travel route 66 by bike rental prices

TheRoute-66.com ☰

Home | Blog

Home > Plan Your Road Trip > Rent a Motorcycle

Rent a Motorcycle

Last Updated: 26.Jan.2024 . By Austin Whittall

Motorcycle Rental for your Route 66 Road Trip

All you need to know about renting a motorcycle : Riding along Route 66 on a motorcycle is a unique experience. If you don't own motorbike, you can rent one for your Biking road trip along US 66; this page has some tips and advice on motorcycle rental and provides some useful links to online reservation agencies so you can rent a bike.

Rid your bike down Route 66 road from Chicago IL and Santa Monica CA!

Table of Contents

Index to this page:

Motorcycle Rental Agencies

Tips and suggestions for renting a motorcycle, what do motorbike rentals include, costs and discounts, motorcycle rental requirements, additional comments.

These are the leading U.S. motorbike Rental Agencies where you can find and rent your motorcycle:

Rent your Motorbike

Riders share.

This is an interesting option as it is a peer-to-peer rental platform: riders-share.com

Twisted Road

Another peer-to-peer rental option is twistedroad.com

More options

• Hertz Ride Motorcycle Rentals - www.hertzride.com
• Eagle Rider - www.eaglerider.com

Read before you rent a motorbike

TheRoute-66.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

A Custom Harley Motorcycle.

Embarking on a motorcycle ride along Route 66 is an adventure in itself. For most American and Canadian motorcyclists it is not too complicated, they can simply get on their bikes and ride.

But for those Americans who don't own a motorcycle or for the international visitors longing to ride along U.S. 66, it means that they must rent a motorbike.

Below we offer some tips on renting a motorcycle and understanding the options and choices that have to be made during the motorcycle rental process.

Rental agencies offer different models of Honda, BMW or Harley-Davidson motorcycles, most of them are passenger friendly. In general, the rental services include the following (you should however check the details with each rental company):

• A daily rental fee with unlimited mileage
• Additional insurance and waiver coverage
• Complimentary Helmets for rider and passenger (but if you can bring your own which should be DOT certified; it would be better for both fitment and comfort).
• Cable lock and security locking system
• A 24 ⁄ 7 Emergency contact phone number
• Storage for your luggage
• Shuttle service to and from the rental location.

Reserve in advance to so that you can ensure the availability of your choice motorcycle make and model.

These conditions may vary from one motorcycle rental company to another:

Group Discounts

Riding with your friends is a unique experience, and motorcycle rental companies offer Group discounts for groups of typically 3 or more bikes rented together.

• Some companies allow you to reserve your motorbike and pay upon pick-up, while others require full payment at the time of booking.
• Rents are calculated with unlimited mileage, on 24 hour increments. Rentals of 7 or more days may have a lower daily fee. Group rates are also offered.
• Upgrades and additional insurance or extras can be added later and paid at the pick-up locations.
• A Refundable security deposit at the time of rental is also necessary (think +$1,000). It is reimbursed to you when your return the motorcycle on time and free of damage.
• Verify the Deposit and Cancellation policies of the motorcycle rental companies. You may not get a full refund if you cancel with less than a 30 day notice.
• Also check the "no-show" policy, if you arrive late you may not find your bike as it may be rented to other takers.

Return customers, members of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) or of AAA, as well as Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) are offered discounts by some rental companies (between 5 and 15%).

Extra charges

As with cars, One-Way rentals are possible but extra charges do apply.

Late return of motorcycles with or without prior notice may incur in extra charges. You should notify your rental company if you will be arriving late.

Insurance is fundamental, do not ride without it.

Check with your insurance company to see if they cover your motorcycle rental. It is infrequent for automobile insurance policies to cover rented motorcycles. Credit cards that do cover car rental insurance do not cover motorcycle rentals. Maybe your motorcycle insurance covers rented ones. Do your homework or buy the extra insurance provided by rental companies.

You can purchase Supplemental Liability insurance in addition to the Basic coverage offered by the rental companies. It covers the renter, passenger and offers third party liability coverage.

Some theft and damage insurance or waiver options may cover some or part of Roadside Assistance Service. Check with the rental company.

The limited liability waivers offer coverage if theft or damage takes place; in those cases the renter pays only up to a given limit per occurrence of theft or damage to the motorcycle. For instance $1,000 or $ 2,000.

Roadside Assistance and Tire Puncture

Check what type of coverage is offered. A dead battery because you left the lights on or a flat tire are a real headache, towing or mechanical breakdown can ruin your trip.

International visitors should also consider taking Travel Insurance for personal medical, personal property and trip interruption coverage.

Damages caused by negligence or illegal use of the motorcycle (i.e. driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol) void waivers and may render insurance coverage invalid.

To be able to rent a motorcycle you must have a valid motorcycle license from your state or country of origin, and you must be over 25 years of age.

There is no age limit for passengers, however the passenger must be able to reach the passenger foot pegs or floorboards of the bike. For passengers under 18, a Parent or Guardian must sign a liability waiver.

A major credit card is needed, and it will have to be able to cover the security deposit.

Big motorbikes

You should be able to handle the motorcycle that you rent: large or heavyweight and powerful motorcycles are not for beginners. A minimum of 2 years riding motorcycles over 1,000 cc is necessary. Ask before renting.

Restrictions to travel may apply (i.e. crossing international borders), check with the reservations agent.

After hour drop off may not be possible. Check and make sure.

Help I don't know this Motorcycle

For those riding completely new or different motorcycles, there is usually an orientation course on braking, engine starting and cutoff, operation of the motorcycle and more.

You should check if there is a cost for an additional driver, maybe you and your passenger want to switch places on the road.

You receive your motorcycle with a full tank of fuel and must return it with a full tank, otherwise refueling charges may apply.

Some rental companies have stores so that you can buy extra gear, check what is available and the prices before you start your trip, it may be convenient to buy some items upon arrival.

Motorcycle clothing may or may not be available for rental or purchase, size availability may be limited. It is better to check in advance. Bring your sweatshirts, T-shirts, bandannas, gloves...

GPS systems are usually available for motorcycles (If you bring your own electronic devices or GPS you may have to request permission to install them).

Lockable saddlebags or storage are usually available (Do not leave valuables or items stored in your motorcycle overnight or when you are away from it for extended periods of time).

Rain suits may not be available for rental. Helmets with communication devices may not be available either. Check with the rental company.

Some companies will let you ship them your riding gear and can also ship it back to you (at a charge). They may also offer storage for the souvenirs you buy on the road.

Luggage shipping service for One-Way Rentals may also be available.

Safety always comes first, so you and your passenger must wear a certified helmet at all times while riding your motorcycle.

If your motorbike has mechanical problems or if you get a flat tire, park in a safe spot, away from the road and call for help.

More Useful Information about Route 66

• How long is Route 66?
• Where is Route 66?
• Can you still drive the entire Route 66?
• Where does Route 66 start and end?
• Is Route 66 worth driving?
• Brick paved segments on Route 66
• Is Route 66 dangerous for tourists?
• 10 Reasons to go on a road trip
• Why is Route 66 so famous?

Sponsored Content

>> Book your Hotel in Santa Monica

Banner image: Hackberry General Store, Hackberry, California by Perla Eichenblat

Social Media

The ultimate guide to riding Route 66 on a motorcycle

There's arguably no more iconic American road trip than the Mother Road—here’s how to travel it on two wheels

By Roadtrippers

If your idea of a perfect motorcycle road trip involves scenic, winding roads far away from people, cities, and cars, Route 66 might not be for you. But if you’re a fan of American history, kitschy roadside attractions, classic neon signs, mid-century architecture, Indigenous heritage and culture, and talking to friendly locals, there is arguably no better road trip in the world than driving the Mother Road. 

And if you ask me, the best way to experience it is by motorcycle.

Last year, Roadtrippers published Route 66: Chicago to Santa Monica , and I immediately jumped on the chance to take the book out for a proper test run. This past October, I spent 7 days riding Route 66 from Illinois to California. Here’s what I learned along the way.

Roadtrippers Route 66: Chicago to Santa Monica

What is route 66 .

Stretching 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) from Chicago in the east to Santa Monica in the west, Route 66 crosses through eight states and offers a near-perfect snapshot of the U.S.—from bustling cities to crumbling ghost towns. The original road was established in 1926, and during its mid-century heyday, small towns went all in on capturing the tourism that came along with the highway’s rise in popularity. Roadside attractions, diners, and motels sprang up along the route, many of which are still standing today. But as more and more sections of the original route were bypassed by interstate, other towns and destinations weren’t so lucky, and fell into disrepair or disappeared entirely. 

Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, but it has seen a revival in the last few decades. According to Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, a lot of the buzz can be attributed to Pixar’s 2006 movie Cars .   

“The figure that’s quoted is that the businesses along the route saw a 30 percent jump just from the movie,” he says. “And as those kids grow up and introduce their own kids to Cars , that’s getting them interested in the history and the story. And now, just from a greater cultural standpoint, you have people who are more interested in authentic experiences.” 

And despite the occasional tourist trap, you’d be hard pressed to find a more authentic road trip experience than Route 66. 

Related: The Roadtrippers guide to Route 66

What to ride on a route 66 motorcycle road trip.

When I first started planning my trip, I knew that I wanted to do it on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. I’d conjured up images of cruising down the highway on a chromed-out machine that, in many people’s minds, occupies the same cultural space as the Mother Road itself: a bit dated, perhaps, but still undeniably American.  

Instead of a classic cruiser, I got the opportunity to ride Harley-Davidson’s new adventure motorcycle, the Pan America . Comfortable, fast, and able to go anywhere, it ended up being the perfect choice for the trip. And I couldn’t help but appreciate the juxtaposition between riding a new generation of Harley on the most classic American road.   

For those not bringing their own motorcycle, the easiest choice is to rent a bike. Motorcycle rental company EagleRider has locations in both Chicago and Los Angeles, and the option of a one-way rental is available for an additional fee. EagleRider also offers guided and self-guided Route 66 tours. The 15-day self-guided tour package starts at about $2,500—however, it is entirely possible to ride all of Route 66 in 7 to 10 days, as long as you’re comfortable riding a few hundred miles per day. 

If you’re able to pick up and drop off the bike in the same location, you’re going to have a lot more options. Peer-to-peer rental platforms such as Riders Share and Twisted Road generally offer a wider range of models at a lower price point than traditional rental companies. I’ve also heard of people purchasing a used motorcycle at the start of the route and selling it after they reach the end—but that involves a lot more risk, money, and paperwork than most people are going to be comfortable with.

What to pack for a Route 66 motorcycle road trip

No matter what bike you end up with, make sure it’s comfortable enough to ride long distances on, and that it has space to carry all your gear. Since Route 66 crosses through multiple states with widely varying climates, you’ll want to make sure you pack for all-weather travel.  

Traveling on a motorcycle means always being exposed to the elements, with very little protection beyond what you’re wearing. Depending on the time of year you travel Route 66, you may hit everything from scorching heat to snowstorms (in fact, you’re likely to encounter both some of the hottest and coldest days of your journey just within the state of Arizona). 

The best way to handle extreme weather on a motorcycle is to bring layers. Make sure you pack both warm and cool base layers, protective gear (built-in armor and abrasion-resistant fabrics are highly recommended), and rain gear. For next-level comfort in the cold, I recommend investing in heated gear.    

Route 66 runs through multiple large or mid-sized cities, and you’re never far from restaurants or gas stations. That said, it’s always a good idea to carry water and snacks on your bike in case of an emergency. A basic toolkit can also be a lifesaver in unexpected situations. A lot can happen in 2,400 miles—parts rattle loose, tires wear out, and oil may need to be refilled. Make sure you carry tools that fit your specific bike, and regularly check things like brakes, fluid levels, tire pressure, lights, and bolts. 

Related: How to prepare for a motorcycle road trip 

State-by-state itinerary.

Original route mileage: 301 miles (484 kilometers) Must-see highlights: Start of Route 66 sign, Gemini Giant, Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, Bunyon with a Hot Dog, Pink Elephant Antiques, World’s Largest Catsup Bottle

Route 66 starts in downtown Chicago. Anyone who’s ridden a motorcycle here, or in any major metropolitan downtown area, knows it’s not necessarily the most enjoyable experience; navigating around traffic, pedestrians, and one-way streets is a far cry from the open road. But it’s definitely still worth kicking off the trip with a photo in front of one of the Historic Route 66 “Begin” signs located along East Adams Street. One is on the north side of the street near Michigan Avenue and another on the south side, in a small park near Wabash Avenue. I was able to easily find motorcycle parking just in front of the Wabash Avenue sign. 

If you’re already hungry, consider grabbing a donut hole from Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant & Bakery , or stop at Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket just outside of the city for one of the most classic Route 66 dining experiences. Just a heads up: You’ll likely be eating a lot of greasy American cuisine over the next few days, so pace yourself.

Continuing on the greasy food theme, a favorite stop for bikers is the Launching Pad diner, a Route 66 staple in Wilmington, Illinois. The parking lot is typically packed with motorcycles and vintage cars, and the Gemini Giant Muffler Man makes for a great photo op. There’s also a gas station conveniently located across the street. I ended up spending more than an hour here talking to other motorcyclists who wanted to hear about my bike—the Pan America is still so new that seeing one out in the wild is a novelty, and I was more than happy to sing its praises. It was a good reminder: Motorcyclists love to talk about motorcycles, so make sure to factor in extra time for chit chat during gas stops.  

About 100 miles southwest of Wilmington is Atlanta, another small town packed with Route 66 attractions. Don’t miss the Bunyon with a Hot Dog Muffler Man or the Route 66 Arcade Museum , both located on the same block of Arch Street in downtown. 

After a long first day on the road, I rolled into St. Louis, Missouri, just as the sun was starting to set. I took a slight detour on the way to my hotel to check out Gateway Arch National Park , which was beautiful at sunset.  

Related: A resurrected Route 66 diner serves up hot fudge sundaes with a side of grief counseling

Original route mileage: 317 miles (510 kilometers) Must-see highlights: Gateway Arch National Park, Murals of Cuba, World’s Second Largest Rocking Chair, Uranus Fudge Factory, Gary’s Gay Parita, Red Oak II

My first stop after leaving St. Louis was at the Route 66 State Park visitor center, located just off I-44 along the Meramec River in Eureka, Missouri. It started raining as I pulled into the parking lot, so I went inside to hide from the weather. The visitor center has a small museum documenting the road’s history in the state, and a helpful staffer gave me a printed map and pointed me in the direction of the route’s original alignment.

As with much of Route 66, the original road in Missouri largely runs parallel to the interstate, and it’s easy to get on and off. With my tight schedule, I ended up making a list of stops ahead of the trip and, in the interest of saving time, jumped on and off the freeway between stops. Those with more time to spend on the route will be able to meander along on its original parts. This is an excellent way to find small towns that may be less touristy, but still packed with history and hidden gems. “Generally speaking, if you find yourself on the interstate and you’re passing a lot of towns, you’ve missed something somewhere,” Martin says.

While the Missouri stretch of Route 66 is often beautiful—it crosses through the lush, green Ozarks—the weather was not in my favor. It was pouring rain for most of the day I spent riding through the state, but with proper rain gear and a quick switch to “rain mode” on the motorcycle, it wasn’t too bad. 

I stopped for lunch in Cuba, a town known for its murals depicting historical events. Since I don’t eat meat, I opted out of Missouri Hick ’s famous barbecue and instead found Little Shop of Comics & Audrey’s Eatery on Main Street, a cozy comic book shop with a cafe in the back. I ordered soup and waited out the rain. 

Back on the road, I made my way to the World’s Second Largest Rocking Chair (it used to be the largest, until 2015, when an even bigger rocking chair in Casey, Illinois, knocked it down to second place), the Devil’s Elbow Bridge , and the Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store . The latter may be a classic tourist trap, but anyone who enjoys potty humor will have a good time in Uranus. 

One of my must-see stops was Gary’s Gay Parita , a replica of a 1930 Sinclair gas station. The property is packed with memorabilia from the heyday of Route 66, including vintage cars, gas pumps, signs, old glass bottles, and more. The current owner, George Bowick, has a wealth of Route 66 knowledge and is happy to share it with anyone who asks. As we were chatting, Lady Bird, his tame goose, nibbled on my boots. Bowick recommended I visit Red Oak II on my way into Carthage, so naturally I obliged. 

Red Oak II is a unique type of place. Created by artist Lowell Davis, it’s a replica of the real Red Oak, Missouri, where Davis grew up. After leaving for many years and returning to find that his hometown had turned into a ghost town, Davis started moving buildings from the old town and restoring them on his farm just outside Carthage. The result is a quaint but eerie town that feels completely frozen in time. I didn’t see a single person during my visit, but a very sweet dog showed up out of nowhere and escorted me around. 

Original route mileage: 13 miles (21 kilometers) Must-see highlights: Cars on the Route, Gearhead Curios, Rainbow Bridge

The Kansas section of Route 66 is short but sweet. In just about 13 miles, the state manages to pack in several can’t-miss stops. Entering into Kansas through Missouri’s Old 66 Boulevard puts you at the north end of Main Street in Galena (population: 3,000). Your first stop here should be Cars on the Route , a restored Kan-O-Tex service station. Grab some snacks or Cars memorabilia, and check out the old truck that inspired the movie’s Tow Mater character.     

As you ride down Main Street, you’ll come across the Galena City Jail, another vintage service station called Gearhead Curios, and a large “Galena on Historic Route 66” mural. I can never pass up a good bridge, so from Galena I continued onto the Rainbow Bridge, a beautiful Marsh Rainbow Arch bridge built in 1923 over Bush Creek.

If you have time for a detour, the Tri-State Marker just a few miles south of the route allows you to stand in three states at once: Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, a worthy photo op.

Original route mileage: 432 miles (695 kilometers) Must-see highlights: Blue Whale of Catoosa, Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66, Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum, POPS Soda Ranch, Lucille’s Service Station, Sandhills Curiosity Shop

If you’ve ever traveled I-44 through Oklahoma, you’re already familiar with its most annoying feature: the frequent cash-only toll booth stops. From the Missouri state line and all the way to Oklahoma City, old Route 66 runs parallel to I-44, and if you have the time (and want to save a few dollars), it’s a much more pleasant way to travel. It’s also the easiest way to make sure you don’t miss any roadside attractions along the way.

