Route 66
Tuesday 20th March
Headed north to St. Joseph in Michigan State on Lake Michigan – beautiful setting and sandy beaches. Very busy Interstate Highway into Chicago – apart from lorries and a maze of roads, driving into the centre was relatively easy. Centre of the city had lots of parks but not as many skyscrapers as we had imagined. Found the start of Route 66 easily and were able to park to take a photograph of the iconic Route 66 sign. Eventually found a route through the city in the general direction of Route 66 – it was not well signed. Followed the correct route until Joliet where we lost the signs. Rejoined Route 66 at Wilmington – Launch Pad Cave and German Giant. Followed the historic signs through Godley – scene of railway carriage shunting and Odell – old petrol station. The original road surface of Route 66 paralleled the road we used for many miles. (Clocks back 1 hour) Overnight at Walmart car park in Pontiac, Ilinois. |

Wednesday 21st March
Pontiac. Visited (all free entry)
1. Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum – full of memorabilia & v. interesting.
2. Bob Waldmire School Bus Mobile Home – absolutely fascinating – curator opened it up
for us.
3. Pontiac-Oakland Car Museum – excellent display of all ages of car.
4. Walldog Mural Museum. Followed mural trail around town – over 20
to see.
Pontiac. Visited (all free entry)
1. Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum – full of memorabilia & v. interesting.
2. Bob Waldmire School Bus Mobile Home – absolutely fascinating – curator opened it up
for us.
3. Pontiac-Oakland Car Museum – excellent display of all ages of car.
4. Walldog Mural Museum. Followed mural trail around town – over 20
to see.
Walked to a swingbridge across the Vermillion River. Interesting Court House with Abraham Lincoln (aged 31) statue.
Many stretches of the original Route 66 road parallel the current route of Route 66. At Lexington we walked down the part of the old Route 66 called Memory Lane. At Towanda we walked the “A Geographic Trail” – billboards for each of the 8 states that Route 66 passes through. Towanda was also the scene of the stretch of road called Dead Man’s Curve. Stopped at the Dixie Plaza at McLean for a meal and overnight halt.
Many stretches of the original Route 66 road parallel the current route of Route 66. At Lexington we walked down the part of the old Route 66 called Memory Lane. At Towanda we walked the “A Geographic Trail” – billboards for each of the 8 states that Route 66 passes through. Towanda was also the scene of the stretch of road called Dead Man’s Curve. Stopped at the Dixie Plaza at McLean for a meal and overnight halt.

Thursday 22nd March
Continued along Route 66 to Atlanta & walked round the sights – library, clock tower, “Giant”, Palm Grove café. Visited small shop full of memorabilia of Route 66 – very friendly owner played “God Save the Queen” for us. Chatted about Billy Connolly & his visit to the shop – promised to send the owner, Gene Martin, the photo we took of him with Billy Connolly’s book.
Tried to visit the Dream Car Museum in Williamsville, but the building was empty!
In Springfield visited Lincoln’s tomb – very impressive and in a beautiful setting, before heading for the Lincoln Home. The area around the home has been restored to fit the age of the house – gravel road, wooden broadwalks etc.
Interesting tour of the house. Wandered around the remaining houses within the Lincoln Home area.
Met a National Park Ranger – Bob Sablotny – his wife’s maternal side of the family were Agates (Sue’s maiden name) – swapped email addresses.
Ate supper at the Cozy Dog Café – hot dog in corn batter on a stick.
Overnight at Walmart car park in Springfield.
Interesting tour of the house. Wandered around the remaining houses within the Lincoln Home area.
Met a National Park Ranger – Bob Sablotny – his wife’s maternal side of the family were Agates (Sue’s maiden name) – swapped email addresses.
Ate supper at the Cozy Dog Café – hot dog in corn batter on a stick.
Overnight at Walmart car park in Springfield.
Friday 23rd March
Visited the third “giant” before leaving Springfield.
Travelled along a 1.4 mile stretch of red brick road (1926-30 route of Route 66). Prairie type landscape dotted with small farms, many rather run-down. Route 66 follows a zig-zag route at this stage and in places its concrete surface is cracking. Old gas station in Mount Olive has been restored.
Stopped at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch –rusty VWs & old petrol pump. A row of cars (v. rusty) upended in the grass. Parked and walked across the Chain of Rocks bridge across the Mississippi River - 22° turn on the bridge. Windy so only walked half way across.
