Advertiser content for
Route 66 has been the place to get your kicks for almost 100 years, and this legendary stretch of America still has so much to entice adventurous travellers, writes David Whitley
Although Route 66 connects two of America’s great cities – Chicago and Los Angeles – it doesn’t actually feature many big cities along the way. The cities it does pass through – the likes of Tulsa, Amarillo and Albuquerque – tend to be immortalised in the Great American Songbook rather than the guide books.
The real joy of Route 66 comes in the small-town quirks and the landscapes along the way that switch from forests and riverlands to great plains, vertiginous mountain passesand parched deserts.
Sightseeing on Route 66 is often about such sights as Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, where cars are buried nose-first in the ground and given multi-colour paint jobs. Or the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, a huge cartoon-like waterfront structure built by Hugh Davis in the early 1970s as an anniversary gift for his wife Zelta.
The year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66’s creation, and in that century it has become a cultural touchstone. Bobby Troup’s much-loved song (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 has been covered by dozens of artists, including Nat King Cole, the Rolling Stones and Depeche Mode; the likes of Rain Man, Easy Rider and Cars have brought the Mother Road to the cinemas; Jack Kerouac’s On The Road is just one of many works of literature that wouldn’t exist without it.
For more inspiration and practical information to plan your American road trip, go to visittheusa.co.uk
For travellers lured in by that bombardment of cultural references, Route 66 symbolises the freedom of the open road. The reality – a loosely planned journey punctuated by Art Deco motels, neon-lit gas stations and absurdly big amateur sculptures – isn’t too far from that mental image.
To get the best out of the Route 66 drive, however, it’s best to stick to a few rules. The first is to not get too hung up on sticking to the exact route, as some of the real highlights are a short detour off-course.
From Springfield, Missouri, you can peel off into the Ozark Mountains, either for the hiking trails and state parks around the lakes or for the country music shows and amusement parks of Branson. From Santa Fe in New Mexico, it’s worth branching north into the mountains towards the remarkable historic pueblo village at Taos.
Detours along the Arizona stretch, meanwhile, can bring you to the Grand Canyon, the red rocks of Sedona, the engineering marvel that is the Hoover Dam and the bacchanalian bright light bonanza of Las Vegas over the Nevada border. In California, too, there’s a very persuasive argument for cutting across via Joshua Tree National Park and Big Bear Lake.
The real joy of Route 66 is the
small-town quirks and landscapes
you'll see along the way
The second rule is to identify which stops on your grand adventure are worth more than one night. St Louis, Oklahoma City and Albuquerque, for example, have the sort of museums, bar scenes and urban attractions that can justify a multi-day city break within the trip.
Springfield in Illinois has several sites related to Abraham Lincoln, and Flagstaff in Arizona has a delightful downtown area and provides easy access to the surrounding mountains. That said, if you only plan on picking just one stop for an extended stay, Santa Fe in New Mexico has the magic mix of beautiful surroundings, rich history, highly distinctive adobe architecture and a phenomenal arts scene.
Rule three is to accept that Route 66 isn’t really about overnight accommodation or sumptuous on-trend dining. There are some cool places to stay – the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, being an excellent example. But most of the time, it’s about resting your head for the night in a perfectly adequate chain motel then moving on the next morning.
Similarly, with food, you can track down a few excellent restaurants in the cities, but refuelling with burgers and ribs in nostalgic diners is more in the spirit of proceedings.
And it’s that essence that makes Route 66 the world’s most famous road trip. The route may not technically exist any more, but it has such a mighty lore around it that, for many visitors, it still embodies the American Dream.
Select a road trip to discover more below
Technically, Route 66 no longer exists – not in full, anyway. The US-66 was originally established in 1926, stretching for 2,448 miles, but since then, section after section has been superseded by more modern highways and the interstates.
The route John Steinbeck dubbed ‘the Mother Road’ in The Grapes of Wrath is now a somewhat higgledy-piggledy collection of separate roads, some of which have been shifted and bypassed over time. Fortunately, most of them are marked with historic Route 66 signs to help maintain the history and tourist trade.
Whatever you want from your stateside drive, whether it's a brief trip or a two-week odyssey, there's an adventure with your name on it
There are many reasons why the United States is such a brilliant place for road trips, but the primary one is variety. This variety lures travellers back for more, whether short, looping add-ons to a city break, scenic coastal journeys or epic inland odysseys through deserts, mountains and valleys teeming with wildlife. These four road trips show off that variety and should have you hankering to get behind the wheel.
