Historic Route 66 - 19 Days

The ultimate American road trip - follow classic Route 66: the "Mother Road", one of the most famous routes in the United States. Your trip starts in Chicago and takes you through seven states, past the Grand Canyon & Las Vegas and finally to the end of the road in Santa Monica, Los Angeles on the California Coast.

Tour Highlights

- St Louis, gateway to the west

- Santa Fe, the oldest capital in the USA

- 2 nights at the awe inspiring Grand Canyon

- 2 nights in Las Vegas

- Don't miss Cadillac Ranch

Day 1  Chicago

Arrive into Chicago and collect your car from the airport depot.  Enjoy a day exploring Chicago. Stroll along fashionable Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile, for some world-class shopping or marvel at some of the most impressive architecture in the city's bustling business district. The Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), at 108 stories, stands as Chicago's tallest building since its completion in 1974 and is one the tallest building in the USA and now the 7th tallest in the world.  Boat cruises are offered on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Millennium Park which opened to the in 2004 is a green oasis along the city's lakefront and is home to many cultural events. In the evening do not miss a visit to one of Chicago's famous blues clubs.  Overnight in Chicago (2 nights).

Day 2 Chicago

Spend today at your leisue exploring this bustling city.  Perhaps spend the evening in one of Chicago's famous blues clubs.

Day 3  Chicago to St. Louis (297 miles)
Begin your journey out West by driving through the Illinois farmlands. St. Louis is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River and welcomes you with its famous Gateway Arch which commemorates Thomas Jefferson and his quest for the westward expansion of the United States. Overnight in St. Louis (2 nights).

Day 4  St. Louis
St. Louis has always been widely considered the gateway to the West. It was host to the World's Fair and the first ever Olympic Games in the U.S. 1904 and it was here that Charles Lindbergh embarked on the first transatlantic flight.

Day 5  St. Louis to Springfield (222 miles)
Today you will travel through the scenic countryside of Missouri, the home of Mark  Twain. Along the route you will see numerous billboards advertising Meramec Caverns, a 26-mile cave system that's worth a visit. Then continue to Springfield for your overnight.  Overnight in Springfield.

Day 6  Springfield to Tulsa (213 miles)
Enter the state of Oklahoma. It has a colourful history as a frontier state, as the destination of freed slaves looking for opportunity and equality, and as the heart of the oil boom in the early 20th century. The western and Native American heritage of the state is a large part of its cultural identity. Tulsa is the home to the largest, most comprehensive collection of American Western art and artifacts in the world, housed in the Gilcrease Museum. Today, Oklahoma contains more native American tribal headquarters than any other state, as well as the nation's second largest American Indian population.  Overnight in Tulsa.

Day 7  Tulsa to Oklahoma City (116 miles)
Continue to Oklahoma City, the state capital.  Visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens with its tropical conservatory or one of the interesting museums, e.g. the Omniplex Science Museum in the Kirkpatrick Center or the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, home to galleries of western art and to the Hall of Great Western Performers.  Overnight in Oklahoma.

Day 8  Oklahoma City to Amarillo (288 miles)
Stop in the town of Anadarko which calls itself "Indian Capital of the Nation". The town is home to "Indian City USA" an outdoor museum of a Native American dwelling.  Overnight in Amarillo.

Day 9  Amarillo to Tucumcari (109 miles)
Cross the state line to New Mexico and remember to turn your watches back 1 hour.  Drive through the ancient hunting grounds of the Comanche Indians until you arrive in Tucumcari.  Overnight in Tucumcari.

Day 10  Tucumcari to Santa Fe (169 Miles)
Today's leg of your journey leads to the New Mexico state capital, Santa Fe.   The city is dominated by unique Southwestern Pueblo architecture. Visit the colorful local Indian crafts market held daily in front of the Palace of the Governors, walk around the gallery-lined town square or visit the History Museum. Overnight in Santa Fe (2 nights).

Day 11  Santa Fe

Take a break from driving today, or perhaps visit Taos Pueblo, the ancient pueblo of a Northern Tiwa speaking Native American tribe of Pueblo people that has been continuously inhabited for more than 1000 years. 

Day 12  Santa Fe to Holbrook (293 miles)
Leave Santa Fe this morning and head towards Albuquerque, the city of the Rio Grande and New Mexico's "Big City". It is surrounded by the beautiful Sandia Mountains. perhaps stop off to stroll around Old Town Albuquerque or visit the Pueblo Indian Museum on the Rio Grande.  Next drive on to Gallup, another famous stop on Route 66 that is notable for its mix of indigenous people and native culture. Enter Arizona and visit the Petrified Forest National Park. This area was once the site of an ancient forest later covered by lava flow.  Overnight in Holbrook.

Day 13  Holbrook to Grand Canyon (178 miles)
Head from Holbrook through Route 66 towns such as Winslow and Flagstaff and perhaps visit Meteor Crater and the impressive Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.  Then head North from Route 66 towards the majestic Grand Canyon South Rim.  Overnight near the Grand Canyon.

