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Road trip USA - Route 66


route-66-santa-monica-pier-end-of-the-trail-california
View the full itinerary as a list

Recommended duration

3 weeks

Kilometres

Ca 3600

Number of states

7

Included in the price

Flights, car rental, surf camp

Book this itinerary
It was finished in 1926 and named Route 66. Nearly 4000 km stretched from Grant Park in Chicago to Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles through three time zones and eight states - Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The writer John Steinbeck named it 'The Mother Road' and Route 66 has always been synonymous with being on the move - towards a dream or fleeing from lost opportunities and broken promises. Route 66 has everything that the U.S. is known for. You'll find cities that never sleep, prairies as far as the eye goes and small burger joints with homemade burgers so big that there should be plenty of cold Cokes to help them get going. Not to mention the incredible nature beauty of route 66.

What is road trippin’ the KILROY Way?

Well, we always encourage our travelers to be curious. To open up, and to embrace the unexpected. Stop where you can, go down the narrow side street and don’t get stuck in the camper. Don’t just drive for the sake of driving. Approach new people. Approach new ways of doing things. Explore and be open to changes – that’s where the magic happens. 

*Price is a from-price per person and based on 2 people over 25 traveling together. Reach out to us if you're a little younger than that - it's not a problem!

What's included?
  • Flights to Chicago
  • 2 nights accommodation in Chicago
  • Car rental for 21 days (Hertz FCAR model)
  • Surf camp in Dana Point
  • 3 nights accommodation in LA
  • Flights home from LA
  • Booking fees
  • Your own travel specialist
What's not included?
  • Travel insurance (but we can help you with that!)
  • Vaccinations
  • Meals
  • Optional activities / add ons

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Road trip suggestion Route 66

Home - Chicago - Springfield - Kansas City - St Louis - Joplin - Oklahoma City - Amarillo - Santa Fe - Gallup - Grand Canyon - Las Vegas - Los Angeles - Home

Route 66 officially starts in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles, but you can also flip the route around and go from LA to Chicago instead. This way the trip also becomes significantly cheaper, as you can avoid the one-way fee that is added to your car rental when ending the trip in LA.

Chicago, Illinois

Route 66 starts in Chicago. If you are visiting Chicago, you should not miss a basketball game with the Chicago Bulls. Also, remember to visit one of the city's many retro blues bars before packing the rental car and starting your road trip on "The Mother Road".

Kansas City, Missouri

Next we recommend that you take a little detour and stop by Kansas City! Visit the iconic Power and Light district and experience everything this place has to offer: bars, live music, food and shops. You could also take yourself to watch either American football or baseball while you're here! It's easy to get tickets and you're guaranteed a great show and atmosphere.

Springfield, Illinois

Springfield is your first iconic Route 66 stop on the route. The city is Abraham Lincoln's hometown and you can get a sneak peek into his first home "Lincoln Home National Historic Site". Springfield is also the birthplace of the American corn dogs and drive-thru restaurants!

St. Louis, Missouri

At this stop in the city of St. Louis, remember to visit the tasteful ice cream shop called Ted Drewes! You should also take a walk along the Mississippi River, and take a selfie in front of the huge Gateway Arch.

Joplin, Missouri

An old mining town Joplin is the next stop on the route. Remember to visit the Old Town and the Route 66 Carousel Park!

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

In Oklahoma you will definitely meet some other Route 66 enthusiasts from around the world. Make a stop at Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum! Make sure to also check out Bricktown, a picturesque district with old warehouses now operating as restaurants, bars and shops.

Amarillo, Texas

Howdy y'all! Everything is bigger in America and that goes for Texas too. Test your stomach at the Big Texan Steak Ranch – if you can eat a 2 kg steak in less than an hour, you get it for free. If you want an authentic cowboy experience, go to the Amarillo Livestock Auction where you can meet real cowboys.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

On the journey from Amarillo you will pass the strange attraction ‘Cadillac Ranch’ where 10 classic Cadillacs are half-buried in the ground. The trip then goes to the historic city of Santa Fe, one of the oldest cities in the United States. Remember to take time to relax in one of New Mexico's many hot springs.

Gallup, New Mexico

It's time to learn about the Native American culture and history! One third of the inhabitants of Gallup are of Indian descent. Local Indian guides can show you around in the beautiful ruins of "Sky City" in Acoma native American Reservation.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

With its stunning and unique landscape, Grand Canyon is a true natural wonder. The surroundings are beautiful, and the place also contains an exciting cultural history. It is definitely worth driving the distance from Flagstaff to get here!

Las Vegas, Nevada

Before ending your road trip in LA, we recommend that you make a stop in Las Vegas. You should aim to arrive when it's already dark outside, so that you get to experience the whole spectacle of the neon lights while driving down the I-15.

After exploring the city itself, you could also drive to see the Hoover Dam about 40 minutes from Las Vegas. This place is a magnificent combination of nature, history and physics!

Los Angeles & Dana Point, California

Finish your road trip with celebrity spotting in Hollywood, a visit at Universal Studios and Six Flags Magic Mountain, and some well-deserved relaxation on the beach in Santa Monica.

We've also included a 7-day surf camp in Dana Point in this itinerary, where you can practice mastering the waves while getting to know other backpackers from around the world. Not a bad way to end your epic US adventure!

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