The first must-see stop in Oklahoma on my list was the Blue Whale of Catoosa , one of the most recognizable stops along the route. I sat down at a picnic table for a snack while admiring this roadside attraction, originally built as an anniversary gift to a wife who loved whales. 

In Tulsa, I took a much-needed break from greasy diners with lunch at Chimera Cafe. I had originally planned to avoid bigger cities as much as possible on this trip, but Tulsa is a real Route 66 goldmine and I ended up spending more time here than I originally planned. One of the highlights was Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios and its Space Cowboy Muffler Man. Just as I was about to leave, a guy rode in on a dual-sport motorcycle to ask me about my bike. This turned out to be Chris Wollard, the local artist who designed and built the Space Cowboy’s shiny rocket ship ( Mark Cline fabricated the Muffler Man). 

A few hours later I stopped at the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum . While chatting with the guy at the front desk, I quickly realized we had friends in common. The museum is small but jam-packed with vintage motorcycles dating back to the early 1900s. Entry is free, but donations are appreciated. 

I stayed the night in Elk City, home to the National Route 66 Museum. The next morning I was on the road by sunrise, heading toward my final stop in Oklahoma: Sandhills Curiosity Shop . Owned by “hillbilly hoarder” Harley Russell, it’s neither a store nor a museum—but it’s a classic Route 66 stop that makes for a great photo op. 

Related: Route 66’s most famous hillbilly hoarder, presides over a shop where nothing is for sale

Original route mileage: 186 miles (299 kilometers) Must-see highlights: Tower Conoco Station & U-Drop Inn, Slug Bug Ranch, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum, Cadillac Ranch, Midpoint Cafe

The Texas Panhandle, with its flat plains and unrelenting stretch of I-40, isn’t necessarily known as the most scenic place to ride a motorcycle. However, this part of the Mother Road features some of its most iconic stops—and some of the best detours.

There are so many vintage service stations—restored or abandoned—along Route 66 that it’s impossible to visit them all. But if you only have time for one, the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn in Shamrock is a stunning art deco masterpiece that should not be missed. As a bonus, Ramone’s House of Body Art, the auto body shop in Cars , was heavily inspired by this building.    

One of the more famous Route 66 attractions in Texas is Cadillac Ranch . And while that’s absolutely worth a stop, I found Slug Bug Ranch to be a less crowded and equally enjoyable alternative. Located just 15 miles east of Cadillac Ranch, this whimsical tribute features a row of Volkswagen Beetles buried nose down and covered in graffiti. 

During my jaunt through Texas, I decided I’d had enough of riding straight, flat highways and needed a change of scenery. After grabbing lunch in Amarillo, I took a 30-mile detour south to Palo Duro Canyon State Park . Home to the second largest canyon system in the country, the gorgeous scenery and steep switchbacks of the park did not disappoint. If you go, remember to check the forecast beforehand—due to its microclimate, temperatures at the bottom of the canyon can be significantly higher than at the rim. 

As I continued my journey west, I made a final stop in Texas at the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian. This roadside diner and gift shop marks the official halfway point of Route 66—1,139 miles down, 1,139 miles to go.

Original route mileage: 487 miles (784 kilometers)  Must-see highlights: Russell’s Travel Center & Car Museum, Tee Pee Curios, Blue Swallow Motel, Blue Hole of Santa Rosa, Tinkertown, Old Town Albuquerque, Laguna Pueblo, Bandera Volcano and Ice Cave, El Rancho Hotel

While New Mexico has no shortage of mid-century kitsch, it’s also arguably the best state along the route to dive deep into Indigenous history and culture. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state’s pueblos and Native American villages were all closed to visitors during my trip. 

I spent the night at one of the most iconic accommodations along the route: the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, a classic 1940s motor court (each room comes with a private garage for your motorcycle) known for its spectacular neon signage. I rolled in right before sunset and was lucky enough to get the last available room, despite not having made a reservation in advance. This irked my neighbors in the room next door, who had made their reservations months earlier. But as several people I spoke to during the trip confirmed, the route was much less busy than normal because the pandemic had temporarily halted the influx of one of the most prevalent Route 66 travelers: the European tourist. 

Tucumcari is worth a visit whether you’re staying the night or not. Pick up a souvenir from Tee Pee Curios , grab a home-cooked meal from Del’s Restaurant, or get a photo in front of one of the town’s Route 66 murals. 

Heading west through the Land of Enchantment, Albuquerque contains the longest continuous stretch of Route 66 within a single city. Here, you can stand at the intersection of two different historical alignments of the highway. Beyond its Mother Road legacy, the city is also home to mid-century modern architecture , a Historic Old Town area packed with museums, the famous Balloon Fiesta (which, coincidentally, took place during my visit), and tons of artsy Southwestern charm. On my way into town, I took a detour to ride some proper switchback roads to the top of the Sandia Crest ridge. 

Before heading into Arizona, I stopped in Gallup to admire the historic El Rancho Hotel and say “howdy” to the cowboy Muffler Man at John’s Used Cars. 

Original route mileage: 401 miles (645 kilometers) Must-see highlights: Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post, Petrified Forest National Park, Jackrabbit Trading Post, Standin’ on the Corner Park, La Posada Hotel, Two Guns, Twin Arrows Trading Post, Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, Hackberry General Store, Cool Springs Gas Station

In just over 400 miles, the Arizona stretch of Route 66 packs in so many must-see stops—including ghost towns, a national park, vintage service stations, interesting architecture, and roadside attractions—that it might be worth budgeting in some extra time to make sure you don’t miss anything. If you can, add an additional day to your itinerary for a detour to the Grand Canyon as well.   

You’ll know you’ve entered Arizona when you see the big yellow signs for Yellowhorse , a Navajo-owned trading post set against a dramatic red rock backdrop. Both Yellowhorse and the neighboring Teepee Trading Post are perfect places to stop for souvenirs, photos, and snacks. 

My next stop was Petrified Forest National Park , the only national park to have a section of Old Route 66 preserved inside it. Exploring the entire park can easily take a full day or more—but for those only interested in the Mother Road marker, it’s located in the northern part of the park, a 20-minute ride from I-40 along a scenic road (note that you will need to pay the park entrance fee to access it).   

Arizona has several towns that have gone all in on their Route 66 legacy, including Holbrook, Winslow, Seligman, and Kingman. But one of the more intriguing stops along the entire Mother Road is located off I-40 right in between Holbrook and Winslow. Those who’ve been paying attention may have noticed a few bright yellow mileage signs at other locations along the route. These all point to the Jack Rabbit Trading Post , an unassuming roadside souvenir store, and you’ll know you’ve arrived by the massive “Here it is” billboard.  

Some other highlights in the Grand Canyon State include standing on the corner in Winslow, exploring the ruins of the Two Guns ghost town, grabbing a sundae at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap in Seligman, and riding the Oatman Highway—not for the faint of heart, it features 191 curves in 8 miles, a narrow roadway with no guardrails, and roaming burros that tend to be standing in the middle of the road as you’re coming around a tight turn.    

The Arizona section of Route 66 also contains what is probably the most drastic change in climate you’ll find in a single state during your trip. On one of the days I spent here, I woke up to 45-degree weather in Flagstaff. A few hours later, as I was crossing the Colorado River and making my way into California, the temperature was closer to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you’ve packed layers, or chances are you’ll be uncomfortable at some point.

Related: Lured by gold and ghosts, visitors just can’t quit the tiny mountain town of Oatman, Arizona

Original route mileage: 314 miles (505 kilometers) Must-see highlights: Roy’s Motel and Cafe, Amboy Crater, Calico Ghost Town, Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, First Original McDonald’s Museum, Wigwam Village Motel No. 7, Aztec Hotel, Santa Monica Pier

The California section of Route 66 starts in Needles. As I was grabbing food at the local Wagon Wheel Restaurant, I noticed a hand-written sign inside, summing up the town: “Needles, California, hot spot known for absolutely nothing; 20 miles from water, 2 feet from hell.”  

Heading west through the California desert, the first can’t-miss stop on this part of the route is Roy’s Motel and Cafe in Amboy. This gas station and souvenir shop is a popular stop for photos thanks to its iconic—and recently restored—neon sign. Nearby you’ll also find Amboy Crater , a 250-foot-tall volcanic cinder cone, where you can hike by lava lakes, basalt flows, and collapsed lava tubes. 

Make a pit stop at Calico Ghost Town , walk through the glass forest at Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch , and get nostalgic at the First Original McDonald’s Museum before it’s time to leave the more quiet and remote parts of this trip behind and enter the busy city streets of Los Angeles. 

As you get closer to the coast, you may experience something you haven’t seen since you left Chicago: traffic. Los Angeles has a lot of it—however, since lane filtering is legal in the state, you can easily bypass it on a motorcycle. Just go slow and stay alert. 

The western half of California’s Route 66 passes through several bustling cities and towns, where strip malls and chain restaurants greatly outnumber quirky roadside attractions. But keep your eyes peeled for mid-century architecture, neon signs, and vintage service stations along this stretch, including Cucamonga Service Station ; built in 1915, it actually predates the route. 

Unfortunately you can’t ride a motorcycle all the way to the finish line—but when you reach the Pacific Ocean, park your bike and walk to the end of the Santa Monica Pier to get a photo in front of the iconic “End of the Trail” sign. Congratulations, you made it.

Meet the Author

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.

• Related Articles
• Latest Articles

An African family finds new beginnings among the dead ends and detours of Route 66

7 iconic Route 66 locations that inspired the makers of Pixar’s ‘Cars’

8 iconic pop culture locations on a Route 66 road trip

What to Expect When Replacing Your RV Roof

Staying connected on the road: A guide to RV WiFi

30 years after ‘Shawshank Redemption,’ fans still flock to the Ohio State Reformatory

Get the most inspiring stories from the road sent directly to your inbox..

• Trip guides
• Voices from the Road
• Destinations
• Trip Planner
• Sign up Log in Sign out
• Log in Sign out
• ROADTRIPPERS MEMBERSHIP

Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app.

We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass.

We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates.

• Packages & Tours

Route 66 Motorcycle Tour™

Guided tour - 15 days/ 14 nights, 2807 mi 4491.2 km, summer, spring, fall, 55 - 105 °f 12.8 - 40.6 °c.

EagleRider's World famous Route 66 motorcycle tour travels the original Route 66, known as the "Mainstreet of America" or "Mother Road" . At over 2400 miles long from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 crosses three time zones and 8 States: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Route 66 has been the path of migrants, dreamers, desperadoes and an entire generation of vacationers discovering the way west. The 1950's were the Route 66 glory days, when thousands of cars rode bumper to bumper behind each other to experience the Western frontier. Hotels, motels, gas stations, classic restaurants, and the "New" America sprang up everywhere. Much of Route 66's classic roads, restaurants, gas stations, and nostalgic landmarks are preserved just as they were in the 1950’s. The famous and nostalgic Route 66 is the road created in heaven for motorcycle touring. Simply stated, this is the guided tour of America!

Transform your journey into an exhilarating Tour by selecting one of our incredible Harley models such as the Harley-Davidson Street Glide Touring Edition, Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, Harley-Davidson Street Glide, Harley-Davidson Road Glide, Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, Harley-Davidson Street Bob, Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra, Harley-Davidson Road Glide Touring Edition, or for a different riding experience, choose from our sport touring models like the Yamaha FJR1300, and Yamaha Super Tenere 1200.

Show me how to save up to $0 per person today!

Tour Itinerary

0 mi / 0 km, chicago, il - arrival.

Welcome to the Windy City! Nicknamed the 'Paris of the Prairie', Chicago is the biggest and most exciting of the Great Lake cities. It includes a stunning skyline along Lake Michigan, and a gamut of top-rated museums, restaurants and cafes, and innumerable bars and nightclubs that pay homage to the city’s strong jazz and blues heritage. Tonight you will get to meet your fellow riders and Tour Guides at an Orientation Meeting at the tour hotel, followed by a great Welcome Dinner to kick-off your dream Route 66 journey!

187 mi / 299.2 km

Chicago, il – springfield, il.

This morning you pick up your bike and are off to the ultimate American road trip. The legendary Route 66 begins at the doorstep of our EagleRider location, cutting through the state of Illinois before running all the way to the Pacific Coast. From Chicago you head south along the Pontiac Trail, the original name for this bit of the road here, passing through Joliet, stopping at the amazing RT 66 Museum in Pontiac and generally getting a feel for the rubber on the Mother Road.

116 mi / 185.6 km

Springfield, il – st. louis, mo.

Today we head towards St. Louis! We will stay primarily on the 2-lane sections of the Mother Road, traversing cornfields and small towns that represent the heartland of America. Our arrival into St. Louis will be over the Chain of Rocks Bridge, the original bridge where RT 66 crossed the Mississippi River. Enjoy the short ride today into the "Gateway to the West," St. Louis. This amazing city rests along the shores of the mighty Mississippi River and is home to some of the best live music and BBQ ribs in the country.

15 Days Guided Route 66 Motorcycle Tour™ Inclusions

Save $0 /person, eaglerider tour price $0, individual price $0, total tour value, $0 per person, total tour price, total savings.

Show me more ways to explore Route 66

Tour experiences caught on camera.

EagleRider tour guide on his 66th tour of famous Route 66

EagleRider's Route 66 Guided Motorcycle Tour

Route 66 Guided Motorcycle Tour

Day 7 & 8

Riders Who Explored This Trip Also Explored

Route 66 Motorcycle Tour - Albuquerque to Los Angeles

Albuquerque, NM

9 Days/ 8 Nights

Route 66 Motorcycle Tour - Chicago to Albuquerque

Chicago, IL

8 Days/ 7 Nights

Route 66 Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

Self-Guided

15 Days/ 14 Nights

UK: 0845 557 8513 (Local Rate)

Int: +44 1285 343 015

• Annual Coast to Coast Run
• Canadian Rockies to Yellowstone
• Pacific Coast Highway
• Suggested Bikes
• Tips & Reviews
• Photos & Videos
• Get Lost Gear
• US Motorcycle Touring Guide

The Cheapest Way to Ride Route 66

Why are we writing this article? We want you to rent from us. We have a big fleet of bikes and we want them to be doing what they were built to do, taking you on the ride of your life. Below are some tips to help you get the most rental time for your budget.

First a few questions:

Do you want to ride all of 66? Do you mind riding when its hot? How long do you have? Can you pack VERY light?

Do you want to ride all of 66?

One of the biggest costs on any Route 66 rental is the “One Way Fee”. The cost you pay within the rental to cover getting the bike back to the location you picked it up from can add substantially to the overall cost. There are a couple of ways around this. If you’re happy to ride just a section of 66, say the western end, then you could not only pick up and drop off in the same location but also cut the number of days down from a couple of weeks to a few days.

Cheap Route 66 Rental Option 1 Pick Up Las Vegas, Drop Off Las Vegas Number of days 3-14 April – November

Do you mind riding when its hot?

“Some like it Hot!” July is a great month to rent a bike on 66 as it’s a slower month for rental companies. So as long as you pick up and drop off in July you will get a reduced rate. Oh yes, but it will be hot! To get around this invest in a cool vest.

This little number from Triumph will do the trick. http://www.triumphworld.co.uk/buy/triumph-Cool-Vest/mfns15180

Cheap Rental Option 2 Pick up Chicago (July), Drop Off Los Angeles (July) Number of days 10-21

How long do you have?

Another way to reduce the cost per day is to ride back to Chicago over 21 days or more. Although the amount you will pay overall will be more you will get far more days in the saddle for your money. The great thing about dropping back in Chicago is not only do you get to ride Route 66 but on the return journey you can also take in the Pacific Coast Highway, San Francisco, Yosemite, Highway 50 (Americas Loneliest Road), Yellowstone, The Rockies, The Black Hills and Sturgis to name but a few.

Cheap Rental Option 3 Pick Up Chicago, Drop Off Chicago Number of days 21+

Can you pack VERY light?

Cheap Rental Option 4 Pick Up Chicago, Drop Off Los Angeles Number of days 10-21 Bike choice Indian Scout

Hopefully the above will help you find not only a tour that matches your dreams but also one that fits your budget more comfortably. Combining a couple of them can really reduce the cost. We have ridden all over the States solo and with large groups. If you would like help planning your ride or finding the best possible price please feel free to drop us a line or give us a call.

Finally if all of this is still outside of your budget you might want to think about joining our Coast to Coast Special in March. At £899 /$1370 It’s the cheapest Coast to Coast 14 day rental there is. You can also ride several days on 66 towards the end of the ride. https://www.thelostadventure.com/project/low-cost-coast-to-coast-motorcycle-hire

Hi There I’m hoping to travel rout 66 around just this year, I’m unsure of the cost at this time. I would like to travel via motorcycle, I want to do the whole journey guided or in-guided. I’m looking at a 15 -17 night holiday. Could you please email me the total cost for this trip including flight from Heathrow UK to Chicago, travelling back to Heathrow from Las Angeles including accommodation.

Thank you Scott

All info sent Scott

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

You may also like....

Get your eats on Route 66!

5 Hotels To Die For!

5 Bars to wet your whistle!

• Route 66 Self Guided Motorcycle

Route 66 Self Guided Motorcycle Tour

14 or 21 night self guided motorcycle tour from £3,796pp including flights, motorbike rental and accommodation, see iconic america at it’s best with a route 66 self guided motorcycle tour from complete north america. , the route is 2400 miles long from chicago to los angeles, and crosses three time zones and eight states: illinois, missouri, kansas, oklahoma, texas, new mexico, arizona and california..

DISCOVER ROUTE 66 YOUR WAY.

Take it as you see it or change it to suit. This Route 66 motorcycle holiday can be tailored to suit your own tastes & budget.

All our holidays offer complete financial protection and you will receive a uniquely personalised travelling pack to ensure you get the most from your adventure.

What you get

Explore route 66.

