route 666 tours nord

Our Wisconsin Driftless Group Tour Launches 8/7/2024

Home Articles Touring Maps USA Arizona Route 666: A Thrilling Ride Along The Devil's Highway

Robin Dean Jun 11, 2023 Contents Comment Share

Our blockbuster FTC disclosure awaits here . Updated Feb 6, 2024, this article contains one or more maps ...

Bat Out of Hell: Route 666 Flaunts A Devilish Grin

Over the past few years, I've been eyeing my schedule for the opportunity to scout and confirm route 666 as worthy of our NM3 group motorcycle tour. Problem is, with front-door access to the other two legs of that tour, my face becomes too exhausted by the physical act of smiling to continue. Without the minimum sign ups (so no need), I always double back early to administer first aid to my joker smirk.

“On paper, route 666 looks like the ultimate Arizona motorcycle experience. Stir in a dash of speed and the map's demons begin to appear.”

Then, something happened. The core of our tour went full snore. Thirty yards of roadway buckled off the side of a mountain via landslide. My friend Murrae called and spoke as if we'd need to attend the road's (temporary) memorial service. We took a moment of silence, about thirty seconds, then realized it was just a bad connection with our Zoom meeting.

Sipping our evening bourbons, I let Murrae know this would be the perfect time to explore something new to me, a road I'd been meaning to get to, namely route 666. Many truths about this ride are anchored around past tense "if you know, you know" factors. For example, it no longer goes by that numeric moniker (kool-aid opinions got it changed) and I won't rob you of the chance for geographic research.

Historic Cliff Notes

Its "Devil's Highway" nickname started gaining traction in the 1950s. If you didn't know already, the numbers 666 are often associated with the Book of Revelation. The route also has a high fatality rate, which adds to the negative perception.

In 2003, the US government decided to rename the highway to US-491. This was done in an effort to distance it from negative connotation. However, the nickname remains as a social identifier to this day.

There's a downside, though in that the gub'ment chickened out. They cut most of Arizona from the map, including the all-important section that inspired both this article and the "Devil's Highway" nickname itself. What remains is a federally funded, cruiser-centric poker run.

That which was great is now Walmart's "Great Value".

Fortunately, history goes back further than redesignated slow-roller escape routes. I won't offer exact details until the very end but I promise you, it's worth it. In spades.

Do the work because the fact is: everything about this route has to be earned.

Preparing For Route 666 (Tacos = Beast Mode)

Before we begin, it's imperative that we hit Los Mendoza to buy three of their crunchy chicken tacos and a coke. Smother them in essential green sauce. Wash down with holy water. Only now are we equipped with the fury required for escape from this south-of-north dominion. The desserts ain't bad, either.

Now, Murrae recommended I ride route 666 due north instead of south and for good reason. Riding north, there's a relatively constant increase in elevation. The increase is dramatic enough that my ride started at 90°F, dropping to 47°F halfway in.

The uphill nature of this road when riding north insures better handling. Having covered it beginning to end, I have no intention of riding it south unless I have to. I'd rather "escape hell" by way of route 666 than make my descent into it.

Make sure to fuel up! You won't find another gas station for at least 100 miles. Once you begin, that's it, so best not to borrow Tom Burns SuperHawk unless you have an auxiliary fuel bottle laying in wait.

With the temperature shift, make sure to add or subtract layers as needed. As you'll read soon, while I never stopped laughing, I did find my way into the center of a thunderstorm, complete with lightning that was striking from a lower elevation.

Right. Onward.

Dear Satan, It's Been Real

With a belly full of tacos and soda, I'm officially rolling. The 90°F desert pavement projects a vapor mirage over what is a smooth, industrial two laner. All is simple and calm as I maintain low RPMs and a respectful speed through town.

Things start to get a little weird as the inclines/declines change. There's a passing lane for each incline to allow small vehicles to get around semis, which often haul multiple trailers full of raw material uphill. The "weird" part is that the posted speed limit for this US highway is rigidly set between fifteen and twenty-five miles per hour.

There's little to no traffic on the road but the few motorists in transit are obeying those exact numbers. All I have to go on at this point is "when in Rome", so I too am going exactly the speed limit. Funny thing, we pass through a tunnel that reads "slow" at these speeds.

That's when the landscape makes its first big change. Again, the tarmac is smooth, open and well marked, begging for an 80+ mph pace. But off to the right, on the other side of a concrete divider, there's a tall chain link fence angled inward to catch boulders.

Beyond it, I see an equally well paved road with enormous lanes. Strange place to build an expressway. Those lanes are huge. Wait, those are big enough for CAT 797F dump trucks and wouldn't ya know it, that's exactly what's on 'em!

It's obvious that I'm in a mine. When the road finally veers close enough to view down into it, I can't see the bottom. Looking up, the top of this mountain is covered by clouds, so I can't see that either. The entire mountain, base to summit, is being resourced. Or at least that's one way to put it.

For six miles of perfect surface conditions, through high speed sweepers and favorably banked switch backs, I'm reduced to what are pedal bike figures. Nowhere does this feel more bizarre than during the quarter-mile straights, especially when there are other motorists nearby. May as well laugh and enjoy the mellow while those tacos settle down.

Right around the ten mile mark, there is an opportunity to bend the rules a bit. Two sweepers (that are actually switchbacks) lend themselves well to the sport touring mindset. I'm not one to resist a scooping left hander. Follow that with an equally inviting right, then a series of tight "S" curves and temptation is exacerbated. The 100% open field of view doesn't exactly dial things down.

So, after fourteen of the longest miles in ST geek history, our ascent gains momentum and the Devil ... begins to delegate.

Farewell, Fierce Cerberus, Guardian of Route 666

Nothing screams "Burma-Shave sign" like a three headed hellhound, does it?

When I think of switchbacks, I think of trail braking to a delayed apex before rolling on the throttle full battle. It's the dance every true-to-form sport tourer learns and once we get the steps down, a ritual begins. Route 666 has other ideas, though (at least during our initial escape from the mine's infinite depths). Compressing the front end to tighten up our bike's rake angle? Not necessary.

The would-be switchbacks leading through Coronado trail are actually speedometer bait. They're sweepers, I tell ya, each hilariously dangerous for their unique "cliffside acceleration" lure. After a futile exercise in self assessment, I'm glad to let my bike stretch 'er legs up to the ridgeline and beyond.

Game on. From here, no other pavement intersects. With zero slow rollers ahead, it's time for a twist of the wrist.

Top of the hill, this is definitely when the curves shrink down to a bowl of spaghetti. There's no need to provoke or tempt fate with a road of this nature, especially during first exposure. However, right when concerns are dialed in for pattern's sake, things open up and the view is absolutely stunning. This marks one of a few lulls, each of which is spaced evenly over the course.

It's here that the usual ingredients in excellent motorcycling begin to find their rhythm. Endless sweepers, switchbacks and downright stupefying scenery are piled onto hours of riding. The prophets of Caddyshack , however have decided to voice a most ominous notion.

Surfin' The Wake O' The Lake O' Fire

Around the forty five mile mark, at the second peak elevation, I opt to acknowledge "those" clouds. I've seen 'em since the beginning but direct overhead sun in taco town was scrambling my compass. Making sense of their location at that time was just another dice roll. "Odds are they're bearing west" because they had to be, otherwise I wouldn't ride. And I wanted to ride.

Challenge Route 666 to invoke serious weather and it'll throw the surreal reality of one's luck back at them.

Purple, yellow and ocean blue, these are no ordinary clouds. They're a combination of both high and low altitude thunderstorms. Fortunately, they're right in my path of travel (yes, that's sarcasm) and one, while creeping underneath a much higher sibling, is hurling Thor's hammer from below my current altitude.

I'm not in it yet, so ride on! When a couple of small, electrifying drops hit my helmet's visor, the road deviates and skirts the cell. Trees a few hundred yards away are in the rain curtain. I'm in the out-of-nowhere sunlight. The only way to embrace such divine intervention is through godly acceleration.

A few more cells of varying scale find their way to "that next curve", which again jukes before tellin' me to make a run for it. Storms jog left? I jog lefterer. Eventually, the thunder and lightning join forces from all directions. I'm surrounded.

Mind you, there are twenty minute jaunts between each face off with the weather. A tornado touching down couldn't stop me from smiling during this onslaught of whoopass riding. So, when the inevitable turned to face me, my GPS cackled in manic laughter, showing me to be exactly halfway between start and finish.

Rollin' On The Inescapable River

The grim Ferrymen? Yeah. They're road painters.

I'm prepared for a brief halt but there are no indications of a stop. Instead, fresh centerlines shine crazy bright and behold, a painting truck crawls around the next bend. Coasting up behind with courtesy, maaaaan that driver waved me by at the most risky moment. Just, no. I'll wait until we're not in a blind corner, with a decreasing radius, along a 90° rock wall, minus any escape path.

Next opportunity, I take my leave but completely forget how mushy new road paint is, like riding over a pipe in the mud. A two wheel slide and chuckles gave new custom paint to my engine protector. This being route 666, I'm guessing Stryper would approve.

Finally, at 47°F, the wait is over and I get dumped on. Turning back makes no sense, especially from peak elevation downhill in the wet. Luckily, the bike's handling as smooth as the water through Hannagan Creek, which I'll add that the road mirrors every angle of (fun).

The overlooks are a little soft to park along but no big deal. I let the bike idle, pull my phone and stash it in my top case. A quick grab for my rain gear and I'm ready to forget all of the calm steps I've outlined to get it over my textiles in favor of spastic gorilla wrestling.

Let's not forget what rubber rainwear does to the fitment of textiles beneath. If jujitsu is the fine art of folding clothes while people are still wearing them, Bilt has a black belt. Dear Gore-Tex , I've found a way to move my jacket to where my trousers should be and vice-versa without unzipping or removing either.

No matter. Five minutes of solo Lindy hop and my grin remains intact. Rain mode activated on the bike, let's get back to it.

Showers have wiped this road clean and clear. Those few times I've felt it wise to activate rain mode in the past were met with occasional two wheel sliding but today she feels completely planted. I'll attribute this to the diverse array of jagged materials that were used to create this two-wheeled roller coaster.

Route 666 Has Teeth (Road Surface)

About that. Route 666 has a pattern of surface changes, all of them sharp, sticky and trustworthy (rain or shine). But the pattern is odd. The use of whatever macadam we're glued to in a given moment remains in play for mile+ sections. Bright white tack and seal becomes pleasantly roughed black top becomes "not outright pink" terracotta.

Once we're 2/3 in, the material changes are evenly distributed throughout.

My attention to tarmac right now is likely inspired by the multiple storm curtains entering my neckline horizontally from all directions. Still, this road is a total blast. Its curves get better faster than the rains get worse.

Leave it to a motorcyclist, more specifically a sport tourer, to completely rewire their mental circuitry and forcibly translate all things doom 'n' gloom to "sure, but how about that carousel turn through the valley?". It takes self-discipline and haphazard timing to accept when something is worth doing despite being batshit crazy. This recipe only lands on two prospectively disastrous entrees: poor decision making and/or the point of no return.

