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I am seriously thinking about a Route 66 trip in the spring. Would probably drive from my home in Hagerstown MD and pick up Route 66 in St. Louis and proceed west. Plan to drive at least into Arizona. Don't think I will go all the way to Santa Monica unless I decide to extend the trip and drive up the coast of CA and come home through Montana and the Dakotas. Would be interested in hearing from folks who have recently made this trip. Feel free to send me a PM or via email if that is more convenient.
I know about the books sold by Amazon and plan to buy the one that has the maps and locations of all the "tourist" traps. Thanks.
I am going in a few weeks, driving my car back from Bowling Green. I'm using RoadTrippers.com to plan the trip (link to the route I'm taking below). It allows me to adjust the route and pick some roadside attractions to stop at along the way (many classic Route 66 stuff already in their list). They also have some pre-built Route 66 routes.
I found a few web sites by Google search that give a ton of information about various routes and even some google maps that you can import/start with.
I'd look real close at what you get with that trip. It's just not what it was when there was a route 66.
The California coast is great. The Avenue of the Giants Redwoods are a drive that is not to be missed. The Columbia River is impressive. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the trip along the Colorado river is quite interesting. The trip down US550 from Montrose to Durango is very scenic. The Yellowstone tour is a must do. The Eisenhower Tunnel and the Pikes Peak drive are a brag tag as is the Bear Claw NE of Yellowstone. Lots to see. Good Luck! Pat
There are some good 66 places in Missouri, so-so Kansas and Oklahoma. Long stretch between Seligman and Kingman, AZ(most popular section).
If you don't want to go any further, then spending the night in Laughlin, NV is a good choice as the casino/hotels are very cheap. Just don't stay at the Aquarius as they have a speed block that will not let a Corvette clear. Other wise it's a nice place to stay, just don't drive up to the front entrance. park to the side and walk over to check in. No problem with their parking garage as the ramps are not steep
Then wing north on US295 to Vegas and pick up I-15 to St George, UT(La Qunita Inn is very nice and good prices). Then east on Hwy 9 etc to Zion NP, then up US89 to Hwy 12 over to Bryce Canyon NP. Then Hwy 12 north to Torrey to visit Capital Reef NP. Then back to Torrey and take Hwy 72 up to I-80. Take I-80 to US191 and US191 down to Moab and visit Canyonlands NP and Arches NP. Then take Hwy 128 back up to I-80 and east to Fruita, CO and south into Colorado N.M..
Then take US50 south and visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.P.(just east of Montrose, CO). Then take US550(million dollar highway) south through Ouray and Silverton to Durango. Go south 35 miles to Aztec, NM to spend the night as the Microtel is brand new and way cheaper than motels in Durango, CO.Then Hwy 550 south to San Ysideo and take Hwy 4 over to US285(through Los Alamos) an stay at the Hilton Buffalo Thunder casino and hotel(absolutely beautiful). then down to Santa Fe, NM for a visit.
Then US285 to Clines Corner and take I-40 to Amarillo, TX for the night at the Comfort Inn on Soncy, eating at Hoffbrau steaks that evening. Continue on I-40 east to hit any Route 66 spots you missed on the way out west.
Route 66 is interesting, but the national parks in Utah and Colorado are spectacular.
If you are interested in any of those spots to visit, let me know and I can give you more details.
I'd look real close at what you get with that trip. It's just not what it was when there was a route 66. ...
Over 80% of original Route 66 is still easily drivable. It's a part of U.S. History that is disappearing. The parks will probably be there for a long time. Route 66 will continue to disappear.
Over 80% of original Route 66 is still easily drivable. It's a part of U.S. History that is disappearing. The parks will probably be there for a long time. Route 66 will continue to disappear.
A lot of Route 66 still drivable in Missouri and not going anywhere as it still provides a highway for the locals to drive everyday and goes through all the towns that are next to I-44.
I've done Holbrook to Chicago and back a dozen times. Last summer I did Santa Monica to Chicago. Random thoughts:
Wagon Wheel motel in Cuba, MO is cool. Warning, many of the rooms are original 1930's in size, but all updated. Larger suites available at similar cost to the big chains.
