Route 66 Road Trip: Everything To Do & See

We did it! - Route 66 from Chicago to LA.
28 Days. 4 Adults, 1 dog, 1 cat, all in a Winnebago.
This video documents our trip along the Mother Road in the Fall of 2021 and shares some info & history that I hope you'll find entertaining and helpful if you're planning a Route 66 trip yourself.
Check out visiting66.com for more Route 66 fun & info!
-Tours of Iconic Route 66 stops and attractions,
-Interviews with folks who are quintessential Route 66,
-A Free Google Map with 100's of things to Do & See on Route 66! (This map was easily the most useful resource for our Route 66 road trip!)
- Chapters -
00:00 Intro
00:43 Illinois
15:07 Missouri
23:16 Kansas
25:36 Oklahoma
37:02 Texas
43:11 New Mexico
52:24 Arizona
01:00:08 California
01:06:34 Outro
My Top Route 66 Resources: These 3 books were absolutely critical for our trip and I highly recommended them! (affiliate links)
-Route 66 Road Trip Travel Guide: amzn.to/3cIYpdU
-Route 66: EZ66 GUIDE For Travelers: amzn.to/3FKYNFd
-Route 66 Adventure Handbook: amzn.to/3E0UgOx
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Join me, Travis DeRose, as I interview guests like the Inventor of the Waterbed, a Star Wars visual Effects artist, the Apollo 13 flight controller, & even a woman who taught her dog to talk, just to name a few.
Plus, I visit and tour a ton of places like the World's Oldest McDonald's, California's 1st Coffee Farm, & Forrest Gump Point.
It's a lot but if you're curious about our world, you'll love it & I encourage you to subscribe!
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[@scotty1004]

I'm sitting in my living room in dull miserable England watching this as I'm eating my tea, I hope 1 day I get to do a road trip around some parts of the USA , that is my dream

[@valleryscott8376]

eating your tea?

[@scotty1004]

@@valleryscott8376 yeah, in England when you eat a meal at around 6pm we call it our tea

[@robson2939]

England has some beautiful rural areas too

[@scotty1004]

@@robson2939 yeah it does for sure , but not here in the Midlands where I live!

[@Tomo-hb2tq]

I’m planning to go to Texas next year

[@grazianodicapua7380]

One of the best videos about the Route66! It should be watched by everyone who is planning this trip.

[@myleswelnetz6700]

The final boss of American road trips.

[@erichhitchcock3368]

I was living in Boston in 1990. So one day I ventured over to E.U. Wurlitzer Music Store (sadly, long gone), which was right next door to Berklee College of Music. I had with me my main guitar, a homemade hybrid; I had put it together in high school; it's appearance is very eye-catching, being a lilac/sea-foam green fingerprint-like pattern. I'm with salesman Dave Waters, trying out a rack mount effects device, when a large man comes up to me and asks, "What in the hell do you call that thing?" Standing before me was Matt "Guitar" Murphy, from the Blues Brother's Band, wearing a leather jacket bearing the word "Guitar" over the left breast. He tried out the guitar, and the three of us traded off on our chops with it. What a great day! RIP Matt.

[@vernongrant3596]

Hello from Australia. My sister and brother-in-law have just got back from a 3-week car trip along Route 66. So it has been front of mind for me. Your documentary of your travels was amazing. Simple, well put together and informative. Most made for television documentaries are over produced and boring. Thank you very much for all your good work.

[@travisderose]

That’s awesome! Thanks for the kind words

[@kiwidubz]

God loves you. If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It's the greatest free gift you could ever possibly receive 🙏

[@americacrosscountrycruiser9763]

The best video I've seen of the Mother Road. Driven it myself many, many times since 1972 and you really did hit most of the best parts.

[@patrickninocn2205]

Great job! It’s crazy that Route 66 has takin on a whole new identity. Seemed kinda sad how places just blew away in the dust but now there seems to be a whole lot of restoration of sites!

[@travisderose]

Yeah it is nice to see that there’s appreciation for these old sites

[@adamhornik8730]

@@travisderose

[@moonoggin]

What a pleasure to see a family looking out the windows on a trip instead of looking at little screens in the palm of your hand. Great video.