For the record, I'm dealing with the latter.

Thanks, Hieronymus Bosch

Goats ! Well, that's the first sign I remember raising an eyebrow to. The rain is lifting and I still have 33.333% more laughter to address as route 666 continues doling out its entangled thoroughfare. In place of lightning, I'm met with wildlife. Five warning signs stand out.

Badgers - Lo and behold, the fervent digger of the depths emerges, a relentless avenger of the earth with fearsome claws and menacing teeth. It inflicts brutal carnage upon those reckless enough to cross its path, whether on foot or astride a roaring motorcycle.

Bighorn Sheep - Towering in the mountains, it displays awe-inspiring ramming power that makes even the bravest motorcyclists shiver. The thunderous crash of its headbutt leaves little escape from its imposing force, as it dareth to challenge even the most steadfast of two-wheeled riders.

Mule Deer - Traversing the land with legs springing like divine rubbery trees and ears attuned to the whispers of the devil himself, it remains defiant and fearless in the face of those who seek to conquer it, whether they be on swift-footed steed or on the irons of a roaring motorcycle.

White Tail Deer - Beware the approach of this ethereal presence, marked by a ghostly flag upon its rear. With otherworldly swiftness, it eludes capture, defying even the speediest of motorized chariots. It scampers away, leaving pursuing riders in a wake of frustrated lamentations.

Elk - From the shadows comes forth a majestic and formidable beast, adorned with mighty antlers that resemble the tree of life. Its spine-chilling call echoes through the forest, scattering motorbikers as they quake in its awe-inspiring presence.

Honestly, the only animals I encounter are mule deer but it's always a herd. Five in one corner are ten in the next and good grief are they stupid! Where white tails will eventually run as if their life depends on it, mule deer will wait until we're kissing their nose, then "excuse" themselves into the brush. When they do, their stride takes cues from the ministry of silly walks . There's a sort of constipation to it.

The Devil's In The Details

Our ride calms down as we approach Alpine. That's where ya gotta ask: should I chance another meeting at the crossroads? Remember, northbound is by far the more forgiving direction.

Also in Alpine, lunch is waiting at a few locations. Lodging, on the other hand is scarce as seasonal business fuels the entire town. As an alternative, Eager is only thirty miles further north, where pricier food, drinks and bedding come with a free view of tip jars next to a powdered egg breakfast.

All the more reason to plan ahead next time using a favorite booking portal .

I'll Circle The Abyss Of 666 Nine More Times (At Least)

In summary, route 666 is a drop jaw, pleasurably hectic and challenging street ride over the most beautiful mountain peaks of Apache National Forest. Choose the right weekday and you'll find traffic to be scarce while thrills overfloweth. Extreme changes in temperature, oxygen, pavement, cornering and awe inspiring scenery all merge to make this lovely beast of a sport touring motorcycle ride sinfully tempting at every turn.

It's so good, in fact that blazing temps, frozen rain, horizontal thunderstorms, sketchy road painters, wildlife in droves and overpriced food/lodging are par for the course.

But with such temptation comes responsibility. If rollin' rogue, tell others of your hellacious ride plans. Keep a ditch whistle , rescue tracker and pocket first aid kit on your person. Take advanced or next-level training before throwing a leg over. With all of this in place, route 666 doesn't stand a chance against you.

If after your ride you rock a 180°, consider the main road to the east (one state over). It too has its moments, mostly in the form of elegant panoramas and peaceful reflection on how you beat the devil at their own game. Just be sure to remember how it all started ... with three chicken tacos and a coke.

Georgia Ain't Got Nothin' On 666. What About You?

Some motorcycle routes are so sinister, you gotta write about 'em to warn others. What moments along route 666 do you remember most? What makes it stand out and why? Your input is invited. Leave a comment !

Share Link ...

About Robin Dean

Motorcycle advocate, enthusiast and traveler. Founder, The Riding Obsession (2014). MSF RiderCoach credentials: BRCu, BRC2u, MSRCu, ARCu, 3WBRCu ~ Tidal Playlist

Subscribe ...

Confirmation sent (check your inbox).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 Subscribe

We sell advertising on this site and participate in affiliate marketing . We make a small commission on items you buy after following a link.

Product Testing/Promotions ...

The Riding Obsession Phone: (224) 358-3010 180 Rainbow Drive [ map ] Box #8084 Livingston, TX 77399-1080

Policies: Affiliate | Cookie | Privacy

• scavenger hunts

Home  > Categories  > Category  > Waymark

you are not logged in.   [log in]

Route 666, Tours Nord, Centre France - 666 Sightings on Waymarking.com

Waymark options, advertisement, quick searches.

• My Waymarks
• Featured Waymarks
• Newest Waymarks
• My Unfinished Waymarks
• Waymarks I've Visited
• Newest Uncategorized Waymarks
• My Uncategorized Waymarks
• My Assisted Waymarks
• My Categories
• Groups I Manage
• Groups I Belong To
• Newest Groups
• Recruiting Groups
• My Scavenger Hunts
• Newest Public Hunts
• My Active Hunts
• My Completed Hunts
• My Saved Searches
• Full Category List

Copyright (c) 2024 Groundspeak, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

En poursuivant votre navigation vous acceptez l'utilisation de cookies.

Nous utilisons des cookies pour améliorer votre expérience utilisateur

Les tarifs pratiqués par auto-écoles de Tours (37000) | Tours

Vous devez passer votre permis de conduire à Tours, mais ne savez quel budget prévoir ? Cet article vous renseigne sur le prix moyen de la formation ainsi que sur les auto-écoles les plus chères et les moins chères de Tours.

Aperçu des tarifs des auto-écoles de Tours 37000

A Tours, vous pouvez vous attendre à débourser 935€ en moyenne pour un forfait 20h de conduite. La fourchette des prix s’étend de 769€ à 1 485 pour ce forfait.

Les auto-écoles où les tarifs sont les plus bas à Tours

Les auto-écoles suivantes sont les 13 auto-écoles affichant des tarifs inférieurs à la moyenne, c’est-à-dire que leurs forfaits 20h coûtent moins que 935€. Attention : Le tarif des auto-écoles de Tours fera certainement partie de votre choix mais ne doit pas marginaliser d'autres facteurs tout aussi importants, tels que les avis des internautes, la qualité de la formation, la proximité, le taux de réussite . En effet, il arrive que les auto-écoles avec les tarifs les plus faibles n'affichent que de très bas taux de réussite donc utilisez le comparateur avant de faire votre choix :

• Deux auto-écoles à Tours proposent leurs forfaits 20h pour un tarif compris entre 750 et 800€ : Il s’agit d’ ABC école de conduite (272 avenue de Grammont, 37000 Tours), une auto-école de Tours qui a fixé son tarif pour le forfait 20h de conduite à 769€ et d’ Action Conduite (52 quai Paul Bert, 37000 Tours) qui demande le prix de 790€.
• Vous trouverez un tarif compris entre 800 et 850€ dans quatre auto-écoles de Tours : La première auto-école de Tours est Route 666 (1 avenue de l'Europe, 37000 Tours) dont le tarif du forfait 20h se monte à 805€. Juste après, l’ auto-école Saint Christophe (5 place du Président Coty, 37000 Tours) demande 808€ pour ce même forfait. Le tarif de Pascal école de conduite (7 avenue de la Tranchée, 37000 Tours) est de 830€ pour 20h de conduite. Vous vous acquitterez de la somme de 840€ chez Évasion école de conduite (54 rue Léon Boyer, 37000 Tours).
• Dans les cinq auto-écoles de Tours qui suivent, le tarif du forfait 20h va de 850 à 900€ : Tout d’abord, à Foulane auto-école (14 rue Georges Delperier, 37000 Tours) le prix du forfait 20h est de 860€. 875€ est le tarif du forfait 20h chez Pierre auto-école (15 place de la Victoire, 37000 Tours). GT Permis (5 place Jean Bouin, 37000 Tours) propose son forfait 20h à 880€. Le tarif du forfait 20h est de 890€ à la Ménardière (17 rue de Caulaincourt, 37000 Tours). Et l’ auto-école du Christ-Roi (12 avenue de la République, 37000 Tours) vous facture le forfait 20h à 899€.
• Enfin les deux dernières auto-écoles les moins chères de Tours demandent un tarif allant de 900 à 935€ pour leur forfait 20h : Chez Thiers auto-école (47 boulevard Jean Royer, 37000 Tours), le tarif du forfait 20h est de 920€ et ce prix est de 930€ à Warning auto-école (138 rue de la Fuye, 37000 Tours).

Les auto-écoles de Tours dont les tarifs sont les plus élevés

Vous trouverez listées ici les 7 auto-écoles de Tours dont le tarif du forfait 20h est supérieur ou égal à 935€. Aucune auto-école n’a de forfait 20h à un tarif compris entre 935 et 950€ par contre trois auto-écoles ont des prix allant de 950€ à 1 000€.

• L’auto-école Moto Prudence (56 rue de Suède, 37000 Tours) demande 950€ pour le frofait 20h. L’ école de conduite Gilles Brunet (32 rue Colbert, 37000 Tours) propose le tarif de 960€. Centre auto-école Tours (31 rue Marceau, 37000 Tours) et le CER Pilote (62 avenue de Grammont, 37000 Tours) ont tout deux un forfait 20h au tarif de 980€.
• Enfin quatre auto-écoles demandent 1 000€ et plus pour leur forfait 20h : c’est le cas de l’auto-école Maurice (5 place Michelet, 37000 Tours) qui facture 1 017€ ce forfait. 1 045€ est le tarif du forfait 20h à l’auto-école Kangouroute (146 rue Edouard Vaillant, 37000 Tours). L’ auto-école de l'Alouette (8 avenue Alouette, 37000 Tours) propose son forfait 20h au tarif de 1 116€, et enfin, l’ ECF CER Centre Atlantique Tours (198 avenue de Grammont, 37000 Tours) en demande 1 485€.
• Les trois auto-écoles suivantes n’ont pas communiqué d’informations suri le tarif de leur forfait 20h : Mobilité 37 (1 place Anne de Bretagne, 37000 Tours),l’ auto-école Palissy (58-60 rue Bernard Palissy, 37000 Tours) et l’ auto-école Salah (13 rue Jules Charpentier, 37000 Tours). Pour cette dernière auto-école, Quelpermis peut tout de même vous donner à titre indicatif le tarif de la conduite accompagnée : 1 099€.

Change country

Tales of AZ Route 666: The Devil’s Highway

by Marshall Trimble | Aug 28, 2023 | True West Blog

The Coronado Trail was named in 1926 for the Spanish explorer and conquistador, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado who passed through the area in 1540 in his quest for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. It runs from Alpine, through some of Arizona’s most scenic country, to Clifton along 135 miles of narrow, winding road near the Arizona-New Mexico border.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the dirt road was designated State Route 81. It began at Sanders going south to Springerville, Alpine, Clifton and eventually all the way to Douglas on the Mexican border.

