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Ask anyone to name the most famous drive route in the word, chances are good they’ll say Route 66.
Catapulted to worldwide fame thanks to the 1946 hit song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66", this road connects Chicago, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona with Santa Monica in Los Angeles Country.
For travellers, it presents an iconic 3,940km all-American road trip entwined with history and nostalgia.
Stretching across two-thirds of the United States continent and dubbed ‘The Mother Road’ or ‘The Main Street of America’, it’s undoubtable that this drive is the ultimate way to see the best of the US.
Before you go, here’s everything you should know.
Why should you do Route 66?
Some history is told in books, others in museums and others can be found on roads, like Route 66.
First opened in 1926, Route 66 was the first way to cut across the continent by vechicle.
History runs through the very tarmac you drive, making it easy to project yourself into the lives of those who’ve taken the route before you – whether it be intrepid adventurers or Western wanderers who were wanting to connect with small, otherwise isolated communities.
Since the road was decommissioned in 1985, a number of towns have dwindled from bustling settlements to ghost towns – but it’s this constant reference to times gone by that’s all part of Route 66's appeal.
Stops include abandoned towns, classic roadside motels – some run-down, others returned to their former glory – and Western landscapes that look like they're fit for a movie scene.
Where does Route 66 go?
If you wanted to go from one side of the country to the other, the truth is, there’s a lot faster ways than Route 66.
If you’re starting from the Pacific Ocean, expect to wind through the desert, flat-topped mesas of New Mexico and Arizona, ranches of Texas, open plains of Oklahoma, mining towns of Kanzas, the blues and greens of the Ozarks and the farmlands of Illinois before pulling up your handbrake at the shores of Lake Michigan.
It’s hardly direct and isn’t even one single road – rather a combination of State and Municipal roads cobbled together to make the drive – but that doesn’t stop it being the most famous route in the world.
No matter if you take the road from West to East or East to West, it’s unmistakable that the drive connects diverse communities, value systems and tourism experiences across the United States.
How long does it take to do Route 66?
Perhaps a better question is how long is a piece of string?
Most travellers who’ve taken the road will tell you it can be done a lot faster than you think, but the whole reason people drive is to enjoy life in the slow lane. So what’s the rush, eh?
If you’re planning to spend as much time out of the car as in it, enjoying roadside attractions, cultural landmarks and natural attractions, it’s a two to three week investment, minimum.
You could easily add another week or two depending on how many detours you plan to make – because some places, like the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas, could easily be a holiday in their own right too.
What are the must do stops along the way?
When you’re travelling eight States (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California) – you could fill another ten guides with things to see and do.
From the sublime to the ridiculous – we give you the Blue Whale of Catoosa (an 80-foot whale sculpture in an inland pond) – planning your trip around your stops and detours is the best way to chart your course.
Quirky stops include Cadillac Ranch, a short drive from Amarillo, where amongst the Texan desert you’ll find 10 graffiti-covered Cadillacs in an iconic art sculpture display and installation.
As far as natural attractions go, the Painted Desert of Arizona is a must for landscape-lovers with its rocks reflecting every colour of the rainbow. Sunset here is one you won’t forget soon, as Mother Nature sets the desert ablaze each night with her magical light.
For all your tourist photo opportunities under one roof, it would be remiss to skip the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum. Inside you’ll find thousands of pieces of historic memorabilia dedicated to the Mother Road. Photo opportunities come aplenty so pack the camera.
Best time of year to go?
Big trips require big planning and Route 66 is no exception. Travellers find the autumn months of September and October the best time of year to travel. It also happens to be off peak, which means you’re more likely to have the road a little more to yourself.
Best direction to tackle Route 66?
There are no right or wrong ways to tackle the drive – and plenty of intrepid travellers do the return journey too.
Plan your trip based on your inbound and outbound airport – and remember if you’re short on time, you can tackle a small section and save the rest for later.
Best way to hire a car?
If you’re only planning to do the road one way, it’s often logistically easier to go with a bigger car hire company that allows one way hire (i.e. Los Angeles to Chicago). Just beware, one-way fees are attached to these rentals and need to be considered in your budget planning.
For a road trip to remember, you’ve got the option to go all out with a classic hire car (e.g. a Ford Mustang) to take your Route 66 experience to new levels.
Of course, if you’re planning to do the full round trip, you will also have peer-to-peer rental options available to you, which may end up easier on the hip pocket.
What kind of car is best?
In short, any.
If you’re planning on hotels and motels, a conventional car is ideal. Alternatively, the road is RV-ready with most of the major brands offering one way rental too.
Quick tips from other travellers:
- You can use your Australian Drivers Licence to drive Route 66 – no need for an International Drivers Licence.
- If you want to let someone else do the driving, there are organised tours which cover the famous drive.
- Speed limits range from 35 to 65 miles per hour (mph) – but most commonly 55mph. Please note, speed limits are enforced so take note of speed limits as you’re travelling.
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