Route 66

Hi, My name is Lior, and my fiance and me are planning to go on a road trip for our honeymoon.
We want to go from New York to Chicago, and then continue with Route 66 to LA.
Do you think it is doable in one month?
How much do you think a trip like this would cost us?
Is there anything special we should consider in our planning?

Thanks a lot,
Lior

Well, the first thing you need to know is that Route 66 no longer exists--although stretches of it still do--and there are freeways (similar to European motoways or autobahns) that cover most of this trip.

Basically, when you leave Chicago, you need to get on US Interstate 44 (I-44) heading south, then connect in Tulsa, Oklahoma to US Interstate 40 (I-40) westbound until you get to Barstow, California. From Barstow, California head south on US Interstate 15 (I-15) south through the rest of the desert and down the mountain range. When you get past this and reach a town called Cucamonga, you get off on Foothill Boulevard and head west all the way until you get to Pasadena, California. Then you will have travelled most of the same route as Highway 66.

Some of the most scenic spots of this trip are heading through the smaller towns of Arizona and New Mexico--like Winslow, and Flagstaff (both in Arizona), and Gallup (in New Mexico). Also, I suggest you take side trips off this route, like north to Santa Fe, New Mexico and north to the Grand Canyon (when you get to Flagstaff).

Look through the past posts--there was another "thread" where someone asked about Route US-66--and the others on here gave some good suggestions--though I don't remember all the advice now.

Enjoy

Gary,
That old 'Route 66' post is now on page 4. The link I posted should help Lior with planning
their route.

Lior, your daily costs are difficult to estimate. Since most motels on route will be at least $40/nite, figure around $100/day for room, food, petrol, sightseeing. Good Luck.

[ Edit: Edited on 25-Feb-2009, at 11:08 by vegasmike6 ]

I have driven several sections of old Route 66. In some parts it is FABULOUS!

In many stretched, it no longer exists. However some local authorities have preserved older sections. Driving into the old Route 66 main streets ( Gallup, NM and Flagstaff, AZ for example ) can be extremely charming. The art deco architecture motels. The neon lights. The open kitchen restaurants .... HAVE FUN!!

Dave

Hi Lior,
You will have a great time with one-month to travel across the U.S. This is a great trip and definitely doable.

Last October I just took a group of folks from South Africa on a 12-day tour in a motorhome on historic Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. They had the time of their life and could not believe how much history, sites and original sections of the old road were still available for us to drive.

Long sections of the old road are driveable in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma as well as Arizona and California. There's a great web site that has lots of maps and photos and a bit of history on each section as you drive from Chicago to L.A. You might want to check it out at: http://www.theroadwanderer.net/66Illinois/route66IL.htm
I also wrote in my travel blog a series of articles about the trip I did with these South Africans. The blog has lots of pictures and information about each area for your information as well. Check out my profile if you want to visit my blog.

The longest continuous section of the "Mother Road" is in Arizona from just west of Ashfork to Kingman, then from Kingman to Topock, Arizona on the California-Arizona border. This section is over 100 miles long and absolutely beautiful.

Depending on where you stay - the days on Route 66 you should be able to find motels for $65 to $85 per night and if you eat in the Route 66 diners along the route - your meal expenses should be about $25 to $50 per day as well. I hope my information has helped in your planning and thank you for traveling!

Are you going home from LA ? You can go across the USA in one month. I know someone who did it in 72hrs. It's all about how many stops you make. One month, east to west, is pretty comfortable. Back and forth is going to be tight.

You won't have any problems following route 66. There were signs all over the place. The whole route's become a kitchy tourist attraction. Some signs might be a little hard to find, but just be a little bit careful, and you shouldn't have any problems.

We certainly didn't have any problems following the route.