The origin of Route 666 began in New Mexico going from Gallup to the Colorado border. The road was upgraded to a U.S. Highway in 1926 and designated Route 666 to serve the Four Corners area. The new designation was appropriate, per the numbering guidelines for U.S. Highways, as the sixth spur along the highway’s parent, Route 66, branching off at Gallup, New Mexico.

In 1938, the south end of U.S. 666 was extended west of Gallup, into Arizona along Route 66. Although it had been listed as 666 on Arizona Highway maps for three years in, 1942 it officially replaced State Route 81.

Almost from the beginning Route 666 was known as the “Devil’s Highway” because many Christians believed the three sixes has a Satanic connotation and is the “ Number of the Beast”  as described in the Book of Revelations in the New Testament.

Because of the high number of highway fatalities on the road in New Mexico north of Gallup, some thought the highway was cursed, adding to the mystique. Highway-sign-thieves persisted in acquiring the signs as souvenirs. These were the primary reasons that Arizona changed it to U.S. 191 in 1992. New Mexico followed suit in 2003.

U.S. Highway 191 remains a scenic road between Clifton and Alpine, but one to be taken slowly. Some observers have counted over 400 curves along the 90 miles of road between the two communities, most of which must be taken at 25 mph or less.

In 1940 Ross Santee in his acclaimed Arizona Guide Series described it as a dirt road wide enough for only one car. Cars going downhill upon meeting a car coming up the hill, had to back up to a turnout. The Coronado Trail was not completely paved until 1963.

Related Articles

David Starr Hoyt’s peace attempt proved fatal. David Starr Hoyt was an early casualty of…

Nathaniel “Texas Jack” Reed was an outlaw in the Oklahoma and Indian territories in the…

New True West merchandise is here! Now in the Mercantile you can find True West…

In This Issue:

• Discover the West!
• Tom Mix’s Last Sundown
• A Deadly Duel at 500 Yards
• The Last Hurrah
• Custer Almost Kills Curtis
• Bass Reeves Finally Gets His Due

Western Books & Movies

• In Search of the Real Bass Reeves
• Tucson Book Festival
• Grit and Grace

To The Point

• Brothers From Another Mother

More In This Issue

• What History Has Taught Me with Terrence Moore
• Doc Holliday, Reward Money and Fast-Draw
• Jerome, Arizona
• Rebel Yankees: The McCulloch Colts
• Rolling the Dice!
• Shooting Back
• Truth Be Known

Subscribe to the True West Newsletter

Photos & videos

Location & hours.

Suggest an edit

1 Avenue Europe

37100 Tours

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Other Auto-école Nearby

Find more Auto-école near Route 666

Mercure Tours Nord Hotel 4 stars Family friendly Ecocertified

76 76 photos

70 70 photos

Description

Mercure Tours Nord Hotel

Hotel for travellers looking for local and authentic experiences

Mercure Tours Nord offers you spacious rooms and six versatile, fully equipped meeting rooms in a handsome building. With a focus on relaxation, our hotel in Tours invites you to make the most of the heated swimming pool and the sunny terrace, where you can enjoy the quintessential Touraine dishes of our restaurant. Be sure to sample the local products served at the breakfast buffet. Later in the day, give in to the tempting Loire Valley vintages on our bar's wine list.

Ten minutes from the airport and the historic town centre, our hotel in Tours has free private parking, making your outings by car so simple. With direct access to the A10 and A28 motorways, we enjoy an ideal location as you travel along the route of the The Villandry gardens, Touraine vineyards, Leonardo da Vinci's home in Clos Lucé & the region's prehistoric cave sites. Take a family outing to zoos at Beauval & La Flèche, less than an hour's drive.

Whether your stay is for business or pleasure, the entire team of Mercure Tours Nord listens to you and is at your disposal to give you the best.

As the warmer weather approaches, guests can enjoy our terrace from April and unwind by our outdoor pool from May. Our team at the Mercure Tours Nord are available and ready to assist you to ensure your stay as pleasant as possible.

Hotel extras

GREEN KEY certified

Easy access to the downtown area and 5 minutes from the A10 highway

Free indoor private car park

Outdoor swimming pool open in summer

Large shaded terrace and outdoor swimming pool

Our accommodation(s)

Page out of

Classic, family-friendly bedroom - double bed and a double sofa bed

• 4 pers. max
• 26 m² / 279 sq ft
• Bedding 1 x Double bed(s) and 1 x Double sofa bed(s)

From NaN EUR NaN EUR Note  *

Fees and taxes included

1 night | 1 adult

Privilege Room – Queen size bed and a double sofa bed

Classic double bed room or twin beds and a single sofa bed

• 3 pers. max
• Bedding 1 x Joinable bed(s) and 1 x Single sofa bed(s)

Superior Room – King size bed and single sofa bed

• Bedding 1 x King size bed(s) and 1 x Single sofa bed(s)

Hotel location

11 rue de l'Aviation 37100  TOURS France

GPS : 47.438095, 0.708801

Contact email [email protected]

Click to copy the email address

Access and transport

Railway station

Highway exit

Helipad/aerodrome

MOUCHOTTE N°60

Access: 500 m  /  0.31 mi

A10-TOURS NORD-N°19

Access: 2 km  /  1.25 mi

ST SYMPHORIEN

Access: 3 km  /  1.88 mi

Access: 7 km  /  4.38 mi

ST PIERRE DES CORPS

Access: 9 km  /  5.63 mi

LES TOURETTES

Historic monument

Access: 6 km  /  3.75 mi

Opera/symphony/concert hall

CHARLEMAGNE TOWER

Tourist attraction

Access: 7 km  /  4.35 mi

DU COMPAGNONNAGE

WINES OF TOURAINE MUSEUM

Cinema district

GUILD MUSEUM

Sports centre

LOIRE VALLEY "CHATEAUX"

PATHE-TOURS CENTRE

Entertainment/theatre district

ST GATIEN CATHEDRAL

OLD CITY OF TOURS

PLACE PLUMEREAU

BASILICA ST MARTIN

L'ESCALE

Access: 10 km  /  6.21 mi     20 min drive

BOTANICAL GARDEN

Botanical gardens

Access: 10 km  /  6.25 mi

LE VIGNOBLE DE VOUVRAY

Access: 10 km  /  6.21 mi

MEGA CGR-LES DEUX LIONS

Access: 15 km  /  9.38 mi

BLUE GREEN D'ARDREE

Access: 20 km  /  12.43 mi     30 min drive

AQUARIUM DE TOURAINE-AMBOISE

Access: 30 km  /  18.75 mi

ZOO PARC DE BEAUVAL-ST AIGNAN

Access: 40 km  /  25 mi

MINI CHATEAUX PARK

Entertainment centre

Family Park

Amusement park

LES RIVES DU CHER

Access: 12 km  /  7.5 mi

LA PETITE ARCHE

Shopping district

Access: 1 km  /  0.63 mi

Shopping centre/mall

AUCHAN PETITE ARCHE

Access: 2.5 km  /  1.55 mi     20 min walk  /  5 min drive

TOURS CENTRE

LES ATLANTES

Hotel services

Check-in from 03:00 PM - Check out up to 12:00 PM

• Swimming pool
• Wheelchair accessible
• Air conditioning
• Meeting rooms
• 100% Non Smoking Property
• Room service

You'll love the friendly setting and the home-made locally sourced cuisine. On fine days you can sun yourself on our pool-side terrace. Enjoy with friends, on business, or as a romantic dinner for two.

Discover the wines of the Loire Valley in our stylish bar. A warm welcome and professionalism are the trademarks of this unique setting.

3 breakfasts

Start the day with a delicious buffet breakfast served in our restaurant from 6.30am. Or if you prefer, order the in-room continental breakfast or try the Express and Co menu at the bar.

Meetings & Events

Make your wedding a day to remember at the Mercure Tours Nord. A dedicated organizer can take full charge, ensuring a turnkey, personalized day that fulfils all your requirements.

Our guest reviews

100% genuine reviews from our guests

ALL Rating  4.4/5  1,327 reviews

TripAdvisor Rating  4.0/5  966 reviews

Ideally located for our route

Customer review rating 4.0/5

Chris H. Couples - 3/22/2024 Confirmed reviews ALL

Good parking. Easy check in. Very friendly staff everywhere in the hotel and restaurant. Room ideal, but just one fault. The shower is over the bath and the bath becomes very slippery when wet. My wife slipped in the bath and bruised herself and had to be helped out of the bath. I would recommend adhesive non slip “patches” be placed in the bath.

Dear Chris H., thank you for your feedback. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed our convenient location, parking, and friendly staff. Your suggestion regarding non-slip patches in the bath will be duly noted for future improvements. We are glad your overall experience was positive and hope to welcome you back soon. Warm regards, Patricia Blondel, Directrice

Perfect hotel for stop over on the way to Spain

TripAdvisor rating 4.0/5

yanick m 3/17/2024 TripAdvisor review

Hotel only a few minutes away from the highway. Nice room with big bed, good shower, separate toilet a bit tight if you want to close the door, OK for one night. Hotel restaurant open on Sunday, exceptional in France, good food and a very nice and professional Colombian waittress. We go back !

Dear Yanick M, we thank you for your positive review! We are delighted to learn that you enjoyed your stopover with us. Our team is dedicated to providing quality service to all our customers. We look forward to welcoming you on your next visit. Sincerely, Patricia Blondel, Director

Customer review rating 5.0/5

Anonymous Business - 2/29/2024 Confirmed reviews ALL

Good stay and nice people

Dear NICOLA MR G., We very much appreciate your comments regarding your stay at the Hôtel Mercure Tours Nord. It is always a pleasure to receive positive feedback. I will share your comments with our team. I am sure that this feedback will serve as an encouragement to all of our staff as we strive to continuously improve the quality of our services. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope your next visit will be as pleasant as the previous one. Sincerely, Patricia Blondel - Directrice h1…

EV Charger - Connection Not Possible

Customer review rating 2.5/5

Rs Couples - 2/18/2024 Confirmed reviews ALL

All good except for very disappointing experience with the EV Charger. It proved impossible, despite help from Mercure staff, to connect our car to the charger on site. We chose the hotel in favour of others because it had a charger. Such a shame. We also think it is poor on Accor part not to have a consistent EV charger partner. We stayed at Ibis St Nazaire Trignon in the past and had no problems with the charger there. It was a different set up. Why bother with Easy Charging App? It was neither Easy nor did if result in any Charging of the batter. Aside from that the stay was perfectly fine and staff were kind.

Dear ROBERT S., First and foremost, we would like to thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are sorry that certain aspects of your stay did not meet your expectations and understand that a comfortable stay is of utmost importance. At Mercure Tours Nord, we strive to provide our guests with a pleasant experience by offering confortable accommodations and attentive service. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by EV charger, unfortunately we are only an intermediary, it is not about our own charging stations, there may be several reasons why the recharge did not work that day and please accept our apologies for not being able to help you. Though it does not excuse the situation, please be reassured that we take all feedback seriously and continuously aim to improve our services. Sincerely, Pauline Durand - room division manager

Pleasant stay

Mr C. Business - 2/4/2024 Confirmed reviews ALL

Help provided each time requested.

