world reviewer
Known as the ‘Mother Road’ and ‘Main St, USA’, Route 66 is a drive through American history, the ultimate ghost-town wonder drive. Originally a commerce route for rural villages and officially decommissioned in 1985 in favour of Interstate 40, the dilapidated and at times inaccessible road is a nostalgic and enigmatic piece of American folklore. From East to West is customary, passing through derelict and working motels, petrol stations and diners; from Normal, Illinois’ famous Steak n’ Shake Diner, through Missouri, Kansas, the sandy plains of Oklahoma, which houses the Route 66 Museum, northern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and finally, the light at the end of the tunnel in California’s Santa Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.
Written by 
George Monkhouse.
“Journey of discovery through the desert”
Timothy O'Grady's epic road trip takes him deep into the south west where the people he meets are as memorable as the area's natural wonders Read more...
Written by press. The Observer, June 29 2008
Comments, reviews and questions
anyone ever been from chicago to cal.on route 66,and if so how long did it take u?
going from mi to las vegas wanna take route 66
Route 66
Route 66 is one of the most historic roads in the US. The 2,448 mile highway was made in the 1920s and was in use as a major highway until the 60s. The road is actually not on modern day maps, so a detailed map or guide is a necessity for road trips. Nowadays, the historic Route 66 is a road travelled by the adventurer who wants to go back in time and relax while driving through mountains, deserts and cities. Its eastern start is in Chicago and goes through Illinois. It travels southwest into Missouri, then a short time in Kansas followed by Oklahoma, the northern part of Texas, then continues west into New Mexico, Arizona, and ends in California at Los Angeles, detouring into major cities along the route. Be wary of the lack of signs leading back to Route 66. Make sure the map reader you’ve assigned (and will with out a doubt need) has mapped out the drive. When not in the cities, the road can stretch for miles without break. The wide expanses of sky and desert surrounding drive give the explorer a feeling of peacefulness and tranquillity on the road that highways like interstate 95 just could not supply. In Arizona, the Rockies start to loom in the distance. The Meramec Cavern in Missouri is an amazing natural resource to explore. It is the largest commercial cave in the state and offers guided tours through out the caves. Here can be found some of the largest and rarest cave formations in the world. Other must see attractions on the road include countless museums, The Round Barn in Oklahoma, Cadillac Ranch in Texas, hiking in the deserts in Arizona, and visiting the Missouri Ozark Mountains. While driving along this historic highway, don’t forget to blast one of the many Route 66 songs. Remember- life is a highway, and you get your kicks on Route 66.
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