Historic Route 66 · U.S. Road Trip | American Tour Association

THE JOURNEY IS THE REASON TO GO

Let the road set the pace.

Explore selected surviving sections of the Mother Road, from Midwestern towns to Southwestern desert and the California coast. Build a trip around specific signed alignments, roadside history and the communities that make the journey distinctive.

The experienceAll-American Road · National Scenic Byway

Start with this outlineSelected historic alignments between Chicago and Santa Monica

From a rocky knoll, the Colorado River gently flows downstream with the magnificent Trails Arch Bridge in the background. The River forms the natural boundary separating Arizona and California. Once on the
California side, Route 66 travelers could rest and prepare themselves for an incredible and dangerous journey. Looking forward a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on Route 66 across the desolate but beautiful Mojave Desert.
Looking back, the graceful, refreshing waters of the Colorado River. — Trails Arch Bridge
Public Domain. · Photo credits

Before you drive

Historic Route 66 is not one continuous modern highway. Use current local alignment maps, allow for detours and choose a realistic section for your available days.

Make it a satisfying day

Choose a realistic section, then allow time for viewpoints, a town stop and breaks. Scenic mileage rarely tells the whole story of how long an outing will take.

Match the road to your vehicle

Check the exact roads for your car, RV or motorcoach. Tunnel dimensions, turning space, grades and road surfaces can matter as much as distance.

Official route information ↗State road-condition links ↗

Route overview and designation: Federal Highway Administration, America’s Byways. Research: October 2026. This is a travel idea, not live navigation or a guarantee that the full route is open. Confirm exact roads, current conditions, parking and any attraction reservations before departure.