Stretching from close to the Mexican border to Canada, US Highway 395 takes in stretches of the Pacific states that many travellers overlook.
It quickly enters the Mojave Desert, with Death Valley to the east and the Sierra Nevada to the west; Lone Pine offers a twisting road up to Mount Whitney.
Further north in California, US-395 comes to the ski town Mammoth Lakes, the cathedral-like towers of Mono Lake and the route into Yosemite National Park.
Next, Nevada. It skirts east of Lake Tahoe and – on the Nevada side – casino resorts. Many will stop the road trip in Reno; instead journey north to the Modoc Plateau's volcanic landscape.
Solitude reigns in Oregon, but those who travel though the Silvies Valley Ranch will find luxury and golf. The Washington stretch of US-395 enters wine country, and Kennewick makes a fine base before heading towards Spokane, with its waterfalls running through the city centre.
The highway of the forgotten west
Where? Los Angeles, California to Laurier, Washington
How long? Two weeks, 1,330 miles.
1/7
Where? From Salt Lake City, Utah, to Glacier National Park, Montana.
How long? Seven days, 794 miles
2/7
The national parks adventure
The wildlife fix starts on Antelope Island in the middle of Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Bighorn sheep graze, pronghorn antelope dart and lumbering herds of bison cross the road in front of your car.
Head north into Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park, where moose hang out by the Snake River and rafting trips tackle the rapids. In a change of pace, the ski town of Jackson Hole offers a lively bar and restaurant scene.
Further north, Yellowstone National Park brings grand waterfalls, the Old Faithful geyser, the Grand Prismatic Spring and bear-spotting in the Lamar Valley.
Continuing into Montana, the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman shows off giant T-Rexes, before the road trip follows the Missouri River, then heads through pine-filled forests toward Flathead Lake, which provides camping, fishing, hiking and – for the brave – swimming.
More lakes await in the final stop, Glacier National Park, a spectacle of carved valleys, meadows and stunning peaks.
Where? Denver, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico
How long? Five to seven days, 607 miles
3/7
The mountain meander
Shortly after leaving Denver, US-285 snakes through the Rockies, with a series of mountain passes for you to gleefully tackle.
Two hours in you'll find Buena Vista, an old Wild West town that has given itself over to craft brewing and outdoor sports. River surfing in the Arkansas River awaits the bold.
Cut east towards Montrose, which tells the region’s backstory at the Museum of the Mountain West and Ute Indian Museum, then join US-550 here, which clings to the San Juan Mountains in spectacular fashion.
Ouray Hot Springs and Bear Creek Falls are fine stops on the way south to the old goldrush town Silverton and the hiking trail-surrounded Durango.
Heading south-east towards Santa Fe, highlights include the Puebloan remnants at Chimney Rock National Monument and the Georgia O’Keeffe House Museum; maybe take a side trip to Los Alamos to learn how the atomic bomb was developed.
Where? Loop from Boston, Massachusetts, to Acadia National Park Maine
How long? Three days, 275 miles
6/7
The heritage coast drive
Just to the north of Boston, Salem goes all-in for spooky museums and witch-trials tours, while over the New Hampshire border, Portsmouth oozes 18th-century charm and architecture. Steamship tours to Star Island from here combine pirates and birdwatching.
In Maine, admire the crashing waves at Kennebunkport’s Blowing Cave Park before moving on to the cobblestones, fresh-caught seafood restaurants and historic lighthouses of Portland.
In Bath, the Maine Maritime Museum tells of the state’s proud seafaring history, while Camden Hills State Park is one of several scenic camping spots as US Highway 1 makes its way past cute coves and atmospheric coastal lookouts.
But Bar Harbor near the Canadian border is the target. Whale-watching tours leave from here, and it’s the gateway to the clifftop hiking trails and kayaking channels of Acadia National Park.
You need to do your homework before your American adventure, but spontaneity is important too, writes Claire Dodd. Here’s how you can allow the road to lead you to new adventures or to dwell in your favourite spots
Pick the right route
America has 184 national scenic byways and nearly 1,300 state-designated scenic byways, chosen for their beauty, cultural or historic significance. So whether you want mountains, deserts or the coast, choose what best suits you.
Pace yourself
Some roads can be driven without any stops, and you may wish to incorporate them as part of a larger trip. If the journey is your destination, allow enough time to explore. From hiking to days sat by the lake, there are many ways to get a close-up view of the stunning scenery, rather than just pass through it. Get out there.