Dear Mr C., thank you for your kind review. We greatly appreciate your feedback and are pleased to hear that our staff was helpful during your stay. We hope to welcome you back soon. Patricia Blondel, General Manager.

In partnership with  TripAdvisor

Web-users rating

Other web-users rate our hotel

• 301 reviews 8.7/10 Location
• 726 reviews 7.5/10 Room
• 673 reviews 8.4/10 Service
• 6 reviews 8.8/10 WiFi
• 402 reviews 6.5/10 Food
• 344 reviews 8.1/10 Breakfast
• 253 reviews 6.4/10 Cleanliness
• 46 reviews 8.7/10 Location
• 146 reviews 7.2/10 Room
• 141 reviews 8.9/10 Service
• 65 reviews 7.7/10 Breakfast
• 59 reviews 6.4/10 Cleanliness
• 41 reviews 8.8/10 Location
• 125 reviews 8.1/10 Room
• 121 reviews 9.1/10 Service
• 75 reviews 7.4/10 Food
• 55 reviews 8.1/10 Breakfast
• 34 reviews 6.5/10 Cleanliness
• 27 reviews 8.3/10 Location
• 73 reviews 7.7/10 Room
• 92 reviews 8.3/10 Service
• 31 reviews 7.2/10 Cleanliness
• 24 reviews 8.2/10 Breakfast
• 5 reviews 8.6/10 Location
• 16 reviews 7/10 Room
• 16 reviews 8.7/10 Service
• 9 reviews 6.7/10 Food
• 8 reviews 8/10 Breakfast
• 8 reviews 7.5/10 Comfort
• 5 reviews 6/10 Vibe

Free: become a member

When making a booking at this hotel:

I earn Status & Rewards points

I can use my Rewards points

I benefit from advantages

I can take advantage of the Members' rate

Our other establishments nearby

hotelF1 Tours Nord

ibis budget Tours Nord 2 stars

ibis Tours North 3 stars

At 1.266 km

Novotel Tours Centre Gare 4 stars

At 5.576 km

ibis Tours Centre Gare 3 stars

At 5.679 km

Mercure Tours Centre Gare Hotel 4 stars

At 5.751 km

ibis budget Tours Centre Gare 2 stars

ibis Styles Tours Centre 3 stars

At 6.634 km

Price from: 1 night for 1 person in the room category identified within the same price range, excluding additional services and breakfast. This refers to the lowest public price, including all taxes ( VAT and tourist tax included) for the accommodation concerned, found on https://all.accor.com/ site today, for a one-night stay in the next 20 days . Varies according to period and availability. The price is only guaranteed at the time of booking. All bookings (foreign) are payable in the local currency where the hotel is situated. Only the amount confirmed during the booking in the hotels local currency is guaranteed. An estimated conversion in your local currency may be given for reference but is not part of the contract. Your bank may charge you bank fees and/or exchange fees at the time of payment.

26-days: Group Tour

Gilligans ‘Official Tour’ is our premium 26 day, fully guided group tour, with just 15 cars/couples attending.

26-days, generally includes your transit  time from home to the US (return).

As part of our ‘Official Tour’ you will clock up an average of just 144 miles (255km) each day on the road – less than any other tour we know of!

Gilligans runs two tours a year, one in mid-April, with another in mid-September.

If you’re serious about doing Route 66 right – there is simply no better way of doing it.

Although you’re part of a group – you’re still driving yourself – and still free to explore as you go.

TOUR FORMAT:

Following breakfast, your day usually starts with a morning briefing to outline the day ahead, give an overview about the areas visited and to answer questions.

The group generally departs around 8:30am, and often arrives at the hotel at about 4:30 each afternoon. Some days are shorter – others slightly longer. Time spent driving is approx 2.5-3hrs per day, which allows more time to see what you came to see: Route 66!

Along the way, guests use our GPS platform and extensive Route Book to learn about towns and notable sites as you drive.

We travel as a group – although not in a ‘convoy’ as such – giving guests more freedom to stop for more or less time (dependent on interests) at the places we visit.

Your guide/s also have a few stops planned each day of the tour that really will add value to your Route 66 experience!

18 days: Self Drive Tour

Gilligans also offer ‘Self-Drive Tour’s. These are for individuals who wish to see Route 66 for themselves, whenever they determine.

You tell us the date you wish to depart Chicago – we will take care of the rest!

*Add TWO nights in fabulous Las Vegas (20 days total) for just US$195pp!

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Destinations

The Ultimate Route 66 Road Trip Guide

Where to eat, what to see, and where to stay on a perfect Route 66 road trip.

Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the jungle.

Route 66 doesn't always surface on Google Maps, but it's there. The most celebrated stretch of asphalt in America rolls out from the heart of downtown Chicago and begins its epic journey west toward the Pacific. The so-called "Mother Road" slides through endless farmland, forgotten towns, and the spectacular desert of the American West. The scenery is a thrill, but it's the stops and sights along the way — each seemingly more mind-blowing than the last — that make the Route 66 road trip . There's the infamous 1858 penitentiary from Beat literature and Prison Break , which you can tour the day you set off. A barbed-wire museum? Texas has one, complete with the recreation of a diner serving 20-cent pie. A landmark "soda ranch" is the pick-me-up pit stop you didn't know you needed in the Oklahoma plains. Read on for a state-by-state, Chicago-to-L.A. guide for the ultimate American road trip .

It's day one: You're going to need a good breakfast. Fuel up on monster omelets and bottomless coffee at local favorite Lou Mitchell's (you might just meet fellow Route 66 road-trippers in a neighboring booth). If you want to stretch your legs before the first phase of your journey, Chicago's Millennium Park is an excellent place to do it. From there, it's just one block to the Historic Route 66 Begin sign. Snap a selfie — you're officially on your way. If you couldn't bear the wait times for breakfast in Chicago, Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket is your first stop. The 1930s gas station/lunch counter is now a Route 66 icon for its superlative fried chicken. Look for the restored neon sign — so retro you'll half-expect to see chrome-stripped Bel Airs parked below it.

Channel Kerouac in "On the Road" and go "by the Joliet pen" — the pen being the infamous Old Joliet Prison (also immortalized in "The Blues Brothers" and a particularly harrowing Bob Dylan ballad). Set foot inside the 25-foot-high walls and explore the creepy grounds. Stand up straight — you might reach the knee of the Gemini Giant, a 30-foot Muffler Man statue patrolling the Launching Pad Drive-In , now a restaurant and gift shop. Swing by historic sites dotting the road, like Ambler's Texaco Gas Station and Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup , where you can buy maple candies for the console. For heartier fare, head to the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop in Springfield for beef sandwiches and shakes. If you have it in you, drive on till you see the looming Gateway Arch of St. Louis.

Welcome to St. Louis, the Gateway to the West. Dig into a country-fried steak or a stack of pancakes at Southwest Diner before braving a tram to the arch's peak, touring the 19th-century Anheuser-Busch brewery , or walking high above the Mississippi on the famous Chain of Rocks Bridge, whose span jauntily crooks to the north. Drink up the city life while you can; outside of St. Louis, the drive slips through quaint small towns and rolling green hills. Dip into Meramec Caverns, a dramatic cave complex (and alleged Jesse James hideout) with guided tours. Stay the night in a tidy stone-and-mortar cottage at the 1930s landmark Wagon Wheel Motel .

The nearby Fanning 66 Outpost is a required stopping point for many Route 66 veterans. They're not wrong: The general and farm store has a giant rocking chair perfect for photo ops and popcorn and glass-bottle soda for snack-stocking the car. Veering south of the highway, Mark Twain National Forest is a lovely place for a picnic; its easy Stone Mill Spring hike offers pretty views over the Big Piney River. Dial up the nostalgia factor to an 11 by catching a double feature at the 66 Drive-In , then crash at Boots Court Motel , complete with period furniture and radios piping out big-band music. The unassuming Joplin History & Mineral Museum is an interesting stop, with local discoveries like a wooly mammoth tooth on display and delightfully oddball antiques including old circus funhouse mirrors, "Bonnie and Clyde" memorabilia from their Joplin bolthole, and an entire exhibit of cookie cutters.

Peek inside the Coleman Theater , a Spanish Revival gem from the vaudeville days, and see the ghost of the abandoned Chelsea Motel. At Totem Pole Park , gaze up at the world's largest concrete totem pole. The roadside whimsy continues at the Blue Whale of Catoosa , an adorable whale whose smiling mouth you can walk right through. The Golden Driller statue was plonked at the entrance of Tulsa's Expo Square in the 1960s, where he stands to this day on concrete work boots the size of cars. Tap into Tulsa's amazing barbecue scene at Burn Co , a popular spot in Jenks that grills and smokes its meat in Tulsa-made charcoal ovens, or keep it simple with a patty melt and ice cream float from the Rock Cafe , 50 miles to the west in Stroud. Gearheads and Marvel fans adore Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum , a former gas station now filled from wall to wall with bikes ranging from a 1909 Triumph to a custom-built ride used in Captain America film shoots. Thirsty? Shelves at the landmark Pops in Arcadia hold classic candies and drinks — over 500 varieties of sodas, ginger ales, and root beers — your taste buds have never dreamed of. Right before the Oklahoma-Texas border, stop by eerie little Texola, with a population of 6. Passersby can still see relics of the former farming town, notably a one-cell cinder-block jail all alone in an overgrown field.

The gloriously Art Deco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe give travelers an old-school Texas welcome. Originally a gas station/diner, the pristine little visitors' center is home to classic Conoco pumps and a booth where Elvis once ate. You probably never thought you'd visit a museum dedicated to barbed wire, but here we are — the Devil's Rope and Route 66 Museum tips its rancher hat to the spiky fencing material, as well as other artifacts from the state's ranching heritage, like the cattle brand used at former President Lyndon B. Johnson's Texas ranch.

Being situated in a remote Panhandle location doesn't stop the tiny town of Groom from having its share of bizarre sights. The largest freestanding cross in the U.S. shoots 190 feet in the air here, while the Britten Leaning Water Tower has been grabbing roadsters' attention for decades. In Amarillo, stroll the city's antique shop-filled Route 66 Historic District and kick back at down-home burger joint Coyote Bluff Cafe . Or, if you're up for a challenge (and the tourists), see if you can put away 72 ounces of steak at The Big Texan Steak Ranch . Starlight Canyon , a bed-and-breakfast with cabins and an Old West vibe, is a nice alternative to Amarillo's endless string of chain motels.

If you miss Cadillac Ranch on your way out of town, did you even drive Route 66? The must-see, kitschy-cool landmark features a group of vintage Caddies buried nose down in the ground, their tail ends poking skyward and covered in graffiti. Celebrate hitting the halfway mark — Chicago is 1,139 miles behind you, L.A. is 1,139 miles ahead — with a slice of pie at the throwback Midpoint Cafe .

