Do you really know Route 66?
Route 66 was officially removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1984—yet it remains the most iconic roadtrip corridor in America, and arguably the world. Stretching roughly 3,670 km from Chicago to Santa Monica, it’s not the country’s longest road (US 20 runs about 5,415 km), but it is the one that concentrates the American myth: motion, reinvention, and wide-open landscapes. Riding it today—on a motorcycle, in a car, a convertible, or a muscle car—means stitching together surviving sections, old alignments, and Main Streets across 8 states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
Here’s a sharper, field-ready look at Route 66: where it comes from, what still makes it special, and what to watch for if you’re planning a motorcycle trip in the USA.
The story of Route 66
America’s first paved “transcontinental” backbone
In the 1920s, mass car ownership exploded (Ford Model T era), but road networks were fragmented: each state had its own routes, often following older trails without a coherent plan to connect the country. In 1921, Cyrus Stevens Avery—often called the “father of Route 66”—helped shape a federal corridor linking key towns from the Midwest to the West Coast. The road was built and improved in phases between 1926 and 1937, with states contributing according to their means. The result: a practical artery that soon became a cultural one.
“Get your kicks”: freedom, recovery, and the Mother Road
Route 66 gained worldwide fame thanks to Bobby Troup’s “(Get your kicks on) Route 66”, popularized by Nat King Cole in 1946. The nickname “Mother Road” speaks to its role as a feeder of hopes: during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl years, families and workers streamed west toward California, a story later captured in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.
The 1950s boom—and the neon promise
In the 1950s, Route 66 became a development axis: motels, diners with formica counters, souvenir shops, and gas stations multiplied. Places like Amarillo and Albuquerque grew with the flow of holidaymakers. This is the Route 66 many riders come for: the neon, the retro signage, the sense that every small town once lived by the rhythm of passing engines.
Route 66 itinerary: how the ride actually works
Route 66 isn’t a single uninterrupted road anymore. Think of it as a patchwork of historic segments, frontage roads, and town crossings parallel to interstates. For a meaningful ride, plan a journey of “more than twenty days” if you want time for detours and stops. On the bike, the difference between map distance and real days is big: you’ll often ride 4 to 6 hours of saddle time per day once you factor in small-town slowdowns, photo stops, and short museum visits.
Planet Ride offers dedicated programs including a Route 66 motorcycle trip, and broader USA roadtrips (car, motorcycle…). For context on American long-distance routes, this comparison helps: the 10 longest roads in the USA.
What to see along Route 66 on a USA roadtrip
Below, a curated selection of classic, high-impact stops—each one earns its place because it tells a chapter of the Route 66 myth.
Chicago & St. Louis: the “gateway” momentum
Why it matters: Chicago is the emotional starting line—big city, lakefront, skyscrapers—before the slow drift into Americana. St. Louis marks the historical “Gateway to the West,” symbolized by its arch.
Where/when to stop: Give yourself at least one full day in Chicago before departure (jet lag + bike handover if relevant). In St. Louis, plan an evening stop: it’s a good reset point before the long central states, and the city museums make for a solid half-day break off the bike.
Texas: Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo
Why it matters: Ten Cadillacs planted nose-first in the ground—Stanley Marsh’s famous installation is also a living example of Route 66 “public art,” where travelers are traditionally allowed to add their own layer.
Where/when to stop: Stop in daylight for the best visibility and safer parking off the shoulder. It’s an easy, low-time detour—perfect on a day when you’re already riding long.
New Mexico: Santa Fe (worth the detour)
Why it matters: Santa Fe’s Hispanic and adobe architecture, calmer pace, and walkable streets offer a different texture from roadside neon culture. Historically, it was pushed off the main alignment partly because it sat too far out.
Where/when to stop: Stay overnight if you can. It’s the kind of place where a late afternoon arrival works best—park the bike, walk, eat well, and let the “route” breathe.
Arizona: Petrified Forest & Meteor Crater
Why it matters: The Petrified Forest delivers one of the most unique landscapes on the whole corridor—fossilized trunks scattered across high desert. Nearby, Meteor Crater is a visceral geology stop: a huge impact site you can read with your own eyes.
Where/when to stop: These stops can stretch your day quickly—start early. Wind can be a factor on open desert sections; keep hydration accessible and don’t wait for “the next town” to fuel.
California: Mojave Desert, Needles heat, and the last miles to the Pacific
Why it matters: The final stretch is a masterclass in contrasts: desert basins, mountain silhouettes, abandoned motels from the Route 66 decline, then Los Angeles intensity—ending at Santa Monica with the ocean as a finish line.
Where/when to stop: Around Needles, summer heat can reach about 45°C. Avoid the hottest hours if possible, and plan short, frequent breaks. In the Mojave, mobile coverage can be inconsistent: download offline maps before you enter long empty sections.
Essex–Amboy: the Graffiti Corridor & desert ghosts
Why it matters: This stretch keeps the participatory art spirit alive—tagged objects, improvised installations, and long, cinematic straight lines. You also pass abandoned roadside businesses, remnants of the post-1980s decline.
Where/when to stop: Treat it like an “open-air museum” but respect private property and road safety—pull fully off-road before stopping.
Also worth a quick stop: Bottle Tree Ranch near Helendale—an eccentric collection built from recovered bottles, a pure Route 66 curiosity that takes very little time but sticks in memory.
The decline—and why riding it helps preserve it
By 1984, Route 66 had been bypassed by the growing interstate network and lost its national highway status. Traffic became local; many motel-and-diner economies collapsed. Since the 1990s, preservation movements (the “Sixty-Sixters”) have helped keep historic segments visible. Riding Route 66 today—slowly, stopping in towns, spending locally—is part of what keeps the Mother Road alive.
2026 updates: what changes (and what doesn’t)
- Navigation: treat Route 66 as a “choose-your-alignment” road. Use offline maps + a backup GPX/roadbook so you can keep the historic sections when the interstate tries to pull you away.
- Heat management: in desert states, plan riding blocks earlier in the day; dehydration and fatigue arrive faster on a motorcycle than in a car.
- Bookings: in peak season, book key overnights (major towns and iconic motels) ahead—classic addresses fill up sooner than you’d expect.
- Planet Ride pro tip: to reduce risk, avoid stacking “long mileage + big city arrival” on the same day. Arrive before dusk when possible—urban traffic, fatigue, and navigation errors compound quickly at the end of a long stage.
Mini-FAQ (Route 66 roadtrip)
How long do you need to ride Route 66 properly?
To enjoy the historic alignments and stops, plan 20+ days as a comfortable baseline. Faster is possible, but you’ll sacrifice towns and atmosphere.
Can you ride Route 66 entirely on the original road?
No. Route 66 is discontinuous since its decommissioning. You stitch together surviving segments, frontage roads, and parallel routes using a roadbook or GPX.
Is Route 66 safe for a first long-distance motorcycle trip in the USA?
Yes with good pacing: manage heat, wind, and fatigue; keep fuel habits disciplined in emptier stretches; and plan city entries (especially Los Angeles) when you’re fresh.
