Route 66
 

We have always wanted to drive Route 66 and hopefully it will happen this year with some friends. Most of research has been done, (searched the forum, maps, books, etc.)
and we have traveled in the '61 before and pretty much have that down. The travel info is all there but I thought I'd come here for those who have done Rt 66 or live near it. What is that thing that struck you as don't miss along the way? Not necessarily a list of things to do, but of all that is documented what is "the thing" that stood out. Also any fun eateries or funky pubs to stop at if any of those stood out.
Thanks to all, Gary

I did Route 66 back in 2000. 7,400 miles in just under a month. Started in Mass, where I live, and went all the way to the West Coast, up the coast, through Big Sur, on to Tahoe, Salt Lake City Utah and home. I-40 mirrors Route 66. Get off 40 when you see the brown, "Historic Route 66" signs.

My favorite stretch of Route 66 is the longest remaining, continuous stretch of Old 66 (from East to West) Seligman Arizona (Great Town) to Oatman Arizona, an old mining town with donkeys roaming the streets. Visit one of the Saloons in each town. The road goes through Sitgreaves Pass, Very scenic and desolate.

Take your time and have fun.

sure would be great that as famous as the route is that they do not restore it. Would be a Great tourist attraction. I agree with Arizona, that Is the stretch I drove. There is some fun, though, finding out the pieces of the route and driving them. I remember going a bit beyond the block offs and actually driving abandoned stretches of the original route. Was fun!

Here is my sojourn down that road a few months back:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...oute-66-a.html

We did all of it except for a short stretch at the end that we did in a previous trip.....I rented a car though...

I have posted the below previously and you may have already read it but pay special attention to the bolded info.

Here is what I would recommend if your going to try and do it on historic Rt. 66 as my brother and I just did it June/July of 2018.The historic/original parts of the road that still exist are very poorly marked and we were often on top of the signs to turn onto it with no previous warning signs it was coming up and often had to turn around to make the turn.

There are sections that are older than others and some of the older ones were abandoned but still there when some of the old roads were replaced. I am not talking about the change from the old two lane road to 4 lane freeway either. We tried to travel the very oldest parts of it we could. Sometimes the road would abruptly end or turn to gravel. We were on many different road services including cement brick and blacktop that was so little traveled that there was moss growing in the cracks of the road surfaces. We had a lot of fun and saw a lot of different architecture in commercial buildings and private homes in small rural towns that were interesting.

There are several good Rt. 66 museums that give you a lot of good things to see in their state. Unfortunately most are located in the center of the state and from either direction of travel you can miss several things. With this in mind I would do an internet search of them and ask them to send you info so you don’t miss things of interest.

When we hit the ocean in Cal. we made a hard right and took the PCH north all the way to Washington. It was a great trip and saw a lot of great things including the Petrified Forest Great, Redwood Forest and Hurst Castle. Made a few side trips to places like Santa Fe, The Meteor Crater and Sedona (I used to live there and currently live 14 miles south) on the way back we came through Utah where you might want to do some of their awesome National Parks as well as the Grand Canyon near Flagstaff.Here is a good web site for state by state info for Rt. 66https://www.theroute-66.com/state.html

My experience as well - some of those roads are long lonely stretches of bad asphalt and no cell service and no help for miles... Gives you an appreciation for those that traveled this route in the "old days"..

The wife was navigator and had a well laid out book with all the twists and turns described with a map with all the interesting stuff....if interested I'll get the name of the book for you; its very well known to the people you'll meet at places along the route.

You'll make some wrong turns and get lost a few times but its all part of the adventure...
If you drive a C1 (or even a C2) you'll have to beat the crowds off with a stick....and lots of foreigners trying to recapture the 'feel' of that era too...

Lots of information about the "dust bowl" migration too....scores of Americans were treated worse than ANY immigrants are today by a long shot...

First of all, thanks all for the input. We have done a lot of research but what i am looking for now is what struck you as something not to miss or that great spot to have a bite. Our friends enjoy museums and have done their homework in those regards and my enjoyment is just being on a 2 lane blacktop (I know there is a lot of freeway now). What was the special thing for you along the way. Thanks again.

The Munger Moss motel - been on Rt 66 for 74 years now - the old woman at the desk had worked there for like 48 years....tight lipped but if you buy a few trinkets from the souvenir shop she loosens up and will share some stories. The things she's seen...

66 tour
 

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The Blue Swallow motel here in Tucumcari is A must see and stopoverplace
Pic taken 25 years ago,expect higher rates now ,its run by an auto loving couple.66racer

We stayed there one night - it was a hoot....about sunset they start playing 50's tunes; crooners mostly; Frank Sinatra, etc.. and everybody is sitting outside of their room on chairs listening to the music and chatting....the rooms have garages right next to them where you can pull your ca in for the night. Old rotary phones and other funky accoutrements - a "must do" part of the route...

