This 21‑day itinerary is the ultimate Route 66 experience, designed for travelers who want to explore every corner of the Mother Road. With extended stays in Springfield, St. Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Tucumcari, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, and Santa Monica, this plan balances driving days with local exploration. Each day includes mileage, suggested times, and authentic overnight stays at legendary Route 66 motels and hotels.
21‑Day Route 66 Essentials Itinerary with Times and Overnight Stays
Days 1–3: Chicago → Springfield → St. Louis
- Day 1 (~200 miles)
- 08:00 AM – Breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s, Chicago
- 09:00 AM – Depart Chicago, stop in Joliet
- 11:00 AM – Pontiac Route 66 Museum
- 02:00 PM – Arrive Springfield, Cozy Dog Drive‑In
- Overnight: Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center
- Day 2 (Springfield local)
- 10:00 AM - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
- 07:00 PM - Route 66 Drive‑In Theater
- Overnight: Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center
- Day 3 (~100 miles)
- 11:00 AM - Chain of Rocks Bridge
- 03:00 PM - Gateway Arch
- Overnight: Holiday Inn Route 66 • La Quinta Inn • Wayside Motel
Days 4–6: St. Louis → Rolla → Tulsa → Oklahoma City
- Day 4 (~110 miles)
- 10:00 AM - Meramec Caverns
- 12:30 PM - Lunch in Cuba (Wagon Wheel Motel café)
- Overnight: Wagon Wheel Motel
- Day 5 (~280 miles)
- 10:00 AM - Springfield Route 66 Car Museum
- 04:00 PM - Blue Whale of Catoosa
- Overnight: Campbell Hotel, Tulsa
- Day 6 (~120 miles)
- 10:00 AM - Rock Café, Stroud
- 12:00 PM - Round Barn, Arcadia
- 02:00 PM - Pops Soda Ranch
- Overnight: Holiday Inn Route 66 • La Quinta Inn • Wayside Motel
Days 7–9: Oklahoma City → Amarillo → Tucumcari
- Day 7 (~260 miles)
- 09:00 AM - Lucille’s Gas Station
- 12:00 PM - Clinton Route 66 Museum
- 04:00 PM - Cadillac Ranch
- Overnight: Big Texan Motel, Amarillo
- Day 8 (~120 miles)
- 10:00 AM - Midpoint Café (Adrian, TX)
- 02:00 PM - Tucumcari murals & Tee Pee Curios
- Overnight: Blue Swallow Motel • Motel Safari
- Day 9 (Tucumcari local)
- 10:00 AM - Explore murals & neon signs
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at Del’s Restaurant
- 03:00 PM - Tucumcari Historical Museum
- Overnight: Holiday Inn Route 66 • La Quinta Inn • Wayside Motel
Days 10–13: Tucumcari → Albuquerque → Flagstaff
- Day 10 (~180 miles)
- 10:00 AM - Santa Rosa Auto Museum
- 02:00 PM - Arrive Albuquerque (Route 66 Diner)
- Overnight: Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town • El Vado Motel
- Day 11 (Albuquerque local)
- 10:00 AM - Old Town Albuquerque
- 12:00 PM - Frontier Restaurant
- 03:00 PM - El Vado Motel courtya
- Overnight: Hotel Albuquerque • El Vado Motel
- Day 12 (~320 miles)
- 10:00 AM - Gallup murals
- 01:00 PM - Petrified Forest National Park
- 04:00 PM - Wigwam Motel, Holbrook
- Overnight: Holiday Inn Route 66 • La Quinta Inn • Wayside Motel
- Day 13 (Flagstaff local)
- 10:00 AM - Lowell Observatory
- 01:00 PM - Historic Downtown shops
- Overnight: Wigwam Motel • Little America Hotel
Days 14–17: Flagstaff → Kingman → Oatman → Santa Monica
- Day 14 (~150 miles)
- 09:00 AM - Meteor Crater
- 12:00 PM - Seligman revival town
- 03:00 PM - Hackberry General Store
- Overnight: El Trovatore Motel, Kingman
- Day 15 (~60 miles)
- 10:00 AM - Oatman burros
- 01:00 PM - Route 66 mining town charm
- Overnight: Oatman Hotel
- Day 16 (~200 miles)
- 09:00 AM - Drive through Mojave Desert
- 01:00 PM - Amboy Crater stop
- Overnight: Oatman Hotel
- Day 17 (~60 miles)
- 11:00 AM - Arrive Santa Monica Pier (Route 66 End Sign)
- Overnight: Fairmont Miramar Hotel • Sea Shore Motel
- 11:00 AM - Arrive Santa Monica Pier (Route 66 End Sign)
Days 18–21: Santa Monica (local exploration)
- Day 18: Venice Beach boardwalk, Santa Monica Farmers Market
- Day 19: Hollywood Boulevard, Griffith Observatory
- Day 20: Malibu drive, coastal diners
- Day 21: Relaxation day, farewell dinner at Santa Monica Pier
- Overnight: Fairmont Miramar Hotel • Sea Shore Motel
Tips
- Book Blue Swallow, Wigwam, Motel Safari, El Vado early — they’re iconic and fill up quickly.
- Mix retro motels with modern hotels for comfort.
- Use local days to dive deeper into museums, diners, and quirky roadside attractions.
- Overnight stays are part of the Route 66 magic — don’t treat them as just stopovers.
Ready to hit the Mother Road?
Pick your itinerary, fuel up, and start your Route 66 adventure today.