Route Overview
About this Tour
Route 66 is more than a road – it's a myth, a symbol of the American Dream and freedom. As the 'Main Street of America,' it once connected Midwestern cities with sunny California and was immortalized through songs, films, and novels. Although the historic route no longer officially exists, adventurers can still drive large sections of the 'Mother Road' and immerse themselves in a bygone era.
Your Journey in Detail
🚗Chicago to Oklahoma
Route 66 officially begins at Buckingham Fountain in Chicago – with the Windy City's skyline at your back, head west. Illinois is full of nostalgic stops: the 'Gemini Giant', a massive astronaut statue, quirky diners, and abandoned gas stations tell of times gone by. St. Louis marks the border to the West: the Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made monument in the USA, symbolizes the 'Gateway to the West'. From here, settlers once headed into unknown territory. Missouri offers Meramec Caverns (caves where Jesse James hid) and endless farmland. Oklahoma is the heartland of Route 66 – more original miles are preserved here than in any other state. Tulsa and Oklahoma City offer Art Deco architecture and cowboy culture.
🏜️Texas to Arizona
The Texas Panhandle is flat, vast, and hypnotic – here begins true cowboy country. Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo is world-famous: ten half-buried Cadillacs, spray-painted colorfully, an artwork anyone can paint on (bring spray cans!). The Big Texan Steakhouse offers the '72-ounce steak challenge' – finish the 2-kilo steak in an hour and eat for free! New Mexico welcomes with Southwestern charm: adobe architecture, chilies on house walls, and Santa Fe, the oldest capital in the USA. Arizona is the dramatic climax: the Petrified Forest with petrified trees, the Painted Desert in surreal colors, and finally the Grand Canyon – a side trip that's obligatory. This chasm, one mile deep and 16 kilometers wide, is simply overwhelming.
🌅Mojave Desert & Los Angeles
The final leg leads through the Mojave Desert – a surreal landscape of Joshua Trees, abandoned mining settlements (Oatman, where wild donkeys roam the streets!), and endless straight highways. Summer heat is brutal (up to 50°C!), but nights under the starry sky are unforgettable. Kingman and Needles are classic Route 66 towns that have preserved their nostalgic charm. The transition to California is a moment – here ended the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s, here thousands hoped for a better life. Today, arriving at Santa Monica Pier, where the official 'End of the Trail' sign stands, is a moment of euphoria. Route 66 lies behind you, the Pacific before you.
💡Practical Tips
- ✓Route 66 no longer officially exists – set GPS to 'avoid highways' to find the historic sections!
- ✓ALWAYS refuel when the tank is half empty – gas stations in the West can be 100+ miles apart!
- ✓Summer in the desert is extremely hot – spring (March-May) and fall (Sep-Nov) are ideal.
At a Glance
Duration
14-21 Tage
Distance
3.940 km
Difficulty
Moderate
Highlights
- ⭐Grand Canyon
- ⭐Cadillac Ranch
- ⭐Santa Monica Pier
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