Overnight at Walmart in St Louis.
Visited the third “giant” before leaving Springfield.
Travelled along a 1.4 mile stretch of red brick road (1926-30 route of Route 66). Prairie type landscape dotted with small farms, many rather run-down. Route 66 follows a zig-zag route at this stage and in places its concrete surface is cracking. Old gas station in Mount Olive has been restored.
Stopped at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch –rusty VWs & old petrol pump. A row of cars (v. rusty) upended in the grass. Parked and walked across the Chain of Rocks bridge across the Mississippi River - 22° turn on the bridge. Windy so only walked half way across.
Overnight at Walmart in St Louis.
Saturday 24th March
Spent the morning visiting the Gateway Arch in St. Louis a thrilling 4 minute ride in the tramway to the top of the arch. Wonderful views across the city and Mississippi River – v. clear. Visitor Centre also housed the fascinating Museum of Westward Expansion.
Shortly after leaving the city, visited the Route 66 State Park – interesting collection of Route 66 memorabilia, especially about the former motels. Stopped to photo the giant rocking chair at Fanning and passed a number of “giants”.
Overnight at Walmart in Rollo.
Spent the morning visiting the Gateway Arch in St. Louis a thrilling 4 minute ride in the tramway to the top of the arch. Wonderful views across the city and Mississippi River – v. clear. Visitor Centre also housed the fascinating Museum of Westward Expansion.
Shortly after leaving the city, visited the Route 66 State Park – interesting collection of Route 66 memorabilia, especially about the former motels. Stopped to photo the giant rocking chair at Fanning and passed a number of “giants”.
Overnight at Walmart in Rollo.
Sunday 25th March
A mixed day of driving – some quiet and beautiful country roads and some busy straight and uninteresting sections. A number of former motels and gas stations were evident – we passed two that had been restored to their 1930s glory. The recommended Route 66 museum was unfortunately closed on Sundays. We passed a restored drive in cinema at Carthage.
Late in the day we passed into Kansas State to the ormer mining town of Galena – a real Wild West feel to the place with a number of former saloon bars with wooden verandas in evidence. Drove over the one remaining “Marsh Arch” bridges.
We are now “24 hours from Tulsa”.
Overnight at Walmart, Baxter Springs.
A mixed day of driving – some quiet and beautiful country roads and some busy straight and uninteresting sections. A number of former motels and gas stations were evident – we passed two that had been restored to their 1930s glory. The recommended Route 66 museum was unfortunately closed on Sundays. We passed a restored drive in cinema at Carthage.
Late in the day we passed into Kansas State to the ormer mining town of Galena – a real Wild West feel to the place with a number of former saloon bars with wooden verandas in evidence. Drove over the one remaining “Marsh Arch” bridges.
We are now “24 hours from Tulsa”.
Overnight at Walmart, Baxter Springs.
Monday 26th March
Spent the morning using a laundrette and car wash. A rather wild looking man in the laundrette had a hunting knife about 2 feet long in his belt!
Continued south and west following Route 66 – not nearly as well signed as in previous states so errors made especially in towns. South of Miami we followed a very well preserved section of the old 9ft wide concrete slab Route 66 complete with kerb stones.
In Afton we stopped at the former DX Gas Station, now home to a private collection of Packard cars. We stopped to chat to the owner and, although not generally open to the public, he showed us round. He had 12 vintage cars plus an enormous RV.
Overnight at Walmart, Bristow.
Spent the morning using a laundrette and car wash. A rather wild looking man in the laundrette had a hunting knife about 2 feet long in his belt!
Continued south and west following Route 66 – not nearly as well signed as in previous states so errors made especially in towns. South of Miami we followed a very well preserved section of the old 9ft wide concrete slab Route 66 complete with kerb stones.
In Afton we stopped at the former DX Gas Station, now home to a private collection of Packard cars. We stopped to chat to the owner and, although not generally open to the public, he showed us round. He had 12 vintage cars plus an enormous RV.
Overnight at Walmart, Bristow.
Tuesday 27th March
Continued to follow Route 66 through the state of Oklahoma – one loop took us through a tiny village –Depew which was a time-warp. Passed the Shoe Tree and noted many stretches of original Route 656 road just off the current road. Spent a short time at the Route 66 Interpretive Centre in Chandler.
