Route 66 is a road rather than a building, and it is one of the best-known roads in the United States. Often called the "Mother Road," it runs for 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, passing through eight states on its way across the country.
What the journey is like
Driving the route is less about reaching a single destination and more about the shifting scenery along the way. The road crosses a wide range of landscapes, so a day's drive can change from flat farmland to open high plains, and then to desert and mountain country. Many visitors choose to drive only a stretch of it, which makes the trip manageable and still gives a real sense of the whole.
Why visitors come
- The sense of an classic American road trip, with the route's long history as a travel corridor.
- Changing landscapes from one state to the next.
- A nostalgic feel that suits travellers who enjoy old roadside settings and small towns along the way.
Because the route is so long, it works well as a base for planning. You can pick a section that matches the time you have, and build your stops around the towns you pass through.
Route 66 suits anyone who prefers the journey to the arrival. If you enjoy slow driving, varied views and the character of roadside America, it is a trip worth planning carefully, with time set aside for the stretches that interest you most.