IIRC there is an old "monitor-top" frig in the laundry room that is still running...

Great, this is what I was hoping for. The Blue Swallow came up several times in our research so it is nice to know it is worth staying there. Hadn't run across the Munger Moss so need to check it out.

Here ya go...
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And of course every "car guy" has to leave some skid marks around Uranus

That's what toilet paper and the Starship Enterprise have in common............they both circle Uranus in search of Klingons.

We stayed at the Munger Moss, the Blue Swallow (100% refrigerated air) and the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook AZ. There's a lot more room in the tepee hotel rooms than you would think, but be prepared to take a shower with your head tilted to one side. They were all great hotels and a lot of fun to stay at and visit with the owners and other guests.

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I drive highway 66 every day!

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If you have a overnight stay considered near Winslow, Arizona (Standin' on the Corner), the LaPosada Hotel is great, along with their restaurant. Just west of Winslow off of I-40 is a neat site is the Meteor Crater, where a meteorite hit earth and created a crater a mile across and over 500 ft. deep.

https://meteorcrater.com/index.html

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If you have an overnight stay in the Albuquerque, NM area, another neat thing to do is the Sandia Peak Tramway.
http://www.sandiapeak.com/

And eat in Old Town plus run up to Santa Fe.

Kicks on Route 66
 

If you are traveling Route 66 in AZ, check out this book by local author Roger Naylor: http://www.rogernaylor.com/books/ari...ks-on-route-66

Also, I haven't done it myself but I have heard it's pretty cool, look into the Cave Motel - a hotel room in a real cave: https://gccaverns.com/rooms-packages...rn-motel-room/

Lastly, Seligman is probably the heart of Route 66 here in AZ and Angel's Barbershop is the heart of Seligman. Angel Delgadillo is largely credited with the revitalization of Historic Route 66 and, the last I heard, was still giving haircuts.

- Jeff

It will likely be your most expensive nights stay @ $900. per night. :eek:

I have toured the cavern and that is worth it. :thumbs:

narlee,

My wife and I did this in May of 2013. Going then we found the majority of the trip was high 40's, low 50's mornings and until we hit Needles, California, temps during the day were mid 70's. We were gone 3 weeks and covered just under 6,000 miles. A place I had read about was in Amarillo, Texas (the Cadillac ranch), where the owner of the land buried a bunch of Cadillacs nose down. Over many years since the 50's, lots of kids have spray painted those cars (they'll never rust!😯). Not certain if it's still there. Here's a pic I took.

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You'll have blast! Good luck tripping!

Regards,

Jim & Mary
In God We Trust!

That's one of those .....thanks but no thanks. That $900 a night would be a hefty blow to the budget, I'd have to turn around and go back home. Michael Wallis (he wrote Route 66 The Mother Road) did a series on tv that had an interview of the barber in Seligman.
I'll check out the Roger Naylor book, the wife is reading one now written by Jim Hinckley, wonder if he's related to John.
The Cadillac Ranch is on the list as most mentioned. This is what I had hoped for, knowing the places that are worth stopping at.

I live 40 miles from the Cadillac Ranch, and l wouldn't walk across the street to see that junk at CR. graffiti on a bunch of crap with trash strewn everywhere. No thanks. I love travelling on old 66, especially east between Amarillo and OKC. I There are lots of places where the actual road is not designated, but the locals can tell you where it is, like the access roads on I40 in places, or now as a FM road. Lots of old abandoned gas stations, motels, and other bygone era things to see. I am most of the time, the only car on the actual 66 highway in those places.

The state of Oklahoma has one of the longest intact sections of Route 66. It parallels I40 for a lot of it but it will turn into a long winding two-laner for miles and take you through some neat old small towns with some neat old town squares. Also some of the best BBQ in the state in on Route 66 just east of OKC.

Ray

I was disappointed with the Cadillac Ranch. Like you stated, trash everywhere.

We live within 1 mile of the old 66 route in Chatham (Springfield), Illinois. Try Motor Heads Bar and Grill, I-55 and Toronto Road exit. in Springfield. Brand new place with lots of memorabilia, good food and an attached museum. If you have time, the president Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is worth a visit. Not RT. 66 related but very interesting and highly recommended.

Several short stretches of the old road with the original brick surface close by. I can direct you. Call when close and we could meet and do lunch or dinner at Motor Heads.

Don Stowers
217-494-7888

Check out the Sandhill Curiousity Shop in Erick,Ok, the last town in Ok. I understand you have to call ahead to get Harley to open up.Some great pictures

Thanks,we will probably stop for a photo of the Cadillac Ranch but it's sad people have to ruin it for others. We love the old Gas stations and stuff and will definitely be on old 66 when we can. Looking forward to the stretches where you can just drive and enjoy what is still there and think about what it once was.