14 nights from £3,796  and 21 nights from £5,876

Day 1 Chicago Arrival

Depart London Heathrow – 11:50 Arrive Chicago – 13:55 Journey Time – 8 hours 30 minutes

Upon arrival into Chicago O’Hare airport proceed to your overnight hotel located in downtown Chicago, here you can begin your own historic ‘road trip’ after settling in. Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue, Watertower Place, the Navy Pier, the Merchandise Mart, Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum are not far away.

As you explore one or a selection of these world class attractions, you can begin thinking about your upcoming journey on the Mother Road. Although Route 66 virtually parallels the interstate anywhere portions of the actual road exist, even today hundreds of men & women, young and old, take this trip every year from Chicago to Los Angeles. America unfolds as you travel through the Ozarks, authentic American towns in southwest and vast open deserts. You can start your trip at Grant Park, the exact place where Route 66 begins.

Route 66 through Illinois was first used by Native Americans as a trading path followed by fur trappers and traders who sought a path to the Mississippi River to ship their goods downstream to French New Orleans. Al Capone and the rumrunners kept the road busy right after it became the first fully paved highway in Illinois in the early 1920s. When the old Route 66 road signs came down in 1977, the strong relationship of the road to the people who travel it brought new Historic Route 66 signs back almost immediately. When the highway department would not pay for them, bake sales, auctions, festivals and other truly American events raised money to bring them back.

Overnight – Chicago

Day 2 Chicago to St. Louis 300 miles

This morning you will collect your bike.

Most of today will be spent traveling through Illinois farmlands on your way to St. Louis, the crossroads where highways from Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, Nashville, and Indianapolis meet. The city was originally the focal point of Indian trails that ran all across the US and the jumping off point for Lewis and Clark’s Expedition of Discovery to open the West through the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. It will also be your jumping off point to points south and west, as you begin your journey through the wide open spaces.

Springfield, the Illinois State Capital, is Abraham Lincoln country. He left here to serve as President of the United States during the most awful period in American history, the Civil War and returned as a fallen hero, a casualty of the same war. New Salem where Lincoln lived and worked for six years has been reconstructed. Costumed interpreters bring the village alive. The Lincoln Home National Historic Site is the centerpiece of a four block historic neighborhood. The President’s Tomb, Presidential Library and original law office are also open for touring.

As you cross from Illinois into Missouri you’ll be crossing the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge. Be sure to stop at Ted Drew’s Frozen Custard, serving Route 66 travelers since 1929. In St. Louis, the original Route 66 tracked through town very near the Gateway Arch and we definitely recommend riding the elevator inside Arch to the top of the 630 foot structure. Spectacular views of the Mississippi River await. In the evening, you can catch up with the St. Louie Blues, which were born right here and taste the fruits of Anheuser-Busch, the world’s largest brewer.

Overnight – St. Louis  

Day 3 St. Louis to Springfield 210 miles

Route 66 from St. Louis to Springfield, Missouri takes you through the lush rolling hills of the Missouri Ozark Mountains. The road follows the Great Osage Trail, a major Indian path across the state and a route used by Jess James, of famed James Gang fame, who locals knew as ‘just a nice Missouri boy!’ One of the most famous attractions on Route 66, Meramec Caverns was also used by the James Gang as a hideout when escaping the law. Lester Dill who owns Meramec Caverns started the American advertising institution, the bumper sticker, when he gave away portable advertising to all who stopped by to visit.

Much of the rural Ozark region, punctuated by the second oldest mountains in the world, looks much as it did when the first settlers arrived. Springfield has been bustling since the St. Louis-San Francisco railroad arrived in 1870. Even though most of Route 66 through here is now Interstate-44, remnants of the old road are everywhere just off the highway.

Interestingly, Springfield is considered the mother of the Mother Road itself. It was here that Cyrus Avery of Oklahoma who fought for a route through Oklahoma met with John Woodruff of Springfield, to plan and promote the idea of an interregional link that would bring trade and access to the area. In honor, Springfield has preserved much of the old highway frontage along St. Louis Street as well as the ‘Chestnut Expressway.’ If you’re a fan of western lore, delve into the ‘Wild’ Bill Hickock legend surrounding his fellow gambler Dave Tutt. There are so many different stories no one really knows what happened.

Overnight – Springfield

Day 4 Springfield to Tulsa to Oklahoma City 310 miles

Oklahoma was the home of Cyrus Avery, who came to be known as the ‘Father of Route 66.’ After he was appointed to head the commission that reviewed the routes of new national highways, he fought for several years to bring a major highway through his home state, knowing it would boost the economy. Ultimately, he was successful in the choice of a route that followed the National Old Trails Road in 1925, which just happened to cross right through the middle of Oklahoma.

‘Been on this road for a mighty long time, Ten million men like me, You drive us from you’ town We ramble around And got them 66 Highway Blues.’

Woody Guthrie of ‘This Land is Your Land’ fame who hailed from Oklahoma, illustrated the icon which Route 66 had already become in a song that told of the plight of the Okies fleeing to California. The Los Angeles police stationed themselves at the Arizona border in 1934 to stop the flood of Dust Bowlers looking for a better life.

Southwest of Springfield, you’ll begin to see why they would leave, as the landscape changes from the rich crop raising Midwest into the American southwest; red, dry and dusty. During the1930s, more than 15% of Oklahoma’s population took Route 66 to escape the constantly blowing sand. They picked up their belongings, their families, their hopes and their dreams and headed west.

After World War II, the pretty Oklahoma City referred to by the Nat King Cole in ‘Get Your Kicks on Route 66’ rose to new heights during the oil boom (the State Capitol is the only one in the country with an oil well on the grounds), only to suffer a dramatic decline at the end of the 1980s. Since then, the city has gone through an astounding transformation which continued during the re-building which followed the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The monument to the victims is very moving and an adjacent museum tells the story.

For nightlife, make sure you visit Bricktown, a former warehouse district that has been reinvigorated with restaurants, cafes, night clubs and a vibrant atmosphere.

Overnight – Oklahoma City

Day 5 Oklahoma City to Amarillo 260 miles

For the traveler going west on Route 66, Texas is Cowboy Country. It is here that some of the most wonderful icons of Route 66, those ‘functional simple buildings that were adorned with all manner of exterior signs promising all things larger than life, still exist. Two headed snakes, reptile farms, alligators, wondrous caves and petrified mummies all vied for the attention of the vacationer in a unique side show that would have made P. T. Barnum proud. The tales carried home from these vacations would entice and amaze the neighborhood for months.

Amarillo is one of the last places on earth where the Old West is just minutes away or depending on where you are, could be closer than that. The vast ranches of the Texas Panhandle, some numbering in the millions of acres are just outside of Amarillo. Shortly after being discovered by Spanish explorer Francisco Coronado in 1541, the area became a magnet for cattlemen and sheep herders from all points of the compass looking for fresh grazing grounds. As the Dust Bowl farmers headed to California, more cattlemen and cowhands moved in to claim the same territory for ranching. Step into ‘The Real Texas’ as the locals say.

Today, Amarillo and the surrounding Panhandle area is still a unique blend of the Old West and the New West, populated by American cowboys, roughnecks and self made millionaires and the ever present oil derricks. Working ranches, essentially unchanged from the day-to-day operations of the late nineteenth century peacefully coexist with a vibrant twenty-first century economy powered by petroleum. More than 2 million cattle are still shipped out of Amarillo each year. Make sure to drive Amarillo Boulevard which is the original Route 66 that is still lined with block after block of strip shopping centers and roadside motels straight out of the 1950s.

Overnight – Amarillo

Day 6 Amarillo to Tucumcari 120 miles

For many people traveling the old Mother Road during its hey-day, New Mexico presented their first glimpse of the more exotic cultures of the Southwest. To people who had never left the Midwest before, it was as if they had entered another country. Back then, the Native American and Spanish cultures were much stronger, not having been diluted as much with contemporary life. It was a fascinating heritage of old Indian Pueblos that dated back to before European colonization and Santa Fe and Albuquerque that looked like they could have fallen straight out of Mexico with adobe buildings and a Spanish plaza in the middle town. What adventure and discovery these lands presented; a phenomenal contrast to Middle America.

Unique to New Mexico also was the number of Mom and Pop businesses that sprung up along Route 66. Some are still there. More amazing are the materials used to create workable spaces for the businesses. Crates left over from World War II became the walls of a motor court. Oilcans became shingles used to roof a service station. Cast away bottles and roadside trash became the material to create a wondrous roadside attraction. Diners could be ordered from a catalog and shipped by railroad to their destination. These are the same icons we marvel at along the road that so represented America’s love affair with the automobile. As a result, New Mexico still has the most miles of original Route 66 that can be driven today.

On your way between Amarillo and Tucumcari, New Mexico, be sure to stop at Cadillac Ranch to see the ten tail- finned Cadillacs buried in the sand.

Once nicknamed ‘Six-Shooter Siding,’ Tucumcari, New Mexico got its start in 1901 as a rowdy railroad camp filled with saloons and outlaws. Soon, it became one of the many small railroad towns in the southwest with a flagging economy and diminishing population. Today, Route 66 is critically important, since it was the new businesses that were established along Route 66 which allowed Tucumcari to hang on, when other towns failed completely. Realizing that they have one of a handful of authentic roadside towns still intact and thriving has promoted a renaissance and revival among the gentlemen and businesses who just refused to let this wonderful piece of Americana and the American ‘road trip’ pass away entirely. Let the signs that read ‘Tucumcari Tonight!’ beckon you to this interesting place.

Overnight – Tucumcari

Day 7 Tucumcari to Albuquerque 180 miles

Next up, Albuquerque – New Mexico’s capital city. Younger than its more northerly counterpart, Santa Fe, Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by a group of Spanish colonists who were granted permission by the King of Spain to establish a new city on the river. Old Town Plaza was the result of Spain’s Laws of the Indies which required setting a plaza at the center of any city. This Plaza still fronts the San Felipe Neri Church complex built in 1793 and the El Camino Real, the main route through town that connected Santa Fe and Albuquerque with Mexico City. The Santa Fe Trail also criss-crossed the region in 1821. Today, both routes are National Scenic Byways and All American Roads.

Historic neon signs still glow on the old Route 66 through Albuquerque which is now Central Avenue. Alongside the vintage signs, you’ll see new versions put up by businesses that are continuing the aesthetic traditions of the old Route 66, adorning their shops with bright buzzing neon. The famous Route 66 continues to guide visitors through Albuquerque from the volcanoes on the city’s far west side past the Rio Grande Botanical Garden and the Albuquerque Aquarium through the historic Old Towns and Downtown business districts and continuing eastward through the University of New Mexico and trendy Nob Hill, where you’ll find many of the city’s best restaurants, distinctive shops and boutiques.

Overnight – Albuquerque

Day 8 Explore Albuquerque

As you complete the self-guided Historic Walking Tour from Plaza to Plaza, you will be passing from Old ‘Villa Albuquerque’ in Old Town, to the Downtown Civic Plaza, created in 1972. In between, you will witness 300 years of history.

It will be challenging to determine which other places to visit. Sandia Peak Tramway takes you over 2.5 miles to the 10,000 foot peak of the Sandia Mountains. Visit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque Museum and the National Hispanic Cultural Center to learn more about local culture and history. Petroglyphs at the Petroglyph National Museum and El Morro National Monument reveal the life of ancient peoples who inhabited the area. The National Atomic Museum and Trinity Site, the exact spot where the first atomic bomb was detonated tell the story of this momentous event in American history.

Alternatively take a drive North East (approx 64 miles/1 hour) along Highway 25 to historic & cultural Santa Fe.

Day 9 Albuquerque to Holbrook 230 miles

On the way between Albuquerque and Holbrook, you’ll be entering the dramatic lands of western New Mexico and ultimately traveling through the Navajo Reservation. The New Mexico Mining Museum at Grants has replicated an entire uranium mine. Natural attractions include the El Malpais National Monument, the Continental Divide. The excavated Pueblo at Inspiration Rock dates back to AD 1200. Skirting the southern foothills of the Zuni Mountains, the drive along Highway 53 is likely the most scenic in all of New Mexico.

Staying on this route brings you to Gallup, you can follow Hwy 40/Route 66 thru Gallup for about 9 miles until you reconnect with I-40. The Rex Museum in downtown Gallup offers local history including the WWII saga of the Navajo code talkers and Route 66 of course. Crossing into Arizona this part of the highway runs through a canyon with dramatic scenery. At Lupton you can see the Giant Tee Pee Trading Post whose Native American arts and crafts are made locally. Watch for the exits for Painted Desert and Petrified Forest before arriving to Holbrook. In Holbrook stop at the Wigwam Motel for a picture in front of the teepee motel rooms.

Overnight – Holbrook

Day 10 Holbrook to Williams 125 miles

Just outside Joseph City you finally reach the famous Jackrabbit Trading Post whose iconic billboards are plastered 1000 miles along Route 66. Take your picture beside of or on top of the giant jackrabbit! At Winslow see the “Standing on the Corner” statue dedicated to the Eagles song “Take it Easy”. Reaching Flagstaff you leave Highway 40 for the Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon is not actually on Route 66 but you couldn’t miss an opportunity to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World! After experiencing the grandeur of the Grand Canyon continue back to Route 66 and your overnight destination Williams. Williams is a beautiful mountainside town where soda fountains, quirky motels and diners line the mother road as it was back in the day. Williams is proud of their nightly (7:00 pm) gunfight with the world famous Cataract Creek Gang, known for their raucous, rambunctious behavior, as they shoot it out in the streets of Williams.

Overnight – Williams

Day 11 Williams to Las Vegas 216 miles

Ahead of you lays the longest unbroken portion of the “old road”. It runs from Seligman all the way to Topock, at the California border. Completely bypassed by I-40, it’s as unspoiled as any section of the road anywhere. The historic Route 66 runs North and curves back to the interstate in Kingman, where you can connect with Highway 93 to Las Vegas. The Route 66 detour is only about 15 miles / 24 kilometers longer, but it’s of course slower to drive than the interstate. The road passes through small towns like Peach Springs, Truxton and Hackberry in the Hulapai Indian reservation. As you approach Peach Springs, look to the north. There is a point where you can see all the way to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, which makes it closest approach to the highway in this area. Finish your day at Las Vegas, the neon oasis that never sleeps!

Overnight – Las Vegas

Day 12 Explore Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Strip, now an All American Road and National Scenic Byway, is a sparkling fantasyland at the heart of the city. Its unique blend of exciting entertainment, scenic beauty, and lavishly landscaped resorts take you to a wide variety of exotic realms from a medieval castle to a Parisian sidewalk cafe, a lakeside Italian village, or a pyramid in ancient Egypt. Once you arrive on the Strip, however, you might be surprised to find that it’s also an enjoyable walking environment. Whether it’s pirates plundering, fiery volcanoes spouting or tropical gardens luring the weary, the Las Vegas Strip offers a variety of fascinating visual experiences. Las Vegas is home to some of the most spectacular shopping in the world. The Forum Shops at Caesars is Las Vegas’ premier luxury retail destination offering top retail, dining, entertainment, location and thematic Roman ambiance. And with two distinct locations together featuring 290 designer and name-brand outlet stores, Las Vegas Premium Outlets® is a must stop for savvy shoppers.

Day 13 Las Vegas to Santa Monica / Los Angeles 290 miles

Finally, after a journey through the Mojave Desert today, you’ll reach the bright lights of Hollywood. It may be hard to believe that the area around Barstow was once covered by immense lakes ringed with Native American villages. When silver was discovered in Calico, the area became a mining center that included borax mining. Route 66 is Main Street through Barstow. Just off Main on First Street, you’ll discover the original Harvey House which gave rise to hospitality complexes all over the southwest.

Rainbow Basin about 15 miles north of Barstow is one of the lakebeds that existed between 10 and 30 million years ago. Calico Ghost Town is California’s official Silver Rush Ghost Town, preserving one of the few original mining camps in the Old West. One third of the town is original with the rest constructed in the ‘spirit’ of Calico’s Old West past. Today’s destination, Santa Monica is where the Mother Road meets the Pacific Ocean at the Pier. Many a dream has begun and ended on those beaches.

Overnight – Los Angeles

Day 14 Explore Los Angeles / Santa Monica

The sky’s the limit in Los Angeles. Take a go-behind-the scenes tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, visit the UCLA Armand Hammer Museum which presents the work of unprecedented artists, the California Heritage Museum, the Autry National Center Museum of the American West, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Be sure to visit the new Getty Center perched high on a hill atop the city. The view doesn’t get much better than that. Or if none of those things suit you, you can always go to Disneyland! But be sure to call in at The Outlets at Orange 40 minutes from Los Angeles Airport and less than four miles away from Disneyland, to bag some last-minute bargains!

Day 15 Depart Los Angeles

Make sure you take some time to relax in the California sunshine before you catch your plane Savor your journey to the bright lights of California all the way home.

Depart Los Angeles – 17:45 Arrive London Heathrow – 12:00 (Next Day) Journey time – 10 hours 20 minutes

Additional Stops for Route 66 motorcycle 21 night itinerary

Chicago, illinois – 1 extra night (2 in total).

There’s so much to see in this iconic city – famed Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue, Watertower Place, the Navy Pier, the Merchandise Mart, Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum to name but a few!

Springfield, Illinois – (Not to be confused with Springfield, Missouri already included) – 1 night

Explore the legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

St Louis, MO – 1 extra night (2 in total)

Try your hand at some science experiments, interact with butterflies or immerse yourself in a little arts and culture – it’s all in a day’s fun in St. Louis, Missouri. From sports and shopping – to tours and attractions.

Santa Fe, New Mexico – 2 nights

One of the original routings of Route 66 that was abandoned went through Santa Fe, the capital city of New Mexico which was established 13 years before Plymouth Colony was settled by the Massachusetts Company. The city began with a handful of European style dwellings constructed by Spanish settlers and soon became the seat of power for the Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande River. It began to prosper when Don Pedro de Peralta settled in 1610, the same year that Hampton, Virginia, the oldest continuous city on the East Coast, was settled. Santa Fe served as the capital of the Spanish Kingdom of New Mexico, the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, and the capital of the New Mexico Territory.

Once you arrive, it will be challenging to decide which locations to visit. Everything is focused on the Plaza, the center of the historic downtown. We suggest visiting the Palace of the Governors, the oldest public building still in use in America, constructed in 1610. It is now a southwestern history museum. The Museum of Fine Arts, next to the Palace, is older than the state itself. The extensive collection of southwestern art also includes paintings by Georgia O’Keefe, who called Santa Fe home for many years.

There are cultural museums of many other varieties, including the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, and World Folk Art, with diverse works from artisans all over the world. If that’s not enough, there a huge list of art galleries, a myriad of restaurants and other interesting shops. Enjoy whatever you choose to do, there is more than enough to fill two days.

Grand Canyon – 1 extra night (2 in total)

Take a full day to explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. First stop should be the Visitor Centre located at the South Rim Village. Here you can pick up information on short hikes, special areas that you may wish to visit during the day and helicopter or airplane rides over the Grand Canyon. A visit to see the El Tovar Lodge if you are not staying there is a must, but we also suggest any of the scenic stops or even taking one of the guided coach tours that will explain the history and geology of the area. Another must is a visit to the IMAX Theatre located close to your hotel for a thrilling 3D show based around the Grand Canyon.

We strongly suggest you that spend one of your evenings and maybe even an early morning at the Grand Canyon Rim to experience the spectacular sunrise and sunset.

Los Angeles – 1 extra night (3 in total)

There’s so much to see and do in this amazing city… Take a tour of Los Angeles and Movie Stars Homes, the Hollywood Trolley Tour, the California Science Center, the Music Center, the Japanese American National Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Grand Avenue, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and more.  

Route 66 Motorcycle – 14 Night Itinerary:

Route 66 motorcycle – 21 night itinerary:, your route 66 motorcycle holiday includes.

• Scheduled flights
• UK & US Airport taxes
• Accommodation – 14 or 21 nights
• Eaglerider Class A Motorbike (model based on availability – models can be requested but not guaranteed – click for details)  to include 14 (or 21 day) rental, Unlimited Mileage, Tax, Environmental Surcharge
• Helmets provided for drivers and passengers
• Motorcycles come equipped with saddlebags for storage of personal items
• Client orientation which covers all aspects of safe motorcycle operation, the maintenance responsibilities, local and state laws.
• Exclusive travel documentation package including EZ-66 guide, personalised maps, itinerary and  driver directions along with all applicable tickets and vouchers

Additional Experiences

Our holidays are completely tailored to suit you. We would be happy to help you choose from a vast array of additional experiences that will enhance your North America holiday adventure.

These might include:

• Helicopter flights
• Sporting event tickets
• Horseback riding
• Restaurant reservations

There are many more, often quite unique to your chosen destination so please do ask.

Personalised Documentation

We prepare every travel pack individually. We want this to be the perfect travelling companion for your adventure and to offer you all the information you need. Your personally prepared ring-bound travel itinerary booklet is detailed and is designed to serve as a wonderful reminder of your experiences for years to come when you return.

Route 66 Motorcycle – Guided

Guided by a professional tour leader this Route 66 motorcycle tour is different to the self-guided itinerary but equally as amazing.

EXPLORE TOUR »

Route 66 Fly Drive

The classic way to experience Route 66, here you will follow the route that still passes through small towns offering a wonderful taste of a simpler time.

10 Reasons to do Route 66

This post was written by our client Emma Clarke who travelled with Complete North America on a Route 66 trip in January 2014.

READ MORE »

Route 66 Facts & FAQs

Over 30 questions regarding general Route 66 facts and Complete North America quirks and what you get booking through us!

Ultimate Route 66 Photo Gallery

This photo gallery includes over 100 photos taken by our clients and staff alike along their travels on the Mother Road!

The Mother Road – Day by Day Route 66 Blog

Our client Sue Wright has written a Route 66 blog detailing her day to day movements on her Route 66 holiday booked through Complete North America. You can read Part 2 here and Part 3 here

By the time Route 66 had become America’s Main Street, it was intended to be replaced entirely by the new Interstate highway system. Some of it has. But Route 66 refused to die so other places still have the wonderful old trading posts, filling stations, motels, tourist traps, and diners that have been there for decades. Preservation groups are working diligently to preserve what remains of the authenticity and icons of America’s golden age of road trips. As you travel you can enjoy the scents of new mown hay and hickory smoke drifting from the pit barbeque chimneys. Taste a real American hamburger and a rich creamy malt prepared they way they used to be. Experience Sky City where Native Americans live exactly like they did four hundred years ago. Pull over along a deserted stretch in the Mojave and listen to the hum of millions of wheels that have passed this way.

We invite you to take a once in a lifetime road trip and drive a real piece of American history, while staying in a collection of completely unique accommodations related to Route 66 lore. Savour and enjoy this truly authentic American experience.

Below is a video detailing what you will see in Illinois from Chicago to Springfield 

• Eaglerider Class A Motorbike (model based on availability – models can be requested but not guaranteed) to include 14 (or 21 day) rental, Unlimited Mileage, Tax, Environmental Surcharge

Motorcycle Hire USA & Canada

Check out all the vital information for our USA & Canada rental motorcycles below. Everything from classic Harley Davidson’s to Slingshots.

Click on the motorcycle you would like to complete the enquiry form & tell us where you’d like to ride.

Comprehensive support from start to finish, ride the dream, feel the wind in your face and live for adventure.

North America Motorcycles

HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE

HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE CHIEFTAIN

INDIAN ROADMASTER MOTORCYCLE

HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA LOW RIDER

HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SOFTAIL

HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING

HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE SCOUT

YAMAHA XV250

TRIUMPH BONNEVILE T100

HONDA GOLDWING GL 1800

TRIUMP TIGER EXPLORER 1200

TRIUMPH TIGER 800

BWM R1200GS

HARLEY DAVIDSON TRIKE

“Thank you and your team for your support with the logistics for our Route 66 Road Trip. 

We had an absolutely wonderful time and are so grateful for the opportunity.  The flights and car hire you arranged provided a seamless way of our getting on the road and seeing some amazing things – a trip of a lifetime.

Thank you again.  We are already planning another trip – this time to the Southern States and we shall not hesitate to use your services once more.”

The trip itself was beyond our wildest dreams , everything was absolutely superb. All the accommodation was first class and everywhere was truly original . It was great when we arrived at each hotel/motel which all had great facilities.

I just wanted to thank you and the Complete North America team for your work in arranging our Route 66 Holiday in the USA. I could not have asked for a more efficient and well-organised plan which worked perfectly for us. The itinerary booklet was and excellent baseline to work from and everything just clicked into place.

Make an Enquiry

Call 0115 9610590.

Route 66: The complete motorcyclist’s guide

Route 66 is an iconic road, steeped in folklore, myths and mystery and it’s one that rightly sits on most rider’s bucket list. So, we asked someone who has ridden it to open up on the reality…

The truth of the matter is that it was the first major highway across America, running approximately 2,500 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, crossing eight states and three time zones. Its first incarnation was completed in 1927, since then there have been many revisions to the route. Each revision giving rise to a change in a part of the route, often where a town was bypassed. These route variations are called ‘alignments’. Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985 so no longer officially exists. Some parts of the old pavement have been ripped up or covered over by interstate; couple that with the many alignments that exist in some sections of the route and it becomes a challenge to follow!

It is worth persevering and following this old route though. No matter what your interests are you’ll find many things to enjoy along the ‘mother road’. Most Route 66 enthusiasts seem to focus on kitsch ‘attractions’ such as the ‘Blue Whale’, a giant concrete whale built on the side of a lake in Catoosa Oklahoma, or the forty-two foot high ‘Worlds Largest Rocking Chair’ in Fanning Missouri. Whilst I did stop and look at these ‘attractions’ they don’t really excite me. I’m much more into countryside, natural scenery and the people.

The overview

I was delighted by the scope and variety of the countryside along the way. Illinois and Missouri are quite green and pleasant in an English sort of way. Texas is flat cattle rearing country with big skies. The scenery becomes much more desert like in New Mexico and Arizona before crossing a ‘real’ desert, the Mojave desert in California. Finally there’s the Pacific Ocean waiting at the end of the road. Once I’d completed Route 66 I headed north on Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), to San Francisco and saw the stunning coastline and sea views of Big Sur before entering the city of San Francisco.

If the natural scenery was great, the people I met were even better. An English accent in America is an open invitation for the locals to strike up a conversation and every time I stopped someone would come up and chat. The enthusiasm that many of the local people have for Route 66 is unbounded and infectious. Just outside Miami in Oklahoma I was taking pictures of some of the original single track concrete road and Charlie stopped for a chat. He lived just up the road on Route 66 and was on his way to work. We talked about the history of the road and the people who now ran businesses along the road. He was just so keen to share his enthusiasm. Gary at the ‘Gay Parita’ restored Sinclair Gas (petrol) Station just outside Springfield Illinois drew me a map on a bit of paper to help me round some road works. The guy at the Afton Station gave me a free drink, as did a guy in a pick-up truck at a petrol station in California, just because he thought I looked thirsty.

Then there were the four Norwegian rock stars I met at a bar just outside Winslow Arizona (remember the line from the Eagles song ‘Take it Easy’: “Standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona”?) who had shipped their choppers from Norway and were on a trip around America. Matt and Mark, two American bikers riding up the PCH to avoid the heat further inland told me about the Elephant Seals on Piedras Blancas beach.

I can’t not mention Angel Delgadillo, a barber from Seligman in Arizona, founder of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, and largely responsible for the Route 66 revival. He is just so enthusiastic, friendly and approachable. Lastly I should mention Jules from Flagstaff Arizona and Christie from Half Moon Bay in California and thank them for their wonderful company. These are just some of the people that made my trip so rewarding.

The reality

My typical day started early, normally around 7am for breakfast, either a continental breakfast in the hotel or a more substantial breakfast in a nearby café. In New Mexico I developed a liking for breakfast burritos; these are burritos containing bacon, sausage, scrambled egg, hash browns and chilli sauce. A perfect way to start the day in my opinion!

After breakfast I’d hit the road, stopping frequently to take pictures and visit roadside attractions. Petrol stops offered the opportunity for a quick snack and drink. As it was so hot I was freezing bottles of water overnight so I had cold water throughout the day as the bottle contents slowly melted. Petrol prices varied by state and how remote the station was. It was always much cheaper than in the UK though. You have to pre-pay and they’ll refund what doesn’t go in your tank.

I generally stopped for lunch around 12.30 – 1.00 pm at a roadside café, of which there are plenty, many of which have become Route 66 attractions. Cafés such as Joe and Aggies, Lucilles, Bagdad Café, Ariston Café, Midpoint Café and Roy’s Diner have become Route 66 ‘institutions’. The food on offer is typical American fare; burgers, tacos, steaks etc. All good value when compared to UK prices. After lunch it was back on the road until I started to look for a bed for the night around 4pm-5pm. Once settled into the hotel I’d find a local restaurant for dinner and then maybe explore the local area or have a drink in a bar before bedding down for the night.

Because of the length of the road, and the changes in elevation it’s wise to think about what time of year to make the trip. Too early or late and Chicago will be snow bound. In the height of summer the Mojave desert will be far too hot for comfort. Therefore the best times are likely to be around April / May or September/October. I made my trip in August and was too hot all of the time (50C at the hottest!). So much so that in Missouri I stopped and bought a mesh jacket and posted my ventilated leather jacket back home. Apart from that I wore boots and kevlar reinforced jeans. I always rode with summer gloves but gave up wearing my full face helmet in states where I didn’t need to after I got so hot wearing it I started to feel faint and dizzy. I didn’t really experience any rain but it can, and does, rain there, so take waterproofs!

My approach to trips is to research my destination so I know what to look out for when I’m there, but not to ‘over plan’ the trip. I calculate the duration by estimating how many miles I can cover in a day divided into the expected total distance. I don’t make firm plans about where to stop and, with a few exceptions, don’t book accommodation in advance. Accommodation in America is abundant and relatively cheap, and this holds true for the Mother Road. I stayed in motels with a few hotels thrown in where necessary. When I’d had enough of riding for the day I just kept my eyes open for a likely looking resting place and, if the price was right, checked in. I only had problems finding a room in one place: Pismo Beach California, and that was because the town was hosting its annual festival.

>>> 13 essential sights you need to see while riding Route 66

I soon found a room at Avila Beach ten miles up the road though. I did book hotels for the first couple of nights in Chicago, the last couple of nights in San Francisco and for the night I spent in the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, which is one of the Route’s iconic motels. If you want to stay in any of the famous Route 66 motels, such as the Wigwam, Blue Swallow, Wagon Wheel, or Munger Moss  it’s worth booking a day or so in advance. Rates vary and I paid between $30 (£18) per night to $200 (£125) per night, but they average out at around $60 (£36) per night. It’s worth remembering that most American motels and hotels don’t have restaurants, so you’ll need to find a restaurant for your evening meal. Bear this in mind when choosing your motel or hotel.

I made my 3,362 mile trip in eighteen days. I rode every day apart from one day’s rest at Avila Beach on the PCH. This gave me an average daily mileage of 188 miles for the seventeen days I was riding. The 2,451 miles of Route 66 took me fourteen days riding every day, though I actually covered a few more miles (2,880) as I made a side trip to the Grand Canyon and multiple navigational errors! Given the choice I’d have taken longer and ridden fewer miles each day to allow more time for stops and sightseeing.

A month would be ideal for this trip, but there’s enough to see and do to fill an even longer trip if you have the time. If I repeated the trip I’d take more time in Illinois and Missouri. These are the first states that the Route passes through and towns and ‘attractions’ are far closer together and more frequent than further west in Arizona and California so more stopping time is needed in these early states.

Finding Route 66 can be difficult as it is no longer an official road. In some states the Route is well signposted, but not so well in others, so a guide book is a good idea. The best is by Jerry McClanahan and is called Route 66: EZ Guide For Travellers . It’s spiral bound with directions and sightseeing information on each page and it fits well into the map pocket of a tank bag. The instructions on the top of the page are for west bound travellers and the instructions on the bottom of the page are for eastbound travellers. Jerry also has a website that he keeps up to date with changes along the route. The guide is not available from Amazon UK, but can be ordered from the US Amazon website.

The paperwork

The paperwork involved in entering many countries can be a real pain, fortunately American formalities are relatively simple for travellers from the UK (and 36 other countries) who have machine readable passports. For stays of less than 90 days eligible applicants can go to the US Visa Waiver Program Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) website, answer a few questions and pay the fee. One of the questions asks where the applicant will stay in the US, so it’s worth pre-booking a hotel for the first night and then using the address of that hotel. After a few days a quick check back on the website shows whether the application was successful. If so, that’s it, no further paperwork is necessary as the information is recorded on a computer which is accessed by the US Immigration people on arrival.

Other than ESTA approval all that is needed is a valid passport.

Useful Info: Motorcycle Rentals: Eagle Rider Motorcycle Shippers: James Cargo Jerry McClanahan’s EZ Guide Updates ESTA (US Visa Waiver Program)  Route 66 Forum (lots of useful, up to date, info) Helmet Laws By State

Related posts:

Register For This Site

A password will be e-mailed to you.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Route 66 Budget: Exactly How Much I Spent and How to Budget

How much does it cost to do Route 66? I will answer that with another question: How much do you want to spend?

Driving the full 2,400 miles between Chicago and Los Angeles can be quite the expensive endeavor. Add in flights, car rental, meals out, accommodation, and gas for two to three weeks and… you’re looking at a pretty big bill.

But, it’s also possible to complete Route 66 on a smaller budget – if you’re willing to make some sacrifices. This is what I did and below I will share with you exactly how much I spent while driving Route 66!

How Much Should Your Route 66 Budget Be?

I encourage you to read the rest of the article which has a lot more information on how to budget for Route 66. But if you’re looking for a quick answer:

• Ultra budget: $50-100/day
• Budget: $100-150/day*
• Mid range: $150-225/day**
• Luxury: $225+/day

* This is what I spent

** This is what most people spend

Those budgets don’t include flights or car rental. It would be easy to do Route 66 in the luxury range – if you had the cash to spare. The others will take a bit more planning.

Personally, I only think you could manage Route 66 in the “ultra budget” range if you camped, slept in your car, or did exactly what I did but split it between two people instead of solo! ( Scroll down to see my exact expenses!)

Route 66 Budget: What Should You Budget For?

Below, I’m sharing every expense category you should consider when planning your Route 66 budget, plus areas to splurge or save.

Flights to/from Chicago and Los Angeles are a significant expense to consider. That is, unless you are like me and relocating, or maybe taking another cross country road trip back home!

Exactly how much you spend on flights is totally dependent on where you live or are going to next. Therefore, I’m not going to count flights in this Route 66 budget.

I will say, I recommend using Skyscanner to search for the most affordable flights. Skyscanner is a meta search engine and I’ve found some major deals using it. Whatever you do, book direct with the airline for the most security.

Again, car rental can be a huge expense on a Route 66 road trip. However, not everyone is going to need to rent a car.

If you do need to rent a car, I recommend using RentalCars.com to search for deals. This is another meta search engine that hunts down the best deals.

Keep in mind that there are two big “hidden costs” when it comes to car rental:

• Young drivers fee: If anyone in your travel party is under 25 years old, you will have to pay a young drivers fee. This averages about $27/day .
• One-way drop off fee: If you are picking up the car in Chicago and dropping it off in Los Angeles (or vice versa) you will have to pay a one-way drop off fee. This fee can be pretty hefty. Looking on RentalCars.com just now for pick up in Chicago and drop off in L.A., I see drop off fee ranges of $38 to $3,050 … so be careful what you choose!

So what’s the total cost to rent a car for Route 66?

Looking today at one-way car rental between Chicago and L.A. for eight days, the cheapest price I see is $623 . That’s actually a great deal.

Most people take longer to drive Route 66, though. Right now, that same route for 14 days comes to $1,404 .

Vs. Driving Your Own Car

On the surface, a big way to save money on Route 66 is to drive your own car. Of course, the circumstances have to align for this. This is what I did, because I was moving from Michigan (near Chicago) to northern California, and wanted to take a southern route since it was winter.

Saying that, my pre-road trip car check revealed a necessary $750 repair on my car. Not to mention the wear and tear on my car from driving 2,400+ miles! And I needed an additional $118 oil change after the trip.

So, there are definite pros and cons to renting a car or not. I would argue, you might actually save money in some ways by renting, particularly if you’re splitting the cost with other travel companions.

Gas is a pretty big, unavoidable expense along Route 66. Personally, my beloved 10 year old Chevy Malibu has pretty horrific gas mileage so I spent nearly as much money on gas as I did on hotels ( scroll down to see exactly how much I spent).

Usually when you rent a car you get a brand new one with much better gas mileage. Go for a hybrid if you can! Avoid electric, though, because there are not enough charging ports along Route 66 yet.

Ultimately, other than switching up your car, there’s not much you can do here to save.

Accommodation

Accommodation is the next big, unavoidable expense along Route 66. But it’s also kind of fun to search for the best Route 66 motels – whether that’s an amazing deal (like I found in Williams, AZ near the Grand Canyon) or a super kitschy mom-and-pop type motel filled with Route 66 Americana.

How to book accommodation on Route 66?

To save money, I recommend using Booking.com to reserve your accommodation. This is what I did. The first few days, I compared prices between Hotels.com and Booking.com but ultimately I always used Booking because the hotels were slightly cheaper.

When I had to leave a motel in Sacramento the day after Route 66 due to feeling unsafe (there was literally a drugged out man without underpants on wandering the parking lot), Booking.com mediated me getting a 100% refund – even though I wasn’t technically eligible! I was pretty impressed.

Whether you choose Booking.com or Hotels.com, both have rewards programs for multiple stays (I believe Booking’s Genius program starts at 5 stays, and for Hotels you get your 11th night free). So choose one and stick with it for the most rewards.

How much do hotels cost along Route 66?

Well again I’ll ask, how much do you want to spend? Personally, being on a budget, I wanted to stay in the cheapest possible motels that had decent reviews. ALWAYS READ THE REVIEWS.

I tried to stay at places that had above six stars. I also avoided any place with reviews (particularly recent ones) mentioning bed bugs, cockroaches, or questionable people lurking in the parking lots.

To give you a good picture, in 2022 the cheapest place I stayed along Route 66 was $37.59/night (at Howard Johnson in Williams, AZ – loved it), and the most expensive was $78.48/night (at The Sage Hotel in Santa Fe, NM – also loved it, ironically these were my two favorite hotels!). I was traveling solo, so I paid the full cost.

I have read that most Route 66 travelers average about $100/night for accommodation, so keep that in mind.

You could also easily spent $150-250/night just on accommodation if you wanted to stay at the much nicer hotels (although these have less of the…shall we say… Route 66 character).

Should you book Route 66 hotels ahead of time?

I know that this is a big point of contention so I will address it.

Personally, I did Route 66 somewhat spontaneously and booked most of my accommodation on Booking.com the same afternoon as my arrival. Only twice did I book 1-2 days ahead, because I found an amazing boutique motel in Santa Fe , and wanted to reserve this Route 66 Motel icon in Barstow. Last minute there were plenty of deals and availability.

BUT! I traveled Route 66 in winter, which is definitely the low season. Consider booking further ahead if you are driving Route 66 in peak season (summer or early fall), or if you feel attached to staying in certain motels (like the Wigwam Motel near Petrified Forest National Park, the famous Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM, or the Big Texan Motel in Amarillo, TX).

The downside of booking ahead is that you lose out on some spontaneity and spirit of Route 66, and you also lose flexibility if construction, weather, or traffic delays you getting to your destination. The trade off is doing a once-in-a-lifetime vacation the way you planned and dreamed of, so it’s up to you!

Food is another big expense along Route 66, although I will argue that this is the area where you can have the most savings!

I saved a ton of money by packing and eating most of my food from home. It cost about $100 for groceries at home (my starting point) for three big bags of snacks and one travel cooler full of prepped food (sandwiches, soup, a quiche, hardboiled eggs, etc).

Primarily, I did this because I have celiac disease and knew I wouldn’t find safe gluten free food reliably while on the road. But it also saved me a lot of money and stress.

I did eat out a few times, but these were mostly at nicer, niche gluten free restaurants. My cheapest meal was $6.04 at In-N-Out (a California classic you must eat at in Barstow or L.A.), and my most expensive was $22.45 (at a gluten free brewery in Tulsa).

If you want to eat more meals out on the road than I did, add about $25-35/day to your budget. For this amount, you can eat two meals out at typical American roadside diners or chains.

Most hotels come with a free breakfast, so take advantage of that and even take some fruit or pastries for the road.

Other Expenses

There are other expenses on Route 66 that can add up. Think souvenirs, gifts, activities and entrance fees, tolls, and more.

The nice thing about this category is you can really spend as much or little as you want. A lot of the Route 66 attractions are free!

At the absolute least, though, I would budget $35 for the Grand Canyon entrance fee (a must do detour from Route 66) and $5-10 for entrance to one of the Route 66 museums (there are a few along the way).

A Note on Taxes and Tips

Unfortunately, there are some sneaky hidden expenses when purchasing in the United States. If you are not from here, you may be a bit shocked.

First, prices are listed before tax, and taxes apply to hotels, groceries, gas, restaurant food… you get it. For example, when I looked on Booking.com for accommodation, I might see a motel listed for $40/night. However, once you add in tax and any local government or resort fees, the price could be significantly bumped up to $55 or $60.

Second, you need to be aware of tipping. In the U.S. it is customary to tip 15-20% at restaurants. It is EXTREMELY rude not to tip. I know, it’s annoying if you are not used to this, but that’s the culture here. This can really add up so you need to consider it in your budget.

Ways to Save Money on Route 66

I’ve already discussed some ways to save money on Route 66, but let’s review:

• Less time: One of the biggest ways to save money on Route 66 is… do it faster! Your gas will be the same, but you can significantly cut down on hotel costs. I saved a lot of money by doing Route 66 in eight days instead of the typical 14, and I still had a great experience seeing all the major sights.
• Multiple people: Travel with a buddy and you can split the costs of gas and accommodation. I traveled Route 66 solo which is the most expensive way to do it!
• Drive your own car: Save the entire rental car price by driving your own car, if possible. However, I discussed the caveats to this above. Wear and tear on your vehicle can add up.
• Go in winter: Winter is the low season and accommodation and gas can be a little cheaper. This is what I did. However, you have to be wary of the weather this time of year and you shouldn’t attempt it without winter driving experience.
• Pack your own food: Save loads of money by prepping and packing food at your starting point. Bring a travel cooler like mine for sure.
• Camp or car sleep: I didn’t do this, but the ultra budget travelers sleep in their cars along Route 66. In most places this isn’t entirely legal, so beware. Camping is a better choice if you have the gear and it’s the right season.
• Relocation: Finally, consider driving Route 66 if you are relocating from the east/midwest to the west coast or vice versa. After all, this is what the historic Route 66 was originally known for: people migrating to the west coast! This is what I did, and I even got a relocation stipend from my company to cover some of the cost.

Exactly How Much Money I Spent Driving Route 66

Yes! The fun part! I recorded every single expense along my Route 66 road trip, just so I could share it here and reflect on a realistic attempt at driving Route 66 on a budget.

First, what was my budget? Personally, my Route 66 budget was very tight. I drove Route 66 as part of a larger cross country road trip moving from Michigan to California. The company I work for gave me a $750 stipend for this move (which I thought was a bit stingy). Still, it inspired me to set the challenge of completing Route 66 for $800 or less.

I had 8 days to drive Route 66, so I budgeted $100 per day. That includes all gas, accommodation, food, activities, etc. I did not need to buy flights or a rental car.

Spoiler alert: I only met my budget one day of my trip!

In hindsight, the only way I could have reliably spent less than $100 per day would be to sleep in my car or camp. Driving in February, that wasn’t really an option!

However, I drove Route 66 solo (yes, it was quite the experience). If I had driven with just one other person, all of the gas and accommodation expenses could have been split, and then I definitely could have met my $100/day goal.

Before I get too into the could-have-beens, here is exactly how much I spent on every day of my Route 66 road trip!

My Route 66 Budget Day-by-Day

Day 1: chicago, il – springfield, il.

Gas: $26.51

Accommodation: $69.31 at Microtel Inn and Suites in Springfield, IL

Food and drink: $10.95

Souvenirs and activities: $0

Miscellaneous: $1.10 (tolls)

Total: $107.87

Over or under budget? Over. But it was close!

Now, let’s analyze. On my first day of the Route 66 road trip, I started with a nearly full tank of gas, and ate breakfast and lunch that I’d packed for myself. I stayed at Microtel Inn and Suites which was the cheapest hotel available with decent reviews – and it ended up being quite clean and one of the better hotels of my trip. My one splurge was a $10.95 salad from Corelife Eatery, and if I hadn’t bought that I could have stayed on budget.

Still, I spent close to the bare minimum and began to realize how challenging it would be to actually keep my goal of $100/day on Route 66.

Day 2: Springfield, IL – Tulsa, OK

Gas: $79.75

Accommodation: $66.98 at Quality Inn and Suites in Tulsa, OK

Food and drink: $22.45

Miscellaneous: $5 (tolls)

Total: $174.18

Over or under budget? Over. Significantly.

Only my second day on Route 66 and I totally blew my budget out of the water! First of all, I started the day with an empty gas tank and drove a pretty long distance – still, I didn’t expect gas to guzzle up over three quarters of my day’s budget!

I stayed at Quality Inn and Suites on the west side of Tulsa, which was the cheapest hotel I could find with above 6 stars on Booking.com. It was…not the cleanest, but certainly no bed bugs or cockroaches.

My big splurge of day two was an amazing dinner at Neff Brewing in Tulsa. I had fried chicken and waffle and a pint of IPA. This is a super cool 100% gluten free brewery but I’d recommend it to anyone, gluten free or not! I don’t regret this purchase at all (I would have been over budget anyway).

Day 3: Tulsa, OK – Amarillo, TX

Gas: $35.11

Accommodation: $51.16 at Relax Inn in Amarillo, TX

Food and drink: $22.21

Souvenirs and activities: $12.15

Miscellaneous: $5

Total: $125.63

Over or under budget? Over. But not quite as badly as the previous day.

On day 3 I started letting loose a bit and enjoying the sights of Route 66, knowing that I’d passed the worst of possible snowy weather. I spent $7 to enter the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum and $5.15 on postcards and souvenirs there. I also spent money on a decent coffee and an amazing gluten free meal at Brent’s Cafe in Amarillo. Later in the day I stopped at Slug Bug Ranch, Cadillac Ranch, and Combine City around Amarillo which were all free.

My savings of the day was the cheap Relax Inn in Amarillo – there is zero charm here and it is right off the I-40, but I found it was clean and, staying on the second floor, I felt pretty safe. This motel definitely has a mish mash of different Route 66 travelers so you could say it’s an authentic experience.

If you have a little more to splurge in Amarillo, stay at the colorful Big Texan Motel instead and eat their famous steak dinner.

Day 4: Amarillo, TX – Santa Fe, NM

Gas: $35.74

Accommodation: $78.48 at The Sage Hotel in Santa Fe, NM

Food and drink: $20

Souvenirs and activities: $64.16

Miscellaneous: $0

Total: $198.38

Over or under budget? Over. Way, way, way over!

I declared day 4 my “splurge day”, and at nearly twice my goal budget, it definitely was. I decided to take a detour and stay in Santa Fe, one of the most beautiful and oldest towns in the country. This detour off I-40 actually follows the original alignment of historic route 66.

I actually ate all of my meals from the food I packed, but I did spend money on a coffee, an amazing chocolate elixir drink at Kakawa , and a mango margarita at my hotel (Santa Fe is known for its tequila).

My biggest expense was souvenirs and activities, but… when in Santa Fe! It was $18 to enter the Georgia O’Keefe Museum. She is one of my favorite artists so I just had to. The rest of that money I spent on postcards, an art print, chocolates, and gifts for my family. Earlier in the day I also stopped at some free Route 66 sights: Midway Point, Glenrio ghost town, and Blue Swallow Motel .

The Sage Hotel in Santa Fe was my most expensive motel/hotel of Route 66 but also the best. It is a boutique motel which is honestly not much more expensive than the typical Route 66 motel, but impeccably designed with great service and walking distance to central Santa Fe. You need to stay here in Santa Fe!

Day 5: Santa Fe, NM – Williams, AZ

Gas: $62.63

Accommodation: $37.59 at Howard Johnson’s in Williams, AZ

Food and drink: $0

Total: $100.22

Over or under budget? Over…. by just 22 cents! Damn!

On day 5 I needed to make up for my luxurious day in Santa Fe and really try to stick to my budget. I drove to Williams, the town on Route 66 closest to the Grand Canyon. I ate breakfast at The Sage Hotel and lunch and dinner from food I’d packed – major savings!

Despite not spending any money on activities, I did stop at some free sights including the Wigwam Motel and Twin Arrows. If you had more budget you could spent $20 to tour Petrified Forest National Park (I would actually recommend adding a whole day to do this and stay at the Wigwam Motel), and $24 to view the Barringer Meteor Crater.

I lucked out and found an INCREDIBLE deal at the Howard Johnson’s hotel in Williams. I couldn’t believe how cheap it was and was expecting it to be a dump. But no – this was one of the very best places I stayed on all of Route 66! It was super clean, comfortable, secure, and overall just a great choice.

Day 6: Williams, AZ – Grand Canyon – Williams, AZ

Food and drink: $4.35

Souvenirs and activities: $43.35

Total: $85.29

Over or under budget? UNDER! SUCCESS! FINALLY!

On day 6 I decided to take a detour from Route 66 to visit Grand Canyon National Park. If you have the time, I highly recommend doing this.

I saved a lot of money this day by not driving as far, and staying a second night at the mega cheap and wonderful Howard Johnson’s in Williams.

I also saved money by once again eating all my own food that I’d packed – apart from a spenny $4.35 coffee at Grand Canyon. Needs must.

The big expense of the day was a $35 entrance fee to Grand Canyon – this fee actually covers all the people in one vehicle for 7 days. So as a single person only visiting for one day that was kind of annoying! But uhhh, worth it to see Grand Canyon. By seeing both sunrise and sunset at the canyon, I definitely made the most of my one day. I also spent $8.35 on postcards and souvenirs.

Day 7: Williams, AZ – Barstow, CA

Gas: $46.90

Accommodation: $73.12 at Route 66 Motel in Barstow, CA

Food and drink: $6.04

• Miscellaneous: $3.09

Total: $129.15

Over or under budget? Over. As per.

Nearing the end of Route 66, I came to terms with not meeting my budget, but just doing my best while enjoying the ride – lessons of Route 66, right?

I actually ended my time on Route 66 early, so this was my last leg of the road. To celebrate, I booked a night at the Route 66 Motel in Barstow, directly on the historic Route 66 and full of kitsch and Americana. Even if you don’t stay here, you should definitely check it out for a photo op.

I also celebrated with the fabled In-N-Out burger and fries that I’d been dreaming of for over 2,000 miles! It was my cheapest meal by far. My only other expense (other than the obvious gas) was about $3 spent on some Ibuprofen in Arizona – I’d thrown my back out hiking with a bad backpack at Grand Canyon the day before.

Day 8: Barstow, CA – Los Angeles, CA

I may have skipped out early, but there is one more leg to Route 66 that I have to mention here! Route 66 officially ends at Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. That is actually less than 2 hours from Barstow. Even though it’s only 2 hours, a lot of people do this as a separate day because 1) L.A. traffic is insane, and 2) you have more time to see L.A. that day.

I decided not to do the majority of the final leg because I’ve already been to L.A. a few times before, including seeing the official Route 66 ending point on Santa Monica Pier. Sorry if it’s an unpopular opinion, but I don’t like L.A. and didn’t feel the need to visit again. Plus, my final destination was 9 hours away in northern California so I still had a ways to go!

If you do this final leg (which you definitely should if you’ve never been to L.A. before) then I can highly recommend the Sea Blue Hotel (formerly called Hotel California). This boutique hotel is where I stayed last time I was in L.A..

It’s right by Santa Monica Pier and one of the only relatively budget hotels in the area. At $169/night it’s pricier than all the other hotels along Route 66 but very competitive for L.A. prices. I wouldn’t stay anywhere else!

So… How Much Did I Spend on Route 66?

In total, I spent $920.72 while driving Route 66!

If you add in the $100 I spent on groceries before the trip, that’s $1,020.72 .

And if you add in my necessary pre-road trip $750 car repair (similar to what you might spend on car rental), that’s a total of $1770.72 .

If I had traveled with just one other person, my gas and accommodation expenses could be halved. This means I would have spent $570.29 for eight days on Route 66. What a deal!

Let’s break it down by category… and who doesn’t love a pie chart?! Here’s a visual representation of my Route 66 budget breakdown:

And if you prefer numbers, here’s the total amount I spent in each expense category.

• Gas: $286.64
• Accommodation: $414.23
• Food: $86 (not including snacks and prepped food I brought from home)
• Souvenirs and activities: $119.66
• Tolls: $11.10

Creating Your Own Route 66 Budget

Hopefully it was helpful to read my personal Route 66 budget and envision where you might spend a similar amount, or how your travel style might differ.

I realize by not needing flights or car rental, and doing Route 66 faster than the average, I saved a LOT of money. That might not be possible for you – but there are other ways to save, like going with a partner or friend!

Or you might not care about keeping to a tight budget – but rather splurge on awesome experiences like a helicopter over Grand Canyon or the best hotels. Good on you!

Either way, let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about planning your Route 66 budget. I’ll be happy to help!

Pin it for later…

Looking for more?

The Perfect 5 Day Florida Keys Itinerary for First Timers

Best Places to Stay in the Florida Keys For All Budgets

Gluten Free Key West and the Florida Keys: The Complete Travel Guide (2024)

This post is REALLY cool. I’m amazed at some of the hotel deals you found, mostly because I’ve found everything in the US to be super expensive… so I think you did really well!! The $750 stipend isn’t enough for sure – you couldn’t even ship your car + book a flight for that… so I actually think you did a great job in terms of how you were able to get there and see so many neat things along the way! (Both of our cars are 10+ years old – it definitely influences our road trip decisions right now. Good thinking on knocking out the maintenance issues before heading out!)

