We would absolutely recommend Travel USA to anyone travelling to the US. Your knowledge is just amazing, and we didn’t really find anything that you hadn’t already told us about, which is very impressive
Ange & Jono
Hamilton, NZ
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.

* 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

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.

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 ...

* 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

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

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

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

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.

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, 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

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

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.
This package has been created by Travel USA as a suggested itinerary which can be personalised to your individual preferences. Contact us today to discuss your requirements so we can work together to create the perfect adventure for you.
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