Route 66 Historic Highway
United States, north-america
3,940 km
2,255 m
easy
April-June and September-October (avoids summer heat in the desert sections)
Route 66, the legendary "Mother Road," originally spanned 3,940 kilometers from Chicago to Santa Monica, crossing eight states and three time zones. While it was officially decommissioned in 1985 when the Interstate Highway System was completed, much of the original road survives as a patchwork of state highways, county roads, and abandoned alignments. Driving the surviving sections is a journey through the heart of American pop culture and roadside history.
The route passes through the varied landscapes of the American heartland, from the flat farmlands of Illinois and Oklahoma, through the red mesa country of the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico, to the Mojave Desert of California. Along the way, vintage motels with neon signs, classic diners, quirky roadside attractions, and ghost towns tell the story of America's love affair with the open road. Towns like Amarillo, Tucumcari, Gallup, and Kingman have preserved their Route 66 heritage as living museums of mid-century Americana.
Where is it?
Route 66 Historic Highway is located in Illinois to California, United States (north-america). Coordinates: 35.2000, -101.8000
Driving Tips
A dedicated Route 66 GPS guide or app is essential as the original route is poorly marked and changes alignment frequently. Allow at least two weeks for the full drive. Many classic attractions are only open seasonally. The EZ66 Guide by Jerry McClanahan is considered the definitive turn-by-turn navigation resource. Some sections are unpaved or badly deteriorated.
Road Surface
Mix of paved highways, some original concrete, and occasional unpaved sections
Road Details
- Country
- United States
- Continent
- north-america
- Region
- Illinois to California
- Length
- 3,940 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,255 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Surface
- Mix of paved highways, some original concrete, and occasional unpaved sections
- Best Season
- April-June and September-October (avoids summer heat in the desert sections)
- Coordinates
- 35.2000, -101.8000
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