[@SophieLovesSunsets]

This video is one of the best I've seen on Route 66. Thank you so much for all the information. My friend and I are heading on this trip for a few weeks tomorrow and it's great to have info on all the spots we'll be visiting. Also, it's nice to know you coped well with taking pets on the road trip. My friend is bringing his dog along lol. 😊

[@erichbeck9302]

Well, that was really enjoyable. A trip down America's memory lane. Very well done. It took me way over double the time to go through the video, as I had to stop often, and go back and then freeze frame.... just so much to look at and enjoy. It's all kind of kitschy and often a bit sad and dilapidated but that's half of the joy too. It really is still part of the old times when mom-&-pop businesses were the heart of America, which is very sadly something that's going too. Simpler times, with simpler pleasures, and clearly very family and community oriented. Thanks so much for making it and sharing it.

[@travisderose]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@33Donner77]

Great video for anyone planning a Route 66 trip through one state or the whole route.

[@nanamintown]

When I started teaching, I moved from the St. Louis area to a place about 30 minutes south of Joplin. I’ve driven that stretch so many times it’s crazy. Personally I’d stop at Redmond’s Candy Factory. Uranus Missouri is quirky, but Redmond’s has so many great sweets and snacks. It’s the one thing I miss not living out there anymore. Springfield also has a lot of cool things. The Aquarium is pretty great and the bass pro shop connected to it is very cool. Springfield is a big city compared to everything around it and the Battlefield Mall has a lot to offer shopping wise. There’s also a huge Asian Market with lots of fresh produce, meats, and imported ingredients. My main warning about Springfield is to be on your toes while driving. I’ve driven in cities all around the US at this point, and I have yet to meet as many awful drivers as drivers from Springfield Missouri.

[@williamhild1793]

I have always wanted to travel Route 66, but I'm too old to do so, so thank you for letting me "tag along" on your trip. A very fun travelogue.

[@williamboorn2097]

never2

[@paineys3341]

never to old, I rode it on my Harley 2-up aged 58 and now 69 and want to do it again...on my Harley

[@Paula-mv8im]

Yep...you're never too old! 🙂 My grandparents were still driving around the country in their RV when they were in their 80's.

[@ccchan9214]

Just drove the AZ portion of the Rt 66 few days ago and visited many of the towns and ghost towns along the way. Truely a pleasures to drive this!

[@Bethieaw]

Thank you for putting this together. You were one of the first videos I encountered when going down the rabbit hole of Route 66 research. I took a lot of notes, thanks for pointing out some things others didn't mention! You are helping us so much for Fall 2023 on The Mother Road. Your parents are very good participants. One thing I learned about this road trip, bring your own fun, and you did!

[@calvarycustoms6681]

I’m also hoping to tour 66 this Fall. The plan had been Spring, but I just couldn’t get everything together before it was June, and by then it was already getting too hot to be cruising through the Southwest. Best wishes to you in your adventure! Are you doing Eastbound or Westbound?

[@Bethieaw]

@@calvarycustoms6681 Eastbound

[@Paula-mv8im]

I plan to take a Route 66 trip probably next year with my cousin. I'd go with my brother but he'd probably want to drive straight through and not stop anywhere....lol. I hope you had a great trip!

[@tw364]

Route 66 Magazine in the 90's consulted with Pixar on the Cars movie. It was totally based on 66. As far as shock that 66 was so busy, you have to understand it was the major East-West toue in the US. But it was also main street in hundred of towns and cities along the route. Unlike the I 40 which is faceless and unmemorable. Good job.

[@kevinbayers5320]

I just came across your road trip which just looks so awesome. I am obsessed with Route 66 and I hope to drive it someday. You look like you had a fantastic time

[@billwilson3609]

My friends and I used to travel on the old US highways during the 70's on our motorcycles since the small towns still had the funky motor courts and diners with a bar next door along with auto parts stores and K-Marts. Got to see more scenery and local color by stopping at the rural auto wrecking yards and junky resale shops. The furthest I've traveled on Rt. 66 was in Chicago when going to eat at McCorkle's on Adams.

[@richards_ramblings]

Nice work. Good to see all the places I've seen over a lifetime. Reminded me how much history I carry with me in my head. I mostly traveled Missouri to LA. And, back again. Sometimes in a car, sometimes on a Blue Bird bus (1965 Tulsa to Springfield). Once hitch hiked. Sometimes on Route 66 and sometimes on other highways. My wife and I may do the entire route next year.

[@citizensallianceofaustrali697]

Just on the pedestrian tunnels. I live in a town in Australia called Goulburn, and our main street used to be the main highway between Sydney and Canberra and Melbourne, and our main street was a night mare to both drive and cross due to the huge amount of traffic, so I can understand the need for these tunnels. Now that the main highway includes a bypass around Goulburn our main street is just like any other non metropolitan town. And this is one of the best and most informative videos I have seen.

