The detailed daybyday route 66 itinerary covers all the basic details mileage, general route and sightseeing highlights along the 2,400 mile route. Highway 66 us 66 or route 66, also known as the will rogers highway, the main street of america or the mother road, was one of the original highways in the u. Lets get out and explore the towns, museums, bridges and much more along californias 315 mile museum. Its name beckons like a golden promise on the horizon. Driving historic route 66 through california road trip usa. Route 66, or us 66, as it was officially known, was a major thoroughfare for getting around the country prior to the modern highway system. Also, right across the border on the arizona side, there is a cool old tower with route 66 on it that i thought was a fun stop, even though it isnt in california.
Route 66 california weather conditions 15 dot accident and construction reports at sunflower ave obstruction on roadway something that does block the road or part of i. We cover quirky route 66 roadside attractions, historical buildings, vintage roadside. Located approximately two miles west of the colorado river off interstate 40, the day use and picnic area memorializes the entryway of historic route 66 in california. In order to get the turnbyturn route description, select a. Select the starting point and direction youd like to travel below.
A map of route 66 across california from needles to santa monica. Arguably the most iconic of all american road trips, route 66 was established in 1926 and is one of the original us highways. The ruins and the road route 66 out of california youtube. Map showing approximate route 66 location from needles to santa monica, california the original terminus of u. Historic route 66, also known as the mother road or main street of america, was a us highway from 1926 to 1985.
After driving about 15 minutes in the barren desert, you will make your way to downtown needles. The national park service has designated nearly 100 historic places on or near route 66 in california. We will be updating this list, so keep checking back. The fur trade, the fertile farms and ranches, the hills full of gold and the abundant resources of a new land enticed a nation. Click on the town icons of the map for a link with more detailed information on their attractions, landmarks, history and accommodation plus detailed local info on the alignment of route 66 at that town. Map of historic route 66 from illinois to california. Us 66 was established on november 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. Route 66 is the ultimate american road trip and weve put together a comprehensive 2 week route 66 itinerary to help drivers navigate this historic route. Back in its glory days, route 66 began in chicago and ended along the bluffs overlooking the pacific, a 2,451mile journey through farmlands, plains, and desert. This map shows the approximate path of route 66 through california, as near as its accessible today. Its the quintessential crosscountry road trip experience. For over 50 years, motorists traveled the legendary u. See where a lot of history has occurred along the route.
The state of california is where the road ends, right on the santa monica pier, and through. We would really like to drive a portion of the drive along route 66, can anyone recommend a part of this route where we could detour off not to far out of way and get a good feel for it. In mid2015, jess and i had the chance to tour the us and we decided that driving the entire 2,400 mile length of route 66, from santa monica in california, up to chicago, illinois, was going to be the definitive road trip for us. The route 66 comes under national old trails highway, and was redesigned as route 66. New 90th anniversary route 66 map at auto club branches. Route 66 maps in each state, route 66 segment maps, route. Click here for a bing map to get directions to the sites in this travel itinerary. This map shows the approximate path of route 66 through california, as near as its. Route 66 attractions from needles to barstow california. Route 66 was one of the united states first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated west. Back in its glory days, route 66 began in chicago and ended along the bluffs overlooking the pacific, a 2,451 mile journey through farmlands, plains, and desert.
Following this classic road trip passes through the demanding mojave desert, over mountains and through lush inland valleys, to the beautiful beaches of santa monica. The oklahoma route 66 road map is divided into 5 sections. My nextfavorite part of route 66 in california is from san bernardino north to barstow but only 15 pages cover this region. There was so much more history that i was hoping for along route 66 east of san bernardino that i did not get. Experience oklahoma city, tulsa and authentic hometowns along the mother road where youll meet friendly people. R oute 66, and its 2,500 miles, is known affectionately as the mother road. California was the jewel of our collective united states.
Map of route 66 new mexico, arizona and california. Illinois, missouri, kansas, oklahoma, texas, new mexico, arizona, and california. To estimate the travel cost, find the trip cost from chicago to california via route 66. From the earliest times california beckoned to the adventurous in spirit.
The site contains two covered picnic tables, an information kiosk, visitor log book, desert plants and trees, and a wind gage. Click on a section of the map for a more detailed map and links to route 66 sites. Route 66, immortalized as the mother road in john steinbecks depressionera novel, the grapes of wrath and touchstone for hundreds of thousands of people who traveled it on family vacations, is the focus of an automobile club of southern california map to celebrate the famed routes 90 th anniversary. Route 66 has dangerous pathways at some places too.
To find the map for the shortest distance from chicago to california via route 66, please enter the source and destination and then select the shortest option in the mode dropdown. It was truncated during the 1964 renumbering and its signage removed in 1974. Historic route 66 turnbyturn description for california. As route 66 doesnt appear on modern maps anymore, one needs a good description before heading out on. The visitor log book has become so popular with visitors that local residents visit the site just to. California is the last state crossed by route 66 or the first if one chooses to go from west to east. The stretch of route 66 that passes through california extends from the colorado river near needles, all the way to the pacific ocean at santa monica traveling through deserts, mountains, ghost towns, metropolitan areas, and beach communities, californias 320 miles of the mother road provide a wide variety of geography, cultures, architecture, and photographic opportunities. However, over the years, and decades, route 66 has had several official and unofficial ending points.
Historic route 66 california gateway site day use area. The highway crossed the colorado river and entered california, then after a long stretch through the mojave where an extensive section can still be driven reached the inland empire. This section lists some of the main bridges along route 66 in california. Click here for a bing map to get directions to all the sites in this travel itinerary. The first efforts to return the route to maps as historic route 66 date to 1987 and angel delgadillos arizona historic route 66 association. Abandoned buildings and old highways, plus some radical route 66 museums. Route 66 travelers coming from the east were often wayfarers seeking a fresh start in a new land, and in the early to middle years of the twentieth century, california was that new land, brimful of promise and rumors of plenty. As route 66 doesnt appear on modern maps anymore, one needs a good description before heading out on the old 2lane highway. Following this classic road trip passes through the demanding mojave desert, over mountains and through lush inland valleys, to. Blazed across the middle of the united states is a path wellknown to mid1900s road trippers. Amboy to chambless from ludlow, route 66 finally parts company with the interstate and heads into the desert backcountry, start of the emptiest, most scenic and atmospheric section in california for the next 75 miles the old highway encounters only occasional settlements, the majority of which are abandoned, and with long straight undeveloped stretches in between.
Route 66 enthusiasts wont want to miss this trip across southern california from the roads westernmost end. Route 66 us 66, route 66 is a part of a former united states numbered highway in the. Echoes of the old route 66 still exist here, from historic motor inns to retro roadside signs. A specific section of the route is fraught with hairpin turns and is steep along the entire route. Over time the route was formalized as a federal highway numbered as u. Historic route 66 through california takes travelers through every type of southern california landscape there is. Detailed 2 week route 66 itinerary plan the ultimate. Route 66 is without doubt one of the worlds most legendary roads, and a road trip along it is something ive always dreamed of doing. About 315 miles 500 kilometers major cities along route 66. Pale blue marks the old original sections or route 66 that can be driven. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the united states, originally ran from chicago.
Route 66, americas historic mother road, travels over 2,400 miles connecting chicago to southern california. The kansas route 66 road map incorporates the detour across rainbow bridge and the older 66 option south of baxter springs. Major stops along route 66 through california including the mojave desert, barstow, pasadena, and the. The nations longest driveable stretch of route 66 cuts through oklahoma, making its way past charming towns, roadside diners and quirky attractions.
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