Journey through Route 66
Route 66: a journey of self-discovery
It’s time to plan an exciting, overwhelming and unforgettable journey. Let’s start with this Route 66 adventure, the journey from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Route 66 is the most iconic road-trip to take in the US and the world! We’re talking about 4,000 km of road, where you can savor its beauty and its history, a history called U.S.A..
Along this journey you will cross eight states, from the east to the west coast, a unique experience to do both by motorbike and by car, perhaps by renting mega SUVs with a typical American taste or an iconic muscle car, two types of imposing cars that go unnoticed.
Route 66 | The states
Route 66 is a road that crosses Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, with a length of over 2,400 miles (American style); built in the 1920’s and 1930’s it rose to prominence about 20 years later as one of the main roads for transporting goods and people in the United States.
Also called the Mother Road – or Mother Road (so called in Steinbeck’s novel) – it is, par excellence, the route that represents all American roads. A legend!
An on the road itinerary that will take you on the trail of drive-ins and diners, but most of all it will give you freedom, the freedom that only the New Continent can give.
Route 66 | As
Amazing highway: one of the first federal US (national road) was built to connect Chicago and all flows coming from the east coast with California (especially Santa Monica) back in 1926.
Today, Route 66 has become a tourist attraction in part because it has had a huge impact on American popular culture. It represents the symbol of east-west migration, especially during the dust bowl – the transition from the cold regions of the Great Lakes to the heat of California.
The first sign indicating Historic Route 66 (as it was actually named) was installed on Kearnery Street, at the intersection with Glenstone Avenue in Springfield, Missouri. It has now been replaced, and has been moved to near Eureka, Missouri.
To see a “beginning” sign, you need to start from Chicago (Historic Route 66 Begin Sign): it is on Adams Street East (at the intersection with Michigan Avenue), while the “end of route” sign (Historic Route 66 End Sign) is on Jackson Boulevard East, which is one block further south.
Instead, as regards the other end of the route, the sign is unequivocal, “end of the route” at the famous Santa Monica pier.
Route 66 | Pit stops
Along all these kilometers pit stops are a must, also because there are many activities to do along the way, including excursions, visits to museums and historical sites exploring the natural beauty and history of the United States of America.
Come on, close your eyes and let’s start tracing the path.
Along Route 66 you’ll see breathtaking scenery, such as the Rockies and the Grand Canyon, and pass through historic cities, including St. Louis, Missouri and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Usually people prefer to take a journey along Route 66 from East to West, following the direction of travel of those who headed from the East to the western promised lands.
On the other hand, there is not just one trip to do along Route 66, there are many faces to discover, the itinerary is very vast and it all depends on which part of the United States you want to explore.
We at Amami Viaggi can help you make your trip. With our knowledge and experience, we are fully capable of planning a magnificent adventure among the best activities and destinations along this “immense” route and will undoubtedly ensure you an unforgettable trip.
There is nothing else on the road like this that requires study and planning before departure, otherwise you risk literally spending your time driving! Moreover, the advice is to leave for at least 10-15 days, even if the ideal would be 21 days.
Some decide to travel a part of Route 66, but I advise you to enjoy it all (how many times in life can a journey like this happen again), internally. You have to take your time and slow down and stop to savor the American way of life, perhaps having breakfast eggs & bacon in a diner along the road or regain your energy to leave again in a small unknown town.
The inevitable stop in motels. How many movies have you seen with motels in the background such as Motel 66 in California, immortalized in John Ford’s film The Wrath?
What about the Route 66 road bridges?
Many are considered historical heritage, such as the bridge built in 1929 Querino Canyon Bridge (Arizona), which will give you the impression of really being in the Far West.
Route 66 | The musts
- Chicago and Lake Michigan
- Springfield, Illinois (will it be the Simpsons?)
- St. Louis
- Springfield, Missouri (or is this this?)
- Oklahoma City
- Amarillo, Texas
- Albuquerque, New Mexico (for fans of the TV series, it is the city where Breaking Bad is set)
- Flagstaff (from here you could deviate and go towards the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Las Vegas)
- Barstow (junction point because from here it is possible to detour to Death Valley, Joshua Tree National Park)
- Santa Monica, Los Angeles
These points will help you manage your journey better, also because it’s not as simple as setting up the navigator and following the directions, but requires more effort than any common road (obviously if you want to follow it faithfully).
Route 66 | What must not be missing
Organizing a road-trip to the United States first of all means securing the documents needed to enter the country.
The ESTA, or the tourist visa for English citizens, then a valid passport and, last but not least, insurance. If unfortunately something were to happen, US healthcare is not like the Italian one, the bill could be very high indeed.
Our advice from Amami Viaggi is to be passionate, curious and excited because only in this way will you be able to understand all the nuances of your trip.
We will only be the “engineers” who will help you build the exciting journey you are looking for, but the engine that will drive you.
