Route 66 is perhaps the most famous, certainly the most storied highway, in the world. The Mother Road, as its been called, ran from Chicago to Los Angeles during the early part of the twentieth century. It has been cut up by the modern interstate system, but pieces of it can still be driven. Following it can let you visit many of Americana's most classic travel destinations by car.
The originating spot of the Mother Road still exists in Chicago, Illinois. If you take it from there, the old road would wind on a southwest diagonal cutting through the long state. Along it's old way is the town of Wilmington, worth visiting to say hello to a green space alien standing twenty feet tall.
The next state Route 66 went though was Missouri, just to the southwest of Illinois. There as you follow the old route, you can visit the Meramec Caves in Stanton, Missouri. These caves are more than just visually stunning natural phenomena. They're also the old hideout of one Jesse James back in the day.
After Missouri, the old road traveled through Oklahoma and then onto the Texan panhandle. The town of Amarillo is right along the way and you can visit a particularly American art installation. Called Cadillac Ranch, a series of ten Cadillacs are buried on an angle up to their passenger seat window. Visitors can decorate and graffiti on them at will.
You should definitely make a point to stay at least one night in the next state you'll visit along the route, New Mexico. The famous Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumari, New Mexico is widely considered to be the oldest hotel along the route that is still in operation. You can't miss its original neon blue swallow on its front sign.
Before you reach California, you'll go through northern Arizona and southern Nevada. These aren't wasted portions of the trip as the old route went by the Grand Canyon and into Las Vegas. Once you get to southern California you'll hit the literal end of the road and of the greatest travel destinations by car, the Santa Monica Pier.
The originating spot of the Mother Road still exists in Chicago, Illinois. If you take it from there, the old road would wind on a southwest diagonal cutting through the long state. Along it's old way is the town of Wilmington, worth visiting to say hello to a green space alien standing twenty feet tall.
The next state Route 66 went though was Missouri, just to the southwest of Illinois. There as you follow the old route, you can visit the Meramec Caves in Stanton, Missouri. These caves are more than just visually stunning natural phenomena. They're also the old hideout of one Jesse James back in the day.
After Missouri, the old road traveled through Oklahoma and then onto the Texan panhandle. The town of Amarillo is right along the way and you can visit a particularly American art installation. Called Cadillac Ranch, a series of ten Cadillacs are buried on an angle up to their passenger seat window. Visitors can decorate and graffiti on them at will.
You should definitely make a point to stay at least one night in the next state you'll visit along the route, New Mexico. The famous Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumari, New Mexico is widely considered to be the oldest hotel along the route that is still in operation. You can't miss its original neon blue swallow on its front sign.
Before you reach California, you'll go through northern Arizona and southern Nevada. These aren't wasted portions of the trip as the old route went by the Grand Canyon and into Las Vegas. Once you get to southern California you'll hit the literal end of the road and of the greatest travel destinations by car, the Santa Monica Pier.
About the Author:
Before you buy anything online, make sure you check HertzCarSales's used car inventory, best prices for used cars. Have the best online resource when researching used cars, cars for sale in sacramento.