Visited the round barn in Arcadia – housed a Route 66 local exhibition. In Oklahoma City we spent time at the National Memorial which has been built on the site of the Alfred P. Murray Federal Building – this was bombed in 1995 with the loss of 168 lives.
Overnight at Walmart, El Reno.
Continued to follow Route 66 through the state of Oklahoma – one loop took us through a tiny village –Depew which was a time-warp. Passed the Shoe Tree and noted many stretches of original Route 656 road just off the current road. Spent a short time at the Route 66 Interpretive Centre in Chandler.
Visited the round barn in Arcadia – housed a Route 66 local exhibition. In Oklahoma City we spent time at the National Memorial which has been built on the site of the Alfred P. Murray Federal Building – this was bombed in 1995 with the loss of 168 lives.
Overnight at Walmart, El Reno.
Wednesday 28th March
After a rather noisy night due to the proximity of Interstate 40, we headed for Clinton, our next planned stop. En route we crossed a 38 truss “pony” bridge which crossed the South Canadian River. The old Route 66 at this point was a dead straight concrete slab section.
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton was closed for refurbishment! Visited the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City – advertised as a Route 66 Transportation, Farm & Ranch and Old Town Museum – all rather tacky and brief apart from the buildings in the Old Town.
We crossed into Texas and stopped briefly in Shamrock to view the U Drop Inn and tower.
Overnight at a trucker’s stop in McLean.
After a rather noisy night due to the proximity of Interstate 40, we headed for Clinton, our next planned stop. En route we crossed a 38 truss “pony” bridge which crossed the South Canadian River. The old Route 66 at this point was a dead straight concrete slab section.
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton was closed for refurbishment! Visited the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City – advertised as a Route 66 Transportation, Farm & Ranch and Old Town Museum – all rather tacky and brief apart from the buildings in the Old Town.
We crossed into Texas and stopped briefly in Shamrock to view the U Drop Inn and tower.
Overnight at a trucker’s stop in McLean.
Thursday 29th March
Drove through McLean – many old and decaying Route 66 reminders but some newly painted murals. Stopped at Donley County Route 66 Safety Rest – Art Deco style design and 2 tornado shelters. Used I40 for much of today’s drive as the old Route 66 ran parallel to it as access roads and much of it only remains as dirt tracks. En route we passed through Groom which had a leaning water tower and a large cross. Then Conway with a VW “bug” ranch. Near Amarilo we visited Cadillac ranch with its famous line of old cars stuck upright in the soil. |
We stopped in Adrian at the Midpoint Café where we drank “root beer” and had a slice of “ugly pie” – delicious.
At the border with New Mexico we drove through the tiny settlement of Glenrio with its one inhabitant. Visited Russell’s Truck & Travel Centre to view the collection of old cars and 1950’s memorabilia. The scenery has become much more arid with dry river beds and low escarpments. Overnight at Travel America Truck Stop in Santa Rosa |

Friday 30th March
Again used the I40 for much of today’s travelling – most of the old Route 66 is buried under it!
In Moriarty we saw an original gas station that is still in use, also a “neon rotosphere” on an original Route 66 restaurant.
Scenery becoming more dramatic with long, open views of red sandstone mesas.
Albuquerque was a town of three parts – modern retail sprawl,
commercial heart, old Spanish pueblos and plazas
Remains of motels and restaurants line the highway – the KiMo theatre (1927 Art Deco) and Hiland Theatre (1952) reflect the town’s importance.
Again used the I40 for much of today’s travelling – most of the old Route 66 is buried under it!
In Moriarty we saw an original gas station that is still in use, also a “neon rotosphere” on an original Route 66 restaurant.
Scenery becoming more dramatic with long, open views of red sandstone mesas.
Albuquerque was a town of three parts – modern retail sprawl,
commercial heart, old Spanish pueblos and plazas
Remains of motels and restaurants line the highway – the KiMo theatre (1927 Art Deco) and Hiland Theatre (1952) reflect the town’s importance.
Crossed the Rio Grande.
At Laguna was the San Jose Mission built in 1699. Crossed a lot of Indian Tribal lands.
West of Thoreau, the Continental Divide was marked – good views to the pink/red cliffs of the mesa.
Overnight at Walmart, Gallup.
At Laguna was the San Jose Mission built in 1699. Crossed a lot of Indian Tribal lands.
West of Thoreau, the Continental Divide was marked – good views to the pink/red cliffs of the mesa.
Overnight at Walmart, Gallup.