Blue Swallow motel in Tucumcari is a blast. Wonderful owners. I always meet fun and interesting fellow travelers. If it's booked, which it usually is in the summer, the Safari across the street is nice.
As mentioned, Seligman to Kingman is the longest original stretch. Kingman to Oatman is a must. Hard to imagine how those Model A's made it, but they did.
McLane, TX is worth a drive through. They have a barbed wire museum, which believe it or not, is really interesting and well presented.
We drove our 66 coupe from Chicago to Santa Monica pier on the two lane in September 2015. We used the eight map set purchased from the Historic 66 website. It was the BEST trip ever. ��
I am going in a few weeks, driving my car back from Bowling Green. I'm using RoadTrippers.com to plan the trip (link to the route I'm taking below). It allows me to adjust the route and pick some roadside attractions to stop at along the way (many classic Route 66 stuff already in their list). They also have some pre-built Route 66 routes.
I found a few web sites by Google search that give a ton of information about various routes and even some google maps that you can import/start with.
Happy to share info after the trip, but thought I'd share how I'm approaching it.
Ken
Thanks, Ken. I just downloaded the RoadTrippers app today. Lots of good info. Will be very interested in hearing about your trip. Have a great time.
Originally Posted by Zymurgy
Hopefully the "book" you are talking about buying is: Route 66: EZ66 GUIDE For Travelers - 4TH EDITION by Jerry McClanahan.
Yes, it is. Thanks.
Originally Posted by JoesC5
There are some good 66 places in Missouri, so-so Kansas and Oklahoma. Long stretch between Seligman and Kingman, AZ(most popular section).
If you don't want to go any further, then spending the night in Laughlin, NV is a good choice as the casino/hotels are very cheap. Just don't stay at the Aquarius as they have a speed block that will not let a Corvette clear. Other wise it's a nice place to stay, just don't drive up to the front entrance. park to the side and walk over to check in. No problem with their parking garage as the ramps are not steep
Then wing north on US295 to Vegas and pick up I-15 to St George, UT(La Qunita Inn is very nice and good prices). Then east on Hwy 9 etc to Zion NP, then up US89 to Hwy 12 over to Bryce Canyon NP. Then Hwy 12 north to Torrey to visit Capital Reef NP. Then back to Torrey and take Hwy 72 up to I-80. Take I-80 to US191 and US191 down to Moab and visit Canyonlands NP and Arches NP. Then take Hwy 128 back up to I-80 and east to Fruita, CO and south into Colorado N.M..
Then take US50 south and visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.P.(just east of Montrose, CO). Then take US550(million dollar highway) south through Ouray and Silverton to Durango. Go south 35 miles to Aztec, NM to spend the night as the Microtel is brand new and way cheaper than motels in Durango, CO.Then Hwy 550 south to San Ysideo and take Hwy 4 over to US285(through Los Alamos) an stay at the Hilton Buffalo Thunder casino and hotel(absolutely beautiful). then down to Santa Fe, NM for a visit.
Then US285 to Clines Corner and take I-40 to Amarillo, TX for the night at the Comfort Inn on Soncy. eating at Hofbrau steaks that evening. Continue on I-40 east to hit any Route 66 spots you missed on the way out west.
Route 66 is interesting, but the national parks in Utah and Colorado are spectacular.
If you are interested in any of those spots to visit, let me know and I can give you more details.
Yes, I keep going back and forth about the Route 66 trip as my wife is not so keen on it. We've been out west a few times but have always flown out and rented a car. There is still a lot we have not seen and the sites in Utah and Colorado are on our list. I need to do a lot more research.
Originally Posted by Zymurgy
Over 80% of original Route 66 is still easily drivable. It's a part of U.S. History that is disappearing. The parks will probably be there for a long time. Route 66 will continue to disappear.
Good point. That is why I am still seriously considering this trip. I may well go out using Route 66 and come back through as many of the parks in Montana, Wyoming, Utah and the Dakotas as we can fit in our schedule. We could easily be gone for 4-6 weeks. It's nice to be retired.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; 01-24-2017 at 06:54 PM.
Reason: Merged Posts-please use the Multi-Quote button (middle icon) in the lower right hand corner of each post to make your response look like this.
