are both close to the Four Corners area. While I haven't seen either from the ground, I have flown over both locations several times, and they are both on the short list of "must visits" when my car is done.

[tirod]

Just got back from a 5 day road trip to the Grand Canyon, based out of SW MO.

First, as you come thru the Joplin area, there's still a lot of interest, and things are signed. The Boots Motel in Carthage is still open, along with the 66 Drive In. One problem, the bridge on the east side of town - '30's WPA - is being replaced, but should be open by spring. The Rainbow Bridge in Baxter Springs, KS, remains available, and the general store in Riverton has 'Mater parked out in front.

As said, further west gets problematic. We took I-40 and 66 becomes and intermittent service road. I watched it a lot over the hours, it still dives and twists over the landscape, but every now and then, it would dead end in the middle of nowhere. It could be picked up out in the desert by the ocassional concrete culvert popping up off the side of the road, or maybe a line of old telegraph poles, but largely on private land. In those cases it was a jeep trail at best. Erosion over the years in some places make it impassable - think '70's nuclear holocaust movie.

Don't forget the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and the Teepee Motel in Holbrook, AR. It's NOT on the marked route for business 40, we missed it. Rte 66 isn't well marked out in the bypassed towns, if at all. You have to know what new route number the local authority has given it. It's not always 66. If you stop at the Petrified Forest main building, it's still there in all it's non ADA glory, with steps up the front entrance, and aged steel framed windows. The huge 6 foot pieces of polished trunks aren't on display inside now. Not many people seemed to be there.

Expect desolation - some towns didn't survive well at all, practically derelict. Shamrock, TX was especially hard hit. The working truck stop there is just that, expect noisy lot lizards and "workmanlike" cleanliness in the restrooms. We counted over a dozen gas stations closed, no property maintenance in over 40 years. But - if you could even find the owners - plenty of older cars parked everywhere, equally derelict. The Tower Conoco station has been restored, not much else to show for it.

There were still road side gas stations and old school tourist traps along the way, they survive near exits where memories can still be jogged. Others, not so much. The major construction along the way now is Native American casinos.

If you want to see the Grand Canyon, it's even more accessible than ever - on foot or bicycle. The Park is now set up for you to park your car and take shuttles, it's less than car friendly. Worth the walking around, or rent a bike, but don't plan on driving up to trailheads and taking a quick trip down the canyon. It simply can't be done much now, unlike the 1980s.

Tucumcari is still thriving, motels are nice. Avoid the fire season in Colorado, and expect long delays in the mountains if someone has failed to negotiate a curve and become a permanent resident of the landscape. The local authorities tend to close the highway for hours, and there is are usually no back roads to get around it.

Like most parts of the American infrastructure, once life has passed it by, nobody spends money on it, and it falls apart. Steel mills in Pennsylvania or housing projects in metros don't fare well, neither has Rte 66. It's still good business where it can serve the locals, in the middle of nowhere 15 miles off the Interstate, it's an subject of some somber black and white 35mm exposure. Like finding what's left of your Schwinn Spyder out behind the barn, 66 is quite rusty and barely recognizable.

[Mikey_P]

Here are some links for you to look through. Hope it helps.

The Mother Road: Historic Route 66

Route 66 Map -- Route: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary

Route 66 Maps

Free Route 66 Map Guides

[R Edgar]

In addition, TAKE IT EASY in Winslow, AZ. Well, I'm a standing on a corner In Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see. It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me. Maybe it will work out for you, it did not for me when I tried it.

Also, when driving through Baxter Springs, KS, keep in mind it was the inspiration for Radiator Springs in the movie Cars.

Roy from Springboro

[hotmansweep]

not sure when ur planning your trip BUT I live in colo and have seen blizzards in sept in the mountains,plan carefully and quickly and drive it in reverse from your original plans to avoid any bad weather in this state!jus sayin

[Thumper135]

Took the grandkids out around Arizona last year on 66 looking for “Radiator Springs” ………… never found it, but if you see it along the way, let me know…..

If you get close to Oklahoma City on the 66. There is a place called “Coit’s Root-Beer Drive In” just off the old 66 (now the new improved 44) that cuts across the north side of the city. If you know when you are going to be in the area (if you come this way) you can give me a call and we will buy you some breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a drink and some time off the road.


Coit's Root-Beer Drive In
4101 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
(405) 524-0655 ‎

[tirod]

Baxter is quaint, but not the inspiration for Radiator Springs. That is Seligman, AZ, but placed in the movie near Peach Springs.

The crew of the movie did a lot of on-the-road research, but just like The World's Fastest Indian, took a lot of license about actual events and places. I seriously question the existence of a cow pasture in Arizona where you could go tipping heifers.

I've taken the trip out west on 66 and I-40 more than once, and it's usually worth it.

[DWIGHT]

I am planning a RT 66 trip next year so this thread will be a great help.
I would love to do it in my GT 40 but I may have to drive the 06 Mustang.

Dwight

[JeepFlyer]

As for Amarillo... everyone stops at the Big Texan. Yes, it's an icon of Amarillo, but if you want one of the best burgers you'll ever have, stop at Coyote Bluff. It sounds like you're looking for the more "off the beaten path" places... and this is definitely one. I had the Burger from Hell on a night they had a mild batch of jalapenos. A friend I was with went back a few weeks later and couldn't finish half his burger, they were so hot. After trying the green chili cheeseburger, I haven't tried anything else since.

