RDMcGs Updated guide to Route 66
Discussion
MAY 2017
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.
(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:
On line, by far the best overall 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
(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....
Links to the State-by-State guide are below:
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.
(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:
On line, by far the best overall 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
(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....
Links to the State-by-State guide are below:
Edited by RDMcG on Sunday 21st May 20:56
I am posting a state-by state guide, and for convenience are linking them here:
CLICK FOR EACH STATE:
ILLINOIS
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
MISSOURI
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
KANSAS
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
OKLAHOMA
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
TEXAS
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
NEW MEXICO
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
ARIZONA
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
CALIFORNIA :
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
CLICK FOR EACH STATE:
ILLINOIS
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
MISSOURI
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
KANSAS
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
OKLAHOMA
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
TEXAS
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
NEW MEXICO
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
ARIZONA
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
CALIFORNIA :
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by RDMcG on Sunday 21st May 21:08
g3org3y said:
Thank you for your efforts in doing these and sharing. Very inspiring and great resource.
You're welcome!..I have done such a huge amount of the US that there is only a limited amount left. Been in virtually all contiguous states driving ...am thinking that Highway 61 right down to Mississippi and follow the Blues trail might be worth doing....and very different.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff