One of the best ways to see the vast country of the United States is via road trip, as you can check off iconic destination after iconic destination while also controlling your own travel experience. And one of the most popular road trip routes you can take is Route 66, which is steeped in Americana iconography and classic experiences. If you want to try it out, here is everything you should know.
Fast Facts
Length: 2,448 miles
Duration: 30 hours of driving
States on the route: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois
How much time it takes: About 2 weeks
Starting point: Chicago, Illinois
Ending point: Los Angeles, California
A Little History
Route 66 was established in 1926 as the first transcontinental highway. Running diagonally across America, it became a popular way to migrate west during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. Since then, it’s become a popular “road of dreams” full of the drive-ins and neon signs that many people think of when they imagine America.
Places to See on the Way
There are lots of places to stop along Route 66, but some that come highly recommended include the Meramec Caverns, the Totem Pole Trading Post, the iconic Blue Whale, the Route 66 Museum, Cadillac Ranch, Painted Desert, and Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch.