Route 66 is a tribute to America’s past—a way to show our kids the people and places that make up this country. The drive is made of long stretches of prairie, dry scrubland, and towering Ponderosa pines. There are kitschy attractions frozen in time, from teepee-shaped motels to the towering Gemini Giant and the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle. Affectionately nicknamed “The Mother Road,” it’s fitting that generations of families have traveled along it, including mine just this year.
During the trip, my family pulled into Mr. G’s Pizza and Soda Shop, a retro-style diner in a small, remote town just off Route 66 in Arizona. My kids were grumpy and exhausted after a full day at Petrified Forest National Park. Soon, greasy slices of pizza revived them, and we settled in—people-watching locals sipping inventive soda concoctions like the “Uncle Sam,” a mix of Dr. Pepper, peach, vanilla, and coconut cream. Retro diners like this dot the route, turning the road trip into a kind of culinary adventure.
With Route 66 approaching its 100th anniversary, there’s no better time to experience it as a family. Here’s what to know and how to plan your family road trip down Route 66.
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What is Route 66? (and why it’s perfect for a family road trip)
Route 66—stretching roughly 2,400 miles across eight states—was commissioned in 1926 to connect Chicago to Los Angeles. Along the way, it passes through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
As an Arizona native, the stretch of Route 66 through the Southwest is in my blood. Over spring break, my family rented an RV through Outdoorsy and set out to explore our home-state stretch of the road. Seeing it through my kids’ eyes deepened my appreciation for a landscape I thought I already knew.
To help you plan your own trip, I also spoke with two moms who know the road well: Amy Bizzarri, author of Best Hits on Route 66 and The Route 66 Cookbook, and Instagram creator Sara Arango Gutiérrez from @sebas_and_sara. She and her husband were winners of Outdoorsy’s 2024 “America’s Best Summer Job,” traveling the Route in an RV with their three kids.
Together, we’re breaking down everything you need to plan a family-friendly Route 66 road trip—from the best quirky stops and roadside attractions to the most delicious small town diners.
Amy Bizzarri, Author and Travel Writer
Amy Bizzarri is an author and freelance writer based in Chicago. She has written multiple books, including Best Hits on Route 66 and The Route 66 Cookbook. She’s a teacher, tour guide, wine expert, and writer who is passionate about making travel accessible for families. Her freelance travel content has appeared in BBC Travel, Smithsonian, Lonely Planet, Somm Journal, Fodor’s, Chicago Tribune, and more.
Sara Arango Gutiérrez, Instagram Travel Creator
Sara Arango Gutiérrez is a social media creator who lives in Arizona with her husband and kids. In 2024, her and her husband won Outdoorsy’s “2024 Best Summer Job” award after traveling Route 66 in an RV with their three kids. With this experience under her belt, she’s excited to help more families experience this epic road trip.
How long does a Route 66 road trip take?
How long your Route 66 trip takes depends on you and what you want to see. Technically, you could drive the full route in about 40 hours—but that misses the point.
The road invites you to ”slow down, wander, and let the unexpected shape your journey,” Bizzarri says. “Unlike modern highways designed to rush you from point A to point B, the Mother Road is all about discovery.”
“Unlike modern highways designed to rush you from point A to point B, the Mother Road is all about discovery.”
Most families spend anywhere from one week to a full month on Route 66, averaging about 150 to 200 driving miles per day. Whether you have a week or several, choose a pace that leaves room for detours, diner stops, and the unexpected. Here’s how different itineraries break down.
One-week Route 66 family road trip itinerary
A week-long trip along Route 66 is most enjoyable if you don’t try to tackle the entire Chicago to California experience. This would put you on the road for around seven hours a day, with little time for stops. Instead, choose a section of the road (southwest or Midwest) to really immerse yourself in.
10-day Route 66 family road trip itinerary
At this pace, you can hit many of the best attractions without feeling rushed. Still, consider focusing on a specific leg of the trip instead of trying to tackle it all. Detours like the Grand Canyon or Sedona are worth considering, as is extending your time in any city that strikes your fancy, such as Chicago, Santa Fe, or Santa Monica.
Two-week Route 66 family road trip itinerary
Now you can really get your kicks on Route 66! A two-week itinerary gives you a little more breathing room to mix iconic landmarks with hidden gems. You’ll need to average about 170 miles a day, which means it’s still a bit tight to see the whole route, but doable if you’re okay with sacrificing some attractions and detours.
Three-to-four week Route 66 family road trip itinerary
A three-to-four week itinerary lets you soak in the entire Route 66 at a more meandering pace. If you can afford the time, this is the ideal way to get acquainted with the Mother Road.
Route 66 road trip planner (step-by-step)
Choose your starting point
The official starting point is Chicago, Illinois, and ends at the Santa Monica Pier in California. But you can do the entire trip in reverse, or as I mentioned above, strategically choose a few states.
Decide how much of Route 66 to drive
This is your trip, so plan around what destinations and attractions matter most to you. The main thing is that you don’t want to feel trapped in a car each day, racing to the next thing. It’s better to really soak in a few destinations versus “hurrying up” to get to the next attraction.
Map out daily driving distances
Most families will likely plan around 150-200 miles a day, with some days being heavier or lighter along the way. It’s best to drive about three to five hours a day, broken up with stops, says Arango Gutiérrez. “Anything more, and you start to feel it.”
Book iconic hotels and popular KOAs early
Spontaneity is part of the experience, so most Route 66 experts say don’t book everything in advance.
That said, it’s best to reserve some stays early for summer and holidays, or closer to the Grand Canyon and other major Route 66 spots. Even trying a few days ahead during the busy season is better than waiting until the last minute.
If you choose to RV across Route 66, you can rent affordable campsites through Outdoorsy or KOA, where many locations offer family-friendly perks like play areas, nearby hiking, and on-site activities. Other iconic hotels and motels should likely be booked ahead of time, including: the historic Palmer House, a Hilton hotel steps from the “Begin Historic Route 66” sign in Chicago, home of the first dessert brownie; The Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, New Mexico; El Rancho in Gallup, New Mexico; Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona; and La Posada in Winslow, Arizona.
Best Route 66 stops for families
To narrow down the best stops, I leaned on Bizzarri and Arango Gutiérrez ’s inside knowledge of Route 66 and added a few of my favorites.
Classic Kitsch Stops and Attractions
Gemini Giant
The Gemini Giant is a larger-than-life action figure. Next door, fuel up at his launch pad with burgers, fries, and ice cream cones.
Address: 201 Bridge St, Wilmington, IL 60481
Sky View Drive-In
An old-school drive-in is a retro, fun way to spend a night on Route 66. Stock up on treats and stick around for a second free screening.
Address: 1500 Old Route 66, Litchfield, IL
Blue Whale of Catoosa
This is one of the most famous icons on the road. It’s an 80-foot-long sperm whale stranded in tiny Catoosa. Step inside and prepare to be amazed.
Address: 2600 OK-66, Catoosa, OK
Cadillac Ranch
This large-scale art installation of half-buried, graffiti-covered Cadillac cars is located just west of Amarillo. Get out, spray paint a car, and be part of history.
Address: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX
World’s Largest Catsup Bottle
Brook’s Catsup Bottle stands seventy feet tall—another must-see stop.
Address: 800 S. Morrison Ave., Collinsville, IL
Gateway Arch
Be sure to take the tram ride up to the observation deck to look out over St. Louis. On a clear day, you can see up to 30 miles away.
Kan-O-Tex Service Station, Home of Tow Mater
Home to the beloved Tow Mater from the Disney Pixar movie Cars, come say hi to him at this service station in Galena, Kansas.
Address: 119 N. Main St., Galena, KS
Wild Burros of Oatman
Buy some “burro chow” from the locals and get ready to hand-feed the ever-hungry wild burros that roam free here. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of Arizona, and a must-do on Route 66. It’s like entering a different world, Arango Gutiérrez shares.
Address: Oatman, Arizona
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch
This one-of-a-kind, upcycled art installation will inspire your children’s own recycled masterpieces.
Address: 24266 National Trails Highway, Oro Grande, CA
Outdoor adventures and natural wonders
Meramec Caverns
Explore seven layers of this 400‑million‑year‑old cave system for an otherworldly experience.
Address: 1135 Highway W, Sullivan, MO
Blue Hole
Make a splash in an eighty-foot deep swimming hole smack dab in the high desert of New Mexico at the Santa Rosa Black Hole.
Address: 1085 Blue Hole Rd, Santa Rosa, NM 88435
Petrified Forest National Park
See ancient trees turned into petrified rocks and the painted desert at this national park. Stop at the Rainbow Forest Museum first, then take the easy, one-mile Crystal Forest Trail loop. If your family can handle more, the Blue Mesa Trail is also worth doing.
Sedona
Many Route 66 itineraries include a forty-minute detour from Flagstaff to Sedona—and for good reason. It’s one of my favorite places in the country. While Slide Rock is often recommended, locals know it’s almost always crowded. Instead, try hiking part of the kid-friendly West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead. You’ll still have access to water and beautiful red-rock exposure without the chaos. After hiking, enjoy a meal at Indian Gardens and Cafe. Plan for a half to full day.
Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim
This is another worthy detour from Flagstaff. If you’ve never been, you can’t pass up the opportunity to see this wonder of the natural world. Visiting a few vantage points, especially during the busy season, is a full day’s effort.
Educational Stops
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Want to see where Honest Abe laid his head at night? Then visit his home in Springfield, Illinois.
Address: 426 S. 7th St., Springfield, Illinois 62701
American International Rattlesnake Museum
In Albuquerque, get to know the rattler up close and personal… but not too personal.
Address: 202 San Felipe St. NW, Albuquerque, NM
Edmond 1889 Schoolhouse
Tour a one-room schoolhouse in what was once Oklahoma Territory. Behave, or wear the dunce cap.
Address: 24 E. 2nd St., Edmond, OK
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park
This is Oklahoma’s largest open-air folk art museum, featuring totem poles with Native American motifs.
Address: 21310 E. Hwy. 28A, Chelsea, OK
The final stops you can’t miss
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Walk of Fame
I always love walking in Hollywood and seeing all the stars’ handprints. Just be aware that traffic in this stretch of the trip is a real patience-tester.
Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA
Santa Monica Pier
The end’s near when you get to the pier. But the fun isn’t over! Here you’ll find arcade games, a carousel, ferris wheel, and the beautiful California coastline. Eat a hamburger at Pier Burger, the final restaurant on Route 66.
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Best kid-friendly food along Route-66
Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket
A classic, long-established diner along the route that serves up the best fried chicken.
Address: 645 Joliet’s Road, Willowbrook, Illinois
The Country-Aire Restaurant
Housemade pies made fresh daily. If you love pie, you’ll love this one. Some inventive concoctions include the blueberry crumble and rhubarb cream.
Address: 606 E South St, Atlanta, IL
POPS Soda Ranch
Choose from more than 700 soda pop flavors at this sugary sweet stop.
Address: 660 OK‑66, Arcadia, OK
Midpoint Cafe
What’s the halfway point of Route 66? This cafe here. Another pie-lover’s dream stop, with ugly-crust pies like lemon meringue, pecan, and chocolate.
Address: 305 Historic Route 66, Adrian, Texas
Roadkill Café and Delgadillo’s Sno Cap
“Seligman stands as a Route 66 roadside town par excellence,” says Bizzarri. “Choose from the mock‑roadkill menu at the meat‑lover’s Roadkill Café and cool off with a cone at the ever‑popular Delgadillo’s Sno Cap.”
Addresses: Roadkill Café: 22830 W. Route 66, Seligman, AZ, and Delgadillo’s Sno Cap Drive‑In: 301 W. Route 66, Seligman, AZ
Sample Route 66 family road trip itinerary
If you have about two weeks, this sample itinerary hits many of Route 66’s most iconic stops without feeling rushed.
Days 1–3: Chicago to St. Louis
There’s no better place to begin than the “Begin Route 66” sign in Chicago, Illinois. Along the way, stop at the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, catch a movie under the stars at the Sky View Drive-In, and grab a classic meal at the Ariston Café.
In Springfield, consider stopping at Abraham Lincoln’s home. Just past St. Louis, explore the Gateway Arch, then venture into the Meramec Caverns.
Days 4–6: Kansas, Oklahoma & Texas
Here’s where Route 66 really starts to lean into its quirkiest side. In Galena, Kansas, say hello to Tow Mater at Kan-O-Tex before crossing into Oklahoma.
From there, stop at the whimsical Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park, visit the beloved Blue Whale of Catoosa, and grab a drink at POPS Soda Ranch. If time allows, get educated at the First Public Schoolhouse in Edmond.
Continue west into Texas to see Cadillac Ranch and spray paint a car. As you approach New Mexico’s border, be on the lookout for wandering spirits in the long-abandoned Glenrio Ghost Town.
Days 7–10: New Mexico & Arizona
Cue the dramatic scenery. In Albuquerque, explore Old Town and the American International Rattlesnake Museum. Then head west into Arizona to spend half-a-day or a full day in the Petrified Forest National Park. Nearby, shop at the Rainbow Rock Shop. Spend the night at the famous Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, La Posada in Winslow, or Flagstaff KOA.
After dark, stargaze at Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory. If time allows, spend a day or two detouring to mystical Sedona or the Grand Canyon National Park for spectacular views.
Days 11–14: Arizona & California
Heading west, stop in Seligman for a kid-friendly culinary experience at Roadkill Café and Delgadillo’s Sno Cap. Continue to Oatman, where wild burros roam the streets and kids can feed them.
From there, cross into California, exploring Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch. Approaching Los Angeles, consider a stop at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, then journey on to the Santa Monica Pier to celebrate the finale to your family’s most classic American road trip.
Tips for a Route 66 road trip with kids
Here are some of the best tips from the seasoned mom road trippers:
- Plan shorter driving days, about 3 to 5 hours is max
- Lower your expectations and provide a lot of snacks
- Build in your quirky stops to keep kids amazed
- Pack car entertainment, such as coloring, small toys, puzzles, games, and books
- Download podcasts (Story Pirates, Wow in the World, and The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian are favorites in our house), kids’ audiobooks, and Route 66 playlists on Spotify
- Provide travel journals, pens, colored pencils, and sketchbooks to inspire kids to record what they see
- Encourage kids to collect mementos as they go
- Bring old point-and-shoot cameras
- Try to keep your kids off iPads and other screens so they can focus on the sights and landscapes
- On longer driving days, plan hiking and exploring in the morning so the driving stretches don’t feel so long
- Download maps offline in case you lose cell phone connection
Route 66 road trip FAQs
What time of year is best for a Route 66 trip?
Route 66 makes a great spring break trip, but fall foliage in Illinois, Flagstaff, and Sedona (if you’re detouring there) will be breathtaking come September and October.
If you’re planning a road trip for the summertime, just be sure to pack plenty of water, bathing suits, and sunscreen for the Southwest leg of the trip, as temperatures may be in the high 90s or low 100s.
Should I take an RV or drive my car?
One of the things I loved about renting an RV is that we were like a turtle with a home on our back. Whenever the kids needed a bathroom or I needed to pull together a quick meal, it was all right there. It made long stretches feel manageable.
Cars have their perks, too. Parking and maneuvering are definitely easier.
Can you offer additional Route 66 family-friendly hotel suggestions?
These family-friendly hotels are along the route. Ask if they have Route 66 packages (many do!), and how they accommodate families:
Waldorf Astoria Chicago is a short drive to Navy Pier, set to become the new starting point of Route 66, and near the original downtown starting point. Or Pendry Chicago is located in the heart of Chicago.
OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City, a $400 million resort recently included in TIME’s list of the World’s Greatest Places 2026. Also in Oklahoma City, The Skirvin Hilton features 225 modern guest rooms and is the number one pick on TripAdvisor.
For a magical stay, Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm sits on 25 acres of lavender fields and gardens in Albuquerque. If you detour to the Grand Canyon, inside the park, the historic Yavapai Lodge is a sure-fire way to witness the sunrise viewpoints and access the scenic trails and shuttle routes throughout the South Rim. Or The Squire at Grand Canyon is located just outside the Grand Canyon National Park with indoor and outdoor pools, an arcade, and lawn games.
How long does it take to drive Route 66?
A direct drive from Chicago to Los Angeles takes about 40 hours, but it’s best to set aside at least two weeks for the adventure if you want to enjoy it.
Is Route 66 good for a family road trip?
Absolutely. There’s no better way to expose your kids to the spirit of America than its small towns and landscapes.
What is the best part of Route 66 with kids?
It’s the simple moments, says Arango Gutiérrez. “Watching the kids laugh at something small, a random stop, just being together.”
But if you’re looking for a concrete answer, all three of us mothers agree that feeding wild donkeys in Oatman, Arizona, is a truly memorable experience with kids.
What did you bring that you didn’t end up needing?
Arango Gutiérrez says extra “just in case” items went unused. Life on the road was simpler with less.
Best lessons from a Route 66 family road trip?
It teaches you to be present, slow down, and appreciate the simple things.
What if my kids get bored in the car?
I love this advice from Bizzarri: “Let them be bored. Let them stare out the window. Let them complain for a while. Eventually, they’ll start talking to you, noticing things, asking questions, and engaging with the world in a way no app can replicate.”
What states does Route 66 go through?
It goes through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Most people agree that the Texas part is the toughest to get through, as there isn’t much to do. But luckily, it’s just a short blip on the itinerary.
What’s a perfect day on Route 66?
A perfect day starts slow, says Arango Gutiérrez. “Coffee, breakfast, no rush. We’ve learned that how you start the day sets the tone for everything. We drive a few hours, stop often, and stay flexible. Some of our best moments come from unplanned stops, random roadside attractions, and places we almost passed.”
“By the evening, everyone’s tired in the best way. We eat, settle down, and the kids start talking about their favorite part of the day. That’s when you realize it was a good day.”
Best guidebooks for Route 66?
Amy Bizzarri’s Best Hits on Route 66 and The Route 66 Cookbook make great guidebooks for any Mother Road trip.
Also, snag a copy of the 100th anniversary passport book at select stops along the route. It’s filled with helpful tips, maps, and places to add stamps. The official Route 66 website has a free downloadable guide, too.
If you decide to take a family road trip along the Route 66 this year, Arango Gutiérrez says, “Don’t overthink it. Just do it. At the end of the day, the worst that can happen is you learn something and create memories.”
And as Bizzarri tells her kids: “As in life, it’s not the destination that matters but rather the beautiful vistas, new friends, and even the bumps in the road you encounter along the way.”
Kris Ann Valdez, Contributing Writer
Kris Ann Valdez is a mom and freelance journalist who covers parenting, lifestyle, and science-based topics. Beyond The Everymom, Kris Ann contributes to national outlets such as Good Housekeeping, Parents, and Scary Mommy. She’s also the creator of “The Guide Girl,” a Substack dedicated to inspiring writers to pursue publication.
