Route 66

Introduction

From Chicago to LA, get your kicks on Route 66. This is only an example of the sort of fly drive itinerary you can take across America, it is personal preference and Medway Travel can tailor make any fly drive holiday to your specifications.

Follow the "Mother Road" through America's heartland on this famous westerly migration to the Pacific shores of Santa Monica. There's something to discover at every intersection.

Images courtesy of Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, and Visit Las Vegas UK

Overview

Day 1 - Chicago
Welcome to the United States and the ''Windy City''! Collect your car on arrival in Chicago and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Holiday Inn City Center (Palmer House Hilton).

Day 2 Chicago to Springfield, Illinois (199 miles)
Take the morning to explore the "Windy City" before you begin you historical drive. Route 66 begins at the corner of Michigan and Adams Avenue and from there you head west into America's Heartland. Overnight in Springfield, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Overnight at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Crowne Plaza).

Day 3 Springfield to St Louis, Missouri (101 miles)
Arrive in St. Louis, Missouri, located on the banks of the Mississippi and best known for its graceful stainless steel “Gateway Arch”. Tour the home of the world’s largest brewery at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Take in the sights, or perhaps a river cruise on a paddlewheel riverboat on the mighty Mississippi River. Overnight at the Holiday Inn Select (Adams Mark Hotel).

Day 4 - St. Louis - Springfield, Missouri (215 miles)
Today continue through Missouri, the land of Mark Twain. You'll find Meramec Caverns, the most promoted attraction on Route 66. It claims to be the site of sensational finds from archeological artefacts to the hideout of the notorious outlaw Jesse James. You'll stay overnight in the ''City of the Ozarks'', Springfield, the 3rd largest city in Missouri. Overnight at the Lamplighter (Clarion Hotel)

Day 5 - Springfield - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (280 miles)
Not long after leaving Springfield, enter the Victorian town of Carthage. Before entering Oklahoma, drive a short stretch of old Route 66 through the northeast corner of Kansas. At the end of the day arrive in Oklahoma City, the state Capital. Overnight at the Las Quinta Inn (Best Western Tradeweinds)

Day 6 - Oklahoma City - Amarillo, Texas (258 miles)
Today, you'll experience the true ''Main Street America'', small towns, small Route 66 and a feel for what life used to be when Route 66 was the Mother Road of America. In El Reno, look for the Big 8 motel, where a scene from the Movie ''Rain Man'' with Dustin Hoffmann and Tom Cruise was filmed. Stay in Amarillo, Texas. Overnight at the Comfort Inn East (Holiday Inn).

Day 7 - Amarillo - Las Vegas, New Mexico (237 miles)
It won't take long before you'll enter the state of New Mexico, also called the Land of Enchantment and home of the Pueblo Indians. You'll overnight in the other Las Vegas which was once the largest city in New Mexico but is today a sleepy town of charm and many historic buildings dating back to its founding in 1876. Overnight at the Super 8 Hotel (Historic Plaza Inn).

Day 8 - Las Vegas - Santa Fe - Albuquerque, New Mexico (131 miles)
Today's first destination is the ''city different'', the state capital of Santa Fe. The second oldest city in America is best known for art and the unique South western Pueblo architecture dominating the city landscape. Continue to Albuquerque, the city of the Rio Grande and New Mexico's ''Big City''. Overnight at the Holiday Inn Mountain View (Radisson Hotel)

Day 9 - Albuquerque - Acoma Pueblo - Holbrook, Arizona (237 miles)
On departure leave Route 66 for a short side trip to the ancient ''Sky City'' of Acoma Pueblo (separate admission). Located atop a mesa this Pueblo is the oldest continually inhabited city in North America dating back to 1250. there are still about 50 inhabitants living here. Enter Arizona and visit Petrified Forest National Park (separate admission). Stay overnight in Holbrook. Overnight at the Best Western Adobe Inn (Bewst Western Adobe Inn)

Day 10 - Holbrook - Grand Canyon, Arizona (198 miles)
Route 66 will lead you through the town of Flagstaff. Take another detour north to one of the World's greatest Natural Wonders, the Grand Canyon - a place of tremendous beauty and grandeur. There is time to go for a walk, visit numerous viewpoints and just take in the magnificent scenery. Overnight at the Quality Inn Grand Canyon (Maswick Lodge).

Day 11 - Grand Canyon - Las Vegas, Nevada (297 miles)
Depart the Grand Canyon and again return to old Route 66. Take the turn off a From fantastic works of nature to the fantastic works of man - welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada, the city that never sleeps. Overnight at the Best Western Mardi Gra or Quality Inn key Largo Inn (Luxor Hotel).

Day 12 - Las Vegas
Today is your chance to ''do the town'' or cruise the sites. Try your luck at the casinos, relax at the swimming pool or take a trip to Red Rock Canyon, famous Death Valley National Park or Valley of Fire State Park. Overnight at the Best Western Mardi Gra or Quality Inn key Largo Inn (Luxor Hotel).

Day 13 - Las Vegas to Los Angeles (286 miles)
The Route will lead you through the Mojave Desert. If you have time, you can turn off the highway shortly before Barstow and drive into the Mojave desert for a few miles to see Calico ghost town and its old silver mine. Cross the San Bernardino Mountains and Welcome to Los Angeles, the Dream factory, home to sunshine, palm trees, big cars and beautiful people. Route 66 becomes Santa Monica Boulevard and goes through Hollywood and Beverly Hills until it suddenly ends at the Santa Monica Boardwalk and the Pacific Ocean. Your tour ends on arrival in Los Angeles with the return of your car to the airport rental office.

Day 14 - Los Angeles / Santa Monica
Return your car to Los Angeles Airport where sadly your tour ends.

Destination Information

 

Visas and Passports

The US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days. The types of journeys that are permissible under the VWP include general travel/tourism, certain types of business and when transiting to another country.

The US requires all those travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to provide details online at least 72 hours prior to travel. This is known as an Electronic Travel System Authorisation or ESTA. This is mandatory.  If you do not have an ESTA you will be refused travel to the USA.  For more information, and to apply online, please visit the ESTA website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. ESTA is valid for a period of two years, or the validity of the traveller's passport (whichever is shorter)

To visit the USA, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA.

 

Health

For up-to-date health advice for the United States, please consult your GP.

 

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions from the policy, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake whilst on holiday. Medway Travel can provide you with a quote for this – please contact a member of the Leisure team for further details.