A practical guide to driving Route 66

A century on, Route 66 still embodies the spirit of American adventure. It’s an epic journey spanning 2,448 miles, winding through three time zones and eight states. More than any other highway, it offers travellers a glimpse of a bygone era, with small towns seemingly frozen in time and the promise of freedom on the wide-open road. Here’s our guide to hitting the Mother Road in style.

Can I drive the whole route in one go?

It’s technically possible to drive the entirety of Route 66 from Chicago’s skyscrapers to the seaside pier in Santa Monica in about 30 hours, traffic permitting. But the real joy of the Mother Road lies in slowing down, lingering over stacks of pancakes in old-school diners, pulling over for snapshots with giant statues and bedding down in neon-lit motels. Two to three weeks is the sweet spot for the full stretch.

If time is tight, many travellers explore it in shorter segments, focusing on a few states at a time, depending on interests. For example, Illinois appeals to petrolheads with its car museums, New Mexico offers insight into Indigenous cultures, while California preserves curb-side Americana, from the Historic Original McDonald’s Museum to Roy’s Motel and Café, a true Route 66 icon.

How can I get there?

For those driving the entire route, Chicago and Los Angeles both offer direct flights from and to the UK. It’s usually most cost-effective to book the trip as a ‘multi-city’ plane ticket — an option available on some booking platforms allowing visits to multiple destinations without returning to the same starting point.

For travellers covering just a segment, other useful entry points include St Louis in Missouri, which has a new direct link to London. Tulsa in Oklahoma, Albuquerque in New Mexico and Flagstaff in Arizona all require connecting flights.

What do I need to drive in the US?

A UK driver needs a valid UK driving licence and should carry an International Driving Permit for most US states. You’ll also need to ensure their car rental includes appropriate insurance coverage.

How do I map out my route?

Trying to follow the original road exactly is a bit like chasing smoke. When the Interstate Highway Act of 1956 introduced superhighways across the US, much of Route 66 was bypassed in favour of faster routes, which often run in parallel.

Today, around 85% of the early route remains drivable, but signage is patchy and Google Maps doesn’t recognise Route 66 as a continuous road. A good workaround is to select ‘avoid motorways’ in your navigation settings and plug in the key stops you want to hit on the old road, which tends to keep things on track.

Is it best to plan the entire trip, or simply stop along the way?

A combination works well. For accommodation, 2026 looks set to be a bumper year for motel and hotel stays. To avoid being a victim of the ‘no vacancy’ sign, book ahead, either directly online or, occasionally, by calling the owner. For Route 66-themed museums, visitors can generally purchase tickets on the day. Natural attractions like the Petrified Forest National Park and Meteor Crater in Arizona require entry tickets. Beyond that, leave wiggle-room for spontaneous stops to admire the curiosities along the way.

(As Route 66 turns 100, visit the end of the road in sunny Santa Monica.)

What are the driving conditions like?

Driving Route 66 is a journey of contrasts. One moment you’re cruising along smoothly paved stretches, the next dodging blown-out tyres and potholes in the cracked asphalt. On any leg of the route, comprehensive car rental insurance, including roadside assistance, is a wise investment.

Once you hit the lonelier expanses of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, petrol stations become few and far between. It’s not uncommon to drive more than 100 miles without seeing a service stop, so top up the tank whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Can I drive Route 66 in a classic car?

Because of the sometimes-patchy terrain and long hours behind the wheel, most travellers opt for a roomy, modern car with plenty of horsepower. But commonsense aside, it’s undeniably hard to resist the romantic allure of coasting in a soft-top Mustang or a fin-tailed Cadillac. While driving a vintage vehicle for the entire route can be demanding, a classic car can be incorporated into a specific experience or leg of the journey.

What about other vehicles?

Gleaming Harley-Davidsons make regular appearances on Route 66, evoking scenes from the 1969 film Easy Rider, which was partly set here. With a valid UK motorcycle licence, you can choose between a self-drive or guided tour. Joining a guided group motorcycle trip takes the guesswork out of planning, offering flights, accommodation, a support vehicle and expert guides who know the best pitstops. Operators like Harden Holidays and Luxury Inspire Me Travel offer these packages, with daily distances averaging 150 to 250 miles.

Plenty of RV parks line the route too, making family travel more convenient. For those who’d rather leave the driving to someone else, escorted coach tours from Titan Travel and Discover North America let you sit back and soak up the nostalgic scenery.

When’s the best time to drive Route 66?

The ideal window is between May and October, when the weather is mostly mild and attractions are in full swing. In 2026, St Louis kicks off Route 66’s 100th anniversary with a week of celebrations in late April, including concerts, classic car displays and a group bike ride. Expect daytime warmth, but pack layers as temperatures can dip to 8C.

June marks the peak of festivities. The Route 66 Centennial Great Race will see around 130 vintage cars rally from Illinois to California, stopping in 17 cities along the route. In Texas, a ten-day birthday bash brings street parades and a cattle drive to the Panhandle, where temperatures can easily reach 32C. Be mindful: this stretch lies in Tornado Alley, with occasional dust storms.

September is ideal for driving Route 66 as the weather cools and crowds thin out. Winslow, Arizona hosts the Standin’ on the Corner Festival, a weekend of live music honouring the Eagles’ famous lyrics. Come October, cyclists can join Oklahoma’s Cycle 66 in Edmond, with four routes highlighting local businesses and supporting community causes.

From late autumn to spring, snowstorms and business closures can disrupt travel, so this time is best avoided.

Who can help me plan?

For those looking to travel the entire route, America As You Like It, Audley Travel and Hays Travel offer self-drive packages from Chicago to Los Angeles, including flights, accommodation, car hire and a detailed itinerary. For those seeking a shorter road trip, Bon Voyage can help.

To spark wanderlust, each of the eight states that Route 66 winds through have their own association dedicated to promoting and preserving the route within its borders. Their websites are great resources for planning and are often run by enthusiasts, filled with local tips and on-the-ground updates.

The EZ66 Guide for Travelers by Jerry McClanahan is a spiralbound reference book packed with hand-drawn maps and key attractions, while Route 66: A Tribute to an American Icon by DK Travel is a coffee table book published to coincide with the centennial, highlighting eccentric characters and legendary locations to inspire road trippers.

Anything else worth knowing?

Be prepared to make friends along the way. Even if travelling solo, Route 66ers are a sociable bunch, who often gather at diners and attractions, eager to swap stories and share highlights. It’s one of the unique pleasures of driving this legendary highway.

(The Mother Road menu: where to eat on Route 66.)