Route 66 ends (or starts) in California. Stretching over 260 miles, the Mother Road will forever be remembered by readers of John Steinbeck’s classic “Grapes of Wrath” as the Mother Road. From Needles, California, to the beaches of Santa Monica, the route showcases some of the best sights the Golden State has to offer.
The Northern Illinois section of Route 66 starts (or ends) in Chicago. From the Windy City, you can travel south and enjoy all the Mother road has to offer in this portion of the state, including Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, Rich and Creamy Ice Cream Stand, and Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive-In among other stops.
From the interesting buildings in Pontiac, Illinois, to the historic Soulsby Service station in Mount Olive, Illinois, the Mother Road has some must-see Midwestern stops. Check out all there is to see along the Southern Illinois stretch of Route 66.
There’s plenty to see along the portion of the Mother Road that runs through Eastern Missouri. Route 66 stretches a full 300 miles across the state, and Eastern Missouri provides plenty of great places to stop, including the Chain of Rocks Bridge, Laclede’s Landing, and St. Louis’s Gateway Arch.
The stretch of Route 66 through Western Missouri goes a long way. Along the way are plenty of sights to see and places to visit, including Devil’s Elbow Bridge, the 66 Drive-In Theater, Boots Motel, and plenty more. There are gems everywhere you look.
This relatively short stretch of pavement that makes up Route 66 in Kansas is packed full of interesting sights, including Cars on the Route, Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad depot, Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, and plenty more. You could spend all day on these 13 miles.
Tied into the modern interstates, the historic Route 66 still lived on in portions along Eastern Oklahoma. There’s still plenty of awesome sights to see along this stretch of the Mother Road, including Waylan’s Ku Ku Burgers, Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum, Totem Pole Park, and more.
Unique and interesting, the stretch of Route 66 that goes through Western Oklahoma showcases some of the most interesting sights the Mother Road has to offer, including Arcadia Round Barn, National Route 66 Museum, the Milk Bottle Grocery, and much more.
Although Route 66 only passes through the panhandle of Texas, it has plenty to showcase. Along this stretch of the Mother Road, you can see the U Drop Inn, Tower Station, Cadillac Ranch, and more.
Nostalgia runs deep along Route 66 in Western Arizona. The towns, landmarks, and historical sights are home to many familiar and iconic pieces of Americana. If you’re looking for some gorgeous sightings of the Mother Road’s heyday, look no further.