Saturday 31st March
Still little remaining of the old Route 66 so we used I40 to reach Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park. Watched an interesting introductory movie, drove to and stopped at all the northern loop Painted Desert vantage points – scenery and colours amazing. Visited the Painted Desert Inn, an old Route 66 halt, viewed the Petrified Forest and walked two loops through the fallen, crystalised trees.
Discovered Sue’s (Agate) Bridge!
Drove to Winslow via Holbrook and saw the Wigwam Hotel.
Overnight at Walmart, Winslow.
Still little remaining of the old Route 66 so we used I40 to reach Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park. Watched an interesting introductory movie, drove to and stopped at all the northern loop Painted Desert vantage points – scenery and colours amazing. Visited the Painted Desert Inn, an old Route 66 halt, viewed the Petrified Forest and walked two loops through the fallen, crystalised trees.
Discovered Sue’s (Agate) Bridge!
Drove to Winslow via Holbrook and saw the Wigwam Hotel.
Overnight at Walmart, Winslow.
Sunday 1st April
Visited Meteor Crater – awesome and with an interesting Visitors’ Centre. It was extremely windy and almost impossible to stand up on the crater rim. Met a couple from Birmingham who were touring the world in their Land Rover. After lunch drove a short way down Oak Creek Canyon – too forested to see much of the rock formations.
Overnight at a truck stop by McDonalds at Bonneville - cold
Visited Meteor Crater – awesome and with an interesting Visitors’ Centre. It was extremely windy and almost impossible to stand up on the crater rim. Met a couple from Birmingham who were touring the world in their Land Rover. After lunch drove a short way down Oak Creek Canyon – too forested to see much of the rock formations.
Overnight at a truck stop by McDonalds at Bonneville - cold
Monday 2nd April
Managed with great difficulty to drag John away from Route 66 so that we could visit the
National Parks [click]! Our journey along Route 66 continued on Thursday 19th April.
Thursday 19th April
Another hot and uncomfortable night. Retraced our route back to Las Vegas then headed for Kingman and the remainder of Route 66 – a rather boring drive through desert scrub for most of the journey.
On reaching Kingman we visited the interesting Route 66 Museum and watched a video about Arizona’s Route 66 efforts to retain the original highway.
Dinner was eaten in Mr D's Diner, a restored Route 66 diner in Kingman. Overnight at Walmart car park, Kingman.
Another hot and uncomfortable night. Retraced our route back to Las Vegas then headed for Kingman and the remainder of Route 66 – a rather boring drive through desert scrub for most of the journey.
On reaching Kingman we visited the interesting Route 66 Museum and watched a video about Arizona’s Route 66 efforts to retain the original highway.
Dinner was eaten in Mr D's Diner, a restored Route 66 diner in Kingman. Overnight at Walmart car park, Kingman.
Friday 20th April
We woke early and after breakfast drove down Interstate 40 back eastward to Seligman (John was absolutely insistent that we had to drive the entire length of Route 66!)
Seligman was full of coach parties – mid morning coffee break – so we waited until they had gone. Afterwards it was amazingly peaceful and quiet.
The small town had a number of quirky and picturesque Route 66 motels, cafes and shops. From Seligman we followed the original course of Route 66 through Peach Springs, Thruxton and Valentine few relics remain there but at Hackberry there was a novel General Store full of Route 66 memorabilia – the Gents Restroom was papered in pictures of topless models!
As nightstops are few and far between in this area, we stopped at Walmart in Kingman again.
We woke early and after breakfast drove down Interstate 40 back eastward to Seligman (John was absolutely insistent that we had to drive the entire length of Route 66!)
Seligman was full of coach parties – mid morning coffee break – so we waited until they had gone. Afterwards it was amazingly peaceful and quiet.
The small town had a number of quirky and picturesque Route 66 motels, cafes and shops. From Seligman we followed the original course of Route 66 through Peach Springs, Thruxton and Valentine few relics remain there but at Hackberry there was a novel General Store full of Route 66 memorabilia – the Gents Restroom was papered in pictures of topless models!
As nightstops are few and far between in this area, we stopped at Walmart in Kingman again.
Saturday 21st April
Followed old Route 66 for most of the day. Drove across the Sacramento Washes before heading across the Sitgreaves Pass to Oatman. The road to the pass was narrow, poorly surfaced and had many bends without guard rails – the views and scenery were amazing.