Ah thanks! I was excited to write it and honestly knowing I wanted to write this post, I recorded every expense I had and that probably helped me keep to my budget too lol! And I agree – travel in the US is so ridiculously expensive compared to other places, especially for accommodation. Like $60-70/night for a bottom-rung motel is… not ok! We just don’t seem to even have that cheaper tier of $20-40/night hostels, guest houses, or budget hotels that a lot of European countries tend to have. But you’re right I was still lucky to find some of the deals I did, particularly the Howard Johnson’s deal near the Grand Canyon! Also – nice to know I’m not the only one with an elderly car. Especially with current inflation and world events with gas skyrocketing… and my abysmal gas mileage… it’s definitely a factor I’m always thinking about. I’m thinking this might be the last year of “Madge” (my car)…end of an era 🙁

What an incredible trip! Having never travelled in the US, it’s super interesting to read about the various costs. Tax on top of everything would catch me out for sure.

Yeah I think basically everyone not from the USA gets a verrrrry rude wake up call when they see their first receipt here lol! It is honestly so annoying.

Thank you for making time to write about and share your Route 66 adventure. Kudos to you. I hope your job is working out favorably for you!

Thank you Mark! My job was actually a short term 4 month contract as a travel therapist. I’m now traveling in South America. The adventure continues! I hope you enjoy Route 66 if you are planning a trip.

This is awesome! Thank you very much, Sarah. Preparing… 🙂

Good luck on your journey!!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Historic Route 66

Explore the enchanting journey of Historic Route 66, renowned as “the mother road,” whether you’re heading westbound or eastbound. This iconic road trip presents an array of compelling reasons to embark on this adventure:

• Rich Historical Legacy: Route 66 is steeped in history, embodying the American spirit of exploration and adventure. Originally one of the nation’s primary highways, it linked Chicago to Los Angeles, serving as a vital route for migrants and travelers during the 20th century.
• Nostalgic Americana: Traveling along Route 66 leads you to a multitude of classic roadside attractions, vintage motels, and retro diners. Immerse yourself in the charm and allure of mid-century America.
• Stunning Scenic Beauty: This route winds through diverse landscapes, unveiling the breathtaking beauty of the American Southwest. From rolling plains to rugged mountains, it showcases some of the country’s most picturesque vistas.
• Cultural Odyssey: Route 66 offers the chance to immerse yourself in various regional cultures as you traverse different states, each with its unique traditions, art, and cuisine.
• Quirky Roadside Delights: The journey is punctuated with eccentric and captivating roadside attractions, such as the Cadillac Ranch in Texas or the Wigwam Village Motels in Arizona, making your adventure both entertaining and unforgettable.
• Personal Milestone: Completing this epic cross-country road trip represents a significant personal achievement. Conquer a historic and legendary route that has captured the imaginations of countless travelers over the years.

Day 1: Departure - Arrival Chicago

As all tour participants arrive, we’ll gather for a warm reception and refreshments. This evening is dedicated to making connections and getting to know each other better. If you’re still energized after your journey, there’s an option to relax at a local bar nearby for more socializing and shared experiences.

Day 2: Chicago - Bloomington, Il

Today marks the beginning of our much-anticipated Route 66 adventure! Once everyone is ready, we’ll set out on our journey along Historic Route 66. Chicago will slowly fade into the distance as we head west, promising a unique adventure filled with history and enjoyment.

Our first stop is Joliet, home to the Blues Brothers, setting the stage for a musical and cultural experience. Next on our route is Wilmington, where we’ll encounter “The Gemini Giant” and enjoy a delightful lunch.

Continuing on Route 66, we’ll pass by the historic gas station at Odell, a prime example of the day-open stations that once lined this iconic highway. Our exploration will take us to the museum in Pontiac before concluding in Bloomington, our destination for the day and a testament to Route 66’s rich legacy. Get ready for a day filled with history, fun, and the open road!

Day 3: Bloomington - St.Louis, Mo

Prepare for a day brimming with the timeless charm of Route 66 and breathtaking encounters with nature. Our route will take us through numerous villages, historic towns, and Route 66 landmarks. Our first stop is Springfield, the hometown of Abraham Lincoln, adding historical richness to our journey.

Continuing our adventure, we’ll head to Mt. Olive, home to the Soulsby old Route 66 gas station. Next on our route is Hamel, where we’ll take a refreshing break at a traditional Route 66 diner, enjoying the warmth of the sun.

As we pass through several small towns, the grandeur of St. Louis awaits. Crossing the mighty Mississippi River on the historic Chain of Rocks bridge, we’ll make a stop at one of the USA’s most iconic landmarks—the “Gateway Arch,” a tribute to the pioneers who ventured west. Visible from 6 km away, the Arch serves as a symbolic milestone. Following the path of the pioneers, we’ll ride by the Arch, pausing to capture the significance of the moment. The evening will unfold in St. Louis, offering an opportunity to soak in the rich history and vibrant atmosphere of this city on the banks of the Mississippi.

Day 4: St.Louis - Springfield, Mo

Our journey continues in the stunning southwest, traversing the mesmerizing mountain landscapes of the Ozarks—a breathtaking spectacle along Route 66. Keep your cameras ready to capture the beauty of this scenic stretch!

Our first stop takes us to Stanton and the Jesse James Museum in Meramec Mines, offering a unique opportunity to explore the caves where Jesse James and his gang hid their spoils from infamous raids.

Venturing through the heart of the United States, we’ll follow the original path travelers took on Route 66, brimming with diverse experiences and impressions. Our next destination is the picturesque town of Cuba, setting the stage for a charming encounter with the essence of this iconic route. We’ll then proceed to Lebanon, where the legendary Munger Moss Motel awaits our exploration.

Our final stop for the day is Springfield, a city steeped in history as the home of President Abraham Lincoln. As we conclude this leg of our journey, reflect on the tales of the past and anticipate the adventures that lie ahead on the storied road of Route 66.

Day 5: Springfield - Oklahoma City, Ok

Our adventure continues along the captivating stretches of Route 66. Our first destination is the renowned Gay Parita Sinclair, a traditional gas station sustained solely through donations and the sale of Route 66 memorabilia—a testament to the kindness of Gary Turner, known as the kindest man on Route 66. As we move forward, we’ll pass through Joplin, where a welcoming “Welcome to Kansas” sign greets us.

The Kansas leg of our journey is brief, covering approximately 31 km. Our stops include the famous “4 Women on the Route” and the Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge, both brimming with historical charm. Entering Oklahoma, a state that has admirably preserved much of the original Route 66 (spanning about 633 km), we’ll notice the landscape transitioning from lush greenery to a drier environment. Oklahoma holds the distinction of being the state where the term “The Mother Road” originated, and locals predominantly use Route 66 due to tolls on Interstate 44.

Riding through the beautiful and verdant landscapes of Oklahoma, we’ll make several noteworthy stops, including Tulsa, where we’ll visit the Route 66 Harley Davidson, and Stroud, home to the iconic Rock Café.

Our journey continues, weaving through numerous small, charming Route 66 towns before reaching our final stop for the day: Oklahoma City.

Day 6: Oklahoma City - Amarillo, Tx

Having immersed ourselves in the allure of Oklahoma City, our Route 66 odyssey presses on. Our next destination is Yukon, the hometown of the renowned country music artist Garth Brooks. From there, we journey to El Reno before setting our sights on Weatherford.

Transitioning into cowboy country and the vast expanse of Texas, our route takes us through prairie landscapes, featuring some straight-line stretches. Appropriately, this day is also designated as “the steak” day, promising a culinary delight.

Our initial stop is Elk City, where we’ll explore the National Route 66 Museum and capture moments in front of the iconic Route 66 sign. En route to Amarillo, we’ll make a pit stop in McLean at a traditional Route 66 steakhouse for a delectable lunch. The establishment, known for its tender steaks, personally sources all beef to ensure the highest quality.

Upon reaching Amarillo, we’ll embark on a series of enjoyable stops, including Cavender’s Boot City, where we can stock up on cowboy accessories.

Following check-in at the hotel, we’ll visit a Route 66 legend—the “Big Texan Steakhouse.” Here, the renowned 2.2 kg (72 oz.) steak awaits, and those daring enough to finish the entire meal within 60 minutes (including the steak, baked potato, salad, shrimp cocktail, butter, and bread) earn the meal for free. A challenge attempted by many, conquered by a select few. Are you ready to take on the legendary Big Texan Steakhouse challenge?

Day 7: Amarillo - Santa Fè, Nm

Prepare for a sun-soaked journey through the expansive landscapes of cowboy country, featuring long stretches of flat fields and countryside. Our route may include sections on I-40, as some parts of the old Route 66 are no longer drivable in this area.

Our first noteworthy stop is the iconic “Cadillac Ranch,” where you have the opportunity to leave your mark on a unique work of art. We then proceed to Adrian, home to the “Midpoint U.S. Route 66,” marking the halfway point on our journey to Los Angeles. A stop at the local Midpoint diner for a cup of coffee precedes our exit from Texas and entry into New Mexico.

Continuing our adventure, we arrive in Tucumcari, where a visit to the friendly “Blue Swallow” motel awaits. Lunch in Tucumcari fuels us for the drive to Santa Rosa.

Our final destination for the day is Santa Fe, hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in the western United States and the capital of New Mexico. Santa Fe will graciously host us for the next two nights. Within minutes of navigating Santa Fe’s narrow streets, you’ll find yourself enamored with the city and its welcoming population. Get ready to fall in love with the charm of Santa Fe!

Day 8: Santa Fè

Reaching the midpoint of our Route 66 journey, we pause in Santa Fe for a day of rejuvenation and exploration. Surrounded by the majestic mountains and the picturesque Sangre de Cristo range, Santa Fe is a city where Spanish and Native American histories intertwine, presenting a captivating mix of art and architectural marvels.

The day is yours to enjoy in any way you prefer. Unwind by the pool, wander through the art galleries, take a city tour, or check out the local microbreweries. Make sure to visit the local markets for unique art finds and taste the acclaimed Green Chili Stew, a culinary highlight.

Evening brings a cowboy dining experience in a traditional setting, offering a taste of the authentic cowboy lifestyle with great food and company.

Day 9: Santa Fè - Gallup, Nm

Today, we transition from the cowboy heartlands to the deeply rooted territories of Native American heritage, promising a day filled with cultural discovery and scenic beauty. We start our journey on the quaint, meandering roads to Madrid, a town that has risen from its past as a deserted coal mining locale to become a flourishing artistic hub, home to over 40 unique shops and galleries, various eateries, a spa, and a museum.

After soaking in the charm of Madrid, we’ll venture towards Albuquerque, stopping at the Route 66 Casino for a savory lunch. Next, our path leads us to Acoma Sky City, the sacred city of the Acoma Indians, situated on a towering mesa. Upon arrival, we’ll gather at the Acoma Museum to get our tickets and board a bus that will take us up to the city, as individual ascent is not allowed. Atop the mesa, we’ll stick together, following our guide closely, while having the chance to collect distinctive, handcrafted Native American art pieces.

As we journey through these captivating landscapes and delve into the profound cultural heritage, our day culminates with our arrival in Gallup, a reflection on the rich traditions and history of the native lands we’ve explored.

Day 10: Gallup - Williams, Az

Prepare for a journey through the desert landscapes, where natural marvels await. Starting in the vast territories of the Navajo and Apache, our path takes us to the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert, where nature blurs the lines between stone and wood, and colors paint the sands. This stretch of our adventure is sure to etch lasting memories.

Next, we make our way to Holbrook and Winslow, taking a moment at the famed corner that Eagles fans will recognize from the song lyrics, “Standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona.” A lunch stop in Winslow offers a welcome break to recharge.

Replenished, we proceed along Route 66 to Williams. Known as one of the route’s most engaging stops, Williams invites us to a night of entertainment and discovery, embodying the spirit of this historic highway.

Day 11: Williams - Grand canyon - Kingman, Az

Today marks a highlight of our tour with a visit to the Grand Canyon. Our day starts at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, where we’re treated to the world’s most popular IMAX movie, offering an immersive experience akin to exploring the canyon itself. Following this, we venture into the Grand Canyon for unforgettable photo opportunities.

Please remember, that helicopter tours require pre-booking.

Leaving the Grand Canyon behind, we head to Seligman, a town that proudly preserves the essence of Route 66. Seligman’s inviting atmosphere offers plenty of chances for memorable photographs. The day continues with a scenic drive through the desert, featuring a stop at Hackberry’s nostalgic Route 66 gas station for a cool break. Our journey concludes in Kingman, a key landmark along Route 66, rounding off a day filled with iconic sights and experiences.

Day 12: Kingman - Las Vegas, Ne

Start the day with a scenic drive to Oatman, a historic mining village set in the heart of Mohave County, established by prospectors in 1915. This route to Oatman, characterized by its narrow and serpentine roads that climb and descend through diverse terrains, presents breathtaking views of both mountainous and desert landscapes, offering a truly picturesque journey. Upon arrival in Oatman, remember to secure your bikes and watch for the local donkeys and actors dressed as outlaws adding to the town’s old-west charm.

The journey continues on Route 66 to the vibrant city of Las Vegas, a place known for its endless entertainment possibilities. Dubbed “The Adult Playground” and “Sin City,” Las Vegas is a bustling metropolis where architectural marvels, spectacular shows, top-tier casinos, and a wide array of entertainment choices await. The city’s energy is palpable, promising an exciting and dynamic experience at every turn.

Make sure to visit renowned landmarks like Caesars Palace, Bellagio, MGM Grand, and The Venetian, among others. Highlights include the Mirage’s volcanic eruption show and the Bellagio’s famous water fountains, offering unforgettable sights. Las Vegas is a city of endless discovery, promising new adventures around every corner.

Day 13: Las Vegas - Big Bear Lake, Ca

Today’s journey offers a mix of urban and natural landscapes, from bustling city streets to the tranquility of the desert. To combat the desert heat, we suggest wearing a hydration vest. After enjoying breakfast, we’ll drive down the Las Vegas Strip for a group photo at the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, capturing a memorable moment.

Our path then takes us toward Los Angeles, with a stop at the intriguing Calico Ghost Town, followed by lunch in Barstow, a town rich in history. The day’s drive culminates at Big Bear Lake, a picturesque alpine setting where we’ll spend our final evening. Prepare to be captivated by the serene beauty of Big Bear Lake, rounding off our journey with lasting memories of this exceptional adventure.

Day 14: Big Bear Lake - Los Angeles, Ca

Our final day brings us to an exciting climax with a ride along the Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2), celebrated as one of the premier motorcycle routes in the United States. This journey offers a thrilling experience as we navigate through enchanting landscapes, capturing views that will leave a lasting impression. Make sure your cameras are ready to document this unparalleled ride.

The route includes planned stops to take in the breathtaking vistas before we head towards Los Angeles. Upon arrival and after returning our bikes, we’ll mark the conclusion of our epic journey with a visit to Santa Monica Pier, the historic end of Route 66, where we’ll celebrate our shared adventure.

Day 15: Departure - Home Travel

As we depart from our hotel, a shuttle will be ready to take you to the airport for your journey home. We’re grateful for the opportunity to have shared this extraordinary experience with you and cherish the memories we’ve created together.

Note: Due to the time difference, travelers from Europe will arrive home on the date/day following their departure from the US.

Kindly note that this program serves as a comprehensive guide for the activities and experiences on the tour. While occasional deviations may occur, we assure you that our dedicated tour leaders will exert every effort to execute the program as described, to the best of their ability and by prevailing circumstances. We are committed to ongoing improvements, so be prepared for positive surprises throughout your journey with us. Safe travels and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures!

How To Rent Route 66 by Motorcycle, Part 2

When Texas hippies make art with eccentric billionaires: the Cadillac Ranch. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Welcome (back) to Part 2 of “How to Rent 66 by Motorcycle.” To recap, EagleRider gave me a ton of free credits to take a long trip on one of its rental motorcycles. In return, I enjoyed myself and wrote whatever the hell I felt like writing. I rode one of its Yamaha Ténéré 1200 s on a self-guided Route 66 tour. If it had sucked in any way, shape, or form, that would be the headline up top. But it was a great experience by almost every metric. Read the How to Rent Route 66 by Motorcycle, Part 1 article.

In Oklahoma, I changed plans. Instead of returning to Chicago, I’m going to Vegas. Thanks, EagleRider.

A Studebaker stands sentinel over the site where Route 66 crossed the Petrified Forest N.P. in Arizona. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Halfway, More or Less

After almost a thousand miles, I’m starting to understand Route 66 more. While it exists as a literal road in countless spots, Route 66 is more psychic geography than anything. The freedom, escape, and opportunity are rooted in hopes and dreams, not asphalt and road signs.

Even in its heyday, the ideals of Route 66 were fleeting. People bemoan the “decline” of Route 66 towns, but America is built on the idea of moving on. There is always better than Here . John Steinbeck’s “Mother Road” made it easier for people to move homes, lives, and capital to a better place. And people built livelihoods dedicated to this nomadic process. America’s DNA is encoded with success based on failure. What was, builds what is.

The late Bobby Troup wrote the famous song “Route 66″ in 1946, and it was a hit for Nat King Cole shortly thereafter. It’s worth remembering that Cole couldn’t safely travel much of it. “Sundown Towns” meant anyone of color might not have survived their stay. With the help of the “bible of black travel,” or the Negro Motorist Green Book , African Americans could experience Route 66—if they planned ahead. In 1950, only six of 100 hotels in Albuquerque, New Mexico, served them.

From an engineering perspective, Route 66′s end was being planned while Cole’s hit was climbing the charts. World War II made it clear that a comprehensive, centralized plan for interstate travel was needed. It’s one thing to build a road for Studebakers, quite another for tanks and troop transports. Route 66′s short concrete slabs and simple asphalt were turning to dust halfway through the war.

All that aside, the Ténéré makes everything great. It knifes through truck turbulence and holds 90 mph for hours at a time. It’s a hilarious period at the end of every vintage sentence the trip writes. Nobody is impressed by it except me. And some kid at a gas station in Vinita, Oklahoma. Thanks, kid.

The spring chill in Texas is no match for a Green Bay Packer hat under the leathers. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Texas Panhandle

Why is it a “panhandle”? Is Texas being dumped into the Caribbean or Mexico? Dumb questions like this bounce around my helmet as I hurtle toward the end of Oklahoma. At Sayre, an extant section of Route 66 splits off for 23 miles until you get to Texola. You get to go through Erick, hometown of country music legend Roger Miller. It’s also unofficially the first “Western” town on the route.

They say everything’s bigger in Texas. But anything looks big when there’s nothing around to compare it to. Without trees, people, or mountains, any place seems terrifyingly vast. No offense, Texas.

Texas greets me with a giant concrete triangle, visible from miles away. It turns out to be a rest stop with an observation deck to observe all the nothing for miles around—except wind. It offers an educational exhibit about wind energy. Being Texas, there’s canopied picnic spots, complete with Texas-shaped grills. Grilling sounds great. It’s cold. But my Packer hat makes for good jacket insulation. Once again, Texan challenges are no match for the Green and Gold.

When people pull over, they spend money: the Leaning Tower of Britten, in Groom, Texas. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Route 66 returns to I-40, and it’s straight to Amarillo, Texas. I stop in Groom, and snap a pic of the Leaning Tower of Britten, a water tower deliberately tilted at a 10-degree angle to lure tourists. Supposedly, it figured into saving the town from being bypassed by I-40. Nicely done, Groom.

Amarillo happens, countless steakhouses get passed, and traffic thickens. Then, like a vision, the Cadillac Ranch appears on the left. Then, lots of graffiti, cars, and tourist buses. My pilgrimage is not unique. And graffiti has become its own cottage industry. Water-based spray paint is sold from a trailer and 100-plus visitors are painting everything in sight, including the 10 famous Cadillacs. Call it cheesy, but it’s art that speaks to everyone in their way.

Fifty years of fresh coats of paint: Amarillo, Texas’ Cadillac Ranch is a consistent tourist draw. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Moriarty, New Mexico

Around Glenrio, New Mexico, Route 66 appears again, and shadows I-40 until Tucumcari. At Santa Rosa, the EagleRider app will take you north to Santa Fe, roughly following the 1926–37 Santa Fe Trail path. But I’m taking a pass. After reaching the Cadillac Ranch, the new dream is to return to Oatman, Arizona, and drink adult beverages in Laughlin, Nevada. Then a short 100-mile sprint to Las Vegas and a flight home. Call it a hope more than a dream.

Without the Santa Fe diversion, there’s not much visual distraction for the next hundred miles. But it’s my fault and a schedule is a schedule. This 400-mile day ends in Moriarty, where beer gets bought and enjoyed in the hotel parking lot, with a trailered 1972 Ford Mustang serving as literary inspiration. Several beers in I realize I’m near the fictional home of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. That’s worth a detour in the morning.

Where Saul Goodman met clients and stole cucumber water: Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Day Spa and Nail, as featured in Better Call Saul . (Anders T. Carlson/)

As soon as the mercury hits 45 degrees, I find the abandoned Day Spa and Nail salon, followed by a stop in Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza, one of many stops featured in EagleRider’s app. The Rattlesnake Museum and Gift Shop isn’t listed, but it’s a must. There’s also the San Felipe de Neri church, active since 1706. But if you’re feeling religious, you’ll have to sign up for a tour or wait until Sunday since it’s not open to the public.

Albuquerque begets more desert, and EagleRider’s route dips south on I-25 until hitting Route 4, which used to be Route 66. It eventually meets back up with I-40 and skirts the Navajo and Zuni reservations, while serving up ghost towns like MCartys, New Mexico. Or at least it seems like a “ghost town” until an angry neighbor emerges from his non-ghost town home behind the abandoned building I’m photographing. Sorry man, nice place.

Old Town, in Albuquerque. Be sure and visit the Rattlesnake Museum and Gift Shop. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Ghost town in McCartys, New Mexico, which wasn’t really a ghost town (occupied home behind ruins not pictured). (Anders T. Carlson/)

Drive through fun: 30 seconds worth of memories get made in Grants, NM. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Winslow, Arizona

Grant, New Mexico, and Continental Divide, New Mexico, make for nice stops. Grant has a drive-through Route 66 photo arch, while Continental Divide reminds us we’ve always been divided, rainfall-wise. But the goal today is Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park. Within 10 minutes of entry, peace and tranquility prevail in the Painted Desert. Two distinct dust devils lazily make their way across red and lavender badlands on the desert floor below. Spectacular.

Having never experienced the rite of passage known as the Great American Vacation by car, it’s my chance to see things only glimpsed in textbooks. The Crystal Forest sums everything up; seeing things made over 200 million years without human intervention. The wind dies down, kids play quietly in the distance, and the sun slowly sets. All’s right in the world and a realization dawns on me; I’m 60 miles away from Winslow, Arizona, and out of beer.

America’s original schism: the Continental Divide, separating water from east to west. (Anders T. Carlson/)

We are nothing and that’s beautiful: Tiponi Point in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Tawa Point in the Painted Desert in Petrified Forest National Park. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Petrified wood remnants in the Crystal Forest, Petrified Forest National Park. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Winslow is as charming as the Travelodge Wyndham is not. But it’s not an official EagleRider tour stop, so my bad. As I mentioned in Part 1, I’m making up my own accommodations. The EagleRider tour camps at Gallup, Arizona, before making a day of things at the Petrified Forest National Park and heading to Flagstaff, Arizona. The best breakfast burrito I’ve had in ages from a Maverik gas station starts things off right. Leaving town, I spy the Meteor Crater Road exit. I was supposed to come here four years ago for a story on Land Art and the Indian FTR , but artist James Turrell’s Roden Crater wasn’t taking visitors. It’s supposed to open in 2024, but don’t hold your breath.

At 6,909 feet, Flagstaff is one the highest altitude cities in America. No wonder my hangovers are worse. Plus, there’s snow on the ground and falling temps. Public education did not prepare me for this. The EagleRider tour wisely detours north on Highway 89 toward the Grand Canyon for an entire day of well-earned sightseeing. But Tom Joad didn’t go sightseeing on his way to Weedpatch Camp. Catch you next time, Grand Canyon.

At Seligman, I hit Route 66 again. Now things get real. Eighty-seven-point-three miles take you far away from I-40, toward Kingman. Like a movie, tumbleweeds blow perpendicular across the road. Replica Burma Shave signs are the only visual respite from slow mountains and unchanging landmarks. But the winds are strong and clean and there’s nobody around for miles. This makes Oklahoma worth it.

Best car seen all trip: a Pontiac Fiero guards freedom in Seligman, Arizona. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Hello, Hodaka: Route 66 Souvenirs in Seligman has a wonderful motorcycle museum, with scramblers taking a prominent spot. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Solitude is a drug in the right doses. To paraphrase Johnny Cash, it’s about breathing air that ain’t been breathed before. But everybody I’ve met offers a smile. Travel proves commonality is greater than the sum of our differences. Not a single unkind word is spoken when I mention being from Chicago. They don’t want to live there and neither do I. All good. Besides, I love my country. As far as I’m concerned, it’s big, freaky, and everyone’s invited. There’s enough freedom for everybody.

Oatman, Arizona

All I’ve been able to think about for the last two days is Oatman, Arizona. Twelve years ago, my wife and I honeymooned on our ‘73 Hondas, riding from LA to Chicago in five weeks. One of our first stops was in Oatman. Without realizing it, we took Route 66. Bypassed by a new route in 1955, it died an early Route 66 death only to be reborn in the best American way possible; it’s one of the better tourist traps you’ll ever see.

Memories are made of this: Route 66 from Kingman, Arizona, to Oatman, Arizona. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Cool Springs Station on Route 10 (Route 66), between Kingman and Oatman. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Wild (and very inbred) burros roam the streets, with staged gunfights at noon, sharp. Happy families take videos of the bank-robbing action. T-shirts and bumper stickers get sold. Thirteen-dollar burgers get slung and dumped on plates of fries. And history gets rewritten a tad. Turns out Clark Gable and Carol Lombard didn’t honeymoon at the famous Oatman Hotel in 1939. But it hardly matters. Good stories just need a little truth. Fellow riders from Las Vegas snap some pics of me and I’m satisfied. God bless Oatman.

The real treat is getting there. The last nine miles of Route 66 from Kingman to Oatman is breathtaking. And the route to Catfish Paradise is pleasantly desolate. But the trip’s almost over. With crushing sadness, I rejoin I-40 and head to a Walmart in Bullhead City, Arizona, to buy luggage to fly my gear home. From a 19th floor hotel in Laughlin, Nevada, I see the rugged hills I just rode. Sigh. Time to hit the slots and see if road luck translates. Spoiler: it doesn’t.

Route 66 travel, then and now. Main difference? Emissions. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Built in 1902, the Oatman Hotel did not actually host actors Clark Gable and Carol Lombard on their 1939 honeymoon. (Anders T. Carlson/)(Anders T. Carlson/)

Some of the finest writing and acting west of the Pecos happens in Oatman. Here, an aspiring bank robber gets what’s coming. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Las Vegas, Nevada

I could probably buy another day or two with a text to Danny, the EagleRider manager in Chicago. But a flight’s been booked in Vegas. Reality is just a 96-mile sprint to Harry Reid International Airport. Like Captain America said, “I’m hip about time. But I just gotta go.”

First I need to return the Ténéré. Located near the airport, its primary Las Vegas location features a gas station nearby to top off the tank as per rider agreement. A very nice EagleRider guy checks my bike in, notes the lack of crash damage, and snaps a few pics. And that’s it. The place my ass called home for eight days disappears into a cavernous garage. Somebody will clean several hundred dead bugs off the windshield and I’m free to go. It’s done. It happened. And it was uniformly positive for the most part.

About the EagleRider Experience

I mostly forgot I was on a rented bike. Although I stayed at places of my choosing, the ride was exactly what I hoped it would be. I made a stupid plan, then changed it with help from EagleRider and went on to have an epic trip. The app leaves a bit to be desired, but navigation upgrades and functionality are in the works. The suggested stops were a huge help. I still can’t get Red Oak II, Missouri, out of my head.

The last bit of Route 66 I get to ride: outside Catfish Paradise, Arizona. (Anders T. Carlson/)

EagleRider is betting its credit/subscription model leads to long-term relationships with riders. It’s looking for love, not a one-night stand. Club starts at $29 per month for 1 credit. As a Club Member, my rental rate would have been $58 a day. The non-member rate is three times that. A $55/month ($660 per year) membership nets you 24 credits a year, while the top tier costs $79/month ($948 per year) and gets you three credits a month, or 36 credits per year. That’s six days (or nine, respectively) aboard a Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra, which “costs” four credits per day on any guided or unguided tour. Insurance, taxes, various surcharges, and waivers are not included with credits. If members don’t want to use their credits, they still get 20 percent off the rental rate.

The math changes depending on your preferred ride. Twenty-four credits could get you six days and/or $1,344 worth (standard retail rate) of Road Glide Ultra time. Is $110/day a good rate for a giant road hog? It’s not bad. Or you could also opt for a Yamaha Bolt at one credit per day and take two weeks to see the America of your choosing. Just saying. The non-member pricing is obviously priced to “incentivize” you to join. But that’s capitalism and marketing 101.

Speaking of marketing, be aware that seasonal surcharges apply during high season. May to June adds $19 a day, while August to September adds $39 a day. Apparently the heat of July disqualifies it from being high season. The tl;dr here is the subscription and pricing structure works hard for the right rider. Simply put, if you want more than one moto getaway a year on a bike you don’t want to own, joining Club EagleRider puts you ahead.

Numbers aside, it was a wonderful experience. I loved the Ténéré 1200 and I loved returning it without a thought. For foreign tourists, EagleRider’s guided tour packages are ideal. You’re buying an experience; a motorcycle is just part of it. For Stateside riders, EagleRider is a fine option for the smarter and wiser riders among us. I’ve done my time with “adventure travel.” I don’t need to source a tire guy in rural Utah again. Want to see the best parts of America? Grab a pen and go to eaglerider.com and do a little math for your next moto adventure.

Where dreams go to die. And then get reborn for the next customer. EagleRider Las Vegas location on Dean Martin Drive. (Anders T. Carlson/)

The classic song “Route 66″ is great and all that. But I had a different song playing in my helmet the whole trip. Route 66 is less about where you are, than where you’re going. Here’s to hard-earned loneliness.

“And as I hurtled down the highway,

Past the factories and graves,

I think of all the years I wasted,

I think of all the years I saved.”

“Lonely Highway”

—Magnetic Fields

GET NEWS EMAIL US 01256 771770

Route 66 Original

Usa self-guided motorcycle tour.

THE MOST FAMOUS ROAD TRIP IN THE WORLD A journey of discovery and nostalgia, an opportunity to take the back roads into a bygone era and discover how America travelled in the 20th century before the Interstate Highways. We’ve been sending riders down Route 66 longer than just about anyone and our Route 66 tour is probably the most famous motorcycle tour in the World. Experience the flair and charm of the old route, from the start in Chicago, Illinois all the way to the end in Santa Monica, California. Stop at museums and unique attractions, and get a great insight into the people and history of the USA. Visit wonderful old trading post filling stations, motels, and diners along the scenic “Mother Road”. Take your time and enjoy the scents of new mown hay and savour the taste of smoked hickory barbecue. Travel through ever-changing landscapes of small town America, the never-ending expanse of the Texas panhandle, the desolation of the Mojave Desert and majestic Grand Canyon National park. Take on the challenge of finding your way across America on your motorcycle, through its diverse and colourful scenery. Discover a side of America many travellers never see or experience on this iconic and celebrated route through America’s heartland.

All self-guided tours include a GPS unit and personal daily GPX files

— Grand Canyon — Chicago: Adams Street Route 66 start, Art Institute, Willis Tower, the blues! — Mojave Desert — Santa Fe, New Mexico – oldest state capital in USA — Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert — Crossing the Mississippi River — Seligman, Kingman and Oatman historic towns — Santa Monica Pier- the end of the Road — Small town America — Los Angeles

Book with confidence. Our £££ prices are guaranteed!

Arrive Chicago

Not enough days available for the full tour? Why not do Route 66 Hemi from Albuquerque to Los Angeles in just 9 days! See guided itinerary and ask us for the self-guided price.

On arrival at O’Hare Airport, take the hotel shuttle to your hotel. After check in, take in the entertainment, shops and bars nearby, and maybe check out your motorcycle. If you want to discover the “Windy City” of Chicago with all it has to offer, we suggest you arrive a day early and explore at leisure:

Famous blues clubs, Navy Pier, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), fine dining restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. Take a stroll to the starting point of Historic Route 66 at East Adams St and South Michigan Ave.

Chicago – Springfield, IL

(200 miles)

After breakfast, make your way to the motorcycle pick up and retrieve your ride for your Route 66 Original self-guided motorcycle tour. Next thing you know you’re riding down Historic Route 66 through the cities, small towns and farmlands of Illinois. Follow the Pontiac Trail, as Route 66 used to be known here, to the state capital of Springfield.

Springfield – Rolla, MO

(220 miles)

Today you ride through the picturesque scenery of small town mid-America into the rolling hills of the Ozarks. Your morning begins by meandering through picturesque farming towns and countryside until you arrive at the Mississippi river, the border between Illinois and Missouri. Stop here for the Chain of Rocks Bridge which became a part of original Route 66 in 1936. After lunch, stop at the Missouri Route 66 State Park to learn more about the history of the route in the state. Afterwards, enjoy the hills and valleys twisting through the Ozarks to Jesse James’ hideout at Meramec Caverns. Finally arrive in Rolla for dinner and a good night’s sleep, now you’re only 24 hours from Tulsa!

Rolla – Tulsa, OK

(310 miles)

This morning the road twists, dips, and climbs through dense forests of oak, elm, hickory and redbud. Soon the hills, valleys and twisty roads gradually fade away as you ride through (another) Springfield, Joplin and Carthage until you reach Kansas Be sure to stop in either Galena or Baxter springs, considering there’s just under 14 miles of Route 66 in Kansas. Check out the old train depot in Galena, or the Route 66 welcome centre in Baxter Springs. Then you’ll ride into the gentle bends and hills of Eastern Oklahoma, and finally Tulsa. Enjoy a good night’s rest, it’s been a long but enjoyable day on your Route 66 self-guided motorcycle tour.

Tulsa – Weatherford, OK

(190 miles)

Oklahoma has more miles of Route 66 than any other state, and in better condition. The majority of the day is spent riding the “Old 66” through pasture and prairie. Stop at the Route 66 Interpretive Centre in Chandler, the Round Barn in Arcadia, Seba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick, and ride the longest remaining stretch of the original alignments of the route. Further west you’ll ride through El Reno, over the mile-long pony truss bridge near Hydro and end up at your hotel in the ranching and college town of Weatherford.

Weatherford – Amarillo, TX

Start today at the Route 66 museum in Clinton, where you can learn more about the route and its importance in American history, and do a bit of souvenir shopping. Then it’s back on the road, passing over the great plains, through vast cattle ranches and small farming towns as you enter the Texas panhandle. Stop at the iconic art-deco U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, featured in the film “Cars” as Ramone’s Body Shop. Then you’re off across the plains for a well-deserved steak at the Big Texas Steak Ranch in Amarillo. The challenge here is to eat, or attempt to eat, the 72-oz (2 kg) steak dinner in an hour or less. If so it’s free. Are you courageous or crazy enough to try?!

Amarillo – Santa Fe, NM

(300 miles)

First stop, the Cadillac Ranch, an ever-changing art exhibit started in 1974 by a group of eccentric artists called the “Ant farm”. Be sure to bring a can of spray paint, and let your inner hoodlum out and leave your mark on one of the cars (encouraged by the artists).  Then it’s off to Adrian, home of the Midpoint Café and your halfway point. After stopping for a coffee and the best pie on the route, you’ll leave the great plains and head into the natural splendour of the southwest. Riding through the wide open spaces of the high chaparral deserts and prairie into the Rocky Mountains. On your way keep an eye out for Pronghorn Antelope, mule deer and other wildlife. Follow the old Santa Fe cattle drive trail through Pecos National Historic Park and into beautiful Santa Fe, where you will spend the next two nights of your Route 66 self-guided motorcycle tour.

