Travel Destination | Route 66 Scenic Sites Tour

Here's your exclusive invitation to participate in a monumental, once-in-a-century celebration taking place all across the nation. If you have missed the memo, legendary Route 66, also recognized as "America’s Mother Road", marks 2026 as the year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Serving as a path to connection for travelers, pop culture, and adventure, Route 66 journeys across eight states and approximately 2,400 miles.  As this historical milestone unfolds, a year-long national celebration will honor the past as we embrace the future. Through nostalgia and novelty, cruise down to the travel destination Route 66 to experience miles and miles of food, folks, and fun.

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Travel Destination | Route 66 Scenic Sites Tour

Memorable moments are par for the course during road trips along scenic Route 66, spanning approximately 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Typically a weeks-long excursion, experience one-of-a-kind mile markers as you discover must-see roadside oddities, landmarks, and historic sites. 

Route 66 Road Trip Scenic Tour Guide

Illinois | Start Line at Chicago Eastern Terminus Road Sign 

Lou Mitchell's - Chicago, IL

Classic neon-lit diner serving guests since 1923

Gemini Giant - Wilmington, IL

Famous "Muffler Men" fiberglass statue along route

Pontiac Murals & Route 66 Museum - Pontiac, IL

Iconic murals and museum dedicated to Route 66

Cozy Dog Drive In - Springfield, IL

Birthplace of corn dog on a stick

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge - Madison, IL

Scenic, historic bridge and walkway across Mississippi River 

Missouri 

Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

Tallest (630 ft.) man-made monument in the world

Meramec Caverns - Sullivan, MO

Limestone caves of expansive, exquisite rock formations

World’s Second Largest Rocking Chair - Cuba, MO

Route 66 Rocker is a massive 42-foot-tall roadside attraction

66 Drive-In Theatre, Carthage, MO

Historic drive-in theater along Route 66 

Kansas 

Cars on the Route, Galena, KS

Restored service station featuring inspiration for "Tow Mater" from Disney's Cars movies

Historic Rainbow Bridge - Baxter Springs, KS

Last remaining marsh arch bridge along original route 

Oklahoma 

Blue Whale of Catoosa - Catoosa, OK

Landmark 80-foot-long, 20-foot-high waterfront structure 

Arcadia Round Barn - Arcadia, OK

Only historic round barn along Route 66

Pops 66 - Arcadia, OK

66-foot tall neon soda bottle and hundreds of soda varieties

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum - Clinton, OK

Details history and music decades of The Mother Road

Texas

Conoco Tower Station & U-Drop Inn Cafe - Shamrock, TX

Art Deco gas station and café and inspiration for Ramone's body shop in Disney's Cars movie franchise.

Cadillac Ranch - Amarillo, TX

Art installation of 10 Cadillacs buried in the ground. Bring spray paint!

The Big Texan Steak Ranch - Amarillo, TX

World famous home of legendary 72-ounce steak challenge

Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop - Adrian, TX

Official geographic Route 66 midpoint between Chicago and Los Angeles

New Mexico

Blue Swallow Motel - Tucumcari, NM

Most  Celebrated Motel on Historic Route 66, famous for historic neon signage

Old Town Albuquerque - Albuquerque, NM

Historic and cultural center of Albuquerque

El Rancho Hotel - Gallup, NM

Historic hotel treasured for western rustic and Hollywood hype

Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park & Painted Desert - Petrified Forest, AZ

Fossilized 200 million-year-old trees, fossils, and colorful desert landscapes

Wigwam Motel - Holbrook, AZ

Towering wigwam-shaped rooms for overnight accommodations

Standin’ on the Corner Park - Winslow, AZ

Site commemorating the song "Take It Easy" by the Eagles

Oatman Ghost Town 

Former mining town home to wild burros roaming freely and gunfight reenactments 

California

Roy's Motel and Cafe - Amboy, CA

Mojave Desert attraction with iconic neon signage

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch - Oro Grande, CA

Unique folk-art forest designed of colorful glass bottles

Wigwam Motel - San Bernadino, CA

Towering wigwam-shaped rooms for overnight accommodations

Santa Monica Pier - Santa Monica, CA

Official End of the Trail, marked by commemorative sign overlooking Pacific Ocea. 

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