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Route 66 + 1 (Highway 1)
20 night holiday driving the Main Street of America and the Pacific Coast Highway
In the first part of this three weeks long trip you’ll drive the Mother Road all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles.
This self drive road trip will take you along Route 66 through 9 US states and includes cities such as St Louis, Oklahoma City and Amarillo with side trips to the amazing Grand Canyon and Las Vegas for two nights before heading to Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles.
Then you’ll head up Highway 1, known as the Pacific Coast Highway, through Big Sur and Monterey for another few days of stunning scenary before reaching San Francisco.
Remember - All our holidays can be shortened or extra nights added or modified with upgraded hotels, car etc. We love building tailor made road trip holidays!
Fly into Chicago and
out of San Francisco
2835 miles
approx
Includes flights, car & accommodation
Our 20 Night Route 66 + 1 (Highway 1) holiday starts in Chicago and ends in San Francisco: Chicago (2 nights), Springfield IL (1 night), St Louis (1 night), Springfield, MO ( 1 night), Oklahoma City (1 night), Amarillo (1 night), Santa Fe (1 night), Holbrook for Petrified Forest & Painted Desert (1 night), The Grand Canyon (1 night), Las Vegas (2 nights), Santa Monica / Los Angeles (2 nights), Santa Barbara (1 night), Cambria (1 night), Monterey (2 nights) and San Francisco (2 nights)
Your Itinerary
Days 1 & 2:
Chicago (2 nights)
Arrive in the Windy City, pick up your hire car and spend your first two nights in Chicago. Our recommendations include the Willis Tower, the second tallest building in the USA and the “magnificent mile”.
Collect
Car
Chicago,
IL
4 Star
Hotel
Day 3:
Springfield, IL
Today you’ll begin your “Mother Road” adventure. Retrace old 66 through Illinois to the State Capital, Springfield. This city is famously associated with Abraham Lincoln who lived here and is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery
200
miles
Springfield,
IL
3 Star
Hotel
Day 4:
St Louis
There's just 100 miles to drive to St Louis, known as the Gateway to the West. You’ll be able to drive a short section of the original brick road in Auburn, Illinois before walking the “Chain of Rocks” bridge, opened in 1929 to take traffic over the Mississippi River.
100
miles
St Louis,
MO
3 Star
Hotel
Day 5:
Springfield, Missouri
You’re heading through the Ozark Mountains today towards Springfield in Missouri where, in 1926 a road linking Chicago and Los Angeles was agreed. Originally planned as Route 60, but was finally designated as Route 66. Springfield is known as the birthplace of Route 66
215
miles
Springfield,
MO
Historic
Hotel
Day 6:
Oklahoma
There's three US states to drive through today! Leaving Missouri, there is just 13 miles of Route 66 in Kansas before arriving in Oklahoma. You’ll also drive the famous 9 foot wide “sidewalk highway” section of 66
295
miles
Oklahoma City, OK
3 Star
Hotel
Day 7:
Amarillo, Texas
Route 66 cuts through the Texas panhandle - On the list of must-see places today is the Provine Service Station, Route 66 Museum in Clinton, U-Drop Inn and of course the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo
260
miles
Amarillo,
TX
Historic
Hotel
Day 8:
Santa Fe
Adrian, Texas is the midway point of Route 66 - a great photo opportunity. You’ll pass the ghost town of Glenrio on the Texas and New Mexico border before Tucumcari which has a real 1950s feel to it. Your overnight stop is in Santa Fe, the New Mexico capital.
280
miles
Santa Fe,
NM
Historic
Hotel
Day 9:
Petrified Forest
Continuing West through New Mexico you’ll pass many vintage motels, especially in Grants and Gallup. Be sure to have your camera handy. As you cross into Arizona you will want to spend an hour or so at the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert before arriving at Holbrook
295
miles
Holbrook,
AZ
Historic
Hotel
Day 10:
The Grand Canyon
Highlights today include the Jack Rabbit Trading Post and Standin’ on the Corner in Winslow, famously mentioned in the Eagles song “Take It Easy”. Get an early night, you’ll want to catch sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Conveniently your hotel is only minutes from the South Rim.