[@Hoppysjunkyardrally]

This is by far the best Route 66 video i have watched.. now i have to go take another trip to see all the stuff i missed on the first 2!! thank you!!

[@heidzsoder199]

Absolutely brilliant! I'm in the UK too and it's cheered my day up thanks 😊

[@myleswelnetz6700]

I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The farthest I’ve driven down Route 66 was from Chicago, Illinois to Joplin, Missouri, but I have a dream to drive all the way down and back.

[@motorcycleamerica_6952]

Excellent video!! Very well done, indeed. I've been on Rt 66 from Joplin, MO to Santa Rosa, NM and your travels brought back a lot of memories and rekindled the desire to go back and continue where I left off. Again, great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@saucyone7889]

Young man, thank you for the ride along with your lovely family ❤, I soon hope to travel Route 66, but I’m really interested in old ghost downs, and the paranormal that supersedes that route, but I just want to say, I have learned more from your venture than any others, and let me tell you youngster, I have seen many good traveler’s adventures, but your is the TOP of my viewing, once again thank you and God bless you SIR❤️🌹🦋🙏🏽🕊️🇺🇸

[@travisderose]

That’s very nice of you to say, thank you

[@16mmAviationfilms]

Best Route 66 road trip video I've seen to date. And I've watched plenty of them. As someone who has actually lived on the old Route 66 alignment I really appreciate Route 66 travelogues done right. And yours certainly was.

[@travisderose]

Appreciate the kind words, thank you!

[@motormaster7501]

I'm glad to see that the Lauching Pad has re-opened. It was closed when I visited it a few years back.

[@Steve-lu8oj]

what a fantastic tour about route 66 unreal could watch it a thousand times.

[@romine2sew]

wow this brings back so many memerious at 70 i remember al these places wen i wa a kid was a better time

[@myleswelnetz6700]

0:55 It’s the third largest city in the United States, behind Los Angeles and New York City.

[@alexandrefuzer6379]

cara isso é um sonho. esses lugares não devem acabar nunca. tem que conservar isso eternamente.

[@larryloveless2967]

I really enjoyed your road trip and how you described your stops. I'm glad your car transmission trouble was fixed quickly. Our only road trip out West from St. Louis with my own family wife and kids the transmmsion on our new mini van went out in Moriarty, New Mexico close to Albuquerque in 1994 coming home. Had to get a rental in Albuquerque in drive back home to St. Louis. Flew back out the following weekend to drive home our fixed car. Fortunatelly all was under warranty and my airline ticket and all other inconvenience expenses were picked up and reimbursed. We were taking interstates 40 and 44 home and did see Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert / Petrified Forest on the return. Once rode the AMTRAK Southwest Chief old Santa Fe route train and in desert land in New Mexico the conductor pointed out that narrow road close to us was the old Route 66. That was neat but would not have wanted my car to break down there. Deserted. Thanks for sharing your journey on KZbin. Glad you enjoyed your Ted Drewes frozen custard.

[@GodssonQB]

Best route 66 video I’ve seen we did it twice from uk and the second time was in 2022 when there was record breaking snow so we had to stick to the main highway Chicago to St Louis took 15 hours driving on 3 inch sheet ice 🤯

[@brandonultsch3931]

I absolutely love the style you did this video. I’d love to see more stuff like this! Very well done.

[@travisderose]

Thank you!

[@alainvosselman9960]

Thank you for taking such an incredible amount of time to show us all these beautiful places and include some of their history by talking about it. I had seen a video about Route 66 years ago and it showed me how that route was closed down for a pretty long stretch. Most of the video showed ran down places collecting dust. This video shows like a rebirth of the place, looking very awesome. So much Americano ..lol. Hope to visit your country and route 66, in the near future. Got some family issues for now but after rain ... Thanks again !! Btw : You seem to have an excellent talent for presenting a video... truly remarkable !

[@travisderose]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it

[@GregSpringer-yb9rn]

Thanks for this video. I made this road trip from our home in Chicagoland in 1966 when I was 9 years old. We went all the way in a Volkswagen bug with no air conditioning (and didn't think much about it at the time.) Many of your stops brought back memories! I am starting to plan to do the trip again when I retire, possibly next spring? It will be quite nostalgic I think!

[@travisderose]

That’s Awesome! I’m sure it’ll be nostalgic, especially if you do it with no AC again haha

[@andreabro654]

Awesome video. I appreciate that you included some of the history and dates of these iconic stops on Route 66. You gave me a lot of points of interest to stop at. My wife and I start the route in 3 days. Can't wait. Thanks again.