Cadillac Ranch
 

We were there last year - maybe worth seeing once if you are in the area anyway. I wouldn’t make a special trip just for that.......
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Thanks Don, we'll see if we can make that happen.

Have traveled 66 a few times and always enjoy stopping at the Hackberry general store. Lots of cool stuff there.

Thanks, just the fact you have to call ahead kind of makes it interesting. Old photos are great, at least for me it helps relate.

I was as well. All of the ty dye looking paint hides the lines of the cars and you have a hard time determining what year the cars actually are. I will never stop again.

There are places where we drove on brick road that has held up better than some new asphalt. We also drove on one stretch that was so little traveled it had moss growing up between the cracks in the road. :thumbs:

I have been to the Curiosity Shop a couple times. Harley is quite the entertainer. You can get some great photo shots a very old Service Station there as well.
When you come through Amarillo I have a friend that has a private museum about a mile from the Cadillac Ranch. I could probably get you in to see it.
Don R

Gary, I worked 3 ways out of Clinton OK. (There are 2 other lines I never qualified on). If you'd like to un-retire I can put in a good word for ya! ;)

Old 66 went through Clinton and they have a decent Rt 66 Museum there. We went out there the year after I retired, in the C-4. They rotate the cars in the front window I understand and the white C-2 probably won't be there, but it's nicely done anyway.

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That white c2 in the window is looks exactly like my 64. Same color same wheels.

Hi Gents So far know one has mentioned the little town of Santa Rosa. Stopped there several times heading for the east coast. This place has a great mexican restaurant and if you travel with little ones you have to stop and see lighting McQueen and Mator. Hotels were very reasonable.

I googled the Hackberry General Store, it looks like a fun place to stop. I hadn't run across it yet in my research. Thanks.

Seems like there is every sort of road you could imagine. We saw there is an area where the road is only 9' wide with wide dirt shoulders so people can get by.

The Curiosity Shop should be a fun stop, looking forward to meeting Harley. What type of museum does your friend have, could be a good stop for us. Thanks.

Erick is a cool little place in the middle of nowhere- about a rock's throw over to Shamrock, Texas. Be sure and stop by the Tower Conoco Station on Main Street. It is awesome..
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[QUOTE=Railroadman;1599247877]Gary, I worked 3 ways out of Clinton OK. (There are 2 other lines I never qualified on). If you'd like to un-retire I can put in a good word for ya! ;)

Old 66 went through Clinton and they have a decent Rt 66 Museum there. We went out there the year after I retired, in the C-4. They rotate the cars in the front window I understand and the white C-2 probably won't be there, but it's nicely done anyway.

Don, if I ever try to UN-RETIRE get me help, I'm very good at retirement and most definitely enjoying it. When we get to the Rt 66 Museum I'll post a picture of whatever they have in the front window.

Thanks for the heads up, there are a couple things there that we ran across in our research. As far as the kids, it's been a while, we're at the grandkids stage and they won't fit in the 2 seater.

The Conoco station is awesome, the wife and I really enjoy the old buildings. We are looking forward to seeing a lot of unique sites. Thanks.

If you drive around a lot of the old small towns Rt 66 goes through you will see a lot of cool old architecture. :thumbs:

Since you bring up Mexican restaurants, and since I have mentioned Clinton OK, Pedro's in Clinton is excellent. I'm sure almost every town has one, but if Clinton turns out to be a stopping point you might keep it in mind. It's not too far from the museum.

That's one of the things we are really looking forward to. Out here we have Old 99 which was the north --south route from California to Washington. It was made secondary when Interstate 5 was built but there are still some of the old motels and gas stations. We are thinking of running the length of it some time as it goes through a lot of small towns plus it was the main street though some of the large cities. (like the small towns best)

Everyone in our group likes Mexican food. That's one thing where we live now, some ok Mexican places but nothing that stands out. I was kind of hoping for more fun eateries, we'll see.

Well in that case try Pedro's. Ate there when I was working out there, and took the wife when we went on vacation in 2012. Friends out there say it's till good, last I asked. 4 stars on Yelp, 4.5 on tripadvisor.

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Thanks Don, we'll put that on the list and let you know how it goes. Anything special on the menu you recommend?

No vettes, but everything automotive. Lots of different type unique and rare chevrolet cars, lots of neon signs and automobilia stuff. You could spend a half day there and not see everything. Three big buildings of cars and automobilia.

Hands down, the Petrified Forest National Park along the route in Arizona. Just drive a couple of miles and you can look down an original dirt stretch of old Route 66 from the '30s they preserved.

Thanks Don, I really enjoy the cars you don't see every day. Hopefully we can work something out.

Our friends brought up the petrified forest and we wondered how interesting it might be. With your confirmation it will probably be a stop, thanks.

I have been thinking about planning a trip like this! Great info. Thanks, Tim

If you're talking about the Warrick's collection, I have to agree. I've been several times....some of the best hot rods in Texas.