A PHer's Guide to Route 66 part 1 - Preparation

[RDMcG]

JANUARY 2022

For this who have been following my various posts on Route 66 I have finally managed to update all of the sections to being as current as possible; hopefully they will be of some value for anyone planning a trip.The pandemic cancelled a lot of travel for the last few years, but now back on the road and have a lots of places to visit on next trip.

(1) WHY ROUTE 66?

Route 66 is a superb way to see the hugely varied geography of the US, from the cosmopolitan cities of of Chicago and LA, to the green agrlcultural land of Illinois, the Ozarks of Missouri, the bare and windy Texas Panhandle, the incomparable majesty of the the desert landscapes of New Mexico and Arizona, out to the Pacific coast of California. On the route you will see small town America, feel the freedom of an endless road, and get feeling for the history of the car here. There are parts of 66 that are 9 feet wide, some is just dirt. There are ghost towns, declining towns, revived towns, and amazing people. Eccentrics abound. There is an endless amount to tourist tat. There are amazing side trips.
You generally do not need any special vehicle, and this is not an autobahn trip. It is best no to try to see everything, but to take it easy, drop into the things you want to see, and above all, get off the big interstates that were designed to go around towns, not through them. Its a vast place, the US and there are parts of the trip where you can be utterly alone.

I am not an American, and am aware that it is not universally loved.. Yet, I always come away from a 66 trip feeling refreshed and having discovered some sight I never knew existed. and having had nothing but great hospitality.
It was not always so accommodating as these audio clips show:

The darker side of Route 66 »
http://route66news.com/2014/05/14/darker-side-rout...

JUNE 2014: This is a very nice little ten minute film amazing made by an Oklahoma high school film class. It does a better job that I could in describing the lure of Route 66:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBYoEVIvuKs

December 2016:
Very nice little video from the Wall Street Journal captures the sense of Route 66, especially the California section:

http://www.route66news.com/2016/12/06/wall-street-...

(2) INFORMATION SOURCES

The two absolutely essential items are:

GUIDES & MAPS:

(a)- E-Z GUIDE TO ROUTE 66
by Jerry McLanahan.

This is a turn by turn guide to the entire route, a good description of every town and the relevant things to see or do. Do not buy an old used edition...things change on 66. I never travel without it.

(b)- The HERE IT IS 8 pack maps of Route 66, which is essential for getting on and off the interstates. Original 66 is broken up, and in some cases hard to find. It is not usually indicated from the Interstates. This is always with me.


BOOKS

-for photographers there are many books.
My favourites are:

- Route 66 sightings, ( McLanahan,Ross and Graham)

-Ghost towns of Route 66

- Route 66 Crossings

All of the above have superb photographs.











(e) A good atlas or map is also a handy planning tool. especially if you want to do some side trips like teh Grand Canyon or Monument Valley...





ON LINE:

(1)On line, by far the best overall current information site is Route 66 news.
This is very current and well worth checking out out before a trip. Often you will come across something new that just opened, or find that something has closed down:

http://www.route66news.com

(2) Roamin' Rich has a great YouTube channel and gets to some really quirky places; he is also actively involved in preserving some structures on 66 that might otherwise be gone and is president of the Route 66 Association in Missouri. This in not an end to end guide but covers some of the more obscure places in real depth. Great videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/HookedOnRoute66




(3) ACCOMMODATION

I will not spend much time on this as I usually just book on the run. just booking from the car once I know where I'll stop.

However, in terms of chains, The Hampton Inns are very reliable and predictable, usually conveniently located off the interstates.

For those who want more economical places, I have stayed in Super 8 motels often, and the Baymont Inn chain is amazingly cheap and usually very clean. However, theses chains are franchises and vary widely, so check out trip Advisor or the like before booking. For example. the Baymont Inn in Amarillo ( about $50 a night) was excellent, while the same chain in Tulsa was the worst place I have ever stayed in.

In large cities such as St Louis or Chicago it is important to book if you are staying downtown, and avoid shadier areas.

There are some very historic accommodations right on Route 66, and I will mention them specifically for those who want to have the whole experience

(4) WEATHER

Depending on when you travel weather can be a major factor. I usually travel in Spring or Fall, and check weather daily. You can get tornadoes, windstorms, snow, hail, thunder, and searing heat. Not a big problem as long as you are aware in advance, but a major weather event can close the interstate.



