In time, the dusty flatlands of the Panhandle give way to the unreal landscape of the American West. Opened the same year (1939) that the "The Wizard of Oz" came out, Blue Swallow Motel is everything Americana lovers could want in a place to stay — expect attached garages next to each room, Frank Sinatra crooning through outdoor speakers, and arguably the best neon sign outside of Las Vegas. What began as an artist's hobby of carving tiny figures has sprouted into the Tinkertown Museum , a rambling warren with detailed Old West dioramas and walls made from concrete and 50,000 glass bottles. Grab a pic in front of the wall of vintage tin signs at 66 Diner in Albuquerque, and you might as well order a Frito pie and banana split while you're there. If you're RV-curious, Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post has 60s-era trailers to sleep in for the night, although traditionalists might continue to El Rancho Hotel and stay in a room where John Wayne once slept.

Route 66 cuts through the stunning red mesas and the eerie moonscape of Petrified Forest National Park . The Rainbow Forest Museum is a starting point for hiking trails to the famous petrified logs. Drive to the Blue Mesa trail for a one-mile loop through hilly badlands. The kitsch flag soars at Wigwam Motel , considered an essential stopover by many road-trippers. The 15 guest rooms here are modeled after teepees (not wigwams), and the 1950s cars parked outside add to the vibe.

Walk the rim at Meteor Crater Natural Landmark and see the chilling prehistoric footprint of an asteroid that smashed into Earth. Of course, all desert marvels seem like a warmup in the face of the mind-bogglingly vast Grand Canyon — detour 60 miles north at Williams, Arizona, to reach the national park's South Rim. Serious planners who book far in advance might score an edge-facing cabin at Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins or a spot in Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon. Back on Route 66, glide through a wide-open expanse of prairie and red rock, checking out time-capsule towns such as Seligman, Peach Springs, and Kingman along the way.

The Golden State is the final leg on Route 66's slow unrolling march toward the Pacific. The semi-defunct Roy's Motel and Cafe , located smack dab in the middle of the Mojave Desert, is a fun stop en route to Calico Ghost Town Regional Park . The roadside attraction recreates its California Silver Rush heyday with pioneer-style restaurants, shops, and a narrow-gauge train through the bone-dry terrain. The glass-bottle "forest" Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch is a funky oasis in the dusty wilderness. If you missed the teepee experience at the Wigwam Motel in Arizona, its San Bernardino outpost offers you one more shot.

Not far is the original McDonald's, now a free museum and quirky shrine to the fast-food giant's humble mid-century beginnings. The cheery yellow Cucamonga Service Station serves as a tiny Route 66 museum, its mint-condition Richfield pumps from 1915 still advertising 18-cent gallons of gas. Finally, it's west to Santa Monica Pier — the all-American boardwalk with its endless parade of pedestrians, partiers, and performers — and the official end of Route 66.

Related Articles

• Remember me
• Log In Forgot your password? Forgot your username?

Reuthers Route 66 Dream / USA Guided Adventure Tour

Get to know a large part of the USA by going on the Route 66 with Reuthers . You will travel in comfort and in a small group from Chicago to Santa Monica. Along the way, you'll enjoy spectacular highlights such as the Grand Canyon, the Monument Valley and an overnight stay in the Navajo reservation. A journey that you will never forget. ...get your kicks on Route 66 - from east to west = the historical direction!

Day 1: Chicago

Welcome to Chicago. After the individual arrivals and the transfer from the airport to the hotel we will start off with a welcome drink and dinner and set the mood for our shared adventure tour.

Day 2: Chicago > Springfield, IL

Our Route 66 adventure starts. Around midday we will reach Wilmington with the Gemini Giant, a large fiberglass figure of the 1960's era. After an obligatory stop at the Dixie Truckers Home, we will end our first day in Spingfield/Illinois which was for many years the chosen home city of Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States during the civil war.

Day 3: Springfield, IL > St. Louis

Today we want to dedicate our day to the "Gateway to the West": the pioneer town St. Louis. The town's landmark is the more than 190 m high steel Gateway Arch. Inside, we will take trams to an observation platform to the top of the highest monument of the nation. The afternoon in St. Louis is free to your disposal, for dinner we will meet in downtown Lakelade's Landing.

Day 4: St. Louis > Springfield, MO

We deliberately want to do without the unnecessary challenges of confusing streets in the city, bad road conditions and misleading signs to the "Mother Road". We will travel some distances of the tour on the Route 66 and others on the Interstate. Today's highlight and absolute must are the Meramec Caverns. The famous limestone caves have been a tourist classic since the beginning of the Route 66 and served the outlaw Jesse James as a welcome hiding place from his pursuers.

Day 5: Springfield, MO > Oklahoma City

The motto of the day today is: travellling - namely through three states: Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. The latter is known through countless thunderstorms, the particularly striking red earth and for all Route 66 fans the probably longest continuous route on the Highway 66.

Day 6: Oklahoma City > Amarillo

We will start our day with a real photo highlight: A bridge with 38(!) huge arches spanning the Canadian River. And the Route 66 museum in Clinton that we will visit is a memorial that is different to all others: each room is dedicated to a decade of the "Main Street of America". A further highlight on our tour is the next stop and overnight stay at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo.

Day 7: Amarillo > Santa Fe

We continue our adventure tour on Route 66 to the legendary Cadillac Ranch. As a reminder of the golden days of the Route 66 ten Cadillac's are buried vertically into the ground. Next stop is Adrian, the geo-mathematical center of the old Route 66. This is as important as crossing the equator. Brunch at Russell's Travel Center with its world class Car Museum rounds up the morning. At the end of our eventful day, we will spend the night in historic Santa Fe.

Day 8: Santa Fe

Today is free to relax in downtown Santa Fe, buying souvenirs and enjoying cafe's and restaurants. A must to see is the St. Francis Cathedral next to the Plaza.

Day 9: Santa Fe > Gallup

This morning we want to check out the original film location of Maggie's Diner from the cult movie "Wild Hogs" with John Travolta in Madrid. After taking a group picture our tour takes us past Mesas, cottonwood trees and continues on the gentle winding road to Laguna Pueblo where the Spaniards built the mission church, which we will visit. Just in time for dinner, we will reach the hotel El Rancho in Gallup after riding several more beautiful miles through Indian Territory. The heydays are gone, but there once was a time when famous Hollywood stars met up here. Ronald Reagan slept in room 103; Humphrey Bogart in room 213, Doris Day in room 109, Kirk Douglas stayed in 105, Gregory Peck in 111. The Marx brothers resided in room 118, John Wayne recovered in room 100 after a long days ride and for Hermann the German room 101 is regularly reserved for the night.

Day 10: Gallup > Chinle

After a hearty breakfast in the "El Rancho" we will drive the former Route 666 to the North, straight through Navajo country. After some 95 appealing miles, we will arrive after passing through Shiprock and Teec Nos Pos to the Four Corners, the single point in the United States, where the boundaries of four states come together: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Another highlight on this adventure tour is Monument Valley. We will spend the night appropriately in the Navajo reservation near the Canyon de Chelly in Chinle.

Day 11: Chinle > Flagstaff

Starting off in Chinle, the first stage leads us to the Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert. The more interesting of the two natural wonders is the Petrified Forest, which was formed millions of years ago by a freak of nature. The northern part of the park, the Painted Desert, consists of sedimentary rocks that change color depending on the exposure to the sun going from red to orange to purple. On our journey towards the west ("Go West", is our phrase of the day!), we will pass the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook and cruise on to Winslow, Arizona to Winslow Corner, known from the song by the Eagles. Today's destination is Flagstaff which is located between the two Indian reservations of the Navajo and Hopi on the legendary Route 66. We will end the evening at the Museum Club that the locals call "The Zoo" and which is probably the best dance club between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles.

Day 12: Flagstaff > Seligman

Today's highlight is the gigantic Grand Canyon - if you wish, enjoy a spectacular helicopter flight. After lunch we will travel over Williams to Seligman. Here the long loop of the old Route 66 begins right up to the Californian border. Even the very old street layout is navigable along this beautiful section. Arriving in Seligman, we will first visit the founder of the "Historic Route 66 Association" at the Route 66 Visitors Center. We will certainly have the opportunity to meet the "Guardian Angel", Angel Delgadillo and perhaps somebody might be in the mood to receive one of his famous barber shaves. By the way, in his barber shop, you can find many Route 66 souvenirs - a true paradise for bargain hunters. In the evening we will set up our sleeping quarters at a typical Route 66 motel in order to get to know something very simple and rustic.

Day 13: Seligman > Las Vegas

We will have breakfast today at Westside Lilo's Cafe, an original 66 restaurant owned by an expatriate German, who ensures that all the guests in Seligman are well fed. Through Kingman we continue on to Las Vegas / Nevada and directly on to the Las Vegas Boulevard. The accommodation is booked in the legendary The Mirage which is an ideal starting point for a stroll right on the Strip. Do whatever your heart desires: visit one of the many world-class shows or dive into the nightlife of the city, the afternoon and evening are of course at your disposal.

Day 14: Las Vegas > Barstow

After a long night, we will start today our "Desert Tour". We will roll past exclusive hotels on the last leg of the Las Vegas Boulevard, and then head off to our day trip in the direction of Barstow. From Needles, California we head back to our Route 66, many refer to this as being the most beautiful part of the route. Other stops are the Sahara Oasis and Roy's Cafe in Amboy. Before we arrive in Barstow we will turn a few miles north - if time allows it - to visit an old silver mine in the Mojave Desert in the ghost town of Calico. In the still inhabited and lovingly renovated original Western town over a thousand adventurers once sought their fortune. If you want to you can pick up your very own personal Western photo. A beautiful day and a beautiful trip ends in Barstow. By the way in 1886, the town was named after the president of the Santa Fe railroad company. Barstow also managed to end up in the refrain of the Route 66 classic "Get your kicks".

Day 15: Barstow > Santa Monica

The last day "on the road" starts today. From Barstow we will travel the last miles on the Route 66 to Victorville and then take the Interstate straight to Los Angeles. Our Route 66 adventure tour ends here at the Pier of Santa Monica, where we will spend our last night near the promenade. During our final dinner we will reminisce about our common Route 66 Tour.

Learn more about this Guided Adventure Tour:

What's included - pricing - dates.

What's included: * The Original Tour - developed and organised by Reuthers * Reuthers Tour Guide - trained and multilingual * Travelling in comfortable Minibus * 15x Accommodation Middleclass Hotels/Motels in shared Double Room * Luggage Transportation during the Tour * Secured Payment Certificate (Sicherungsschein) * Reuthers Tour Book with Itineraries and Tips * Reuthers Travel Lecture (in English) * Reuthers Welcome Drink * Welcome Dinner in Restaurant * Farewell Dinner in Restaurant * Transfers Airport > Hotel > Airport * Entrance Fees * Reuthers Rewards"> Reuthers Rewards

Pricing: Per Person = USD 3375 Twin Room extra charge (2 separate beds instead of 1 common bed) = USD 235 Single Room extra charge (instead of shared Double Room) = USD 835

Optional Bookings: Additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = USD 95 Additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = USD 105 Additional Accommodation prior tour start in Single Room = USD 195 Additional Accommodation after the tour in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = USD 185 Additional Accommodation after the tour in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = USD 195 Additional Accommodation after the tour in Single Room = USD 375 Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = USD 315 Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = USD 345 Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in Single Room = USD 395 Chicago Best Of - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Double Room (1 common bed) = USD 315 Chicago Best Of - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in shared Twin Room (2 separate beds) = USD 345 Chicago Best Of - Sightseeing on Day 1 including additional Accommodation prior tour start in Single Room = USD 395 Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight = USD 245

All pricing payable in US Dollar . 3% Early Bird Discount (booking more than 12 months prior tour start) 2% Golden Ager Discount (age at least 60 years prior tour start) 10% Group Discount (from 8 registrations made within one week, one common Payment of Balance) Please note: The Total Discount for all applicable Discounts is a maximum of 10%.

