United States · 7 days · 3,940 km · One-way
Route 66 Express — Chicago to Santa Monica in 7 days
Express version of the Mother Road for time-budget travellers. 250-350 miles/day across 7 legs: Chicago, Springfield, Joplin, OKC, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Flagstaff/Grand Canyon, Santa Monica. All the icons without losing momentum. Based on El Monte RV.
Highlights
- Lou Mitchell's (Chicago)
- Gemini Giant (Wilmington)
- Cozy Dog Drive-In (Springfield, IL)
- Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (St Louis)
- Cuba Mural City (MO)
- Wagon Wheel Motel (vintage neon)
- Cars on the Route (Galena, KS)
- Blue Whale of Catoosa
- Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios (Tulsa)
- POPS 66 (Arcadia, OK)
- Cadillac Ranch + Big Texan 72oz steak (Amarillo)
- Midpoint Café (Adrian, TX)
- Blue Swallow Motel (Tucumcari)
- Petrified Forest + Painted Desert
- Wigwam Motel (Holbrook)
- Seligman + Delgadillo's Snow Cap
- Oatman (wild burros)
- Santa Monica Pier (End of the Trail)
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Chicago, IL → Springfield, IL
Chicago → Springfield IL · 320 km
- · Lou Mitchell's traditional breakfast
- · Gemini Giant (Wilmington)
- · Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum (Pontiac)
- · Cozy Dog Drive-In (corn dog invented 1946)
Overnight: Springfield KOA Holiday
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Day 2
Springfield → Joplin, MO
Springfield IL → Joplin · 430 km
- · Chain of Rocks Bridge
- · Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (St Louis)
- · Cuba Mural City + Wagon Wheel Motel
- · Missouri Hick BBQ
Overnight: Joplin KOA Journey
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Day 3
Joplin → Oklahoma City
Joplin → Oklahoma City · 440 km
- · Cars on the Route (Galena, KS)
- · Blue Whale of Catoosa
- · Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios (Tulsa)
- · POPS 66 (Arcadia, 66-ft LED soda bottle)
- · Rock Cafe (Stroud)
Overnight: Oklahoma City East KOA
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Day 4
Oklahoma City → Amarillo, TX
Oklahoma City → Amarillo · 420 km
- · Oklahoma Route 66 Museum (Clinton)
- · Elk City National Route 66 Museum
- · Leaning Tower of Texas (Groom)
- · Cadillac Ranch (10 buried cars, spray paint OK)
- · Big Texan 72oz Steak Ranch
Overnight: Amarillo KOA Journey
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Day 5
Amarillo → Albuquerque, NM
Amarillo → Albuquerque · 460 km
- · Midpoint Café (1,139 mi to Chicago / 1,139 mi to LA)
- · Tucumcari (Neon Capital)
- · Blue Swallow Motel
- · Santa Rosa Blue Hole + Auto Museum
- · Albuquerque Old Town + red or green chile
Overnight: Albuquerque North KOA Journey
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Day 6
Albuquerque → Flagstaff, AZ (via Petrified Forest)
Albuquerque → Flagstaff · 540 km
- · El Malpais / El Morro National Monument
- · Petrified Forest National Park
- · Painted Desert
- · Wigwam Motel (sleep in a teepee)
- · Joe & Aggie's Cafe (Holbrook)
Overnight: Flagstaff KOA Journey
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Day 7
Flagstaff → Santa Monica, CA (finish)
Flagstaff → Santa Monica · 800 km
- · Seligman (Cars birthplace) + Delgadillo's Snow Cap
- · Oatman (wild burros)
- · Crossing the Colorado at Topock
- · Mojave Desert + Cajon Pass
- · Santa Monica Pier — End of the Trail sign