170
miles
Grand Canyon, AZ
3 Star
Hotel
Days 11 & 12:
Las Vegas (2 nights)
Get an early start to catch sunrise at the Grand Canyon before spending a few hours enjoying the breathtaking views. Then you'll drive to Las Vegas via Hoover Dam for two nights. If you don’t fancy Las Vegas, we can easily alter your trip itinerary.
275
miles
Las Vegas,
NV
4 Star
Hotel
Days 13 & 14:
Santa Monica (2 nights)
You’ll leave the huge resorts and neons in your rear view mirror and begin your final run to Santa Monica Pier today. You will pass through some great Route 66 towns such as Barstow and Victorville on your way Los Angeles where you’ll spend 2 nights.
270
miles
Los Angeles,
CA
3 Star
Hotel
Day 15:
Santa Barbara
You’ll head out of the craziness of Los Angeles and drive north as you start your journey along the Pacific Coast Highway passing miles of golden sands, surfers and beachside houses.
85
miles
Santa Barbara,
CA
3 Star
Hotel
Day 16:
Solvang & Cambria
Our trip takes you into the Danish influenced city of Solvang before rejoining Highway 1 for your overnight stop in the beautiful Cambria. The historic Hearst Castle, with magificent views of the Pacific Ocean is just a few miles from your hotel and is well worth a visit
145
miles
Cambria,
CA
Coastal
Inn
Days 17 & 18:
Big Sur (2 nights)
Get an early start today for the cruise up the winding roads of iconic Highway 1 through Big Sur and across the famous Bixby Bridge. Take your time to enjoy this section of the Pacific Coast Highway. You’ll spend 2 nights in Monterey, just near Pebble Beach
105
miles
Monterey,
CA
2 Star
Inn
Days 19 & 20:
San Francisco (2 nights)
Take the final drive into San Francisco. Enjoy your afternoon in this wonderful city. Perhaps hire a bike and take a cruise over the famous Golden Gate Bridge, take a ride on a cable car or maybe head to Pier 39 for your dinner. Don’t rush though, you are staying here for 2 nights.
120
miles
San Francisco,
CA
Motor
Lodge
Days 21 & 22:
San Francisco & Fly Home
Spend your final morning seeing some of the sights of San Francisco; there is plenty to see and do in this amazing city. Then, in the afternoon you will head to the airport, drop your car off and catch your overnight flight back to the UK.
Return
Car
Fly
Home
Upgrades
For some trips you might like to upgrade to a large car, convertible or SUV. Take a look at your car choice here.
We carefully handpick accommodation to suit your trip and requirements. However, we're independent and have a wide choice if you wish to upgrade.
Upgrade to Premium, Business or First Class
Helicopter Flight
Take a helicopter flight over the Las Vegas Strip's bright lights, capture a new perspective of the Vegas Valley plus see Red Rock Canyon, or journey out to the natural wonder that is the Grand Canyon. We have a selection of different trips and durations available which can be incorporated into your trip or purchased separately.
A local guide in Arizona
Based in Kingman, Arizona, our Route 66 Destination Consultant can be available for guided or walking tours in the region for groups of all sizes. Renowned road trip author Jim Hinckley has an extensive knowledge of Route 66. Please let us know if you would like to meet Jim for an afternoon or evening on your road trip.
Extra night in Santa Fe
You’ll stay in Santa Fe on our standard itinerary, but we definately recommend an extra day here.
All per person prices (pp) shown on this website are based on two adults sharing. Where hotel ratings are shown, these are US ratings, half stars are rounded up to the next full star. RouteTrip USA and RouteTrip are registered trademarks of RouteTrip USA Ltd. *T&Cs Apply. **On most full packages subject to availability. ***On request, subject to availability and refundable deposit required.