{"id":1681,"date":"2026-09-18T10:26:52","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T10:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/?page_id=1681"},"modified":"2026-09-18T10:26:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T10:26:52","slug":"7-day-route-66-road-trip-chicago-to-santa-monica","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/?page_id=1681","title":{"rendered":"7-Day Route 66 Road Trip: Chicago to Santa Monica"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a 7-day Route 66 trip, you&#8217;ll need to keep moving, but you can still experience many of the road&#8217;s most iconic sights. Expect some long driving days of 300-450 miles, balanced with memorable stops along historic stretches of the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 1: Chicago, IL \u2192 Springfield, MO<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Approx. 450 miles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlights<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Route 66 Begin Sign in Chicago<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pontiac Route 66 Museum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Springfield, Illinois<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chain of Rocks Bridge near St. Louis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meramec Caverns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Overnight:<\/strong> Springfield, Missouri<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Don&#8217;t miss:<\/strong> Dinner at a classic Route 66 diner and an evening stroll through downtown Springfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 2: Springfield, MO \u2192 Oklahoma City, OK<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Approx. 300 miles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlights<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Carthage historic square<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rainbow Bridge (Kansas)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Miami, Oklahoma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blue Whale of Catoosa<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tulsa&#8217;s Route 66 attractions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arcadia Round Barn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pops 66 Soda Ranch<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Overnight:<\/strong> Oklahoma City<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Best photo stop:<\/strong> The Blue Whale, one of Route 66&#8217;s most recognisable landmarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 3: Oklahoma City \u2192 Amarillo \u2192 Tucumcari<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Approx. 350 miles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlights<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clinton Route 66 Museum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shamrock&#8217;s U-Drop Inn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cadillac Ranch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amarillo Historic District<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tucumcari&#8217;s famous neon motels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Overnight:<\/strong> Tucumcari, New Mexico<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Evening:<\/strong> Drive the neon-lit main street after dark for the classic Route 66 atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 4: Tucumcari \u2192 Santa Fe \u2192 Albuquerque<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Approx. 250 miles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlights<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Midpoint Caf\u00e9 in Adrian, Texas (if missed previous day)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Historic Route 66 alignment through Santa Fe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Santa Fe Plaza<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turquoise Trail scenery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Old Town Albuquerque<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Overnight:<\/strong> Albuquerque<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is one of the most scenic and culturally rich sections of the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 5: Albuquerque \u2192 Holbrook \u2192 Flagstaff\/Williams<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Approx. 330 miles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlights<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Continental Divide<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gallup<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Petrified Forest National Park<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Painted Desert<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wigwam Motel in Holbrook<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winslow&#8217;s &#8220;Standin&#8217; on the Corner&#8221; Park<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Historic Flagstaff<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Overnight:<\/strong> Williams, Arizona<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Williams has one of the best-preserved Route 66 downtowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 6: Williams \u2192 Seligman \u2192 Kingman \u2192 Barstow<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Approx. 360 miles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlights<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Seligman, birthplace of Route 66 preservation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hackberry General Store<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kingman<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oatman&#8217;s wild burros<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mojave Desert crossing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Overnight:<\/strong> Barstow, California<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This day includes some of the most authentic surviving stretches of the original road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 7: Barstow \u2192 Pasadena \u2192 Santa Monica<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Approx. 150 miles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Highlights<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Elmer&#8217;s Bottle Tree Ranch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>San Bernardino Route 66 landmarks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pasadena&#8217;s historic sections<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beverly Hills and Los Angeles boulevards along the route<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Santa Monica Pier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finish<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take the traditional photo beside the <strong>&#8220;End of the Trail&#8221; Route 66 sign<\/strong> overlooking the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/nextvoyage-sign-2380075-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"End of Route 66 - Image by Andrzej from Pixabay\" class=\"wp-image-1684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/nextvoyage-sign-2380075-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/nextvoyage-sign-2380075-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/nextvoyage-sign-2380075-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/nextvoyage-sign-2380075-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/nextvoyage-sign-2380075-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/nextvoyage-sign-2380075-1568x882.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">End of Route 66 &#8211; Santa Monica<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If You Have Time for Only 5 &#8220;Must-See&#8221; Stops<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Route 66 Begin Sign (Chicago)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blue Whale of Catoosa (Oklahoma)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cadillac Ranch (Texas)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Petrified Forest &amp; Painted Desert (Arizona)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Santa Monica Pier (California)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Estimated Trip Totals<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distance:<\/strong> ~2,450 miles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Driving Time:<\/strong> ~40-45 hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recommended Season:<\/strong> May-June or September-October<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ideal Daily Start:<\/strong> 8:00 AM to maximize sightseeing and avoid night driving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This itinerary captures roughly <strong>80-90% of the most significant surviving historic Route 66 attractions<\/strong> while remaining achievable in a single week.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For a 7-day Route 66 trip, you&#8217;ll need to keep moving, but you can still experience many of the road&#8217;s most iconic sights. Expect some long driving days of 300-450 miles, balanced with memorable stops along historic stretches of the route. Day 1: Chicago, IL \u2192 Springfield, MO Approx. 450 miles Highlights Overnight: Springfield, Missouri &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/?page_id=1681\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;7-Day Route 66 Road Trip: Chicago to Santa Monica&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1681","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1681"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1686,"href":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1681\/revisions\/1686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellogs.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}