[R Edgar]

The Dayton Daily newspaper should get a new fact checker. They recently ran an article in the paper, after an editor drove Route 66, and stated Baxter Springs, KS was the inspiration for Radiator Springs.

I once lived 30 miles from Baxter Springs, but that was many years before the movie came out.

Have driven back and forth the full length of Route 66 on I-44 and I-40 at least 6 times. My home office is filled with Route 66 items.

Roy from Springboro

[Thumper135]

I always wondered about the Radiator Springs thing and where they got the inspiration. I’ve been up and down 66 myself several times and just figured they took a little from all over to make the town for the show. The KC135 picture in my avatar is tail number 58000066. Yea, there is all sorts of stuff with the plane that refers to the road and land marks throughout.

If I don’t get to see you on the trip, I hope you have a great (trouble free) time and good weather all the way.

[R Edgar]

Some more things to do.

Plan to stay overnight in Clinton, OK. Eat a steak at Montana Mikes that night, then the next morning tour the Route 66 Museum.

Plan a two night stay in Williams, AZ, take the train to the Grand Canon. You will have to endure a lot of jokes from their guide on the train, such as - Why are cows considered experts? Because they are out standing in their field.

You can pick up all kinds of Route 66 things in the shops there.

You can drive through Needles, AZ, but you will not see much.

When you get to LA, don't forget to tour the Peterson Museum. It is west of downtown on Wilshire Blvd.

Roy from Springboro

[Chief]

Here's a couple of pictures of 66 out in Az

This was in May of '06



This was around '09

[Kiwiracer]

Originally Posted by JeepFlyer

As for Amarillo... everyone stops at the Big Texan. Yes, it's an icon of Amarillo, but if you want one of the best burgers you'll ever have, stop at Coyote Bluff. It sounds like you're looking for the more "off the beaten path" places... and this is definitely one. I had the Burger from Hell on a night they had a mild batch of jalapenos. A friend I was with went back a few weeks later and couldn't finish half his burger, they were so hot. After trying the green chili cheeseburger, I haven't tried anything else since.

That must be some cheese
REGULAR FRENCH FRIES WITH SANDWICH $1.29
REGULAR FRIES $1.99
CHEESE FRIES $7.95
CHILI CHEESE FRIES $8.95
http://coyotebluff.com/

[NAGA]

A high school friend and her husband did the full tour from Chi-Town to the Santa Monica pier, but they took 7 months to do it. Class A motor home with their 4 door Rubicon in the closed trailer behind. Did many of the miles in the jeep and then loaded up for another 100 miles or so down the road. Took a break in OK City and came up here to Doo Dah to visit me and Rilla for a couple days. Took a several weeks detour down to the Gulf Coast and then came back up to take in some more miles. They drove every inch of the highway that's accessible.

d

[Mikey_P]

Got this article this morning from AAA. Might help with stop-over places.

Preserving past, ensuring future of Route 66 - AAA Community

[Darren]

Not much left in AZ... here I am at a Angel Vilma's barber shop that has been there since the golden age with the same owner. More of a gift shop now.

[CCRsAC]

TTT for the new year.

I've been working on the trip plans for the past few months and, thanks to all the great tips so far, I've put together a huge list of things to see, places to stay, and stuff to eat.

No way am I going to hit all of these, but having a big list will help us do a "so what do we want to see tomorrow" type of trip.

Rough plans:

Depart Chicago and take I-55 to St. Louis (as mentioned near top, I've driven all of the Illinois old-road sections already). Start the trip in earnest once we get over the Mississippi. The first few days will be a mix of mostly interstate with enough of the old road thrown in through MO, KS, OK, and TX to see some good sights. The rest of the westward part of the trip will be spent exploring more of the old road through NM, AZ, and eastern CA.

I'm figuring 6 - 7 days from east-to-west and 5 - 6 days on the west-to-east return (return trip mostly on Interstates).

Places of interest on the list so far (in addition to those listed above):

Chain-of-rocks bridge
St. Louis arch
Meramec caverns
Devil’s elbow
Great rock cut (MO)
Blue Whale swimming hole
Do-Drop-Inn
Cadillac Ranch
Volcanic flows around Grants, NM
Grand Canyon
Hoover dam
Seligman – Oatman old road
Meteor crater
Painted desert
Petrified forest
Santa Monica pier

Potential sights for the return leg:

Bonneville salt flats
Monument Valley
Kirkham factory
Four Corners
Ship Rock
Shelby collection museum

As for the car of choice, it looks like it'll either be my diesel Passat or, more likely, the car I'm shopping for to use as a new track-day ride - a 2006-08 Z06.

Keep the ideas and memories of your trips coming... I can always use more ideas to add to the list.

[watermoccasin]

Ted Drewes in St. Louis, on old 66 and worth a stop. Fantastic frozen yoghurt

[pavieSD]

If you're coming from Chicago to Saint Louis, definitely consider taking highway 79 from Hannibal, MO to highway 70. Highway 79 straddles the Mississippi in places and is an absolutely fantastic 2 lane drive.