Day 14  Grand Canyon
Enjoy the full day exploring the Grand Canyon. Along the canyon's South Rim there are numerous vista points with ever changing and awe-inspiring views of this magnificent natural wonder.  We recommend a stop at the visitors center to learn about history and geology of Grand Canyon.

Day 15  Grand Canyon to Las Vegas (277 miles)
Via Williams you will travel along one of the longest remaining segments of the historic Route 66. Continue to Las Vegas. Through the desert cross over into the state of Nevada and reach the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas. The "Strip" will mesmerize you with its glittering lights and mega-hotels.  Overnight in Las Vegas (2 nights).

Day 16  Las Vegas
You have a full day to enjoy Las Vegas or to just soak up the desert sunshine by the hotel pool. How about going to see one of the top-rated shows in town in the evening?

Day 17  Las Vegas to Los Angeles (286 miles)
The Route will lead you through the Mojave Desert. Along the way visit Calico Ghost Town. Cross the San Bernardino Mountains and enter the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles: the city of dreams, sunshine, big cars and beautiful people. This is where Route 66 becomes Santa Monica Boulevard, winding its way through Hollywood and Beverly Hills until it suddenly ends at the Santa Monica Boardwalk and the Pacific Ocean.  Overnight in Los Angeles (2 nights).

Day 18  Los Angeles

Today is free for you to relax in and around Los Angeles after the end of your driving adventure.  Perhaps explore Santa Monica or Redondo Beach (depending on your hotel), or drive to see the sights of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. 

Day 19  End of Tour

Your tour ends today after you check out of your hotel and drop your car at Los Angeles Airport.  Alternatively, you might choose to extend your stay with some extra nights in Los Angeles or Santa Monica - just ask us for details.

Flexible Itinerary

Want to spend more time in any of the locations along the route, make some extra side trips or extend your stay in Chicago or LA before and after the tour?  The itinerary is completely flexible and we can make any amendments to the tour itinerary you require.  Please just send us your exact requirements and we'll send you a quotation.

We can offer your tour with 2 grades of hotels.  Please note that at many locations along the route, only roadside inn and motel style accommodations are used, so the same properties may be used for both Standard and Upgraded options.  Details are as follows.

Standard Hotel Option

Chicago, IL -Chicago's Essex Inn

St. Louis, MO - La Quinta Inn Westport

Springfield, MO - Best Western Rail Haven

Tulsa, OK - Comfort Suites Central

Oklahoma City, OK - La Quinta Inn & Suites NW Expressway

Amarillo, TX - Best Western Medical Center Inn

Tucumcari - NM - Rodeway Inn Tucumcari

Santa Fe, NM - Courtyard Marriott Santa Fe

Holbrook , AZ - Best Western Adobe Inn

Grand Canyon, AZ - Canyon Plaza Quality Inn & Suites

Las Vegas, NV - Hampton Inn Tropicana

Los Angeles, CA -Best Western Gateway Hotel

Upgraded Hotel Option

Chicago, IL - Hotel 71

St. Louis, MO - Omni Majestic Hotel

Springfield, MO - Best Western Rail Haven*

Tulsa, OK -Comfort Suites Central*

Oklahoma City, OK - La Quinta Inn & Suites NW Expressway*

Amarillo, TX - Best Western Medical Center Inn*

Tucumcari - NM - Rodeway Inn Tucumcari*

Santa Fe, NM - Courtyard Marriott Santa Fe*

Holbrook , AZ - Best Western Adobe Inn*

Grand Canyon, AZ - Best Western grand Canyon Squire Inn

Las Vegas, NV - The Platinum Suites Hotel & Spa

Los Angeles, CA - Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach

* Please note that these hotels are the same as those offered with the Standard Grade hotel option.  Other hotels are upgraded.

In the even that any of the above hotels are not available at time of booking, an alternative will be offered.

Cost Per Person*

Children aged 12 and under stay free when sharing with 2 adults

Price Includes:

- 18 nights accommodation

- 18 days Intermediate size, fully inclusive car hire

- Comprehensive documentation kit with driving instructions

Not included:

- Flights to Chicago / from Los Angeles (we can arrange these for you, please ask us for details)

- Meals- Parking, tolls, fuel, admission charges

- One way drop off fee for your rental car ($500 + taxes payable locally)

Optional Upgrades

Why not upgrade yourcar and / or package?

Supplements are per car:

Full size - £61

Luxury - £170

Convertible (2 passengers) - £170

Minivan (7 passengers) - £185

GPS SatNav unit - £125

Alamo Gold (includes 1 tank of fuel and additional driver) £109

* Please note that due to regular city-wide conventions, these rates may not be available on certain dates due to hotel blackouts.  Please contact us with your chosen dates and we will check blackout dates for you.