Route 66: The Ultimate American RV Road Trip
Route 66 — the “Mother Road” — is the most iconic road trip in the world. From Chicago to Los Angeles, 2,400 miles of neon signs, roadside diners, ghost towns, desert landscapes, and pure Americana. And there’s no better way to experience it than in an RV.
This guide gives you a complete 14-day itinerary with daily routes, the best stops, campgrounds, and practical tips for driving Route 66 in a motorhome or campervan.
💡 Tip: Compare one-way RV rentals from Chicago to LA on CamperCompare — several companies offer discounted repositioning deals on this route.
14-Day Route 66 RV Itinerary
| Day | Route | Miles | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Chicago, IL | — | Route 66 Begin Sign, Millennium Park, deep-dish pizza |
| 3 | Chicago → Springfield, IL | 200 | Pontiac murals, Cozy Dog Drive In, Lincoln sites |
| 4 | Springfield → St. Louis, MO | 100 | Chain of Rocks Bridge, Gateway Arch, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard |
| 5 | St. Louis → Tulsa, OK | 400 | Meramec Caverns, Devil’s Elbow, Blue Whale of Catoosa |
| 6 | Tulsa → Oklahoma City, OK | 110 | Tulsa Art Deco, POPS Soda Ranch, Oklahoma City Bricktown |
| 7 | OKC → Amarillo, TX | 260 | Texas Panhandle, Cadillac Ranch, Big Texan Steak Ranch |
| 8 | Amarillo → Santa Fe, NM | 290 | Tucumcari, Blue Hole, Santa Fe Plaza, adobe architecture |
| 9 | Santa Fe → Albuquerque, NM | 65 | Old Town Albuquerque, Sandia Peak Tramway, Breaking Bad sites |
| 10 | Albuquerque → Petrified Forest, AZ | 260 | Painted Desert, Petrified Forest NP, Wigwam Motel |
| 11 | Petrified Forest → Flagstaff, AZ | 180 | Meteor Crater, Walnut Canyon, historic downtown Flagstaff |
| 12 | Grand Canyon Detour | 160 | Grand Canyon South Rim (80 miles north of Route 66) |
| 13 | Flagstaff → Needles → Barstow, CA | 340 | Seligman (birthplace of Cars), Oatman, Mojave Desert |
| 14 | Barstow → Santa Monica, CA | 150 | Route 66 End Sign at Santa Monica Pier! |
Total distance: ~2,400 miles (3,860 km)
Must-Stop Highlights
Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, TX)
Ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in a Texas field. Bring spray paint — graffiti is encouraged. Free, open 24/7, and delightfully weird.
Grand Canyon (Day Trip from Flagstaff)
The Grand Canyon is just 80 miles north of Route 66 at Flagstaff. The Trailer Village at Grand Canyon South Rim has full RV hookups ($56/night) — book months ahead on Recreation.gov.
Santa Fe & Albuquerque (New Mexico)
New Mexico is the most underrated section of Route 66. Santa Fe’s adobe architecture, art galleries, and green-chile cuisine are world-class. Albuquerque’s Old Town and the Sandia Peak Tramway (the longest in North America) are must-dos.
Seligman, AZ — The Town That Inspired “Cars”
This tiny Arizona town was the inspiration for Radiator Springs in Pixar’s “Cars.” Angel Delgadillo’s barbershop/visitor centre and the quirky Route 66 Gift Shop are pure Americana.
Route 66 RV Trip Costs
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| RV Rental (14 days) | $1,200 | $2,500 |
| One-Way Fee | $0–$300 | $300–$800 |
| Fuel (2,400 miles) | $600 | $800 |
| Campgrounds (14 nights) | $350 | $750 |
| Food & Dining | $500 | $900 |
| Attractions | $200 | $500 |
| Total per person | ~$2,850 | ~$5,250 |
💡 Tip: Compare one-way RV rental prices from Chicago to LA on CamperCompare — some companies offer free one-way on this popular repositioning route.
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