After reaching the end of Route 66 yesterday, today was about slowing down and enjoying Southern California without a destination clock constantly ticking in the background. For the first time in nearly two weeks, we weren't chasing the next state line, roadside attraction, or historic motel. Instead, we spent the day discovering the city that awaits at the end of the Mother Road. After breakfast at Santa Monica Café, we joined a full-day tour of Los Angeles, giving us an opp

After nearly two weeks, eight states, 2,956 miles, countless roadside attractions, historic motels, and unforgettable experiences, Day 12 marked the final chapter of our Route 66 adventure. We woke up in the iconic Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, one of the most recognizable Route 66 lodging stops in America. Sleeping in a concrete teepee felt like the perfect final overnight stay on the Mother Road. As we loaded the car one last time, it was hard to believe we were only a fe

Day 11 felt like a milestone from the moment we woke up. After more than a week on the Mother Road, we would leave Arizona behind, cross into California, and begin the final push toward the Pacific Ocean. We started the morning with breakfast at Westside Lilo's Café in Seligman, savoring one last taste of small-town Arizona before heading west. Our first major stop was Kingman, one of Arizona's most important Route 66 communities and a key gateway between the old highway and

Day 10 was one of those unforgettable Route 66 days that seemed to have everything: stunning natural wonders, roadside oddities, historic landmarks, and some of the most iconic stretches of the Mother Road. What made the day even more memorable was the weather. Arizona's high desert greeted us with something we hadn't expected at all—steady rain, cool temperatures, and dramatic storm clouds. Instead of the blazing sunshine and desert heat that many travelers imagine, we spent

Day 9 carried us across western New Mexico through landscapes shaped by volcanoes, ancient cultures, and centuries of travelers. It was a day when Route 66 often felt secondary to the much older stories woven throughout this stretch of the Southwest. We started the morning in Albuquerque, watching hot air balloons drift lazily across the horizon before heading west along Central Avenue and continuing our journey toward Arizona. Our first stop was Petroglyph National Monument,

After spending the night in Santa Fe, Day 8 took us from centuries-old Native American history to one of the longest aerial tramways in the world, before ending with a deep dive into Albuquerque’s rich Route 66 heritage. We started the morning at San Miguel Chapel and the Oldest House in Santa Fe before heading south toward Bernalillo. New Mexico continues to surprise us with its ability to blend history, culture, and natural beauty at every stop. Our first stop, San Miguel C

After several days of following Route 66 across the plains, Day 7 brought a change of pace. Today we left the main route for the historic Santa Fe Loop, trading classic roadside attractions for ancient pueblos, adobe architecture, and one of the oldest cities in America. We started the morning with breakfast at SideKix on 66 in Tucumcari. Over coffee and a hearty breakfast, we watched the town slowly wake up before beginning another day of New Mexico exploration. Before leavi

Day 6 was all about milestones. We reached the halfway point of Route 66 and ended the day beneath some of the most famous neon lights on the Mother Road. We started the morning in Clinton with breakfast at the Route 66 Café at the Market before heading to Elk City, home to the National Route 66 and Transportation Museum. Between the transportation exhibits and the giant Route 66 shield, it was easy to see why Elk City has become one of the premier stops for Route 66 enthusia

The morning began with chilaquiles and fresh coffee at the Wildflower Café before we set out to explore more of Tulsa's rich Route 66 heritage. Our first stops were Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza and the towering Golden Driller, one of the largest free-standing statues in the United States. Route 66 nostalgia seemed to be around every corner. The neon glow of the Meadow Gold District, the giant spaceman standing guard outside Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios, and the vintage displays

Day 4 was one of those Route 66 days where every few miles seemed to reveal another classic roadside attraction, historic motel, or piece of Americana. We started the morning in Cuba, Missouri, and by nightfall had traveled through Missouri and Kansas before arriving in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We spent some time exploring Cuba, known as the "Mural City." Colorful murals throughout town tell the stories of the region, while Route 66 landmarks like the historic Wagon Wheel Motel offer

Day three began early at Charlie Parker's Diner in Springfield, one of the Route 66 corridor's most beloved breakfast stops. Housed in a distinctive World War II-era Quonset hut, the diner has been serving travelers and locals since the early 1990s and has become famous for its massive 16-inch pancakes and Springfield's signature Horseshoe sandwich. National attention arrived in 2008 when Guy Fieri featured Charlie Parker's on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, introducing audience

Today was the day we had been planning for years. After flying into Chicago yesterday, this morning we would finally put tires on Route 66 and begin our journey west. We started the day at Lou Mitchell's, a Chicago institution that has been feeding hungry travelers for generations. Sitting in a booth over a hot breakfast, it was easy to imagine the countless road trippers who had begun their own adventures from the very same spot. The anticipation that had been building for y

Every great road trip starts with a journey, and today ours began long before we turned the key. We traded the mountains of Western North Carolina for the skyscrapers of Chicago, flying from Asheville to Midway and heading to the birthplace of Route 66. After landing, we skipped the rental car and rode the CTA Orange Line to downtown, watching Chicago's skyline emerge as we approached the Loop. After settling in, we spent the afternoon exploring some of Chicago's most iconic