A lot of Route 66 still drivable in Missouri and not going anywhere as it still provides a highway for the locals to drive everyday and goes through all the towns that are next to I-44.
It's not just the actual "road" I was referring to, but the places along Route 66 that are disappearing. Old gas stations (Whiting Bros for example), Valentine Diners, etc. are literally disintegrating. Some sections of the old road are accessible, but are no longer maintained so they, too, are fading away.
It's not just the actual "road" I was referring to, but the places along Route 66 that are disappearing. Old gas stations (Whiting Bros for example), Valentine Diners, etc. are literally disintegrating. Some sections of the old road are accessible, but are no longer maintained so they, too, are fading away.
That's true. I've noticed some of the old motels, gas stations on the out of the way sections in Missouri have disappeared during the past 20 years. I was just pointing out that there is a better scenic route returning home as most of Route 66 and I-40 travel next to each other, so driving I-40 back is not to different than driving 66 out there(unless he is in a hurry to get home)..
Originally Posted by rmorin1249
Yes, I keep going back and forth about the Route 66 trip as my wife is not so keen on it. We've been out west a few times but have always flown out and rented a car. There is still a lot we have not seen and the sites in Utah and Colorado are on our list. I need to do a lot more research.
PM me when you have something a little more figured out what you want to do on your trip. So much to do and see.
For example, riding the narrow gauge steam powered train from Durango to Silverton or from Antonio, CO to Chama, NM(definitely my favorite train ride).
Even the Great Sand Dunes N.P.(not many people have even have heard of that National Park) just northeast of Alamosa, CO is a very interesting side trip(and great chiliburger at the restaurant just outside of the park). US160 across southern Colorado is beautiful. Or travel a little more north and visit Cripple Creek, CO and the gold mine(1,000' below the surface, and well worth the admittance fee) and then Manitou Springs(Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods). So much to see. I much prefer southern Colorado over northern Colorado. In a hurry, I-70 between Grand Junction and Denver is a beautiful drive. Absolutely terrible scenery east of I-25 and across Kansas
Seems like every time I travel out there I see tons of scenery I missed on prior trips.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; 01-24-2017 at 06:55 PM.
Reason: Merged Posts-please use the Multi-Quote button (middle icon) in the lower right hand corner of each post to make your response look like this.
You must go to Santa Monica and drive on the pier. It is the best feeling when you get out, breathe in the sea air and look out over the expanse of the Pacific.
You must go to Santa Monica and drive on the pier. It is the best feeling when you get out, breathe in the sea air and look out over the expanse of the Pacific.
If he wants to drive all the way to the ocean, I suggest he split his trip up into two separate trips.
Drive Route 66 to the Pacific ocean, visit Sequoia NP, Kings Canyon NP and Yosemite NP, taking Hwy 120 east to US385 and then north to Hwy 89 to Lake Tahoe. Then US50 west to Hwy 49, Hwy 49 south to Sonora, and then Hwy 108/120 west to I-205, I-580 etc to South San Francisco for the night or two if you want to see China Town and Fisherman's wharf.
Then drive north over Golden gate bridge and take Hwy 1/101 to Portland, OR(stopping off at Redlands NP and Crater NP) etc, east on Hwy 14 along the Columbia River through Idaho, and Montana, visiting Glacier NP and then down to Yellowstone, then Devils Tower, Black Hills, and the Badlands etc, then home on I-90, etc.
On another trip, head directly to Amarillo, then down to Carlsbad Caverns, then southern New Mexico over thru Show Low and south thru Salt River Canyon, over to Phoenix, north through Prescott and Jerome, AZ to Sedona(red rocks) up Hwy Alt 89 to Flagstaff on and then north to the south rim, then to the north rim, into Utah ,and hit all those national parks, and then visit all of Colorado and northern New Mexico, down to I-40 through Taos and Santa Fe and then home.
There is just too much to do, to see everything west of St Louis to the Pacific ocean, up through Montana, etc in one trip.
You can easily spend four weeks on each of those two trips. Too many small little stops along the way such as the pioneer Auto museum in Murdo, SD, or Walls Drug store, in Walls, SD, or the Prison Museum in Deer Lodge, MT. etc.
01-24-2017, 04:00 PM
Recent Route 66 trips?
and about one mile from my house.
