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Route 66 — a 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 8-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 8-day plan · 10-day plan · 13-day plan · best time to go.
8
days
3811 km
distance
44.8 h
driving
40
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Heavy transit: day 1 (6h10), day 2 (7h53), day 6 (6h05), day 8 (10h12) run over 6 hours on the road. Around 9 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Chicago → St. Louis
🌡 1.1–33.3°C · 🌧 ~19 rain days · ☀ 14.1h light
09:00
Chicago Water Works Visitor Information Centermuseums & heritagehistory & sagascoffee & bakes
Discover historic architecture and free visitor materials in the Pumping Station.
50 min · Chicago
open: Jan 2-Mar 15: Sa Su 10AM-5PM; Mar 16-May 26: Su 10AM-5PM, M-Sa 9:30AM-
09:50
Chicago Loop Synagoguelocal & traditional
Witness traditional Jewish rituals in the heart of the city.
50 min · Chicago
10:40
Downtown Islamic Centermuseums & heritage
Join the peaceful Friday prayers and community spirit here.
50 min · Chicago
18:30
Das Bevocraft beer & pubslocal & traditional
Savor traditional German breakfast in a giant windmill.
75 min · St. Louis
Overnight: St. Louis
e.g. Drury Inn Union Station · Moonrise Hotel
Day 2 Tulsa
🌡 1.3–36.1°C · 🌧 ~21 rain days · ☀ 13.9h light
16:53
Greenwood Cultural Centermuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Learn about the history of Tulsa's Greenwood District and enjoy special performances.
50 min · Tulsa
open: M-Sa 9AM-5PM
18:30
Shades of Brownmuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Enjoy quality coffee amidst rotating local art and live music.
75 min · Tulsa
open: Su-Th 8AM-11PM, F Sa 8AM-midnight
Overnight: Tulsa
e.g. Super 8 Motel - Downtown · Hotel Ambassador
Day 3 Oklahoma City
🌡 1.2–38.8°C · 🌧 ~18 rain days · ☀ 13.9h light
11:05
Oklahoma City Community Collegelocal & traditional
Browse diverse, accessible classes in a dynamic learning environment.
50 min · Oklahoma City
11:55
Oklahoma City University
Experience a serene campus with a strong Methodist heritage.
50 min · Oklahoma City
12:45
Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City
Discover a vibrant, expansive campus filled with academic energy.
50 min · Oklahoma City
13:35
Oklahoma Christian University
Feel the spirit of a welcoming four-year private university.
50 min · Oklahoma City
14:25
University of Oklahoma
Immerse yourself in Oklahoma's leading research hub and Sooner spirit.
50 min · Oklahoma City
15:15
Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau
50 min · Oklahoma City
Day 4 Amarillo
🌡 -1.2–39.6°C · 🌧 ~8 rain days · ☀ 13.9h light
13:54
Cadillac Ranchmuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalhistory & sagas
See iconic cars embedded in the desert along a former Route 66.
50 min · Amarillo
14:44
Amarillo Museum of Artmuseums & heritagecoffee & bakes
Admire Asian art and enjoy live music on the third Thursday.
50 min · Amarillo
15:34
Wildcat Bluff Nature Centermuseums & heritagehiking
Hike through steppe landscapes and rocky trails with scenic views.
90 min · Amarillo · $4 adults, $3 children/seniors (self-pay
17:04
Amarillo Botanical Gardensmuseums & heritage
Relax among High Plains plants and dinosaur replicas.
50 min · Amarillo · $4/3/2/Free (General/Seniors 60+/Childre
open: Tu-F 9AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM
18:30
Golden Light Cafehistory & sagascoffee & bakes
Relish classic hamburgers accompanied by country music.
75 min · Amarillo
Overnight: Amarillo
e.g. Microtel Inn · Amarillo KOA
Day 5 Albuquerque
🌡 -1.5–38.1°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 13.8h light
14:28
Anderson–Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museummuseums & heritagecraft beer & pubshistory & sagas
Learn about the history and science of ballooning.
50 min · Albuquerque · $4 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children, age
open: Tu–Su 9AM–5PM
15:18
Rio Grande Nature Center State Parkmuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalhiking
Walk serene paths through lush cottonwood forests and wetlands teeming with wildlife.
