Historic Rte 66 from Chicago -> Los Angeles

festeringZit · Jun 23, 2011

My wife and I would like to plan a vacation, driving the old Rte 66 from
Chicago to LA.

Has anyone ever done this?

I'm interested especially to see that part of Missouri, as my parents lived in
Devil's Elbow, Missouri along Rte 66 shortly before I was born.

I've browsed through a couple books that lead you along the old roads, I'm
into the old nostalgia, the old cafes, drive-ins, etc...

Fishhead · Jun 23, 2011

Been on it many times..........forget the Missori section.

I like the ARIZONA/OKLAHOMA drive.........be sure to stop in the ROUTE 66 CASINO in Oklahoma, decent buffet and a nice casino.

5teamparlay · Jun 23, 2011

Goes right through Bloomington - Normal I drove it often up into Chicago. Way more scenic than I55...

JohnnyMac · Jun 23, 2011

I drove the whole thing with my brother in 2002, and we spent seven days doing it. We could have easily spent thrice the time, there is so much to see and do and stop and look at.

My wife and I did Chicago to St. Louis over three days back in 2005 or so, and then I did OKC to Flagstaff in 2009.

I would recommend the following reading material: Jack Rittenhouse's original "Guide Book to Highway 66," the Michael Wallis book "Route 66 The Mother Road," and the Bob Moore & Patrick Grauwels "Illustrated Guidebook to the Mother Road." Read the Wallis book before you leave, and then take the other two with you. There are also state-specific books out there; I have Illinois and Missouri.

Rent a convertible, stay in the independently owned motels, and eat the local food.

REDEYE · Jun 24, 2011

love these kinds of road trips ! lot of good stops along there

festeringZit · Jun 24, 2011

JohnnyMac said:
I drove the whole thing with my brother in 2002, and we spent seven days doing it. We could have easily spent thrice the time, there is so much to see and do and stop and look at.

My wife and I did Chicago to St. Louis over three days back in 2005 or so, and then I did OKC to Flagstaff in 2009.

I would recommend the following reading material: Jack Rittenhouse's original "Guide Book to Highway 66," the Michael Wallis book "Route 66 The Mother Road," and the Bob Moore & Patrick Grauwels "Illustrated Guidebook to the Mother Road." Read the Wallis book before you leave, and then take the other two with you. There are also state-specific books out there; I have Illinois and Missouri.

Rent a convertible, stay in the independently owned motels, and eat the local food.

Great info, thanks!

donkeybucks · Jun 24, 2011

On your way into Oatman, AZ over Sitgreaves pass, you'll wanna drive this during the daytime, trust me. Small, tiny, winding road and steep drop offs. Be careful.

bigbet1234 · Jun 24, 2011

Done it twice. Parts of Rt. 66 are closed, but a lot is open. Take about 3 weeks if you are going to do the whole thing. Skip MO. Ok, NM, AZ and Cali are where it's at.

We stayed in tecumcari(sp) cool little town, there are many ghost towns also.......really a fun trip if you have the time for it

bigbet1234 · Jun 24, 2011

Oatman is GREAT. Bring some carrots and feed the donkey. lol

GoSooners · Jun 24, 2011

I don't know about the rest of it, but Oklahoma to Flagstaff is a great drive. There are also a couple excellent roadside diners about halfway between Tulsa and OKC.

JohnnyMac · Jun 24, 2011

bigbet1234 said:
Skip MO.

Have to disagree, here. Chain-O-Rocks Bridge is awesome. St. Louis, and Ted Drews for a "concrete." The Ozark Plateau. Meremec Caverns. Much of the original roadway still driveable. Some very cool old bridges still in use. And, a good reason to go to Joplin and spend some money to help their economy.

festeringZit · Jun 24, 2011

JohnnyMac said:
I drove the whole thing with my brother in 2002, and we spent seven days doing it. We could have easily spent thrice the time, there is so much to see and do and stop and look at.

My wife and I did Chicago to St. Louis over three days back in 2005 or so, and then I did OKC to Flagstaff in 2009.

I would recommend the following reading material: Jack Rittenhouse's original "Guide Book to Highway 66," the Michael Wallis book "Route 66 The Mother Road," and the Bob Moore & Patrick Grauwels "Illustrated Guidebook to the Mother Road." Read the Wallis book before you leave, and then take the other two with you. There are also state-specific books out there; I have Illinois and Missouri.

Rent a convertible, stay in the independently owned motels, and eat the local food.

Just ordered this from Netflix (DVD by Wallis):

http://www.amazon.com/Route-66-Ulti...ef=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1308956998&sr=1-1

lefty357 · Jun 25, 2011

http://www.stjo66.de/mileposts_1926.htm

this is a nice guide to points of interest of each town you will be near. starts in downtown chicago.
have a nice trip, 1 of these days i'm going to give it a try.

Historic Rte 66 from Chicago -> Los Angeles

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