Journey along the famous ‘Mother Road’ Historic Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. Discover captivating cities as you drive through nine diverse states

Share in the dream conjured by Bobby Troup in his 1940s classic ‘Get your kicks on Route 66’, a lyrical map of this legendary highway. This iconic and enjoyable drive, of ‘more than 2,000 miles all the way’, explores the best parts of this historic road. Travel from Illinois to California, past open plains and historic cities, with a short detour to the unmissable Grand Canyon and glittering Las Vegas. The roads have been changed and modernised through the years, yet your route still encompasses the Route 66 spirit that has enthralled many since its inception in 1926.

Day 1   Chicago
On arrival into Chicago make your way to your downtown hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Stroll the shores of mighty Lake Michigan and wonder at the city’s architecture and sculptures. For a bird’s eye view of the city, visit the majestic Sears building, which towers at 1000ft above the city.
Overnight: Chicago

Day 2   Chicago - Springfield
202 miles. Traverse the Illinois farmland to Springfield, the state capital. Visit Lincoln’s final resting place after his assassination in 1865, where a plaque poignantly depicts an eagle pulling apart the symbolic chain of slavery, the greatest act of reform of his presidency. Visit Bill Shea’s iconic Route 66 Gas Station Museum.
Overnight: Springfield

Day 3   Springfield - St Louis
102 miles. Head to St Louis, home of the infamous Ted Drew’s frozen custard! Admire the spectacular 630ft Gateway Arch, opened in 1965 to honour President Jefferson. See the beautiful Cathedral Basilica, marvel at the botanical gardens and visit the Museum of Transportation.
Overnight: St Louis

Day 4   St. Louis - Springfield, Missouri
225 miles. Regarded as the birthplace of Route 66, Springfield was also instrumental in the immergence of the ‘wild west’ when the town square was the site of the a duel between Davis Tutt Jr and a certain Wild Bill Hickock in 1865.
Overnight: Springfield

Day 5   St. Louis - Oklahoma City
497 miles. Leaving the Mississippi River behind, travel through the scenic beauty of the Ozark Mountains. Perhaps visit the spectacular Meramec Caverns, whose ingenious advertising techniques led to huge adverts being painted on many barns along Route 66.
Overnight: Oklahoma City

Day 6   Oklahoma City - Amarillo
260 miles. Travel through the land where the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians lived and hunted buffalo. Visit the Route 66 Museum in Clinton before entering the Texas Panhandle, the haven of cowboys and oil tycoons. Continue into Amarillo, which has experienced many things, from civil war battles to the creation of many millionaires from the ‘black gold’ of the area.
Overnight: Amarillo

Day 7   Amarillo - Santa Fe
292 miles. Before leaving Amarillo, visit the Cadillac Ranch, where you will find ten tail fin Cadillacs half buried in the sand. Continue on to Santa Fe, state capital of New Mexico. The city is designated as a UNESCO Creative City and is home to a large number of artists who have been drawn over the years by the flora, fauna and natural beauty of the landscape.
Overnight: Santa Fe

Day 8   Santa Fe - Albuquerque
63 miles. Explore the historic old town of Albuquerque with its museums and galleries. Perhaps take a trip on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway for stunning views of the Rio Grande.
Overnight: Albuquerque

Day 9   Albuquerque - Williams
358 miles. Today’s highlight is the Petrified Forest National Park, with its thousands of acres of ancient fossilised trees. Incorporated in the park is the Painted Desert, a vast arid badlands scattered with colourful buttes and mesas. You also have the opportunity to visit a huge meteor crater near Winslow, before continuing onto the Grand Canyon National Park.
Overnight: Williams

Day 10   Williams - Grand Canyon
65 miles. Today head into the Grand Canyon National Park for one of nature's great natural wonders. Explore on foot or perhaps take one of the optional helicopter tours for an aerial view.
Overnight: Grand Canyon

Day 11   Grand Canyon - Las Vegas
278 miles. Drive west to the colourful Route 66 town of Seligman and charming Kingman where you will find the Historic Route 66 Museum. Continue to the magnificent Hoover Dam, an engineering masterpiece, before arriving at the Las Vegas Strip where you can experience this glittering entertainment capital.
2 nights: Las Vegas

Day 12   Las Vegas
Stroll along the Strip to see the enchanting hotels, trying to surpass each other with their unique styles and themed entertainment. Enjoy a superb dancing fountain at the Bellagio, watch an erupting volcano at the Mirage, and see the Eiffel Tower and Venetian waterways. Wander through the extravagant casinos that never close and perhaps drop your spare change in the slot machines.

Days 13-14   Las Vegas - Santa Monica
280 miles. Travel through the Mojave Desert to Calico Ghost Town, an abandoned silver mining town now enjoying a new lease of life as a popular tourist attraction, with an ideal location half way between the lights of Las Vegas and the beaches of Santa Monica, where you complete your epic journey.
2 nights: Santa Monica

Day 15   Santa Monica - Los Angeles
Enjoy a morning at leisure in this oceanfront community. Perhaps do some shopping in Santa Monica’s excellent stores, or stroll along its famous pier and miles of sandy beach. Later return your hire car to Los Angeles Airport.

Holiday Includes
• 14 nights accommodation as detailed, including tax.
• 14 days fully inclusive compact car hire, as detailed.
• A personalised travel kit with full itinerary and vouchers.

Holiday Excludes
• Airfares and airport taxes.
• Meals and attractions, unless otherwise stated.
• Optional airport transfers on arrival.
• Petrol and parking charges and national park entrance fees

Your Accommodation
• 1 night Palmer House Hilton Chicago
• 1 night Springfield Hilton
• 1 night Crowne Plaza, St. Louis
• 1 night Clarion Hotel, Springfield
• 1 night Stone Garden Hotel, Oklahoma City
• 1 night Ambassador Hotel, Amarillo
• 1 night Inn of the Govenors, Santa Fe
• 1 night Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, Williams
• 1 night Maswick Lodge, Grand Canyon
• 2 nights Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas
• 2 nights Holiday Inn, Santa Monica

Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be substituted. This will be advised at the time of booking.