Do your research
From checking the weather to finding the best places to eat, read up before you head out. Many businesses are seasonal, so be sure to avoid times of the year when the weather is too hot or cold, and allow for road closures.
Where to stay
Planning where to stay is part of the fun, so match your accommodation to your adventure. From treehouses in the forest, yurts or airstreams in the desert to kitsch motels and ranches, the choice is as endless as the road.
Come prepared
Some of the most beautiful routes are remote, so stock up on water, food and other essential supplies, including a camping kit and weatherproof gear. Keep a hard copy of your route to hand as you may lose phone signal in some areas.
Produced by Telegraph Media Group
Writer: David Whitley and Claire Dodd | Project manager: Fanni Szentivanyi
Commissioning editor: Rachel Truman | Sub-editor: Tim Cumming and Neil Queen-Jones
Designer: Jonathan Clayton-Jones | Pictures: Shin Miura | Web editor: Caroline Stacey
Photography: Getty | Illustration: Barry Falls at Heart Agency
An overnight stay in the bohemian Santa Fe in New Mexico, below, reveals the heart of the Americana experience
Santa Monica Pier signals the final destination
on the westbound journey along Route 66
Swap the open road for open skies in the Ozark Mountain forest, above; one of the more unusual sights: the quirky Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, below
When it comes to taking to the open road, heading out into the great unknown and allowing everyday life to pass into the rearview mirror, the United States seems to have cornered the market.
There are a number of classic routes to be found there: Highway 1, the Overseas Highway and the Great River Road, all of which are instantly recognisable and evocative – but none of them are as legendary as Route 66.
Stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 is more than 2,000 miles of archetypal Americana. It links eight states, three time zones and embodies the historic expansion of American pioneers across the vast landscapes of the West. It’s a drive that’s sometimes epic, sometimes kitsch, often highly familiar, but always surprising.
The Gateway Arch in St Louis, above, is one of the many landmarks along Route 66; taking a detour will allow you to discover the Joshua trees in the Mojave Desert, left
The rise of drive-through culture, roadside adverts and fast-food restaurants can all be traced back to the influence of Route 66. These were all triggered by the need to cater to drivers who spent long periods of time behind the wheel.
Although no one has been able to officially travel on Route 66
since it was decommissioned in 1985, work is underway to build a cycle path along the entire length of the original route.
In a creative bid to tackle speeding on a stretch of Route 66 near Tijeras, New Mexico, road markers known as rumble strips were laid in 2014 that were specifically spaced out to recreate the song America the Beautiful when driven over at 45 mph.
Robert Troup’s song about the Mother Road, written in 1946, is a pop culture staple: John Mayer’s version for the Pixar film Cars – which had Route 66 as its working title – was nominated for a Grammy in 2007. Billy Bragg recorded a version of it in 1985 called A13 (Trunk Road to the Sea), swapping out the US landmarks for Essex towns.
Did you know?
The ultimate guide to planning your
US road trip
The ultimate guide to
planning your US road trip
The quirky Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
Back to map
Back to map
Back to map
Back to map
Where? From Charlotte, North Carolina, to Nashville, Tennessee
How long? Five days, 422 miles
5/7
The country crossing
You don’t have to go far west of Charlotte to find the Appalachian Mountains. Consider Flat Rock a taster, with hikes to Little Bradley Falls and Big Bradley Falls.
Make an overnight stop at the charming Asheville. This craft brewing hub features a wealth of galleries and the undeniably grand Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in the US.
Move on to mountain town Gatlinburg – gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – via the dramatically scenic Foothills Parkway. Stop off at Hartford, Tennessee for rafting trips on the Pigeon River.
Gatlinburg brings hiking and jeep tours into the national park, plus guided visits to local wineries and moonshine distillers. Pigeon Forge is amiably hokey, full of country music shows, and plays host to Dollywood – Dolly Parton’s theme park. In Knoxville, you can ogle the giant Sunsphere before continuing west to country music capital Nashville. Mount Roosevelt Scenic Overlook makes for a fantastic photo opportunity.
Where? From Jacksonville to Key West, Florida
How long? Ten days, 510 miles
7/7
Sunshine coast beach escape
The journey down Florida’s east coast begins in Amelia Island.
Then comes St Augustine, the oldest city in the US and home to Juan Ponce de Leon’s fabled Fountain of Youth. Daytona Beach delivers a lively city experience before the coastal towns take on a quieter vibe.
