The photos I’ve shared over the past month were taken back in 2022 when my wife and I traveled Route 66 for two weeks driving from Chicago to Santa Monica. Going through digital and film photos brought back so many great memories — especially all the roadside attractions and motels where we met interesting people.
Route 66 was officially designated on April 30, 1926. This year marks 100 years of this legendary road. In 2026, people from Illinois to California are throwing centennial celebrations all year long, from big national parties to small-town gatherings.
After our Route 66 trip, I’ve received quite a few questions from friends and followers. In this post, I’ve gathered some of the most common ones to help others as they plan their own Route 66 adventures.
Where did you start and where did you end?
We began in South Ogden, Utah, and drove east for about 13 hours and spent the night in Lincoln, Nebraska. The next day we continued east to Chicago. We stayed in a hotel downtown and launched our Route 66 journey the next morning. Over two weeks, we explored Route 66’s attractions until reaching Santa Monica Pier in California. After a night in Los Angeles, we returned home via Interstate 15 without stopping.
How long did it take you to travel Route 66?
Our Route 66 trip took two weeks. We started in Chicago, cruised all the way to Santa Monica, and then headed home after reaching the pier.
How much planning did you put into your trip?
We knew that our Route 66 journey would span exactly two weeks, making careful planning a necessity. To map out our trip, we relied on two trusted guidebooks: the EZ66 GUIDE For Travelers and the Route 66 Adventure Handbook. Before hitting the road, my wife and I each took the time to read through both books individually, circling and highlighting the attractions and stops that caught our interest. Once we finished reviewing the books, we sat down together to compare notes and combine our lists, ensuring that all our favorite destinations would be part of the adventure.
Did you use any phone apps on your trip?
We used the Route 66 Navigation app along with our guidebooks. My wife kept the books and her phone handy, while I handled navigation. Between the books and the app, we saw everything we wanted and never missed a stop.
How many miles did you drive each day?
We knew we needed to average about 200 miles a day. We’d wake up early every morning, stop at whatever roadside attractions caught our eye, grab some food, and find a motel/hotel around 5 PM. Simple as that.
Did you camp or stay in motels?
Throughout our journey, we primarily stayed at motels, but opted for a few nicer hotels when we reached larger cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, Albuquerque, and Los Angeles. In these urban areas, we felt that the motels weren’t always located in the safest areas. The motels we selected during our trip became an adventure in their own right. Take, for instance, our night at the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, where the room’s décor had been preserved since the 1960s—complete with a baby blue-colored sink, toilet and bath tub. Another memorable stay was at El Trovatore in Kingman, Arizona, where our room was themed after James Dean. One useful tip we discovered while staying at these classic motels along Route 66 is that paying in cash often results in a discount on your room rate.
What was your favorite stop?
Every day with a camera loaded with film felt special on Route 66. One of the best stops was the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri. Chatting with Ramona Lehman about her family and the motel’s history made the visit unforgettable.
Which towns surprised you the most?
For me, Tulsa, Oklahoma had the most genuine Route 66 vibe — lots of cool signs and a great atmosphere. Honestly, Oklahoma seemed to celebrate Route 66 more than anywhere else we visited. After the Cucamonga Service Station in California, things got pretty crowded and busy. That stretch wasn’t my favorite. My wife made an interesting observation about Flagstaff, Arizona — a city we’d never been to before. The whole place is covered in pine trees, which wasn’t something we expected to see at all. Little did we know that Flagstaff is home to the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world. One of my wife’s favorite spots was Oatman, Arizona, where “wild” burros roam the streets of the old gold mining town. While we were standing in a gift shop, one even wandered right in through the front door. Fun fact: the burros in Oatman outnumber the town’s population 10 to 1.
Do you have any stories from your trip?
On the second day of our trip, we stopped at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois. It was a cold, rainy day. While we were standing outside the Lincoln Home, all of a sudden these loud sirens started blaring across the city. Tornado sirens! My wife and I had never experienced anything like that before, so we got a little nervous. But when we looked around, nobody else seemed bothered at all. Later on, we found out that Springfield tests their warning sirens every month on the first Tuesday at 10:00 AM.
Did anything go wrong during the trip?
Honestly, the trip went off without a hitch. Before we hit the road, I spent some time and cash making sure our SUV was ready for the long haul, and that paid off—no breakdowns, no drama, just smooth sailing the whole way. Because we decided to travel in early Spring instead of the busy summer season, we never had any trouble finding a hotel or motel. The lighter crowds made things easy, and we could grab a room pretty much anywhere we wanted. One thing that did stand out was how COVID-19 affected businesses along Route 66. After 2020, some places just didn’t recover and had to close for good. You could really see the changes as we drove through town after town.
Are there any memorable people you met?
While we were staying at the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, we got to hang out with Andy and Julie, a couple of fellow Route 66 travelers from Illinois. They were on their way to California for a family wedding, and we hit it off right away. We ended up grabbing dinner together in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Amarillo, Texas, sharing stories and laughs along the way. Their trip lasted three weeks, and after California, they stopped in Ogden, Utah. We managed to catch up with them again and enjoyed another meal together.
Where was the best food you ate along the way?
For my wife and I, one of the benefits of travel is experiencing new food. Here are some of the highlights:
- Mississippi Mud frozen custard at Ted Drewes Frozen in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Peanut butter and chocolate fudge from Uranus, Missouri.
- Steak and potatoes at The Big Texan in Amarillo, Texas.
- Elvis Pie (chocolate, peanut butter and bananas) at The Midpoint Café in Adrian, Texas.
- The Route Panini at U Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas.
- Burgers and Root Beer at Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner in Kingman, Arizona.
What suggestions do you have for people that want to travel Route 66?
- Take your time on Route 66—don’t rush. If you only have a week, you might have to miss a few stops. Or just go as far as you can and enjoy the ride, even if you don’t make it all the way.
- Time of year matters. We went in early spring and hit some rainy, windy days. Summer brings hotter weather and bigger crowds, while winter can mean cold temps and attractions being closed.
- Travelling along Route 66 can be challenging. About 80% of the original road is accessible—the remainder has become highways. Bringing books, maps, or GPS apps is helpful, especially ones that point out interesting places to visit during your journey.
- Plan your top attractions ahead using online resources or guidebooks. If the weather is poor, stay positive—wait out storms or wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy for sites like Cadillac Ranch.
- Food is part of the adventure—visit classic diners, plan for dietary needs, and pack plenty of snacks for the road.
- Prepare your vehicle. Make sure you have reliable transportation by checking tires, oil and other fluids before and during the trip.
- Remember to bring a camera and plenty of fresh film. On my trip, I packed a Canon 6D DSLR, a Yashica Mat-124 G, and an Olympus OM-1N MD. My wife carried her Panasonic point-and-shoot, and we both had our iPhones with us.
In your opinion, what are the best versions of (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66?
Nat King Cole (1946) Original
Depeche Mode (1987)
The Replacements (1987)
Utah Film Photography 