United States
Route 66
US 66 was decommissioned as a US highway decades ago. What remains is a mix of I-40 frontage, still-signed historic routes, town main streets, and abandoned pavement you should not treat as a road. A useful trip picks a theme: Midwest neon, Oklahoma and Texas plains, or the Arizona–California desert. Trying to stop at every listed attraction turns the drive into a checklist. This page offers a sectional way to think about the route and a sample westbound rhythm. Verify alignments with a current Route 66 map and local detours; do not follow 15-year-old turn-by-turn blog posts through closed bridges.
By the Compass & Trails editor · Last updated 20 September 2026
Duration2–3 weeks for Chicago to Santa Monica; 5–7 days for a regional section
Approximate distanceAbout 2,400 miles of historic alignments, not a single modern highway
Starting pointChicago, Illinois (traditional)
Ending pointSanta Monica, California (traditional)
Best seasonMay–June and September–October; summer is hot on the desert stretches
Driving intensityHigh endurance, low technical driving. Long interstate days mixed with older alignments.
Route at a Glance
Route sketchIllinois–Missouri → Oklahoma–Texas → New Mexico → Arizona → California finish
Use a current official map app for navigation. This is a planning sequence, not a GPS line.
- Illinois–Missouri
- Oklahoma–Texas
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- California finish
Day by day
Section A — Chicago to St. Louis area
Driving: A long day if you stay on interstates; longer on historic streets
Morning. Begin at the traditional Chicago end only if you enjoy city traffic. Many travelers start in the suburbs.
Afternoon. Illinois alignments mixed with I-55. Pick one town stop, not six.
Evening. St. Louis area.
Major stops. Chicago; a single Illinois town; St. Louis
Optional hikes. City walk, not a trail day
Food / rest. Town cafes where they still exist; have a backup grocery.
Overnight. St. Louis area
This section is about getting used to hunting for signs, not about scenery.
Section B — Ozarks to Oklahoma City
Driving: Full days
Morning. Missouri into Oklahoma. Some of the most continuous historic pavement is in Oklahoma.
Afternoon. Tulsa or a smaller town. Do not rush Oklahoma City the same night if you left late.
Evening. Tulsa or Oklahoma City.
Major stops. Tulsa; Oklahoma City
Optional hikes. Optional state-park walk if you need to unbend from the car
Food / rest. City nights are easier than betting on a single small-town kitchen after 8 p.m.
Overnight. Oklahoma City
Heat starts to matter as you go west.
Section C — Texas Panhandle to Albuquerque
Driving: Long, flat, windy
Morning. Amarillo area. Fuel more often than you think you need.
Afternoon. Tucumcari or another NM town, then Albuquerque if you still have daylight.
Evening. Albuquerque.
Major stops. Amarillo; Tucumcari; Albuquerque
Optional hikes. None required. A short walk at a town park is enough.
Food / rest. Carry extra water and food between services.
Overnight. Albuquerque
Wind fatigue is real. Swap drivers.
Section D — Arizona high country
Driving: I-40 with historic loops through Flagstaff and Williams
Morning. Petrified Forest if you want an actual park day.
Afternoon. Flagstaff. Cooler nights.
Evening. Williams or Flagstaff.
Major stops. Petrified Forest; Flagstaff; Williams
Optional hikes. A short trail in Petrified Forest; stay on official paths
Food / rest. Flagstaff has the best resupply before the desert.
Overnight. Flagstaff / Williams
Grand Canyon is a full extra day from here, not a two-hour add-on.
Section E — Mojave to Santa Monica
Driving: Hot, bright, then urban
Morning. Cross into California. Desert temperatures can be extreme.
Afternoon. Barstow, then the Los Angeles approach. Timing matters more than scenery here.
Evening. Santa Monica if you still have patience for traffic.
Major stops. Needles or Barstow; Santa Monica
Optional hikes. None. You are in a car corridor.
Food / rest. Do not skip meals because you want to ‘make the pier by sunset.’ Heat plus hunger is a bad mix.
Overnight. Los Angeles area
The pier is a symbol. The trip is the towns you actually stopped in.
Best Stops
- A single well-kept town main street per state. Better than five empty photo facades.
- Petrified Forest / Painted Desert area. A national park that actually sits on the corridor.
- Grand Canyon detour. Only if you add days. It is not on 66.
- Santa Monica Pier. A ceremonial end, then deal with LA traffic.
Where to Spend More Time
- Two nights in Flagstaff for a Grand Canyon day
- Santa Fe detour from Albuquerque
- A slower Oklahoma stretch if neon and towns are the point
What to Skip If You Have Less Time
- Skip the full eight-state drive if you have a week. Choose Arizona–California or Illinois–Missouri.
- Skip abandoned alignments that are unsigned or gated.
Packing Checklist
- Coolant and a tire plan in summer desert
- Printed state-by-state alignment notes
- More water than you would carry on an interstate-only trip
Full lists: road-trip packing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Route 66 suitable for a first road trip?
A regional section can be. The full Chicago-to-ocean drive is a logistics project: lodging, heat, and long days. Practice with a shorter trip first.
Will I be on the old road the whole time?
No. Large stretches follow I-40. The historic pieces are loops and business alignments. That is normal, not a failure.
Related planning
Arizona California
Trails: Bright Angel Trail South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge
Matching itinerary: 10-Day Southwest National Parks
How many miles to drive in a day