Oatman was like a town out of the old wild west – saloon bars, verandahs, burros wandering the streets. A mock gun battle was staged while we were there!
After crossing the Colorado River into California, the scenery became much more desert like and human habitation was few and far between. We stopped to look round the former one room school at Goffs. The road had some abandoned garages and cafes, most now in ruins. Evidence of former lava flows dotted the area.
A stone chipped our windscreen.
Overnight at Walmart car park in Barstow.
Followed old Route 66 for most of the day. Drove across the Sacramento Washes before heading across the Sitgreaves Pass to Oatman. The road to the pass was narrow, poorly surfaced and had many bends without guard rails – the views and scenery were amazing.
Oatman was like a town out of the old wild west – saloon bars, verandahs, burros wandering the streets. A mock gun battle was staged while we were there!
After crossing the Colorado River into California, the scenery became much more desert like and human habitation was few and far between. We stopped to look round the former one room school at Goffs. The road had some abandoned garages and cafes, most now in ruins. Evidence of former lava flows dotted the area.
A stone chipped our windscreen.
Overnight at Walmart car park in Barstow.
Sunday 22nd April
Another hot night followed by an equally hot day – 47.9°C.
We visited the Ghost Town of Calica just north of Barstow. Although many of the buildings are the originals dating back to the 1880s, much of the town has been reconstructured which has really spoiled it.
Barstow Route 66 museum was rather a jumble of exhibits as was the California Route 66 museum in Victorville.
We drove a short 30 mile stretch of the original route between Barstow and Victorville – remains of a couple of motels with their neon signs were all of note apart from the “Bottle Tree Ranch” outside Helendale – an artistic collection of “bottles and signs” on “trees”. Overnight at Walmart in Victorville.
Another hot night followed by an equally hot day – 47.9°C.
We visited the Ghost Town of Calica just north of Barstow. Although many of the buildings are the originals dating back to the 1880s, much of the town has been reconstructured which has really spoiled it.
Barstow Route 66 museum was rather a jumble of exhibits as was the California Route 66 museum in Victorville.
We drove a short 30 mile stretch of the original route between Barstow and Victorville – remains of a couple of motels with their neon signs were all of note apart from the “Bottle Tree Ranch” outside Helendale – an artistic collection of “bottles and signs” on “trees”. Overnight at Walmart in Victorville.

Monday 23rd April
Had the windscreen repaired before setting off for the last stage of
Route 66. Crossed the Cajon pass – thick mist so no view, then drove 6 miles of original surfaced Route 66 before reaching the outskirts of
San Bernardina.
From here on the rest of Route 66 is through the sprawl of
Los Angeles suburbia – some 100 miles or more to go before the coast and the end of the road. Some original Route 66 remains but most sections have long gone. The Pasadena Highway was twisty and narrow but very picturesque. Exits and entrances were narrow and only a car length long. Sunset Boulevard and Samnta Monica Boulevard through Hollywood were not at all attractive. Beverly Hills – flash cars and posh residential areas!
We reached the end of Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier. The car park attendant wanted to charge us the RV rate for parking which was six times the price for a car! I politely pointed out that we were a European camper and smaller than most American trucks. After some debate we agreed on double the car rate. We walked to the official end of Route 66 where the Ocean met the Santa Monica Boulevard.
Overnight at Les Carillo State Park Campground – expensive and definitely not worth the cost. Unfortunately there was no other choice.
Had the windscreen repaired before setting off for the last stage of
Route 66. Crossed the Cajon pass – thick mist so no view, then drove 6 miles of original surfaced Route 66 before reaching the outskirts of
San Bernardina.
From here on the rest of Route 66 is through the sprawl of
Los Angeles suburbia – some 100 miles or more to go before the coast and the end of the road. Some original Route 66 remains but most sections have long gone. The Pasadena Highway was twisty and narrow but very picturesque. Exits and entrances were narrow and only a car length long. Sunset Boulevard and Samnta Monica Boulevard through Hollywood were not at all attractive. Beverly Hills – flash cars and posh residential areas!
We reached the end of Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier. The car park attendant wanted to charge us the RV rate for parking which was six times the price for a car! I politely pointed out that we were a European camper and smaller than most American trucks. After some debate we agreed on double the car rate. We walked to the official end of Route 66 where the Ocean met the Santa Monica Boulevard.
Overnight at Les Carillo State Park Campground – expensive and definitely not worth the cost. Unfortunately there was no other choice.