50 min · Albuquerque · $5.00 per vehicle
open: Park 8AM-5PM; Visitor Center 10AM–5PM; Nature Shop M–F 11AM–3PM, Sa Su
16:08
KiMo Theatermuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalhistory & sagas
Admire vibrant murals and art deco as the performance begins.
90 min · Albuquerque
18:30
Barelas Coffee Houselocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Indulge in hearty Mexican and New Mexican meals and unique tea.
75 min · Albuquerque · From $12 (varies on party size, and do t
open: 6AM–3PM daily
Overnight: Albuquerque
e.g. Best Western Rio Grande Inn · Bottger Mansion of Old Town
Day 6 Flagstaff
🌡 -3.7–35.4°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 13.9h light
15:05
Fort Tuthill Military Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalhistory & sagas
Explore regional military history through engaging displays.
50 min · Flagstaff · $3 (adults 13+), Free (seniors, children
open: May-Sep: Th F noon-4PM (based on staff availability), Sa Su 10AM-4PM
15:55
Lowell Observatorymuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Stargaze with history on a mesa overlooking the town.
50 min · Flagstaff · $12 (adults), $10 (students/seniors), $5
open: Daily 9AM-10PM
16:45
Museum of Northern Arizonamuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Discover Native American culture and regional nature.
50 min · Flagstaff · $15 (adults)
open: Daily 9AM-5PM except some holidays
18:30
Pizziclettacraft beer & pubshistory & sagas
Relish authentic Neapolitan pizza paired with house-made gelato.
75 min · Flagstaff · $11-15 per pie
open: Su-Th 5-9PM, F Sa 5-10PM
Overnight: Flagstaff
e.g. Grand Canyon International Hostel · DuBeau Hostel
Day 7 Grand Canyon
🌡 -4.1–35.9°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 13.9h light
11:03
Grand Canyon Community Libraryhikinghistory & sagas
Browse books in a historic log schoolhouse with WiFi access.
50 min · Grand Canyon
open: M-Sa 10:30AM–5PM, extended Tu & Th until 7PM
11:53
Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim)museums & heritagehiking
Gaze awestruck at the immense canyon from the main visitor hub.
50 min · Grand Canyon
12:43
North Rim Visitor Centermuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Learn about the canyon's history and natural wonders in an informative setting.
50 min · Grand Canyon
13:33
Grand Canyon Villagehikinghistory & sagas
Walk among historic buildings with stunning canyon views and busy trails.
50 min · Grand Canyon
14:23
Desert Viewhikinghistory & sagas
Enjoy panoramic canyon views from the elegant historic Watchtower.
50 min · Grand Canyon
15:13
O.A.R.S.hikinghistory & sagas
Enjoy the rush of world-class rapids and discover hidden side canyons.
90 min · Grand Canyon
16:43
The Arizona Roomhiking
Savor meals with partial canyon vistas enhancing your dining.
60 min · Grand Canyon
open: Dinner 4:30PM–10PM (open seasonally), lunch seasonally
18:30
El Tovar Hotel Dining Roomhiking
Dine elegantly with canyon glimpses in a historic setting.
75 min · Grand Canyon
Overnight: Grand Canyon
e.g. Kachina Lodge · Bright Angel Lodge
Day 8 Santa Monica
🌡 8.7–32.0°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 13.8h light
09:23
Museum of Flyingmuseums & heritage
Marvel at historic aircraft artifacts from the Douglas Aircraft Company.
50 min · Santa Monica · Adult $10
open: F-Su 10AM-5PM
10:13
Bergamot Station Arts Centermuseums & heritage
Stroll among vibrant galleries and discover diverse artworks.
50 min · Santa Monica · Free
open: M 9AM-4PM, Tu-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-5PM (Individual galleries may have di
11:03
Santa Monica Beach
Feel the sun and sand, hear waves gently rolling ashore.
90 min · Santa Monica
12:33
View Decks at Santa Monica Airport (KSMO)
Enjoy panoramic views and the sounds of air traffic from open-air decks.
50 min · Santa Monica · Free
open: dawn-dusk, daily
13:23
Trapeze School New York
Experience the thrill of flying through the air on a trapeze.
90 min · Santa Monica · $47-65
open: 7 days a week
14:53
Santa Monica Pier
Enjoy the lively atmosphere and stunning ocean views from the iconic Ferris wheel.
90 min · Santa Monica
16:23
Snug Harborlocal & traditional
Relish a cozy breakfast with a twist in a relaxed setting.
60 min · Santa Monica
open: 6AM-3PM