Cocoa Beach brings aquatic adventures among the dolphins and is a springboard to Cape Canaveral, where you'll find the Kennedy Space Center. Further south, Juno Beach has nesting loggerhead turtles; West Palm Beach specialises in showy shopping and art museums; Fort Lauderdale is all about beaches.
The big draw is Miami, where South Beach's glamour meets the cultural treat of Little Havana and the gardens of Coral Gables.
A trip to the Everglades leads to the most memorable section: the Overseas Highway along the Florida Keys. John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park off Key Largo offers snorkelling, while Islamorada has a quirky art scene. Stop in Marathon, then end with a toast in Key West's rum bars.
Where? Loop from Austin, Texas
How long? Three days, 310 miles
4/7
The hill country circle
The Hill Country to the south-west of Austin is cooler and more crumpled than most of Texas, with caves and wineries the primary attractions. The pools around the limestone slabs of Pedernales Falls State Park make for a great first stop.
The Longhorn Cavern State Park, which provides adventurous wild cave tours and gemstone mining, and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area can also be visited on the way to overnight stop Fredericksburg.
Several cottages and cabins offer charming accommodation here, multiple wineries pour tasting measures nearby and the National Museum of the Pacific War serves up a history lesson.
There’s another dose of heritage at the Alamo in San Antonio, site of a legend-shrouded, Texan identity-forming siege. But you can stop at the Natural Bridge Caverns for lavish cave decorations, a maze and a ropes course on the way.
Where? From Charlotte, North Carolina
to Nashville, Tennessee
How long? Five days, 422 miles
The country crossing
You don’t have to go far west of Charlotte to find the Appalachian Mountains. Consider Flat Rock a taster, with hikes to Little Bradley Falls and Big Bradley Falls.
Make an overnight stop at the charming Asheville. This craft brewing hub features a wealth of galleries and the undeniably grand Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in the US.
Move on to mountain town Gatlinburg – gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – via the dramatically scenic Foothills Parkway. Stop off at Hartford, Tennessee for rafting trips on the Pigeon River.
Gatlinburg brings hiking and jeep tours into the national park, plus guided visits to local wineries and moonshine distillers. Pigeon Forge is amiably hokey, full of country music shows, and plays host to Dollywood – Dolly Parton’s theme park.
In Knoxville, you can ogle the giant Sunsphere before continuing west to country music capital Nashville. Mount Roosevelt Scenic Overlook makes for a fantastic photo opportunity.
Back to map
Where? From Boston, Massachusetts, to Acadia National Park Maine
How long? Three days, 275 miles
The heritage coast drive
Just to the north of Boston, Salem goes all-in for spooky museums and witch-trials tours, while over the New Hampshire border, Portsmouth oozes 18th-century charm and architecture. Steamship tours to Star Island from here combine pirates and birdwatching.
In Maine, admire the crashing waves at Kennebunkport’s Blowing Cave Park before moving on to the cobblestones, fresh-caught seafood restaurants and historic lighthouses of Portland.
In Bath, the Maine Maritime Museum tells of the state’s proud seafaring history, while Camden Hills State Park is one of several scenic camping spots as US Highway 1 makes its way past cute coves and atmospheric coastal lookouts.
But Bar Harbor near the Canadian border is the target. Whale-watching tours leave from here, and it’s the gateway to the clifftop hiking trails and kayaking channels of Acadia National Park.
Back to map
Where? From Jacksonville to Key West, Florida
How long? Ten days, 510 miles
Sunshine coast beach escape
The journey down Florida’s east coast begins in Amelia Island.
Then comes St Augustine, the oldest city in the US and home to Juan Ponce de Leon’s fabled Fountain of Youth. Daytona Beach delivers a lively city experience before the coastal towns take on a quieter vibe. Cocoa Beach brings aquatic adventures among the dolphins and is a springboard to Cape Canaveral, where you'll find the Kennedy Space Center.
Further south, Juno Beach has nesting loggerhead turtles; West Palm Beach specialises in showy shopping and art museums; Fort Lauderdale is all about beaches.
The big draw is Miami, where South Beach's glamour meets the cultural treat of Little Havana and the gardens of Coral Gables.
A trip to the Everglades leads to the most memorable section: the Overseas Highway along the Florida Keys. John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park off Key Largo offers snorkelling, while Islamorada has a quirky art scene. Stop in Marathon, then end with a toast in Key West's rum bars.
Back to map
Swap the open road for open skies in the Ozark Mountain forest
