Route 66 stretches across 8 states so you will cross through stretches of desert, mountains, farmland, large metropolitan cities, and small towns. You’ll pass a wide variety of landmarks, landscapes, parks, waterways, and cultural attractions along the way.
Route 66, once the iconic Main Street of America, connects big cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Los Angeles, each offering unique history, culture, and attractions along this legendary highway.
It is in the smaller cities and towns, often along their Main Streets, where you find the businesses and people that fit the image many people have of Small Town America.
Stroll its Main Street, eat at its diner, and visit an old steam engine. A road trip along Route 66 is not necessarily jam-packed with must-see sights each day, but the drive itself is the experience.
Some of the most iconic things to see along the route are the buildings and signage of the numerous roadside cafes, motels, gas stations, and tourist attractions along this route.
Natural wonders such as the Mojave Desert, Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, Meramec Caverns, and the mighty Mississippi River are along this route, and detours can get you to many more natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon.
Other popular attractions include classic cars, old bridges, quirky roadside statues and art installations, restored old gas stations, drive-in movie theaters, painted murals, Old West shows and attractions, old city theaters, and historical railroad attractions.