Paying in the above tour currency is the cheapest way. If you prefer another currency - simply select:

Your selected Currency

> Country-specific information > Terms and Conditions for Tours > More information on key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302

You prefer > Riding a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle on Route 66

This website uses cookies > see Data Privacy Policy / Imprint

Diese Webseite verwendet Cookies > siehe Datenschutzerklärung / Impressum

Route 66 road trip planner: The best stops along the way

Editor's Note

They call it the Mother Road, a term coined by author John Steinbeck because it carried Dust Bowl refugees west across America. Even though Route 66 no longer exists on America's highway maps, a drive across the country on the stretches that remain is one of the great American road trips .

Passing through eight states between Chicago and Los Angeles , Route 66 covers nearly 2,500 miles across a broad swath of the Midwest, Great Plains, Southwest and West. Over time, most of the route was replaced by interstates, particularly Interstate 40, and finding the original road requires a series of zigzags and detours.

For that reason, most people choose just one section, leaving plenty of time for stops along the way, or base themselves out of one of the larger towns on the route and explore in either direction.

Here, from east to west, are some of the best places to celebrate the nostalgia of the Mother Road.

Chicago, Hinsdale and Joliet, Illinois

The symbolic start of Route 66 is Buckingham Fountain in Chicago's Grant Park, but it's not really a road trip until you're headed southwest out of the city.

A perfect jumping-off point for your trip is the Route 66 Welcome Center at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, with its excellent exhibit on the Muffler Men, huge fiberglass statues that were used to advertise car repair shops.

Restaurants still maintaining Route 66's traditions of roadside hospitality include the Rich & Creamy ice cream stand, Joliet Kicks on Route 66 and Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, specializing in fried chicken served under the slogan, "Get Your Chicks on Route 66."

For the ultimate all-American feast, Al's Steak House has been serving up prime cuts to weary road trippers for 60 years. As you head farther southwest on what today is Highway 55, stop for photos at the perfectly preserved Ambler's Texaco Gas Station in Dwight, where the gas pumps are painted gleaming red.

Where to stay

Between them, Chicago and Joliet have every brand of loyalty program hotel for every budget. The history of a different kind of travel is the theme at the Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop located in the former headquarters of the Chicago and North Western railway, with landmark Union Station just down the street. Opened in fall 2023, the hotel is a stylish addition to downtown, its decor paying homage to the bygone glamour of cross-country train travel. The hotel's brand-new rooftop restaurant, Seville, is a destination unto itself, serving creative cocktails, small plates and traditional Spanish dishes like paella. Rooms start at $240 or 65,000 points per night.

Related: The 17 best Chicago hotels

A relative newcomer to Joliet, the Candlewood Suites Joliet Southwest offers spacious rooms and an indoor pool, and is pet-friendly. Rooms start at $113 or 21,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

Also boasting an expansive indoor pool, Marriott's TownePlace Suites Joliet South features large, well-outfitted rooms that give you plenty of room to spread out and relax after a long drive. Rooms start at $134 or 12,800 Bonvoy points per night.

Pontiac, Illinois

Pontiac's pride in its Mother Road heritage can be seen in its 23 colorful outdoor murals and its two museums dedicated to America's love affair with the automobile. The Pontiac-Oakland Museum and Resource Center displays a rotating collection of rare Oakland and Pontiac models, while the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum showcases vintage ads, signs and a classic Volkswagen hippie bus housed in an old fire station.

Litchfield, Illinois

This one is a quick stop, but you don't want to miss the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center (yes, another one!) with its collection of nostalgic paraphernalia.

Nearby, the uber-retro Ariston Cafe is one of the oldest continuously operating Route 66 establishments, serving up a melting pot of American, Southern, Greek and Italian fare since 1924.

Springfield, Missouri

Crossing into Missouri, don't miss Chain of Rocks Bridge, now open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic only, famed for its dramatic dogleg bend midspan.

Springfield's vintage Route 66 establishments are preserved along two downtown streets: St. Louis Street, east of downtown, and the Chestnut Expressway on the west side. The Route 66 Car Museum is the big attraction here, thanks to its collection of more than 70 rare and collectible vintage cars.

One of Springfield's most recognizable historic buildings is the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque. This flamboyantly Arabesque old theater was built in 1923 and is still owned by the Shriners, who use it as an auditorium and concert hall. Nearby, a plaque tells the story of Wild Bill Hickok's murder of fellow gambler Dave Tutt, supposedly because Tutt flaunted a watch he'd won off Hickok.

Bonvoy members will be happy to find the SpringHill Suites Springfield North (from $136 or 26,000 points) a sleek addition to the portfolio, with extra-spacious rooms big enough to accommodate cribs, rollaways and trundle beds, and outfitted with microwaves and minifridges.

Die-hard Route 66 fans often choose the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven (from $129 or 20,000 points per night), while Hilton Honors members will like the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Springfield (from $380 or 145,000 Hilton Honors points per night), revamped top to bottom with earth-toned furnishings and a midcentury modern vibe.

Galena and Riverton, Kansas

The Kansas section of Route 66 is just 13.2 miles long, but it includes a couple of key stops. These include the town of Galena, a must for the old Kan-O-Tex gas station that now houses Cars on the Route, a tribute to Pixar's animated movie "Cars."

Housed inside the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas train depot, Galena Mining & Historical Museum is filled with vintage furnishings, tools and historical records documenting life in a mining boomtown.

Just west in Riverton, stop for lunch or snacks at the Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, a road trip staple since the 1920s. This deli serves up classic sandwiches, and the owner, who happens to be president of the Kansas Route 66 Association, displays his memorabilia.

Less well known, but beloved by locals, is the white-painted Rainbow Bridge that arches over Brush Creek approximately 2 miles west of Riverton.

Clinton, Oklahoma

Oklahoma has more original and still-driveable miles of Route 66 than any other state and takes great pride in this heritage. This includes the key role Route 66 played in the 1930s Dust Bowl migration.

Nowhere is this pride more on display than in the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The museum has used its significant state and local funding to pull together a comprehensive collection that even includes the chance to sit in a re-created 1950s diner.

Those who've traveled this route before will mourn the loss of the classic Trade Winds Inn, which until recently sat across the street from the museum and was a favorite of Elvis Presley, who stayed there four times. Clinton also has an indoor water park known as the Water-Zoo that makes a perfect road trip break for tired kids.

Points-friendly lodging options in Clinton include the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Clinton Historic Route 66 , with its expansive outdoor pool (from $96 or 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night) and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Clinton (from $110 or 18,000 IHG One Rewards points per night).

Tulsa, Stroud and Chandler, Oklahoma

Tulsa is the food capital of the Route 66 road trip, boasting a number of eateries with some variation on a Mother Road theme, chief among them El Rancho Grande, which has been serving up Mexican food for more than 60 years under a photogenic neon sign. Looking exactly as a vintage Mother Road diner should, Tally's is a must for breakfast all day long.

You'll find something tasty for everyone at Mother Road Market, where you can choose from Chicken & the Wolf, Bodhi's Bowl and even Brazilian food at Doctor Kustom, then eat on a family-friendly outdoor patio complete with Route 66-themed murals and a minigolf course.

Don't leave without checking out the eclectic shops at Mother Road Market, where you'll find books, toys and inspired souvenirs. Make a final stop at the Desert Hills Motel to snap a photo of its beloved neon sign.

Departing Tulsa to the west, the first landmark to watch for is Rock Creek Bridge. At just 12 feet wide, it provides a vivid sense of just how narrow highways like Route 66 were back in the early days of the Model T. You'll find another great example of Route 66 neon in Stroud, where the Skyliner Motel beckons visitors with a towering red arrow.

Now, back to the movie "Cars." The Rock Cafe just west of Stroud — which is made from local stone quarried in the 1920s — is a must-stop for fans because of its association with director John Lasseter. He visited numerous times as he wrote and directed the movie, leaving behind signed posters, napkins and graffiti.

Chandler is home to the Route 66 Interpretive Center, which is a bit of a departure from other Mother Road museums for its emphasis on education.

Related reading: The best American road trips to take with your family this summer

McLean, Texas

Stretching across the pancake-flat plains of the Texas panhandle for almost 200 miles, Route 66 in Texas has largely been directly supplanted by Interstate 40, with old Mother Road businesses left behind on the various towns' business loops.

The first of these, from east to west, is the old ranching town of McLean. It wasn't bypassed by the interstate until the early 1980s and has made impressive efforts to preserve its historic structures.

Stop for a photo op with the giant neon Texas sign and another at the perfectly preserved Phillips 66 station, where the pumps still list a price of 19 cents a gallon.

Well worth a stop is the Devil's Rope Museum. It's dedicated to barbed wire, called the "devil's rope" by cowboys, and holds one of the entire Mother Road's best collections of Route 66 memorabilia and souvenirs.

Amarillo and Cadillac Ranch, Texas

The beef industry still reigns supreme in Amarillo, which handles 2 million head of cattle a year, providing plenty of that old Wild West vibe, despite its booming population. Route 66 follows Sixth Street through what is now called the Old Jacinto District, so head there to browse boot, saddle and Western shops and antiques stores.

Back on I-40, you can't miss the giant steer head marking the Big Texan Steak Ranch, which was located on Route 66 when it opened in 1960. Families will like the old false-front Wild West-themed building, kitschy decor and the enormous portions at reasonable prices.

However, the Amarillo area's most photographed road-themed attraction is Cadillac Ranch, just off I-40 and about 10 miles west of town. Here, 10 rusting Cadillacs are buried nose down in the dirt, their finned backsides rising toward the sky and demonstrating iconic American midcentury design in order from 1949 to 1964.

Cadillac Ranch was created by a collective of San Francisco-based artists in 1974 at the behest of eccentric millionaire Stanley Marsh III, who moved them in the late 1990s to put them farther outside the city's sprawl. Since Marsh's death in 2014, the installation's future has been less secure, but filmmakers use the day-glo-painted cars so frequently for advertisements and photo shoots that the installation seems likely to survive awhile longer.

The Big Texan (from $76) offers rooms as well as meals, and a stay here will be more than memorable with choices including authentic covered wagons and vintage Airstreams.

You'll also find options for almost every loyalty point program; choose from the Hilton Garden Inn Amarillo (rooms from $87 or 24,000 Hilton Honors points per night), Marriott's Residence Inn Amarillo (rooms from $149 or 20,500 Bonvoy points per night) and many more.

Tucumcari, New Mexico

Tucumcari arguably has more time capsule photo ops than perhaps anywhere else on Route 66, thanks to the abundance of cool vintage signs lining aptly named Route 66 Boulevard. Many adorn classic motor lodges and diners, including Del's Restaurant, which features a giant cow on its sign.

The other thing you'll notice is the murals — nearly 100 of them — which stretch down side streets and adorn shops, restaurants and grocery stores. Make sure to see the Mother Road-themed mural at the corner of Second Street and Tucumcari Boulevard and also seek out the Magnolia gas station decorated with Route 66 signs and memorabilia.

In your sign-spotting, you probably noticed the photogenic monikers of Tucumcari's many 1940s-style motor lodges, among them the Blue Swallow Motel (rooms from $134 a night) and the Historic Route 66 Motel , which has taken midcentury chic to the max, outfitting its street-side patio with "Jetsons"-style chairs. Rooms, which start at just $76 a night, have refrigerators, microwaves and comfortable armchairs; some come with sleeper sofas to expand the number of beds.

The brand-new Fairfield Inn & Suites Tucumcari, a great option for Bonvoy members, combines modern amenities with midcentury modern decor perfectly in keeping with Route 66 nostalgia. Rooms start at $119 or 40,000 Bonvoy points per night.

Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Known for its preservation of retro signs and buildings, Santa Rosa is also home to the Route 66 Auto Museum, which you can't miss thanks to the bright yellow car perched atop a pole high in the air.

In addition to classic cars dating back to the earliest days of the automobile, the museum has an excellent collection of vintage gas pumps that say Route 66 better than anything else. Santa Rosa's other claim to fame, the Blue Hole, is an astoundingly deep spring-fed lake popular with scuba divers.

The Hampton Inn Santa Rosa , right on Route 66, is a favorite low-category property for Hilton Honors members looking to stretch points, with rooms starting at 20,000 points a night.

Like all La Quinta Inns, the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Rosa is popular with dog-owning Wyndham members for its pet-friendly policies; rooms start at $124 a night.

Related reading: 6 tips for surviving a road trip with a large family

Williams, Arizona

"Last town bypassed by I-40," reads the mural on the wall as you drive down Williams' main street. It's no surprise that Williams celebrates its dual identity as both a shoot-'em-up Western town and a nostalgic 1950s cruising strip.

Retro-chic photo ops are aplenty here, including the sky-blue sign for the Arizona 9 Motor Hotel and the neon cow beckoning diners to Rod's Steakhouse. The Coca-Cola-red car on the roof of Cruiser's 66 Cafe is visible for blocks.

Just an hour away from Grand Canyon National Park , Williams makes a perfect home base from which to explore. The Grand Canyon Railway provides "door to door" service, bringing travelers directly to Grand Canyon Village while entertaining them on the way with a staged "shootout" and close-up wildlife viewing.

In Williams, IHG members will find Holiday Inn Express & Suites Williams (rooms from $132 or 24,000 IHG points per night); Choice Hotels members can opt for either Quality Inn Near Grand Canyon or Comfort Inn Near Grand Canyon (both from $90 or 20,000 Choice points per night).

Wyndham Rewards members will be thrilled with the wide selection, which includes La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Williams-Grand Canyon Area ($97 or 30,000 points per night), Ramada by Wyndham Williams ($60 or 15,000 points per night) and Howard Johnson by Wyndham Williams ($56 or 15,000 points per night).

For something different and more adventurous, stay at the brand-new Backland Luxury Camping , a luxury glamping resort just 20 minutes outside Williams, which is spread over 160 thickly forested acres and features an on-site spa and restaurant. Tents come in four variations and start at $395 a night.

Related reading: Visiting the Grand Canyon with a family: Where to camp, stay and play

Seligman and Hackberry, Arizona

Filled with a string of vintage cafes, stores and gas stations, now colorfully painted and festooned in antiques rescued from the surrounding desert, Seligman is one big photo op — and what a photo op it is. From here, Route 66 diverted from I-40 through Hackberry, where the Hackberry General Store has the gritty Mother Road vibe so many of the more cleaned-up museums lack.

Kingman and Oatman, Arizona

A key stop on the Route 66 pilgrimage, Kingman houses the unusually comprehensive Arizona Route 66 Museum. In the Powerhouse Visitor Center, it traces the history of the westward route back to when it was an Indian trail, wagon train route and railroad line before it carried road trippers. Exhibits include a covered wagon and a characteristic Dust Bowl truck, as well as brightly painted 1950s roadsters.

The sharp jog north to visit the old mining town of Oatman is well worth the detour to see a town with a main street that appears to be frozen in time. Its sidewalks are still made of wood, and burros still wander among the old storefronts.

Barstow, California

Several quirky landmarks pay tribute to Barstow's former importance as a rail hub — including a McDonald's made from old railroad cars. However, Barstow's big lure for Route 66 fans is the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, located in the faded glory of the Casa del Desierto, a Fred Harvey hotel.

Outside Barstow in the Mojave National Preserve, the Kelso Depot has become a visitors center, bookstore and museum, with its former baggage room ticket office and dormitory rooms refurbished to their 1930s glory. The Desert Light Gallery has natural history and art exhibits.

Barstow is a common overnight spot for drivers on the way to San Francisco or Los Angeles, as well as the desert national parks of Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon.

You'll find numerous points-friendly lodging options, including Hampton Inn & Suites Barstow (from $299 or 50,000 Hilton points per night) and the Quality Inn on Historic Route 66 (from $103 or 16,000 Choice Privileges points per night).

Best Western Rewards members have two choices, the Best Western Desert Villa Inn (rooms from $134 or 20,000 points per night) and the more recently debuted Best Western Plus New Barstow Inn & Suites (rooms from $143 or 28,000 points per night).

Westward to the coast

Route 66 was rejiggered so many times as it passed through California that it's not always easy to trace the route or even find the remnants that exist. They're in small zigzag patches, some no longer even connected.

Victorville, California, has one short section, marked by an optimistic over-the-road welcome sign and the California Route 66 Museum. In all-but-abandoned Newberry Springs, the Baghdad Cafe had its 15 minutes of fame thanks to its namesake film, a 1980s art-house favorite.

But if you want a true sense of times long gone, these stretches of Highway 66 are perfect. Here are miles upon miles of lonely emptiness, where tumbleweeds blow across the pockmarked pavement. Motel signs stand abandoned, and vintage gas pumps behind chain-link fences still beg for attention from motorists long gone.

While at this point in the trip most travelers continue on to Los Angeles for the night, you might choose to cap off your trip with a stay at San Bernardino's '50s time-capsule Wigwam Motel (rooms from $109 a night), where the individual stucco structures cluster around a pool under swaying palms.

Related reading: From California to British Columbia: 10 best places for an idyllic West Coast getaway

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Your Route 66 Adventure Starts Here

A Route 66 adventure for everyone

Now offering our exceptional car caravans and a new bus tour. (This has replaced the "ride along" option.) Whether you want the thrill of driving or want to sit back and relax, we have the right option for you.

Guided Route 66 Car Caravans

Bring your own vehicle (or rent one) and follow your tour guide in a caravan of no more than 15 cars.

Route 66 Car Caravan

Chicago to Los Angeles

Guided Route 66 Bus Tours

Join fellow travelers on a comfortable motorcoach for a hassle-free adventure

Route 66 Bus Tour

Chicago-Las Vegas-LA

Two Lane America has created a masterpiece road trip on the mother road, Route 66. My wife and I traveled in June 2019 from South Florida to discovered how important Route 66 was and still is to this wonderful country

Our #1 bucket list trip was absolutely perfect, thanks to Austin Coop. The planning and research can be a bit overwhelming. With Two Lane America you can relax and just enjoy the trip as everything has been planned for you.

Charlayne H.

We were strangers from Ohio, Wisconsin, Virginia, Arkansas, California, and Holland, soon to become friends as we caravaned in our own vehicles from Chicago to Santa Monica on much of old Route 66 with 2LaneAmerica. We worried about nothing except buying gas or incidentals.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Tours by Region
• Tours by Activity
• Useful Info
• Passenger Info

Historic Route 66

The Route 66 tour begins in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles. The REVERSE tour option Los Angeles > Chicago is also available. Please ask our customer representative. Please view itinerary description below.

Trip Itinerary

Chicago Arrival

Arrive at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and transfer independently to your hotel.

Step outside today and experience mile after magnificent mile of the Windy City. Stand on the corner of Michigan and Adams, marked as the starting point of historic Route 66. Enjoy coffee and a big breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s, a Chicago institution since 1923 and a must for Route 66 travelers. Stroll the lakefront, peruse the shops, bike the parks, grab a Chicago Dog, or explore the city’s incredible sights and architectural treasures including Willis Tower, one of the tallest buildings in North Americas.

Chicago – St. Louis / driving distance: 300 mi / 480 km

This morning, pick up your rental car and get ready for an unforgettable journey into the then and now of America along historic Route 66. This legendary old road passes through a variety of pure Americana landscapes and takes in some of the country’s biggest, oldest and most peculiar sites along the way. Begin your journey by following the traditional east-to-west path of Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis, Missouri, cruising through endless cornfields and flat prairies. En route, don’t miss Wilmington’s most photographed “citizen”, the larger-than-life green Gemini Giant, and Atlanta’s Bunyan Giant, a 19-foot statue of Paul Bunyan holding a giant hot dog. In Springfield, stop at the Cozy Dog Drive-In, the birthplace of the corn dog, and explore the legacy of Abraham Lincoln with a visit to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Once in St. Louis, the largest city along Route 66, you can follow in the footsteps of legendary explorers by visiting the historic sites found throughout the city including the Gateway Arch, the nation’s tallest monument.

St. Louis – Springfield / driving distance: 210 mi / 340 km

Continue through the Ozark Highlands of southern Missouri to Springfield, recognized as the birthplace of Route 66. En route, stop at Meramec Caverns, an extensive set of natural limestone caves whose formations and colors are as unique as they are beautiful. Adding to the pleasure of exploring the caves is learning that Jesse James used them as a hideout and took advantage of the underground river to escape through the “back door”.

Springfield – Tulsa – Oklahoma City / driving distance: 310 mi / 520 km

This morning, cut through the southeastern corner of Kansas on your way to Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma section of Route 66 contains more driveable miles than any other state as well as several miles of the original 9-foot road segment that served Oklahoman families headed west in search of better opportunities during the 1930’s. En route to Oklahoma City, stop to view the beloved 20-foot tall cement Blue Whale in Catoosa, a landmark along Route 66, and the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge in Tulsa, honoring the “Father of Route 66’s” memory and connection to the historic highway. Once in Oklahoma City, the state’s capital, be sure to check out the old Route 66 motels, gas stations and numerous vintage buildings.

