Ultimate Route 66 Road Trip

Day 1 UK to Chicago

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international flight to Chicago. On arrival you will collect your hire car from the airport and drive to your centrally located hotel. Spend an afternoon at leisure in Chicago, you might choose to stroll along Michigan Avenue, enjoying a spot of world-class shopping or admire the impressive architecture in the vibrant business district. Pay a visit to the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), standing at 108 stories high - Chicago's tallest building. (N)

Accommodation in Chicago: Raffaello Hotel Chicago (or similar)

Day 2 Chicago

Today is again free for you to enjoy this bustling city at your own leisure. Boat cruises are available on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan which make for a relaxing change of pace. Make sure you head Downtown and take a photo next to the sign that marks the start of Route 66. This evening, be sure to swing by one of Chicago's famous blues clubs. (N)

Accommodation in Chicago: Raffaello Hotel Chicago (or similar)

Day 3 Chicago to Springfield, Illinois – 205 miles

Your Route 66 adventure really gets going today, with your journey out west beginning with a drive through picturesque farmlands and corn fields to Springfield, Illinois. En route, stop at little towns such as Atlanta and Pontiac, where you will find the Route 66 Hall of Fame. (N)

Accommodation in Springfield: Ramada Springfield North (or similar)

Day 4 Springfield, Illinois to Saint Louis – 97 miles

Cross the border into Missouri today and enjoy the scenery of woodlands, rivers and bridges as you cruise towards Saint Louis. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Saint Louis welcomes visitors with its famous Gateway Arch, commemorative of Thomas Jefferson and his quest for the westward expansion of the USA. (N)

Accommodation in Saint Louis: Hampton Inn Gateway Arch (or similar)

Day 5 St Louis to Springfield, Missouri – 215 miles

Travel onwards through the beautiful countryside of Missouri, past many billboards advertising the Meramec Caverns. This 4.6-mile cave system was formed from the erosion of large limestone deposits over millions of years, and is well worth a visit. Continue on to Springfield. (N)

Accommodation in Springfield: Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven (or similar)

Day 6 Springfield to Oklahoma City – 286 miles

Journey on to the capital of Oklahoma today. You might choose to visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens or one of Oklahoma City's many museums, such as the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, where you will find a showcase of western art. (N)

Accommodation in Oklahoma City: Best Western Plus Broadway Inn & Suites (or similar)

Day 7 Oklahoma City to Amarillo – 260 miles

Bid farewell to Oklahoma City today and visit the town of Anadarko (‘Indian Capital of the Nation’), home to an outdoor museum of a Native American dwelling. After travelling past vast stretches of open land and over the border into Texas, you will arrive into Amarillo where you will spend the night. Visit the eye-catching Cadillac Ranch and if you’re up for a challenge, give the mighty steak eating competition a go at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, next to where you are staying. (N)

Accommodation in Amarilo: Big Texan Motel (or similar)

Day 8 Amarillo to Albuquerque – 287 miles

Be sure to turn your watch back an hour when you travel across the state line into New Mexico today. Journey through the historic hunting grounds of the Comanche Indians until you reach Albuquerque, the city of the Rio Grande and New Mexico's ‘Big City’ which is surrounded by the beautiful Sandia Mountains. Perhaps stop off to stroll around Old Town Albuquerque or visit the Pueblo Indian Museum on the Rio Grande. (N)

Accommodation in Albuquerque: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque (or similar)

Day 9 Albuquerque to Gallup – 139 miles

Next drive on to Gallup, another famous stop on all Route 66 holidays that is notable for its mix of indigenous people and native culture. (N)

Accommodation in Gallup: El Rancho Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 Gallup to Holbrook – 96 miles

Enter Arizona and visit the colourful Petrified Forest National Park. This area was once the site of an ancient forest later covered by lava flow. Don your cowboy hat as you spend the afternoon visiting a working ranch or attending a local rodeo, before retreating to your Wigwam accommodation. (N)

Accommodation in Holbrook: Wigwam Motel Holbrook (or similar)

Day 11 Holbrook to Grand Canyon – 180 miles

Head from Holbrook through Route 66 towns such as Winslow and Flagstaff and perhaps visit Meteor Crater and the impressive Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Then head north from Route 66 towards the majestic Grand Canyon South Rim. (N)

Accommodation in Grand Canyon: Best Western Premier Squire Inn (or similar)

Day 12 Grand Canyon to Las Vegas – 280 miles

Via Williams you will travel along one of the longest remaining segments of the historic Route 66. Continue to Las Vegas. Through the desert cross over into the state of Nevada and reach the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas. The ‘Strip’ will mesmerise you with its glittering lights and mega-hotels. (N)

Accommodation in Las Vegas: Luxor Las Vegas (or similar)

Day 13 Las Vegas

Revel in the sights and sounds of Las Vegas today, or simply catch a few desert rays at the hotel pool. If you fancy watching one of the top shows this evening, we can help with arranging tickets to your preferred performance. (N)

Accommodation in Las Vegas: Luxor Las Vegas (or similar)

Day 14 Las Vegas to Santa Monica – 287 miles

Journey through the Mojave Desert from Las Vegas to Los Angeles today. Along the way visit Calico Ghost Town. Cross the San Bernardino Mountains and enter the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles: the city of dreams, sunshine, big cars and beautiful people. This is where Route 66 becomes Santa Monica Boulevard, winding its way through Hollywood and Beverly Hills until it suddenly ends at the Santa Monica Boardwalk and the Pacific Ocean. (N)

Accommodation in Los Angeles: Americas Best Value Inn Los Angeles/Hollywood (or similar)

Day 15 Los Angeles

Spend today relaxing, or exploring Los Angeles and the surrounding area. You may like to check out Santa Barbara, Redondo Beach or cruise around the sights of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. (N)

Accommodation in Los Angeles: Americas Best Value Inn Los Angeles/Hollywood (or similar)

Day 16 Los Angeles to the UK

Your adventure of a lifetime ends today. You'll check out of your hotel and return your car to Los Angeles airport, where you will board your international flight back to the UK. (N)

Day 17 Arrive UK

Today you will arrive back into the UK, where you will continue your journey home. (N)

Self-Drive: Ultimate Route 66 Road Trip

17 days from £1995 per person

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Itinerary: Ultimate Route 66 Road Trip

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