Route 66, "The Mother Road," stretches nearly 4,000 kilometers from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Established in 1926 and decommissioned in 1985, it remains one of the world's most iconic road trips, a journey through the heart and soul of America that crosses eight states and three time zones.
The route takes you through the changing landscapes of America — from the flat farmlands of Illinois and Missouri, through the red-rock desert of Arizona, to the Pacific Coast of California. Along the way, you'll encounter quirky roadside attractions: the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo (ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in the Texas dirt), the neon-lit motels of Tucumcari, the meteor crater in Arizona, and the whimsical Wigwam Motel where you sleep in a concrete teepee.
While the original Route 66 no longer exists as a continuous highway, most of the original alignment has been preserved and marked with Historic Route 66 signs. The modern journey requires following a combination of interstate highways and original two-lane roads. GPS navigation apps with Route 66 overlays make this much easier today. Plan for at least two weeks to fully appreciate the journey, stopping at small-town diners, vintage gas stations, and ghost towns along the way.
For international visitors, an IDP is highly recommended when driving in the United States, especially for car rental purposes. Most rental agencies require it alongside your national license. American driving rules differ from many countries — right-hand traffic, four-way stop intersections, and the ability to turn right on a red light (in most states) are key differences to remember. Gas stations are plentiful along the route, and fuel is relatively inexpensive by international standards.