Oklahoma City – Amarillo / driving distance: 260 mi / 420 km

Continue to Amarillo, located in the pancake-flat plains of the Texas Panhandle. This area of Texas was once the buffalo-rich grasslands of the Great Plains, inhabited by bands of Kiowa and Comanche Indians. Stop at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton where you can experience six decades of Route 66 history. See Shamrock’s Tower Station and the U-Drop Inn Café whose towering spire is still a reminder of the booming business it once saw. See the first restored Phillips 66 gas station in McLean, and in Groom the leaning water tower and a 150-foot tall stainless steel cross. Once in Amarillo, be sure to stop at Big Texas Steak Ranch where you can attempt their 72oz. steak challenge.

Amarillo – Albuquerque / driving distance: 270 mi / 450 km

Before leaving Amarillo be sure to visit Cadillac Ranch. This unique display of art features a row of ten colorfully painted Cadillac cars buried grille first in the ground. Continue to the MidPoint Café in Adrian famous for its “ugly crust” pies. From Adrian you’ll follow Route 66 to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a great taste of the Land of Enchantment.

The state’s largest city, Albuquerque spreads north and south along the banks of the Rio Grande. Spend the day exploring Downtown Albuquerque’s Central Avenue, a treasure trove of Route 66 landmarks. Historic Old Town offers a taste of New Mexico’s Spanish colonial past while the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, owned by the state’s 19 different Pueblo communities, traces the history of the region’s Native American cultures.

Albuquerque – Santa Fe – Albuquerque / driving distance: 116 mi / 186 km

To get a true sense of the Old Route 66, today you will detour to New Mexico’s state capital, Santa Fe. Founded on the ruins of an abandoned Indian village and steeped in history, Santa Fe is the oldest Capital in the U.S., and although it lost its place on Route 66 in 1938, it remains one of the most picturesque cities in the state. At one time this was the end of the old Santa Fe Trail, the earliest trade route linking the American frontier back east with the far west. Plan to visit one of Santa Fe’s famous art galleries, art markets, or museums full of traditional and contemporary art, including works by their own Georgia O’Keeffe, or shop for authentic creations you just won’t find anywhere else.

Albuquerque – Holbrook / driving distance: 260 mi / 420 km

This morning, the state of Arizona welcomes Route 66 travelers with an overwhelming display of trading posts. View huge concrete tepees that stand at the foot of brilliant red-rock mesas en route to Petrified Forest National Park, the only park in the National Park System containing a section of Historic Route 66. Here you will come face-to-face with over 13,000 years of human history and one of the world’s largest and most colorful assemblies of petrified wood, historic structures and archeological sites. Catch a sunset over the Painted Desert from the park’s Kachina Point before heading to Holbrook. Once in Holbrook, stop at the Wigwam Motel whose steel and concrete teepees featuring modern conveniences have welcomed guests since the 1950’s.

Holbrook – Grand Canyon National Park/Williams / driving distance: 180 mi / 290 km

Continue to Meteor City, a true vintage trading post whose distinctive dome can be seen for miles along this stretch of Route 66. Pass through Flagstaff and Williams en route to Grand Canyon National park, a natural wonder that you simply have to see to believe. Spend the day discovering the distinct South Rim of the Canyon. Stop at one of the numerous overlooks, walk part of the Rim Trail or along the historic Hermit Road. Visit a Photo Hot Spot, or climb to the top of a stone Watchtower for panoramic views that extend over 100 miles on clear days.

Grand Canyon National Park/Williams – Las Vegas / driving distance: 300 mi / 480 km

Leave the pretty town of Williams and the Grand Canyon behind as you make your way to Seligman, the first stop heading west on the longest uninterrupted stretch of Route 66. Continue through Kingman whose old Route 66 cafés and motels still flourish, to one of Arizona’s hidden treasures, Hoover Dam. Considered the largest single public works project in the history of the U.S., The Hoover Dam straddles the mighty Colorado River, which forms the border between Nevada and Arizona and brings much-needed water and power to the Southwest. Continue to Las Vegas, Nevada, a city that needs no introduction.

Enjoy a full day Las Vegas style. Walk the famous Las Vegas Strip lined with mega-resorts and flashing neon lights, place a bet at one of the many casinos, dine at world-class restaurants, catch the latest must-see show, shop designer boutiques, ride a rollercoaster, lay by the pool … the list goes on. With so much to do, 24 hours in a day hardly seems like enough.

Las Vegas – Santa Monica/Los Angeles / driving distance: 290 mi / 470 km

This morning, set out through the Mojave Desert for Calico Ghost Town, Yermo, California’s authentic silver mining town and one of the few original mining camps of the Old West. Rejoin Route 66 in Barstow where a collection of historic photographs and artifacts related to Route 66 and the Mojave Desert Communities are on display at the Route 66 “Mother Road” Museum. Continue through Pasadena, Los Angeles, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills to Santa Monica for a true Hollywood ending to your cross-country journey. Park and venture the last few blocks on foot to view the “End of the Trail” sign on Santa Monica’s Pier. This sign officially marks the western end of historic Route 66.

Los Angeles/Santa Monica

Spend the day strolling along the beaches of Santa Monica or browsing the adjacent indoor/ outdoor shops at Third Street Promenade. Or, further explore L.A.’s one-of-a-kind destinations, playgrounds of the rich and famous and architectural gems. Universal Studios Hollywood and Anaheim’s original Disneyland Park are also located within easy driving distance.

Los Angeles Departure

Return your rental car at Los Angeles International Airport prior to your departure.

Prices, Dates, Hotels & Conditions

Change currency.

The final price you will pay for this tour is that displayed in USD. Prices converted in other currencies are for guidance purposes only and are approximate.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS - Gaze at Chicago’s Willis Tower, the tallest building in North America - Take a nostalgic ride along historic Route 66 - Get a bird’s eye view of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis - Lose yourself in the quiet beauty of Missouri’s Ozark Region - Experience the nation’s longest drivable stretch of Route 66 in Oklahoma - Pay a visit to Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch, a ritual site on The Mother Road - Sample rich culture and the true Southwest in Albuquerque - Visit Santa Fe, a UNESCO designated City of Design, Crafts and Folk Art - Explore one of the best remnants of native Arizona grassland in Petrified Forest - View one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon - Pay a visit to Hoover Dam - Enjoy 24 Hour entertainment in glittering Las Vegas - Explore Calico Ghost Town - See the replica of the long-lost Route 66 “End of the Trail” sign at the Santa Monica Pier - Get closer to the stars at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, a Hollywood landmark - Commemorative certificate of having driven Historic Route 66 Admission fees not included

Request Information

• Children age
• Preferred language of the tour

Please enter your contact details below:

• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Citizenship *
• Optional 2nd Email
• Telephone (with country code) *
• Country * ---- Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d?Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Islands Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Réunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Yugoslavia Zambia Zimbabwe
• Security Code *

Please click on the button below to send us a request.

A customer representative will reply to you usually within 24 hours and assist you with your order.

Tours-USA.com

Tours-USA.com is a specialist tour operator providing high quality holidays to the USA and Canada. Explore our tours and contact us for any information.

Our Tours and Services

• Holiday Type
• Tours By Region
• Travel Insurance
• Terms and Conditions
• Payment Options
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy

Our site uses cookies to improve your web browsing experience. By continuing to use our services you are accepting our Cookie Policy. Got it!

• Packages & Tours
• Off-road new
• EAGLERIDER \
• Motorcycle Rides \

The Devil's Highway Loop

Over 400 switchbacks. Harrowing turns, and excitement. The Devil's Highway was known as Route 666 at one time. This is an amazing ride. If you want to get to know your bike, this is the ride for you. Through mining towns, old forgotten towns, and beautiful scenery. This ride will get your adrenaline running. This ride can be done in a day if you so choose, yet, that is almost 14 hours. We would suggest getting up to the 191 and spending the night, then off you go the next day.

Route: view in Google Maps

Scenic ride length: 544 miles

Ride duration: 11 - 14 hours

Rent a Motorcycle

Locations Renting Motorcycles for The Devil's Highway Loop

Location Details

No reviews yet

These are the winners of the Hardstyle Awards 2023

Gearbox Digital lowers ticket prices and introduces a new touring concept: Route 666

The Gearbox Digital team comes up with a brand new concept including strong USPs called Route 666. The label basically brings RAW to your front door: with extensive sets, an intimate setting and all of this for an affordable price.

READ ALSO: Rebelion responsible for The Spotlight on Defqon.1

Gearbox sold out the big AFAS Live in Amsterdam last year, but is still closely connected to the underground parties. However, they have recently seen a worrying trend within hardstyle. “Rising ticket prices and the closing of many small to medium sized event venues has put immense pressure on the scene, which doesn’t allow for a healthy breeding ground for new talent”, says the label. That is why it is now coming up with a new initiative to continue helping artists.

“The ‘Gearbox Family’ have grown together from underground to mainstage”

Route 666 is the concept that travels around to offer an accessible harder styles event to (new) fans throughout the Netherlands and abroad. The event in Eindhoven has been announced this week, which will feature special Evolution sets from Rebelion who will take you from older tracks to new and Luminite & Thyron that will perform Gearbox’s history and present. You will also find Mutilator and Aversion here, plus the battles of Element vs. Exproz and Fraw vs. Dual Damage . Check out the full line-ups of the first events below.

“The idea behind the extended sets is to offer freedom to the artists to take fans on an unexpected journey. Giving them the chance to play classics, support upcoming talents, play tracks from other artists, and drop completely unexpected bangers to give fans the fullest experience of their favorite DJs.”

Route 666 is protecting fans’ wallets: affordable and accessible events

The first edition of Gearbox presents Route 666 is scheduled for June 30 in the famous Bootshaus in Germany and the first Dutch edition will take place on October 21 in Vibes Eindhoven (former Beursgebouw). Tickets are available through the label’s official website : more than half of the tickets have already been sold in the first day of sale. More events near you will be announced later.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ⚙️ 𝐆𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐗 𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋 ⚙️ (@gearboxdigital)

Cologne [DE], 30 June 2023

Anderex Cybergore (So Juice b2b Deezl) Exproz Fraw Krowdexx Mutilator Riot Shift Sins Of Insanity b2b Spectre The Straikerz Hosted by MC Focus

Eindhoven, 21 October 2023

REBELION (Evolution Set) Aversion BMBERJCK vs Sparkz Element vs Exproz Fraw vs Dual Damage Luminite & Thyron (Gearbox Evolution Set) Mutilator Hosted by Mc Focus

Footage taken from Facebook page Gearbox Digital

Related news

Back To The Roots brings back RAW Classics heroes

Back To The Roots goes back in time to the golden period of RAW. After the unveiling of Freakz At Night, the organization has now revealed the…

The first Gearbox Digital Outdoor festival expands to 2 days

Gearbox Digital has big news for their first outdoor festival. Supercharged Festival is celebrating the label’s 15th anniversary with a weekend full of RAW & Uptempo. “It’s…

Gearbox reveals line-up and location of new Supercharged Festival

Team Gearbox is charging up for the next challenge: with Supercharged Festival they will transform the Hembrugterrein, an industrial location nearby Amsterdam, into a harder styles paradise…

Add a comment

Latest interviews.

About this movie

Ratings and reviews.

• Flag inappropriate

• Apple Music

• Rebels&Angels
• Log In | Sign Up

You must be a member of Rebels & Angels to access this