Separating Los Angeles from Chicago, Route 66 is much more than a tourist route. The one that has just celebrated its 90th birthday never ceases to make adventurers who want wide open spaces dream. 3,945 km long, Mother Road allows you to experience and relive the golden age of a light and carefree America. An America that saw the West as its El Dorado.
Creation, programmed death and renewal
It was in 1926 that the country decided to build this first road linking East to West (and vice versa). A strong dynamic will result from the creation of this route. This corresponds to the escape and dream needs of a booming American youth. Many dinners, motels and other businesses will be created and proliferate along this road. During the Second World War, the road was also used to transport military equipment and troops. The end of the war will also mean the beginning of the disappearance of the Main Street of USA. General Eisenhower, President of the country since 1953, proposed the Interstates system based on the model of German motorways. It now makes it possible to connect East to West in just thirty hours, leaving Mother Road and its activity behind. Businesses then close one after the other.
But it is without counting on the vigour and enthusiasm of some of its historical figures who have made it possible to renew the Route since 1987. At its head, Angel Delgadillo, owner of a barber shop and lounge, who created the first association to defend Route 66 in Arizona. He manages to classify the entire state route behind the term: Historic Route 66. Before President Bill Clinton finally classified the entire Route 66, recognizing the enormous impact it had on American history
A route of contrasts
Whether you start from the West or the East, Route 66 remains an initiatory route with strong contrasts and disparities. Landscape contrasts, between the green lands of the East, the desert soils and the beaches of California. Cultural then, because you will cross no less than eight states (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois). So many territories defending their own identity. Cowboy santiags and hats will be released in Texas, while Indian crafts sold in many shops in Arizona or Oklahoma will honour the tribes still living there. Culinary highlights include Mexican-inspired cuisine in the Santa Fe region, barbecue meat in Texas and Asian-influenced dishes on the California coast, which are highly prized by surfers. Route 66 is also a land of architectural contrasts between Chicago's avant-garde and the many illuminated signs and other buildings typical of the 1950s on the legendary route. Finally, Mother Road would not be what it has become without its inhabitants and other personalities with such different but complementary characteristics. During your journey, you will inevitably meet crazy and disconnected but so endearing people
Browse Mother Road
Route 66 is everyone's business: motorcyclists, hippies, adventurers,... everyone will find their own meaning, their own leitmotiv. You only have to follow one rule: take your time! From the east, you start in Chicago. The country's third largest city is full of exciting museums and the lake that surrounds it, combined with these ever-higher buildings, will seduce you. By taking the West Road, you will cross Joliet and its prison, which became famous thanks to the Blues Brothers. A little further on, you will take advantage of the city of Pontiac to board the school bus equipped by Bob Wildmire, the hippie and dreamer artist who became known for his many illustrations on the Main Street of USA. You will then reach Springfield, the city that saw the ambitions of the future President Abraham Lincoln grow. You can visit his house and the cemetery where he is buried today. In Litchfield, why not take the opportunity to make a canvas on board your vehicle? The Drive-in Theater opens its doors to you. After crossing the mythical Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, you will arrive in Saint Louis. The city with its French inspiration will impress you with its basilica made up of mosaics, and its imposing arch, symbol of the conquest of the West. As you return to your journey, the Meramec Caverns will offer you a dive into the caves that would have served as a hideout for Jesse James, the famous 19th century outlaw. A stop at the mythical Munger Moss Motel and its incredible illuminated sign will be an opportunity to sleep in a unique setting. After a photo in front of Arcadia's famous round barn and Catoosa's blue whale, you will soon arrive in Oklahoma City. The Indian on top of the courthouse will remind you of the preponderance of Indian tribes in the area. After an emotional stop at the memorial in honour of the victims of the 1995 attack, you can continue on your way. A few miles away, Texas and its Cadillacs, aligned and planted in the ground by the training of Ant Farm architects, will allow you to express your artistic creativity in complete freedom.
Halfway through
After swallowing a good 2 kg steak (the kilometers it digs...) in Amarillo, direction Tucumcari and its murals all more colorful than the others. Let yourself be tempted by a visit to the kivas, the historic homes of the Pecos Indians, which are now perfectly preserved. A little further on, Santa Fe, with its unique atmosphere and adobe houses will charm you. Then, red stones, petrified wood and a colourful desert will remind you that Route 66 is also adorned with natural wonders to seduce nature lovers. After a night in a tipi in Holbrook and the incredible meteorite crater near Winslow, the Museum Club of Flagstaff stage will certainly offer you a live concert. Further away, Williams will make his eyes soft and it will be difficult not to succumb to a train ride to the Grand Canyon. Now in the heart of Arizona, the desert landscapes parade and the sunset is a magical moment every day. In Oatman, push the doors of the saloon and witness the spectacular clash between sheriffs and robbers in the middle of the street. One last hug with one of the donkeys walking on the road and off we go again to the desert. Beware of running out of gas! Baghdad Café offers you another stopover disconnected from reality. And while the famous original music of the eponymous film will still resonate in your head, without you noticing it, you have already reached the outskirts of the Los Angeles megalopolis. The city's many famous stars may try everything, but nostalgia will already be there. The tears will not be far away when you reach the Pier de Santa Monica, just below the sign, "Route 66 - The end"! Only then will you realize what this journey means. You will be part of this group of travellers who can say: I did it! I crossed the United States from East to West and it was... magical, indescribable, unique, etc. Route 66 is much more than a 2,450 mile road. It is a myth to savour every moment and to enjoy every encounter. Only then will you remember it for the rest of your life. Word of wisdom!
Smart info
When? When? The route is long and it is difficult to predict that your route will go smoothly. Avoid winter because of the risk of snow as you approach Chicago. Spring is often a good time for tornadoes, especially in central Canada. July and August are very popular months and temperatures can quickly be stifling in the south of the country. We advise you to plan your trip between the end of August and the beginning of November. The temperatures will still be very mild and you will be able to take your pictures without too much elbow grease.
Getting there. From the East, you start in Chicago and from the West in Los Angeles.
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