[@travisderose]

Right on! Enjoy your trip

[@Zafarnama111]

How did your trip go?

[@paulmuaddib3470]

Me and my mate travelled from England to do it, we hired a convertible beetle had no acomadation booked it was freedom, we will never forget for the experience 🙂👍🇬🇧

[@travisderose]

That sounds awesome!

[@paulmuaddib3470]

@@travisderose 🙂👍

[@kxrv6629]

Thanks for taking us along to get 66 kicks. We just did 66 in Oct/Nov from Chicago to Barstow in 25 days. It is interesting to compare where you stopped (and was open) to us. Just goes to show that regardless of how many days you have you can’t see it all in one trip. For example we toured two caverns- Meramec and Fantastic Caverns on our way and would have done Grand Canyon caverns too, but the elevator was broken. Skipped the Santa Fe loop this time because we hit a cold snap with snow flurries. Also, one year we will make it to the Balloon Fiesta! Hope to finish our 3 days to the Pacific and back to Santa Fe in 2024 {66}

[@marilo2016]

Great video! I really enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing it!

[@littlebluepages]

Great video and narration. Thank you so much for making it. 🙏🏻

[@jelv.4142]

What an adventure

[@lizahermandez57]

Great video! Thank you for sharing.

[@earthandtime5817]

Thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Love the interspersed interviews. I often drive the section from Amarillo to Kingman. Enjoyed the info and learned new things about this stretch. Looking forward to watching more of your episodes.

[@travisderose]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@hammockstocoasters]

Super fun watch!

[@josephcallahan4168]

Great presentation! Nothing boring. Each spot is well described and concise, without lagging.

[@travisderose]

Thank you

[@richardbartolo2890]

I have watched quite a few of the Route 66 road trips, You folks made it a very pleasant educational & interesting one hour & 7 minutes.

[@travisderose]

That’s good to hear, thank you!

[@xochitl9161]

Completely enjoyed this !! Very thorough and and fun :)

[@MotorBoaterJake-kl9wl]

Excellent! Thanks for the entertainment

[@ag4allgood]

Loved the trip. Really good info for the stops along the way ! TY !

[@nfischer4044]

Thank you for the great video, we are planning to do road 66 next year spring, looking forward to use your tips 😊

[@everettoehlschlaeger8139]

OUTSTANDNG ! Thank You !!!

[@franciscosalamanca114]

Amazing travel. Thanks.

[@missjprays]

Definitely by far awesome

[@NomadDogAdventures]

You really lucked out not going into the meremac cavern! I went there in the late 90’s and it was amazing !! Also ThNk you for this video! So informative and fun 😊 I can’t wait to travel and see some of these places 😊

[@KenMoncaster]

What a great video of a route 66 road trip. I definitely got some inspiration from it for my upcoming 19 day trip in May.

[@albertaowusu1790]

He loved the food in Chicago!🥘🧆🥙🌭🥪🍝🍜

[@robertarnobit5357]

Loved ❤the tour and your narration. Great video 👍 thank you 😊

[@ascracer]

Fantastic video!!!

[@nickroshdieh]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@StarboyBoss]

You did an amazing job! Narrating this video its very inviting! Some day I'd love to do the same road trip. PS. ARIZONA IN THE HOUSE! :)

[@MrChikago]

Thank you - it was so well done... we have been on Route66 but not out that far - it really creates an appetite to go!!! God bless you

[@jaishima5826]

I am Jaya Simha I enjoyed watching route 66 and I think route 66 is the best in this world

[@tootalazaaz]

Great vlog. Brings back memories cruising down the old "66".

[@travisderose]

Thanks

[@davidwelty9763]

Super comprehensive and helpful.

[@user-uj5kn6co5q]

What a great travel log. I hope you do more trips.

[@mikebarber2054]

Absolutely Awwwwsome video. Looking forward to more 66 info from you. Brilliant. Thanks again.

[@travisderose]

Appreciate the kind words, thank you!

[@philipdignan9507]

This is one very awesome video travelogue. This is now on my bucket list.

[@bighhuddinni5640]

Nice. Loved it.👍

[@nicolinaedu-piscitellihald3822]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. We drove Route 66 more than 25 years ago and in a few weeks we are driving it again with our daughter (20) and our son (17) form Chicago to Adrian (we already did the second part a few years ago).

