Description
Pick up your car keys and get set for the holiday of a lifetime as you make your way from Chicago to Los Angeles on what is arguably the world’s most famous road trip – Route 66. Discover iconic roadside attractions, charming small towns, spectacular desert scenery and some of America’s most legendary cities along the way.
DAY 1: CHICAGO
Arrive in Chicago and settle into your hotel on the famous Magnificent Mile. Spend the afternoon exploring Millennium Park, Navy Pier and the city’s renowned shopping and dining scene.
Hotel: Chicago Hotel, Magnificent Mile (3 Nights)
DAY 2: CHICAGO
Enjoy a full day exploring the Windy City. We recommend pre-booking a Chicago CityPASS for access to attractions including Skydeck Chicago, Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum.
Hotel: Chicago Hotel, Magnificent Mile
DAY 3: CHICAGO
Continue your exploration of Chicago or take an architectural river cruise before preparing for the start of your Route 66 adventure.
Hotel: Chicago Hotel, Magnificent Mile
DAY 4: CHICAGO TO SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
Approx. 200 miles | 3.5 hours
Head south along Route 66 towards Springfield. En route, stop in Joliet and explore the famous Old Joliet Prison, featured in The Blues Brothers and Prison Break.
Hotel: Statehouse Inn by Wyndham, Springfield (1 Night)
DAY 5: SPRINGFIELD, IL TO SPRINGFIELD, MO
Approx. 230 miles | 4 hours
Visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum before continuing west through classic Route 66 towns and roadside attractions.
Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites Springfield, Missouri (2 Nights)
DAY 6: SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI
Enjoy a day exploring the Ozarks region, Fantastic Caverns and Springfield’s Route 66 heritage.
Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites Springfield, Missouri
DAY 7: SPRINGFIELD, MO TO OKLAHOMA CITY
Approx. 290 miles | 4.5 hours
Cross into Oklahoma and discover a city where cowboy culture meets modern attractions, museums and vibrant entertainment districts.
Hotel: Super 8 Oklahoma Fairgrounds West (2 Nights)
DAY 8: OKLAHOMA CITY
Spend the day exploring Bricktown, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum.
Hotel: Super 8 Oklahoma Fairgrounds West
DAY 9: OKLAHOMA CITY TO AMARILLO
Approx. 260 miles | 4 hours
Travel into the Texas Panhandle. Before reaching Amarillo, consider a stop at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton.
Hotel: Drury Inn Amarillo (1 Night)
DAY 10: AMARILLO TO ALBUQUERQUE
Approx. 290 miles | 4.5 hours
Visit Cadillac Ranch before continuing west via Adrian, the midpoint of Route 66, and into the stunning landscapes of New Mexico.
Hotel: SureStay Hotel Albuquerque Midtown (3 Nights)
DAY 11: ALBUQUERQUE
Explore Albuquerque’s historic Old Town, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the many Route 66 landmarks dotted along Central Avenue.
Hotel: SureStay Hotel Albuquerque Midtown
DAY 12: SANTA FE DAY TRIP
Approx. 125 miles round trip | 2.5 hours driving
Take a day trip to Santa Fe, America’s oldest state capital, renowned for its adobe architecture, galleries, culture and rich Native American heritage.
Hotel: SureStay Hotel Albuquerque Midtown
DAY 13: ALBUQUERQUE TO HOLBROOK
Approx. 235 miles | 3.5 hours
Journey west through spectacular desert scenery and the Petrified Forest National Park, the only National Park located directly on Historic Route 66.
Hotel: Best Western Arizonian Inn, Holbrook (1 Night)
DAY 14: HOLBROOK TO WILLIAMS / GRAND CANYON
Approx. 180 miles | 3 hours
Travel via Meteor Crater and Flagstaff before reaching Williams, the gateway to the Grand Canyon South Rim.
Hotel: La Quinta Inn & Suites Grand Canyon Area, Williams (2 Nights)
DAY 15: GRAND CANYON
Spend a full day exploring one of the world’s natural wonders. Walk along the South Rim, enjoy breathtaking viewpoints and soak up the unforgettable scenery.
Hotel: La Quinta Inn & Suites Grand Canyon Area, Williams
DAY 16: WILLIAMS TO KINGMAN
Approx. 120 miles | 2 hours
Follow one of the most scenic and best-preserved stretches of Historic Route 66 through Seligman before arriving in Kingman.
Hotel: Ramada Kingman (1 Night)
DAY 17: KINGMAN TO LAS VEGAS
Approx. 110 miles | 2 hours
Cross the Arizona-Nevada border and arrive in Las Vegas. En route, consider a stop at the engineering marvel that is Hoover Dam.
Hotel: Hampton Inn Tropicana Las Vegas (3 Nights)
DAY 18: LAS VEGAS
Enjoy a full day on the Las Vegas Strip. Take in world-famous attractions, shows, restaurants and casinos.
Hotel: Hampton Inn Tropicana Las Vegas
DAY 19: LAS VEGAS
Why not pre-book a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon or simply relax and enjoy everything Vegas has to offer?
Hotel: Hampton Inn Tropicana Las Vegas
DAY 20: LAS VEGAS TO LOS ANGELES
Approx. 280 miles | 4.5 hours
Travel through the Mojave Desert and stop at Calico Ghost Town and Barstow’s Route 66 Museum before reaching Southern California.
Hotel: Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles (2 Nights)
DAY 21: LOS ANGELES
Spend your final full day exploring Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach, or visit Universal Studios Hollywood.
Hotel: Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles
DAY 22: LOS ANGELES DEPARTURE
Return your rental car at Los Angeles International Airport before your flight home, taking with you memories of one of the world’s greatest road trips.
Call travelplanners on 020 3542 8888 to book this amazing Route 66 holiday today.