22 day itinerary
Route 66
Itinerary
Route 66, often called the "Main Street of America," is a fantastic journey filled with quirky roadside attractions, stunning landscapes, and rich history. Here’s a fun and engaging 22-day itinerary that will take you from Chicago to Santa Monica, with plenty of stops along the way. Buckle up, and let’s hit the road!
Day 1: Chicago, Illinois
- Morning: Start your adventure at the iconic in downtown Chicago. Grab a deep-dish pizza for lunch at .
- Afternoon: Visit the and .
- Evening: Stroll along the and enjoy dinner at a local eatery.
Day 2: Chicago to Joliet (40 miles)
- Morning: Head to Joliet and visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the historic .
- Evening: Enjoy a classic diner meal at the .
Day 3: Joliet to Wilmington to Pontiac (70 miles)
- Morning: Stop at the in Wilmington for a photo op.
- Afternoon: Visit the and the historic courthouse.
- Evening: Dinner at a local steakhouse.
Day 4: Pontiac to Bloomington to Normal (30 miles)
- Morning: Explore the in Bloomington.
- Afternoon: Visit the in Pontiac.
- Evening: Relax at a local brewery for dinner.
Day 5: Normal to Springfield (50 miles)
- Morning: Drive to Springfield, stopping at the .
- Afternoon: Visit the and the .
- Evening: Dinner at a local BBQ joint.
Day 6: Springfield to Jacksonville to Carlinville (50 miles)
- Morning: Stop in Jacksonville to see the historic buildings.
- Afternoon: Visit the and enjoy a leisurely lunch.
- Evening: Stay overnight in Carlinville.
Day 7: Carlinville to St. Louis, Missouri (70 miles)
- Morning: Head to St. Louis and visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the , a quirky playground for all ages.
- Evening: Dinner at a famous St. Louis BBQ spot.
Day 8: St. Louis to Cuba (90 miles)
- Morning: Drive to Cuba, stopping at the .
- Afternoon: Visit the historic .
- Evening: Enjoy a cozy dinner at a local diner.
Day 9: Cuba to Rolla to Lebanon (70 miles)
- Morning: Stop in Rolla for a coffee and a quick visit to the .
- Afternoon: Explore the .
- Evening: Dinner at a local steakhouse.
Day 10: Lebanon to Springfield, Missouri (40 miles)
- Morning: Head to Springfield and visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the .
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local diner.
Day 11: Springfield to Joplin (70 miles)
- Morning: Drive to Joplin and visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the local shops and cafes.
- Evening: Dinner at a local BBQ restaurant.
Day 12: Joplin to Tulsa, Oklahoma (70 miles)
- Morning: Head to Tulsa and visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the historic Route 66 district.
- Evening: Dinner at a trendy restaurant in the Brady Arts District.
Day 13: Tulsa to Oklahoma City (100 miles)
- Morning: Drive to Oklahoma City and visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the .
- Evening: Dinner at a local steakhouse.
Day 14: Oklahoma City to Elk City (100 miles)
- Morning: Stop at the in Elk City.
- Afternoon: Visit the .
- Evening: Enjoy a quiet dinner at a local diner.
Day 15: Elk City to Amarillo, Texas (100 miles)
- Morning: Drive to Amarillo and visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the .
- Evening: Try the famous 72 oz steak challenge if you’re feeling brave!
Day 16: Amarillo to Tucumcari, New Mexico (110 miles)
- Morning: Head to Tucumcari and visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the around town.
- Evening: Dinner at a local diner.
Day 17: Tucumcari to Santa Rosa to Albuquerque (120 miles)
- Morning: Stop in Santa Rosa to visit the .
- Afternoon: Drive to Albuquerque and explore .
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local New Mexican restaurant.
Day 18: Albuquerque to Gallup (140 miles)
- Morning: Visit the in Albuquerque.
- Afternoon: Drive to Gallup and explore the local .
- Evening: Dinner at a local diner.
Day 19: Gallup to Flagstaff, Arizona (200 miles)
- Morning: Head to Flagstaff and visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the historic downtown area.
- Evening: Dinner at a local brewery.
Day 20: Flagstaff to Williams to (70 miles)
- Morning: Stop in Williams for breakfast and visit the .
- Afternoon: Drive to the and spend the day exploring.
- Evening: Stay overnight at a lodge near the .
Day 21: to Kingman (180 miles)
- Morning: Enjoy a sunrise at the .
- Afternoon: Drive to Kingman and visit the .
- Evening: Dinner at a local diner.
Day 22: Kingman to Santa Monica, California (300 miles)
- Morning: Start your final leg to Santa Monica.
- Afternoon: Arrive at , take a photo at the end of Route 66!
- Evening: Celebrate your journey with a beachside dinner and enjoy the sunset.
And there you have it! A delightful 22-day adventure along Route 66, filled with history, culture, and plenty of fun. Make sure to take lots of pictures and enjoy every moment of this iconic road trip! Safe travels! 🚗✨