[@travisderose]

Awesome! That’ll be a great trip

[@edwardmiller6353]

Great video! Well done and thanks!

[@ash_and_ruth]

Amazing road trip. Thanks for this video, all the informations you shared will be definitely helpful if we ever consider doing the trip in the future.

[@bigoil7]

We did it on Harley's in May, just needed twice as much time, but... I'll do it again. Great job, really enjoyed your video!

[@garymoisan5899]

Tremendous!-I eat at giordano’s here in Las Vegas, where I spend half of my year. Been to Chicago, and saw the Route 66 beginning sign. I’m envious of your trip down what I think is America’s most famous highway. I’ve watched the video twice-You can spend an entire summer on 66-Nelson Riddle would be proud!

[@user-kd4nu8mx3p]

thank you video was fantastic

[@TulsaGirlForever]

What a great family trip down the ol' Rt 66!!! You def hit the major hot spots & spent a good amt of time at each one! Having done this a couple of times, I can add one for Santa Rosa, NM, along w/ the Blue hole. The Santa Rosa Route 66 Auto Museum is right on Rt 66, just look for the yellow hot rod on a tall pole outside! It's one of THE best car museums in the USA. Glad to share this video for those that can make this journey. 🚙

[@DarkpawTheWolf]

Thanks for this. What a great, informative video.

[@Bigfoot-px9gj]

Do you want to see everything on (what used to be) Route 66? Take a friend and go to Chicago, buy a couple of good road bicycles, some camping gear and quality bike trailers. Follow I-55 to St. Louis, Missouri, I-44 to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, I-40 to Barstow, California, I-15 to Rancho Cucamonga, California then I-10 to Santa Monica, California. That is roughly the original route of Route 66. It's approximately 2,200 miles, but it is so worth it. It's the trip of a lifetime, and you will never forget it. My Army buddy and I did it between spring of 1976 and the end of fall of 1978 on Schwinn Varsity bikes and we liked it so much when we go to Santa Monica we decided to go north on Route 101. So if you want to see it all, bicycle it... It's the perfect pace for a true sight seeing trip.

[@thobileshepherd3663]

Thank You

[@edmorse8654]

Great vlog ty

[@glenncanale9225]

Great video Thanks

[@Benjamin-ib4to]

Very cool, thank you so much

[@brendas1346]

I've started to plan another road trip for next year that includes driving on Route 66 from Albuquerque, New Mexico up to Springfield, Missouri. Your video was very enjoyable and informative. I can't wait to see everything!

[@travisderose]

Awesome! That’ll be fun

[@SweetandWays]

We are planning to make a road trip Route 66 next year and I just came across to your channel which is my so thankful to got so much informations about Route 66. Thank you so much! Greetings grom germany 🇩🇪

[@uncleconconz894]

This was really well put together . Congrats man , great video

[@GrannyC]

Thanks so much for the video. I know what to look for if and when I get to do Route 66

[@mikeo1567]

Absolutely the best Route 66 video I've seen.

[@travisderose]

Wow thank you!

[@sanujakumarage3156]

This video is gold ! Thanks for sharing the stops along the way . I am planing to do the trail this fall with my dad :)

[@Myrnateatro]

Gosh! Now I'm hungry 😂😂😂😂😂. Great trip!

[@histolee]

Detailed explanation. Cool video. It's touching

[@leighanne2982]

Great video! Really enjoyed it

[@oldguyBMX]

I was born and raised in Chicago deep in the city. I worked downtown as a tow truck driver for over 20 years. I cruised rout 66 all the way to Oklahoma and my uncle got sick we had to turn around! That was in 2008, he passed on a year later. I have never finished the trip but I hope to someday! Thanks for the ride. 👍

[@travisderose]

Thanks for sharing, hope you get to finish the trip someday!

[@redizit]

Great video man! Looks like you and your family had a lot of fun and got to see some pretty neat stuff along the way! Smiles all around!😁

[@disco07]

Thanks! Pretty kool!

[@osnat057]

You had fun!

[@nikola9703]

Wow what a great trip. Thanks for making this video! now I know where to go if I make that road trip across the route 66🚗

[@lynelljansen8057]

That was so much fun. I have been to quite a few of these different places, but never driven the complete road. I am hoping to do that next year. Hopefully gas prices will come down by then.

[@mishkin31]

Amazing video!!!!! Such a sweet person.

[@wardcook5887]

Thank you very much for this video. I really want to make the trip down the Mother Highway!

[@garyb2392]

So Awesome ! TY