Route 66 Travel Guide — Your State-by-State Road Trip Companion
Route 66 stretches 2,448 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois, to the Santa Monica Pier on the Pacific Coast of California. Across eight states and nearly a century of American history, it remains the most iconic road trip in the world.
This guide is your starting point for the entire journey. Whether you’re planning a full coast-to-coast drive, a single-state weekend trip, or a deep dive into one region’s hidden gems, everything you need is organized by state below. Each state guide covers the essential towns, must-see attractions, classic motels and diners, and the kind of off-the-beaten-path stops that make Route 66 unlike any other drive.
2026 is the Route 66 Centennial year — the highway’s 100th anniversary. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Mother Road, there has never been a better time. See our full Centennial guide.
Route 66 by State
Illinois — Where Route 66 Begins
Route 66 kicks off at the corner of Adams and Michigan in downtown Chicago and runs southwest for 301 miles to the Missouri border. Illinois is one of the most historically preserved stretches of the highway, home to the Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac, the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, and dozens of original roadside landmarks that have survived nearly intact since the 1950s.
→ Explore Route 66 in Illinois — /route-66-in-illinois/
Missouri — The Ozarks and the Mother Road
Missouri’s 317-mile stretch winds through the Ozark highlands, passing through St. Louis, the gateway arch city that welcomed generations of westbound travelers. Further along you’ll find Cuba’s famous painted water towers and murals, the beloved Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, and the quirky Meramec Caverns roadside attraction.
→ Explore Route 66 in Missouri — /route-66-in-missouri/
Kansas — Short, Sweet, and Essential
At just 13 miles, Kansas claims the shortest stretch of Route 66 — but it packs in real history. The twin towns of Galena and Baxter Springs were among the first communities shaped by the highway, and Galena is home to the tow truck that inspired the character Tow Mater in Disney/Pixar’s Cars.
→ Explore Route 66 in Kansas — /route-66-in-kansas/
Oklahoma — The Heart of Route 66
Oklahoma has more miles of original, drivable Route 66 than any other state — 432 miles stretching across the full width of the state. From the Art Deco buildings of Tulsa to the Blue Whale of Catoosa to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, the Sooner State delivers classic roadside Americana at every turn.
→ Explore Route 66 in Oklahoma — /route-66-in-oklahoma/
Texas — Big Sky, Big Landmarks
Route 66 cuts 178 miles across the Texas Panhandle in a nearly straight shot through flat, open ranchland. Cadillac Ranch — ten Cadillacs half-buried nose-down in a field outside Amarillo — is one of the most photographed spots on the entire highway. The Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café in Shamrock is a masterpiece of Streamline Moderne architecture.
→ Explore Route 66 in Texas — /route-66-in-texas/
New Mexico — High Desert History
New Mexico’s 487 miles take you through a landscape of mesas, high desert, and Pueblo history. Albuquerque’s Central Avenue is one of the most intact urban stretches of Route 66 anywhere, lined with original neon signs and mid-century motor courts. Santa Fe, Tucumcari, and the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa round out a state that rewards slow, exploratory driving.
→ Explore Route 66 in New Mexico — /route-66-in-new-mexico/
Arizona — The Classic Route 66 Experience
Arizona is where Route 66 looks exactly like you imagined it. Seligman’s Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In, the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, the wild burros of Oatman, and the jaw-dropping switchbacks of Sitgreaves Pass all lie along 401 miles of highway. The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park are right along the route.
→ Explore Route 66 in Arizona — /route-66-in-arizona/
California — The Final Miles
Route 66 enters California at Needles on the Colorado River and winds through the Mojave Desert for 314 miles before descending into San Bernardino, Pasadena, and finally Los Angeles before ending at the Santa Monica Pier. The Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, the neon of Barstow, and the pier’s famous “End of the Trail” sign make the finish line as memorable as the journey.
→ Explore Route 66 in California — /route-66-in-california/
Plan Your Route 66 Road Trip
Ready to start planning? Use these resources to build your trip:
- → How Long Does It Take to Drive Route 66?
- → Best Time of Year to Drive Route 66
- → Route 66 Road Trip Budget Guide
- → East to West or West to East — Which Direction?
- → Route 66 Packing List & Vehicle Checklist
- → Route 66 Itinerary Builder
- → Route 66 with Kids — Family Trip Tips
Route 66 Travel Info is an independent travel resource for the Mother Road. We’ve driven every mile, photographed every landmark, and written about every state. Use this guide as your foundation — then get out there and make it your own.
