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The quick, brown, classic rose, and bossanova fox jumped over the lazy dog.

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The quick, brown, bizarre, and thunderbird fox jumped over the lazy dog.

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The quick, brown, charlotte, and red fox jumped over the lazy dog.

route 66 - the mother road

24 days / 23 nights from NZ$ 7,975 per person

Route 66 - The Mother Road - 24 days / 23 nights from NZ$ 7,975 per person

2026 marks the centennial of Route 66 – the perfect time to experience the ultimate American road trip. This 24-day journey takes you from Chicago to Santa Monica along the legendary “Mother Road,” discovering neon-lit diners, quirky roadside attractions, vintage motels, and small-town Americana across eight states. Begin in Chicago, where blues clubs and deep-dish pizza set the scene before heading south to Missouri, home to St. Louis’ soaring Gateway Arch and Springfield’s Route 66 heritage. In Oklahoma, explore classic diners, historic service stations, and Oklahoma City’s cowboy charm. Cross into Texas to see Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch and enjoy hearty steakhouse fare. In New Mexico, detour through Santa Fe - part of the original Route 66 - before cruising Albuquerque’s Central Avenue, lined with neon signs, retro motels, and classic diners. Arizona delivers dramatic natural wonders – the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater, and a full day at the Grand Canyon – plus nostalgic stops in Winslow, Seligman, and Kingman. Your adventure culminates at Santa Monica Pier, celebrating your achievement at the iconic “End of the Trail” sign while enjoying a breathtaking Pacific sunset. Nostalgia, history, and scenery combine for a once-in-a-lifetime experience every Route 66 traveller dreams of.

This is a suggested itinerary based on our recommendations for your Route 66 road trip adventure. There are no fixed departure dates or schedules so you can customise the itinerary to suit your personal preferences and needs. Please contact us if you are looking to explore Route 66 and we can create a personalised travel package just for you.

Jaw Harp Route 66 Photo stop dont know what state this is in Image by DEZALB from

package inclusions

* 3 night’s at the Arlo Hotel, Chicago, IL
* 2-day all-inclusive Chicago Go City Pass
* 21 day Alamo rental car in a full-size vehicle
* 2 night’s at the Drury Plaza, St. Louis at the Arch
* 1 night’s accommodation in the following locations: Springfield IL, Springfield MO, Tulsa OK, Oklahoma City OK, Clinton OK, Amarillo TX, Tucumcari NM, Santa Fe NM, Albuquerque NM, Gallup NM, Holbrook AZ, Kingman AZ and Barstow CA
* 2 night’s at the Little America Hotel, Flagstaff AZ
* 3 night’s at the Palihouse, Santa Monica CA

Route 66 Courtesy Discover Flagstaff

accommodation

Our suggested itinerary combines a mix of upscale, historic, quirky, and fun properties that capture the true spirit of Route 66. One night you might stay in a stylish 4-star hotel in downtown Chicago, and the next, an iconic 2.5 - 3-star roadside motel - evoking the nostalgic charm of travelling across America in the “good old days.” Each stop has been thoughtfully selected for its character and connection to the Mother Road. During the trip planning process, we’ll review the accommodation options with you, giving you the flexibility to tailor them to your personal tastes and preferences.

Route 66 Image courtesy of Eaglerider

route 66 on a harley

Live the dream of every Harley Davidson enthusiast and take on the “Mother Road” on two wheels. Using our 24-day Route 66 itinerary, you’ll ride from Chicago to Santa Monica aboard a powerful touring motorcycle - like a Harley-Davidson Street Glide or Road Glide Touring Edition - built for comfort and adventure. Cruise through eight states of classic Americana, from neon diners to desert highways, feeling the wind, freedom, and nostalgia that only Route 66 can deliver. Whether you’re riding solo or with friends, this is the ultimate American road trip - born to be ridden.
Contact Travel USA for more details ...

Some of the highlights of your Route 66 adventure

Car Gas Station Ilinois Image by guerriernoir from Pixabay

Illinois

* Chicago: “Begin Historic Route 66” sign, Navy Pier, Willis Tower & Sky Deck, Magnificent Mile, Architecture Cruise tour, Milennium Park, Lou Mitchell’s diner - a Route 66 classic breakfast 
* Joliet: Route 66 Welcome Centre & Rialto Square 
* Wilmington: Gemini Giant Muffler Man 
* Pontiac: Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, classic cars, & murals
* Springfield: Cozy Dog Drive-In, Abraham Lincoln  sites, State Fair Route 66 Experience
* St Louis approach: Chain of Rocks Bridge 

Fanning 66 Outpost Credit Missouri Tourism

Missouri

St. Louis: Gateway Arch, Forest Park, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Chain of Rocks Bridge crossing
Sullivan: Meramec Caverns - Jesse James history
* Cuba: Route 66 murals and Wagon Wheel Motel, Missouri Hick BBQ
* Fanning: World’s Second Largest Rocking Chair
* Devil’s Elbow: famous bridge and scenic Ozark 
* Lebanon: Route 66 Museum & Research Centre
* Springfield: Birthplace of Route 66, retro diners, Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven (where Elvis stayed), Route 66 Car Museum
* Carthage: Route 66 Drive-In Theatre

Cars on the Route Galena KS Credit Kansas Tourism

Kansas

Route 66 runs for only about 21 kilometres through the state of Kansas - the shortest stretch of the Mother Road in any state. Despite its length, it includes some real gems, all packed with classic Americana and Route 66 nostalgia.
* Galena: Cars on the Route - inspiration for Pixar’s Cars, classic gas stations
* Riverton: Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store
* Baxter Springs: Heritage Centre & Route 66 attractions

Rt66 Oklahoma West Rt66 Drive Oklahoma Image By Travel Oklahoma Canuckiwi e1741993509923

Oklahoma

Miami: Coleman Theatre Beautiful
Claremore: Will Rogers's Memorial Museum
* Catoosa: The Blue Whale - iconic roadside stop
* Tulsa: Route 66 Rising sculpture, Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, neon motels
* Arcadia: Round Barn and POPS Soda Ranch - huge  soda bottle sign 66 ft tall & over 700 types of soda
* Oklahoma City: National Memorial & Museum,  Route 66 Park, National Cowboy & Western Heritage    Museum, Bricktown's Canal District
* Clinton: Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
* Elk City: National Route 66 Museum Complex

Route66 Map for Package PG Website

route 66 map

Route 66 starts in Chicago Illinois, and ends in Santa Monica California. The Mother Road travels through eight states; Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. 
Fun Fact: If you drove Route 66 without stopping it would take you 30 to 40 hours of driving time approxmately. Route 66 is 3,940 kilometres long (2,400 miles). When it was opened in 1926, only 1,287 kilometres (800 miles) were paved, the rest being graded dirt, gravel, bricks, or planks of wood. It took 11 more years before the road would become the first national highway to be completely paved.

Leaning Tower of Britten Photo Credit Liz Sinclair Visit Amarillo

Texas

Shamrock: Tower Station & U-Drop Inn Café
McLean: National Route 66 Museum, Devil’s Rope Museum - barbed wire history
* Amarillo: Cadillac Ranch spray - painted cars buried nose-first, Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery - world famous 72-ounce steak challenge
* Vega: Magnolia Gas Station
* Adrian: Adrian's Midpoint Cafe, offical Halfway Point of Route 66
* Glenrio: Ghost town on Texas/New Mexico border

Tucumcari Blue Swallow Motel Image By New Mexico True

New Mexico

Tucumcari: Blue Swallow Motel, Route 66 murals
Santa Rosa: Route 66 Auto Museum, Blue Hole
* Santa Fe: Historic plaza, adobe architecture, Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Canyon Road
* Turquoise Trail: Scenic Byway - famous stretch of road
* Albuquerque: Sanida Peak Tramway, Old Town, Historic Nob Hill, National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, neon signs
* Grants: Mining Museum, Old trading posts
* Gallup: El Rancho Hotel - Hollywood stars stayed

Winslow Standin On The Corner 2 Route 66 Credit Arizona Office of Tourism

Arizona

Holbrook: Wigwam Motel, Petrified Forest Ntl Park 
Winslow: “Standin’ on the Corner” Park Eagles song tribute & Meteor Crater near Winslow
* Flagstaff: Historic downtown, Lowell Observatory, Grand Canyon day trip
* Williams: Grand Canyon Railway
* Seligman: Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive In, quirky route 66 souvenir shops
* Kingman: Hackberry General Store packed with memorabilia, D'Z Route 66 Diner famous for its burgers, Route 66 Museum, Powerhouse Visitor Centre
* Oatman: Old mining town with wild burros roaming the streets

Route 66 End of Trail CA Image By chaojie ni unsplash

California

Needles: Desert town with Route 66 history
Amboy: Roy’s Motel & Café with iconic neon sign
* Route 66 through the Mojave Desert
* Barstow: Route 66 Mother Road Museum
Oro Grande: Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
* Victorville: California Route 66 Museum
* San Bernardino: Original McDonald’s Museum
* Pasadena: Historic Colorado Boulevard
* Hollywood: Walk of Fame
* Santa Monica: End point of the Trail sign on pier