Don't forget to take a few selfies





A NOTE OF THANKS:

The many trips would not have been possible without my co-driver, Phil, and my amazing navigation team who kept their noses to the grindstone....

Edited by RDMcG on Thursday 3rd February 14:05

Edited by RDMcG on Thursday 3rd February 14:47

[RDMcG]

I am posting a state-by state guide, and for convenience are linking them here:

CLICK FOR EACH STATE:

ILLINOIS
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

MISSOURI
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

KANSAS
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

OKLAHOMA
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

TEXAS
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

NW MEXICO
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

ARIZONA
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

CALIFORNIA :
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by RDMcG on Monday 19th May 18:32

Edited by RDMcG on Monday 19th May 18:33

[g3org3y]

Thank you for this, really appreciate your efforts.

Always found your Route 66 threads interesting and inspiring. Bookmarked and hope to emulate your journeys in the next couple of years (mentioned to the gf and she's keen!)

[RDMcG]

Now reasonably complete and will be revised to include a comprehensive California section next trip 12/14.

[RDMcG]

I was asked to link the end of each section to the next so here goes:

Part 2 next is ; Illinois
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=140...

[RDMcG]

Just added a very nice little ten minute video on Route 66 in the first post. June 2014.

[K50 DEL]

Nice job Ronan, thanks... I'm travelling though OK, TX and NM as part of a big road trip later in the year, have used your state guides to add some side trips and sights along the way... cheers.

[TackleburyUk]

Thanks for linking me into the thread OP.

I shall be using your experiences for my trip!

Tack.

[Davel]

Ditto

Doing it on a bike next year with a mate or two.

[RDMcG]

Now Updated with some additional material for subsequent visits.

[g3org3y]

Thanks for the updates on your threads. All still bookmarked for future reference.

[HotJambalaya]

The really does need the occasional bump. So epic, so detailed, and honestly sitting at home on lockdown I'm busy planning a cross country trip (east to west).

Not sure when I'll fit it in, but I have the time and the desire, so it will have to be done.

[RDMcG]

HotJambalaya said:

The really does need the occasional bump. So epic, so detailed, and honestly sitting at home on lockdown I'm busy planning a cross country trip (east to west).

Not sure when I'll fit it in, but I have the time and the desire, so it will have to be done.

I have not done a trip this year , but hopefully before the end of the year I will dig out some more strange and eccentric stuff that pops up on 66

[HotJambalaya]

RDMcG said:

I have not done a trip this year , but hopefully before the end of the year I will dig out some more strange and eccentric stuff that pops up on 66

Is it generally an annual trip for you? Pure pleasure?

I've fancied doing this for a while, but it seems that the lockdown makes this planning pie in the sky for now....

[RDMcG]

HotJambalaya said:

Is it generally an annual trip for you? Pure pleasure?

I've fancied doing this for a while, but it seems that the lockdown makes this planning pie in the sky for now....

Have a house in Arizona,a house in Toronto and a Great Dane. The trip is a lot of fun but also is to get the dog to winter quarters rather than freezing in Canada;

Of course not now, but late autumn hopefully the restrictions will life, the borders will open and we will be on the road again for more adventures.

[RC1807]

One day I'll do it.
I know my brother's driven it most of it the other way, LA to Illinois, at least once.
Maybe I can get him to join me for a westbound drive.

[RDMcG]

RC1807 said:

One day I'll do it.
I know my brother's driven it most of it the other way, LA to Illinois, at least once.
Maybe I can get him to join me for a westbound drive.

westbound is the way to go as is increasingly interesting on the journey.

[RDMcG]

Article on Hemmings today..Route 66 preservation efforts will continue. Obviously I am not driving for pleasure these days, but with a bit of luck I will be back on the road in the Fall...

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2020/04/17/despit...

[David Beer]

Done that road almost twice a year , summer and winter, for 23 years. Done all of 66, where possible ! That’s to say only missed two years.

Edited by David Beer on Friday 17th April 18:02

Edited by David Beer on Friday 17th April 18:03

Edited by David Beer on Friday 17th April 18:04

[Wacky Racer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zIfvTHh1I8