Route 66 Road Trip: 14 Days Driving the Main Street of America

Route 66 is the United State's historic highway that was established in 1926, It is over 2,400 miles, and it goes from Santa Monica, California to Chicago, Illinois. The route was used by many who migrated west during the 1900s and it was popularized in songs, TV series and The Grapes of Wrath. My dad and I went on a full Route 66 road trip over 14 days in June of 2019 and made this video to share what the route looked like during that time period and to encourage others to drive this historic road.

If you just want to watch the states by themselves, you can click the links below.

Also, I mention these videos I made as well in the video.

Chapters:
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0:00 - Intro
0:39 - California
18:16 - Arizona
37:40 - New Mexico
50:56 - Texas
1:00:23 - Oklahoma
1:20:34 - Kansas
1:23:29 - Missouri
1:42:57 - Illinois
2:00:00 - Outro
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Follow me:

Gear:

Music:
Epidemic Sound

[carilee]

I'm very disabled and won't ever travel. But I have had a great day traveling with you and your Dad today. Thanks for the trip!

[nlbhlcr]

I'm italian. I rode motorbike on R66 in westbound last year, alone. Best adventure in my life, I left my heart in this panoramic world. But most beautiful thing that I keep in my soul is the friendly and cordial spirit of the people who live along the R66, and that made me feel an integral part of that world, even if for only 24 days.

[incogskd]

In 1960-1962 our family made the trip over Route 66 several times when my parents were moving from Chicago to Los Angeles. Each trip was epic for me and my brother. We got to see it in its heyday. I saw several motels we stayed in that are in ruins now. I am so glad I was able to experience as a child before they dismantled it. I hope it comes back in all its glory someday.

[David-xlcp]

This is an amazing insite to the 66, best I have seen, so detailed.
We are from the UK and my wife and I have just completed the 66, (June 2023) we took 26 days and covered 2675 miles. We took it slow as we are late 60’s and it is the trip to do before you die, amazing people you meet on the way.

[irfanuddinshaikh]

I m an INDIAN and have explored USA by road in very detailed almost all states, I had planned to drive through ROUTE 66 never finalised, but after watching your video I can say ‘IF YOU HAVE NOT DRIVEN THROUGH ROUTE 66 FROM START POINT TO END POINT, YOU HAVE NOT SEEN USA”. One of the best travel video I have seen. Your this video is a great service to travel lovers. May God Bless UNCLE and YOU. 10 out of 10.

[LWRC]

This has got to be one of the most informative videos on Route 66. Not only do you show the various sites but you tell the audience what to look for, interesting historical facts and just basic information for folks who may want to visit in the future. This is extremely valuable!

[pdgmet]

You are blessed to have the opportunity to take this journey with your dad. Thanks for sharing.

[DonJHughes]

This is arguably the most detailed experience of Route 66 that I’ve found on YouTube! I live in Northern California and am trying to convince my wife to take a two-week vacation, rent a car, then make that trip from Santa Monica to Chicago. The food stops look amazing; I can tell your dad didn’t care for Bagdad Cafe but I definitely bookmarked Butcher BBQ in Oklahoma. And those museums; I want to check ‘em all out! But overall, amazing video!!

[simmiedavissimmiesings]

I am 60. When I was about 6, our dad took us from Michigan, all the way down Route 66. I have traveled extensively, and this trip is still the best trip I ever had. We had many restaurant adventures, especially because it was the 60s and a Black family was not welcome in many of the restaurants along the way. The trip whet my appetite for travel. I recommend all families take this trip with their children, although not too young kids may get bored. Thank you for posting this, as it brought up very pleasant memories. RIP Pops.

[haydensmercurycomet]

Me and my dad are restoring a 1964 Chevy Belair we plan to do the whole route I’m glad I found this video thank you sir

[the_voice_of_reason]

Oh my! Came across you channel today, I am a woman of 72 in Australia and probably will never experience this wonderful trip in my lifetime, so thank you so much for this wonderful journey, the food, the different architecture and history. So well presented and so very interesting.. I felt like I was on the journey with you.. brilliant. Thank you so very much for the history and all the great stops and museums. I am so very grateful for you taking the time. My granddaughter did a semester at Oklahoma University and after that she did some travelling around to Washington DC and New York and she absolutely loved it, before returning back home to Australia. Many thanks for this lovely adventure via Route 66. God Bless.

[carolestickle]

Loved your time on rt.. 66. My husband and I actually took rt 66 on our motorcycle in late 70s. A lot new to see now. I am glad to have a chance to experience it with you. Thank you.

[kizpaws]

Trapped at home due to a virus, but yet able to travel Route 66 with this man and his father!
Superb job of videos put together with charm and good natured fun.
You, sir, and your father are amazing, thanks so much for sharing your trip with us!

[bob_frazier]

The best part is the father & son just spending time together. 💘

[Bobby-dhez]

You two are an absolute gem for folks that lack the means or ability to travel and see the beautiful country. I spent many, many days and nights traversing the scenic routes and historic by-ways of the mid Atlantic states, including Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and South Carolina with my grandparents in the eighties and nineties, as a youth. What great times we had, exploring, enjoying each other's company, rarely with any preconceived final destination declared or expected. We saw cities and suburbs...mountains and valleys....from the tiniest farms to bustling cities! I learned a great deal about wealth and poverty ( My grandparents were from rural West Virginia, but had settled in the suburbs of Washington DC. My grandfather becoming a DC firefighter and my grandmother a banker, defeating their own struggles)...about struggles, both financial and cultural. That time spent with my loved ones is time I'll cherish forever. Bravo gentlemen, what wholesome, all-American fun!!

[andreabro]

By far, the best Route 66 video guide on YouTube. Thank you Josh and "Pops" for compiling this information and footage. In the description you wrote that you wanted to encourage others to make this trip. Mission accomplished. I just finished Route 66 with my wife in May. It has been our favorite trip so far. We tried to stop at most of the places shown in your video. One place we loved that was not in your video is the Route 66 Museum in Ash Fork, AZ. It was one of the best stops on the entire route because unlike other museums where you cannot touch anything, this one is completely interactive. The kind and helpful staff encourage visitors to touch everything to get the full experience of their museum.
Also one of the best parts of doing Route 66 is meeting up with other travelers on the Route. It's awesome how you keep running into the same people day after day all because we watched your video and stop at the same places.

[jacksmith]

In 1947 when my family made the trip almost all the roads were dirt and gravel when you got outside the city limits. We made it from Missouri to California in a 1937 slantback Chevy. My brother was 5 years old and he remembers quite a bit of it. We have a picture of the car and us.

[anniewithane]

I love that you and your Dad are seeing this together! I am sure there are thousands of people who wish they had a relationship with their own Dads like that’

[VinnyG]

3 years later and I just stumbled upon this video. Thank you for creating this! You and your pops looked like you had a blast. Enjoyed every minute and I think I side with your pops on avoiding caves haha

[TheAccidentalPhotographer]

Just re-watched this for a 3rd time. My wife and I are coming from the UK & driving route 66 in May - your video has been a source of information and inspiration. Your travel videos are excellent, thank you for sharing the content!