Terms & Conditions
Our prices are dynamic, providing you with the best available rate of the day at the time of booking • Our suggested itineraries can be fully customised to suit your needs and have been created with indicative pricing shown • Final package pricing will be calculated upon request using the best rates available on the day and will depend on factors such as month of travel, how early you book, availability, and whether you choose non-refundable or fully refundable rates • Indicative prices are per person, based on two adults travelling together and sharing a double/twin room with existing bedding • All pricing is in New Zealand dollars for payment by cash or EFTPOS only; credit card fees will apply • Airfares are not included and are an additional cost • Amendment and cancellation fees apply • Surcharges and blackout (closeout) dates may apply • Indicative prices exclude any applicable car parking, road tolls, one-way rental car drop-off fees, National Park entrance fees, and hotel resort fees, which are payable direct • Please ask your Travel USA specialist for full details.

“We create the adventure ....
You create the memories”

Route 66 Image by morten andreassen unsplash

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Huge thanks to Travel USA and especially Andrew for making our trip so easy and enjoyable! Andrew was amazing from the moment we started planning, he went above and beyond. His knowledge, travel tips, and thoughtful check-ins made the whole trip completely seamless and his attention to detail and genuine care took all the stress out of travelling. Highly recommend Travel USA for anyone wanting a hassle-free, expertly planned adventure.

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You really paid attention to what we wanted to get out of our trip, and everything was planned in such detail, and ran smoothly. Your expert recommendations were spot on, and we felt so well taken care of the entire time. Thanks to you, we had an unforgettable time, and we’re already talking about planning our next adventure with you to the Yellowstone country! I hope we can work together again soon in the not so distant future 🙂 Thank you again!

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Waikato, NZ

We were very pleased with the itinerary Travel USA arranged for us, there was a good mix of accommodation and towns. The travel distance each day was just right giving us plenty of time to do other things each day. Florence was a lovely little town and because we were there on a Friday night, we had the added bonus of enjoying their once a month street markets and open air live music, it was a lovely night. We also appreciated the contact you made while we away advising us of things to pre book etc. There is a lot to think about especially as we were a group of 8 and sometimes 10. We would definitely recommend your services to other people, and by using your expertise it took the stress away from us as a group trying to decide what to do.

Gwyneth M

New Plymouth, NZ

Just wanted to thank you both for your suggestions, hotel choices and how smoothly our trip went with the planning you all did. We had a truly fabulous trip, that suited us perfectly. We said it is actually uncanny how with just phone communications and emails with strangers your selections were just so us. We will definitely recommend Travel USA and will be in touch when we travel to the states again, next time. Cannot rate you highly enough with your expertise and knowledge. With appreciation and heartfelt thanks.

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Port Waikato, NZ

Now that we are back from our holiday to the States, I just want to say thank you for your part in organising an amazing itinerary for us. We had such an awesome time. We loved experiencing New York and everything it has to offer; we were pleased to be staying 8 nights there. The Go City Pass you recommended made visiting each attraction easy and it encouraged us to get out and explore. The rest of our itinerary went without any problems, the accommodation you selected was very well located, making it easy for us to get around without needing transport. We had a lot of fun. Back to the routine of work now - thanks again for everything.

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New Plymouth, NZ

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Thank you so much Travel USA!

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Auckland, NZ

Andrew assisted me with a group booking of 5 couples travelling to the USA for 5 weeks. They wanted to do a “road trip” through the Southern States and spend time in New York. Andrew’s knowledge of the USA is an incredible asset to people planning to travel here, he put together an awesome route, recommended great hotels in the best locations and had so much information on city passes, things to do and places of interest. As a travel agent I found that Travel USA had the best contacts and information from everything from rental cars, hotels, shows, tours etc and they outlined all of this in very detailed itineraries ready to give straight to my clients. He provided a professional detailed itinerary for the group that went 100% perfectly. Andrew made my job easy, and my clients were extremely happy with their holiday plans. I will definitely be using Andrew and his company in the future and would recommend anyone when planning to go to the USA to use their services.

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New Plymouth, NZ

Travel USA impressed me with their exceptional customer service, attention to detail, and personalised approach prior to my trip. From the initial inquiry, Andrew was responsive, knowledgeable, and dedicated to understanding my travel preferences. Their planning with thoughtful recommendations showcases a high level of attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of my trip was well taken care of.

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Auckland, NZ

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