Route 66
Hi. A group of us are making a 3 week road trip from Calif. to Chicago on Rt. 66 next fall. We are a 55/56/57 Chevy Club and there will be about 12 old chevys making the trip....along with one lone ford who we love. Is there anyone out there who has done the Route 66 trip over the last year or two who could give us some information about the route? We've bought all the booksmaps and done as much studying as we can, but I think it would be helpful if we had some hands on experience info. How bad are the roads? We know there are sections that are closed - how many and how far are they? Do you have any ideas or recommendations about the accomodations along the way? Are there any particular sites/places you think would be great for us to see - or to avoid?? Any and all advice you have the time to give would be much appreciated by our group! The more details the better....:). Bearing in mind that most of us are 'younger' seniors and for some of these guys, it is their 'bucket list' trip of a lifetime. Thanks!1
If there is ANY historic highway that has mile by mile descriptions available...it's Rt. 66 ! You...will need to do the research, from readily available publications and Internet blogs... In general, there are remnants worth diverting off the Interstates as far as Springfield MO. There after, it's largely architectural artifacts that are of the most interest...Be sure to do the Lagina-Los Lunas- Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Santa Rosa segments...Have a good tour !!! carracar2
Both carracar and I live along the pre-1937 Route #66 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It followed the Old Santa Fe Trail from near Springfield through Pecos and Santa Fe to Albuquerque and onward to Mexico City. You will see many Route #66 signs in Pecos and Santa Fe and en route to Albuquerque alongside Interstate-25.Santa Fe is 400 years-old and has many historic buildings and 300 art galleries plus great restaurants. Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, Billy the Kid, Sundance, and Judge Roy Bean all lived here and you may find photo postcards of them at the original Trading Post on downtown San Francisco Street. In the spring, there is now an annual Concours with classic cars brought in from nationwide -- Ralph Lauren's car won last spring. You may enjoy staying at Bishop's Lodge on the outskirts of downtown SF -- originally the residence of Archbishop Lamy. If you are on a budget, there are now 4 Motel 6s along Cerrillos Road (originally Route #66), as well as many other motels, such as the Marriott and Holiday Inn Express.
Albuquerque is 57 miles south along Interstate-25 and junction Interstate-40. The main street in Albuquerque, Central Avenue, became Route #66 after 1937, and the 66 Diner advertises its 1950s-style milkshakes and burgers. Otherwise, Route #66 is a frontage road along parts of Interstate-40. I stopped next to the Mid-Point Cafe on Route #66, 30 miles west of Amarillo, Texas, about October 15, 2009, to walk my dog at 11:00 a.m. I suddenly heard a familiar sound and looked out over a huge grain field where I saw about 3,000 sandhill cranes slowly ascend, whirling into the air, one after the other, group after group, over a square mile, then head southward to continue their migration. A few whooping cranes flew directly overhead. It was amazing. There had been a rainstorm the previous night, so they were late leaving their roost. I just visited one of their wintering spots south of Albuquerque last week at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (along Interstate-25), where 8,000 sandhill cranes find safe refuge for their winters, along with 52,000 snow geese and 50,000 ducks. You will be coming through here about that time, so keep a watch for them and many other migrating birds.
Edited by: trekker502
3
I would not bother with RT 66 within 600 miles of Chicago, promise, its nothing.5
I have been involved with the wonderful Route 66 for so long that finally, 14 years ago, I moved to Afton, Oklahoma and opened a Route 66 Visitors' Center and Antique Car Museum. Traveling Route 66 is an amazing adventure. 85% of it is still driveable, and most of it is well paved and easy traveling for any kind of vehicle. I have about 7,000 visitors a year, and they come by new car, vintage car, bike, motorcycle, and foot. I suggest you buy the guide book called "EZ66 Guide" by Jerry McClanahan (available on Amazon or from the National Historic Route 66 Federation) before you embark on your adventure. It's the book everyone uses because it's extremely comprehensive. You might also secure a copy of "Route 66: The Mother Road" by Michael Wallis, just to get the feel of the road. And if you decide to make the trip, please plan to stop in to my place and introduce yourself.
