Classic Route 66

Day 1 Arrival in Chicago
Fly to Chicago, the cosmopolitan city on Lake Michigan, home of America’s tallest building, home of the blues and most significantly the starting point of Route 66! You’ll pick up your car from the airport and head to your hotel, then enjoy all that Chicago has to offer.

Day 2 Chicago
Spend the day in the city of Chicago. From shopping and museums to popculture, this vibrant city boasts something for everyone. Check out “The Ledge Experience” at the Skydeck where you can step out onto a fully enclosed glass ledge from the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower.

Day 3 Chicago To Springfield, Illinois
Start your day with breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, a local fixture since 1923. In Wilmington see the 23 foot high Gemini Giant who has gazed down on visitors since 1965. Experience an authentic American Diner at the Polka-a-Dot Drive-In – famous for their chilli-cheese fries. It’s worth stopping in Pontiac, a town that Time magazine called ‘one of the best small towns in America’ to visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum and snap a photo of your car parked in front of the giant Route 66 mural. Overnight in Springfield, capital of Illinois.

Travel: 220 Miles | 355 Km

Day 4 Springfield To St. Louis
Travelling through the heartland of America today you’ll have the opportunity to drive a piece of Route 66 that dates back to the 1930s. In St Louis make time to visit the Gateway Arch or take a paddleboat cruise along the Mighty Mississippi river.

Travel: 100 Miles | 160 Km

Day 5 St. Louis to Springfield, Missouri
St Louis and Springfield are two old Route 66 towns. Almost every exit drops you within a few minutes’ drive to ‘mom & pop’ motels, trading posts and gas stations offering wonderful photo opportunities. Missouri also holds one of the greatest Route 66 attractions – Meramec Caverns which have existed for the past 400 million years.

Travel: 218 Miles | 351 Km

Day 6 Springfield To Oklahoma City
There are many historical sites worth a visit today including the courthouse in Carthage, constructed with Carthage stone. You’ll travel to Oklahoma today, a mecca for old-road fans with more stilldrivable miles of Route 66 than any other state.

Travel: 285 Miles | 459 Km

Day 7 Oklahoma City To Amarillo
Today offers an opportunity to visit the Route 66 museum in Clinton where you’ll experience the history and culture of each decade in the history of Route 66. As you enter Texas you’ll be back on Route 66 for some famous stops along the Mother Road including McLean, one of the few real time capsules where you will be transported back in time for a true Route 66 experience. Tonight you can visit the famous Big Texan Steak Ranch, a true Texas experience.

Travel: 259 Miles | 417 Km

Day 8 Amarillo To Santa Fe
Just outside Amarillo you can visit Cadillac Ranch; a row of 10 perfectly aligned old Cadillac cars buried nose-first into the barren landscape. Writing graffiti on or spray painting the old cars is highly encouraged! As you continue east pass through Adrian, Texas, the Route 66 midpoint of the 2,278 miles between Chicago and Santa Monica. Arrive at Santa Fe where you’ll have 2 nights to enjoy the arts and culture of this beautiful city.

Travel: 292 Miles | 470 Km

Day 9 Santa Fe
You will likely want to start your day exploring at The Plaza in the centre of town… perhaps including a visit to the Palace of the governors built in 1610. Santa Fe ranks as the country‘s third largest art market and boasts some of the finest galleries, shops and museums in the southwest.

Day 10 Santa Fe To Albuquerque
A short drive today takes you to Albuquerque in the heart of New Mexico. Just outside Albuquerque visit the famous Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway and be transported 10,378 feet high to an observation desk affording a panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley. As you arrive in mile-high Albuquerque enjoy a great stretch of Route 66 along Central Avenue with diners, motels and sparkling neon signs.

Travel: 63 Miles | 102 Km

Day 11 Albuquerque To Holbrook
If you’re looking for a route off the beaten path today you can travel old Route 66 from Albuquerque to Gallup. This is one of the most scenic portions of Route 66 with huge mesas, jumbled boulders, distant mount peaks and a deep-red tone to the earth. Don’t miss a drive through the Petrified Forest National Park before arriving in Holbrook in Navajo County.

Travel: 232 Miles | 374 Km

Day 12 Holbrook To Williams & The Grand Canyon
Today is a highlight of the journey with a visit to Grand Canyon National Park, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. You’ll enter the park from the east entrance via Cameron Trading Post and you’ll have time to visit the various view points and enjoy a walk along the rim of this magnificent canyon before continuing to Williams. Should you arrive in Williams before 7.00 pm you’ll be able to witness a gunfight between the local cowboys and the world famous Cataract Creek Gang!

Travel: 245 Miles | 380 Km

Day 13 Williams To Las Vegas
The longest stretch of old road starts from Seligman and you can follow it to Kingman before turning north to the glittering lights of Las Vegas. About 30 miles outside Las Vegas you’ll cross the Colorado River on the spectacular Hoover Dam. Arrive in Las Vegas for a few nights in ‘sin city’.

Day 14 Las Vegas
A full day to enjoy the sights and attractions of Las Vegas. Explore the iconic casinos, with replicas of Paris, Venice, New York and more. In the evening be sure to take in one of the world-class shows!

Day 15 Las Vegas To Santa Monica
Re-join the old road in Barstow for the last leg of your Route 66 journey to Santa Monica. Near where Santa Monica Boulevard dead-ends at Ocean Boulevard, a brass plaque marks the official end of Route 66, the ‘Main Street of America’, After taking a stroll along the Santa

Travel: 284 Miles | 457 Km

Day 16 Santa Monica
You have a full day to explore the sprawling city of Los Angeles. A short drive takes you to the many famous sights including Universal Studios, Hollywood, Mann’s Chinese Theatre and Beverly Hills.

Day 17 Depart Los Angeles
Final morning to relax and enjoy California before heading to the airport to drop of your car and take your overnight return flight.

Day 18 Arrive UK
Morning arrival.

Tour includes:

Rental cars from small compact automatics to convertible sport cars and minivans
Accommodation as detailed
Sat-nav to help you along the way

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”