Today is a day of rest and relaxation in one of the oldest and the highest, (2194 m) state capitals in the USA. Explore Santa Fe’s numerous art galleries, speciality shops and museums, all within easy walking distance of our hotel. Or roam around the beautiful downtown plaza’s unique combination of Native American and Spanish colonial architecture. If you want a gentle ride, we recommend the short visit to Taos. Lots of bends to ride as you take the valley road there and the alpine forest road back. Taos is famous as an artist colony and some beautiful art and native American crafts awaiting you. Be sure to sample the local restaurants selection of New Mexican cuisine, a fusion of Mexican and Native American foods.

Santa Fe – Gallup, NM

Time to get back on the road and out into the deserts of the southwest. Ride down into the Rio Grande valley to your first stop for lunch in Old Town Albuquerque. Then head west alongside the Navajo sandstone mesas, through the splendour of New Mexico’s natural beauty, ending the day in the old railroad town and Native American stronghold of Gallup. Be sure to stop by the historic El Rancho hotel for dinner and a look around the property.

Gallup – Williams, AZ

(240 miles)

Today on your Route 66 self-guided motorcycle tour you head into Arizona’s spectacular deserts. The first stop is Painted Desert & Petrified Forest National Park, take your time riding through the park, stopping to take in its natural geologic multi-coloured hues and colours. Afterwards it’s a short ride into Holbrook to see the Wigwam Motel’s tepee-shaped rooms. Then it’s time for lunch and some time to “Take it Easy” with the Eagles, and “standin’ on the corner” in Winslow, Arizona.  Finally, continuing onward to your hotel in the quaint town of Williams, last Route 66 town by-passed by interstate 40 and gateway to the Grand Canyon.

(ride out, 120 miles )

Today is Grand Canyon day! You can take the train from Williams or ride the 55 miles to the canyon’s south rim. Here you’ll have time to explore the national park’s numerous viewpoints and attractions, and be sure to go to Desert view on the Eastern edge of the park for the best views from the stone tower. We recommend a helicopter ride for a bird’s eye view and to appreciate just how massive it really is. Take a sunset ride back to your hotel. This will be a day you’ll always remember!

Williams – Needles, CA

(250 miles)

Start the day by taking a short ride through the town of Ash Fork, down Crookton Road into the small town of Seligman for the best breakfast on the route at Lilo’s Westside Café. Be sure to give yourself some time for shopping at its many Route 66 shops. Afterwards, make your way to Hackberry and Kingman, the self-described ‘Capital of Route 66’, for lunch. Then comes what we like to call the ‘curviest’ part of the Route, Stigraves Pass via the Oatman Highway, a twisting & turning roller-coaster ride over the Black Mountains. Stop in Oatman to see one of the few remaining authentic old west gold mining towns. Bring some carrots or buy some alfalfa cubes from one of the local shops to feed the local burros, left behind when the miners abandoned their claims.  Get cooled off before descending into the scorching heat of the Colorado river’s Mohave valley and Needles, California.

Needles – Victorville, CA

(175 miles)

You start the day by riding around the Spirit Mountains into the dramatic & desolate hot Mojave Desert. Take a break in the oasis in Fenner before making your way to Amboy, located in the middle of nowhere, to check out Roy’s Motel and Café. Continue on to a lunch stop in Barstow and then onward to see Elmer’s Bottle Tree ranch. After a hot day riding through the desert your hotel’s refreshing pool beckons you to take a cool dip and relax before your last day of riding tomorrow.

Victorville – Los Angeles

(115 miles )

Your big adventure comes to an end today with your ride to Los Angeles. Much of the road has been lost, but the end of the Mother Road, Santa Monica Pier, is worth the wait. Park your motorcycle, have some lunch on the pier, and then dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean, this really is journey’s end! Take your time going to the end marker plaque at Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, and then wander through downtown Santa Monica. All that remains, the ride to the motorcycle drop-off and saying goodbye to your bike for the past two weeks. Get to your hotel and enjoy a nice celebratory dinner and drinks and some well-earned rest, You made it all the way on your Route 66 self-guided motorcycle tour!

Depart Los Angeles

Time to pack your bags and head home, filled with the experiences and memories. We hope to see you back for another great tour. This is end of the road – for now!

Total Distance c. 2700 miles

Dates & prices, per person prices, motorcycle surcharges:.

Band A add £zero per bike Band B add £355 per bike Band C POA per trike

Surcharges may also apply to all above prices for public holidays, events and conventions.

Don’t forget to book tour optional activities.. .

Grand Canyon 45 minute spirit helicopter ride: ‘Breathtaking’, ‘an absolute must do’ and ‘definitely worth the money’ say our customers who have experienced this optional, but exceptional, 45-50 minute flight. Your Canyon Spirit tour departs from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon taking you over the beautiful Kaibab National Forest, home to the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest. Upon reaching the edge of the canyon, the South Rim gently drops away. The North Rim and eastern end of the canyon come into view. This is one of the most spectacular views in the entire canyon! Price: £290 per person.

Harley-Davidson Museum: A fabulous interactive showcase of more than 100 years of Harley-Davidson’s rich motorcycle history. Price: £31 per person.

Pre-bookable extras

What's included & what's not.

Optional pre-bookable extras: • Flights (we are an ATOL bonded, UK company) • Specialist Travel insurance for motorcyclists – www.bikerstravelinsurance.co.uk • Optional CDW (VIP) & liability (SLI) motorcycle insurances • Roadside assistance • Motorcycle model guarantee • TriGlide trike • Other makes and models of motorcycle • Helmets and riding gear • Car/van hire • Excursions/activities • UK airport hotel and parking • Pre and post-tour accommodation and tours • Pre and post-tour motorcycle hire • Hotel/dealer transfers • US Airport/hotels transfer • Additional activities • Custom/private tours

Our Accommodation

Chicago, Crowne Plaza O’Hare Springfield, State House Inn Rolla, Best Western Coachlight Inn Tulsa, Best Western Plus Downtown Weatherford, Best Western Plus Amarillo, Holiday Inn Amarillo East Santa Fe, Courtyard by Marriott (2 nts) Gallup, Best Western Plus Gallup Inn & Suites Williams, Grand Canyon Railway Hotel (2 nts) Needles, Best Western Colorado River Inn Victorville, Comfort Suites Los Angeles, Holiday Inn LAX

Our Motorcycles

For our selection of motorcycles please see our  USA Motorcycle Rentals  page.

Ask a Question?

Please call us on 01256 771770  or email us using the form below:

• Your Name * First Last
• Your Email Address *
• Select Tour * Select Tour - USA Motorcycle Rentals 'Live' in the Deep South (Guided) Route 66 Original (Guided) Route 66 Hemi (Guided) Desert Canyons & Historic Route 66 (Guided) Wild Wild West (Guided) Spectacular California (Guided) Sturgis Rally & the Old West (Guided) Rocky Mountain High! (Guided) Pacific Coast Highway (Guided) Legends of the West (Guided) High Chaparral & Durango (Guided) New England's Glory (Self-guided) Florida Orange Juice (Self-guided) River Deep Mountain High (Self-guided) Highway 61 revisited (Self-guided) Great River Road & Great Lakes (Self-guided) Route 66 Original (Self-guided) Route 66 Long Way Down (Self-guided) Sturgis Rally & the Old West (Self-guided) Rocky Mountain High! (Self-guided) High Chaparral & Durango (Self-guided) Desert Canyons & Historic Route 66 (Self-guided) Wild Wild West (Self-guided) Spectacular California (Self-guided) Western highlights (Self-guided) California Dreamin' (Self-guided) California Gold (Self-guided) Pacific Coast Highway (Self-guided) North by Northwest (Self-guided)
• Your Message
• Receive Notifications I would like to receive news of Orange & Black’s tours, events and offers by email newsletter using the contact information provided here.
• Receive Notifications I am happy to miss out on news of Orange & Black’s tours, events and offers by email newsletter.
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

01256770775

[email protected]

Orange & Black, 16 High Street, Overton, Hampshire. RG25 3HA England

Please call us on 01256 771770 or email us using the form below:

• Receive Notifications I would like to receive news of Orange & Black’s motorcycle tours, events and offers by email newsletter using the contact information provided here.
• Receive Notifications I am happy to miss out on news of Orange & Black’s motorcycle tours, events and offers by email newsletter.

We endeavour to answer all emails within 24 hrs, except on Sundays, so if you haven’t received a reply from us it has probably got lost. Please call us if you haven’t received a reply, and please ALWAYS include your phone number when you email us.

Privacy Overview

• Route 66 Motorcycle (guided), 15 days
• Route 66 Motorcycle (self-guide), 15 days
• Route 66 Motorcycle Small Group Tour (guided), 17 days
• Half of Route 66 - 8 Days, East
• Half of Route 66 - 9 Days, West
• Route 66 + Wild West Motorcycle, 16 days
• Route 66 + Wild West Motorcycle, 9 days
• Route 66 + Wild West Motorcycle, 8 days
• Minibus tour on Route 66 (small group)
• Bus tour on Route 66
• Route 66 by car (11-20+ day holidays)
• USA coast to coast via Route 66
• Easy Rider Self-Guide Tour
• Accommodation on Route 66
• Motorcycle rental
• Route 66 Magazine
• Video gallery
• The Fascinating Journey on Route 66: An Iconic American Road Trip
• The Fun of Riding Route 66 - A Journey of Adventure and Nostalgia

Route 66 tours: travel the most famous highway of the world! Get your kicks of 2,448 miles (by motorcycle, car, bus) from Chicago to LA...guided or self-guide...

Welcome to historic route 66: drive the "the mother road".

enjoyed going to the diners and soaking up the atmosphere of the Mother Road

Route 66 standard tours

15 day/14 night itinerary, both self-guide and fully guided versions, german, french, italian and spanish.

Route 66 Small Group Tour

17 day/16 night itinerary, small group and route 66.

Route 66 half-way tour: East (8 days)

Designed to ride from the illinois.

Route 66 half-way tour: West (9 days)

Original route tour offers, self-guide and fully guided versions.

Route 66 + the best natural wonders of the WEST (8 beautiful days)

Los angeles and las vegas.

Experience the Wild West(16 days)

Deserts, canyons, mountains, unforgettable sights, join a guided version.

Travel Route 66 in a minivan/minibus

Two nights in las vegas included.

Rent a Harley

Smaller sections of the mother road.

Rent a convertible car on Route 66!

Start in new york, #1 pacific highway drive.

Route 66 bus tours

Americans traveled from the 1920s through the 1960s, visit many of the route 66 museums.

We do organize custom tours

Have you got your own dates.

Maps of Route 66

Chicago to los angeles, download a route 66 app.

ok robots.txt

ok title, desc

ok long urls

ok thank calemis you for pictures

ok analytics

webmaster tools

add adwords conversion tool

ok atiranyitas

ok facebook

ok admin linkpage

ok admin sights

ok admin lapokra noindex

ok restrict access

ok error handling

ok routing, home=>links just links

ok dateformats sitewide

ok localization/globalization in webconfig

http://reservations.airportvanrental.com//rates?action=vehicle_details

http://www.usrentacar.co.uk/

Getting around Moscow by metro and public transport

Moscow Metro

There is a ring-line (brown) which has crossings with all other radial lines. Metro entrances are marked with a large red letter "M".

Tickets & Prices. The metro has no special zones - all the metro is one zone, and there's no time limit for using your ticket. You can buy a ticket for 28R ($1) for one trip and spend as much time inside as you like. You can also save money and buy tickets for 5, 10 or 20 trips – they are less expensive. If you don't pay , then you'll have to pay around $50 fine.

See a video of a trip in Moscow metro:

Moscow metro is sometimes beautifully decorated , in fact, it looks like an underground museum. One of the reasons is that when it was built it was supposed to be an underground shelter in case of war, so it was built to be pleasing to the eyes and to 'promote' communist way of life. Hence many mosaics and sculptures dedicated to the life of Soviet people.

Buses, Trolleys and Trams

Selected Public Transport Routes in Moscow

It's great to experience Moscow if you move around by city transport - Moscow is a big city and there're many places worth seeing. The route given is the list of the areas the bus, trolley or tram goes through, it's not all the stops. If you don't understand where the areas and the streets are, read about this at Moscow Guide / Moscow Areas & Maps. The route is given in [square brackets].

Marshrutka (Minibus-Shuttle)

Taxi and Cars in Moscow

In any case the car prices have risen up in Moscow recently but are still not as high as in Europe, for example. Normally it should cost around 400-500 R ($12-$15) to get from the outskirts of Moscow to the center of the city (about 30-60 min drive depending on the traffic) and it's around 200 R ($8) to move around the center (10-15 min drive). I usually calculate 200 R ($7) for every 10 minutes.   Using the taxis is more safe and sometimes even cheaper, but there are not many taxis on the streets, only in lively places. You can recognize a taxi by a typical 'chess' sign on top and yellow colour. Usually taxis take around 10 R ($0.3) for one kilometer (only inside Moscow) and they start the counter at 25 R ($0.9). Here's a list of Moscow taxi operators (they barely speak English, though), the prices are as of February 2004: Allo Taxi. They charge 250 rubles for the first 20 minutes (300 rubles at night) and then 7 rubles per minute after that (8 rubles at night). Moscow – Sheremetyevo II: 850R ($31). Sheremetyevo II – Moscow: 1000 R ($37). Phone: +7 (495) 225-3588. Website: www.allotaxi.ru. (You can order online).

City Taxi. Their tariffs are 250 R for the first 30 minutes during the day (for the first 20 minutes at night) and then 6 R for each additional minute (7 R at night). Moscow – Sheremetyevo II: 700R ($26). Sheremetyevo II – Moscow: 850 R ($31). Phone: +7 (495) 225-9225. Website: www.citytaxi.ru. (You can order online).

Krasnaya Gorka. The cheapest in the list – billed by km: 5 R ($0.15) / km. Ask for a Russian car - Zhiguli - the cheapest. Moscow - Sheremetyevo II 700R ($25), Sheremetyevo II - Moscow 900R ($32). Phone: +7 (495) 454-6291/7201. Fax: 454-7201.

Taxi 505. Probably the cheapest, at least for airport transfers: prices are 170 R for the first 20 minutes during the day (180 R for the first 10km at night) and 5 R per each additional minute during the day (10 R per extra km at night). Moscow – Sheremetyevo II: 550R ($20). Sheremetyevo II – Moscow: 750 R ($28). Phone: +7 (495) 505-3661. Website: www.taxiport.ru. (You can order online).

Taxi Club. Prices are 200 R for the first 20 minutes during the day (250 R at night) and then 6 R per minute after that (7 R at night). Moscow – Sheremetyevo II: 750R ($28). Sheremetyevo II – Moscow: 850 R ($31). Phone: +7 (495) 540-0400. Website: www.taxiclub.ru. (You can order online)

XXL Taxi. Prices are 240 R for the first 30 minutes during the day (270 R at night) and 8 R per minute after that (9 R per minute at night). Moscow – Sheremetyevo II: 750R ($28). Sheremetyevo II – Moscow: 900 R ($33). Phone: +7 (495) 105-8866. Website: www.xxltaxi.ru/. (You can order online).

Limousine Service. The most expensive in the list. They use Lincolns or Mercedes limousines and charge $100 Moscow - Sheremetyevo II. Sheremetyevo II - Moscow costs $150. Phone: +7 (495) 257-4000/4400. Fax: 257-1596. Website: www.limos.ru. (You can order online).

Renting a car can be a good alternative to taking taxis. For example, a ride from a Moscow airport costs about $70, but you can rent a car for $50 / day directly from the airport if you rent it for 3 days (it costs less if you rent it for longer). Be sure to take insurance as well, it's worth it because driving in Moscow is a bit chaotic (similar to Greece, Italy or Caribbean). If they let you leave the car in another city it might be a good and cheap way of travelling around when you are in a group.

You can check the prices of the major car rental operators in Moscow using Way to Russia online car rental service . It will normally cost about $30-$50 / day depending on how long you rent it for. The Russian operator Eleks-Polus offers cheaper Russian cars ($25-$30 per day), but they don't have offices at Moscow airports and don't speak English.

AVIS Rent-a-Car Moscow. Address: Sheremetyevo II airport, Phone: +7 (495) 578-7179, Fax : 578-7179. AVIS Rent-a-Car Moscow. Address: Gallery Actor business center. Tverskaya Ul., #2. Entrance.3, 6th floor. Area: Tverskaya, metro Pushkinskaya (violet), Tverskaya (green). Phone: +7 (495) 937-9434, Fax: 937-9433

BUDGET Rent-a-Car Moscow. Address: Volgogradsky Prospekt, #43, building 1. Phone: +7 (495) 737-0407. Fax: 737-0406. HERTZ Rent-a-Car Moscow. Address: Chernyakhovskogo Ul., #4. Phone: +7 (495) 937-3274. Fax : 956-1621.

Bicycle and Scooter Rentals in Moscow

There are no special bike lanes and it's not safe to leave bikes on the streets, even attached. However, there are a few bike rental services in the city. Also, in Summer scooters are popular. Moscow is not the most pleasurable place to drive around with a scooter, but it's still a lot of fun. 

Kruti Pedali – www.kruti-pedali.ru  (in English), +7 495 642-1942 - rents bicycles and scooters in Moscow. They charge about $15 / day for bicycle rental (less if you rent for longer) and you need to pay a deposit of $30. For scooters they charge about $70 / day (much less if you rent for longer) and you need to pay a deposit of about $150.

Comments, Questions, Feedback?

Most recent articles:.

• My Russian Course

Ari Helderman

Hi, my name is Ari! I help people learn Russian through videos and blog posts where I share my experience. I've been learning Russian since 2016. I often get mistaken for a native Russian speaker, so I've learned a thing or two about what works and what doesn't if you want to speak Russian well . I'm here to help, so leave a comment with any questions!

Session expired

Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

Here’s how to rent a Moscow city bike

A young man rides a public bike on a Moscow street.

Finally, it’s sunny and warm in the city, and Muscovites are dusting off their bikes .If you don’t own no worries, it’s a piece of cake to rent a city bike.

1. How to rent a bike

First , you need to register on Moscow’s bike sharing website ( https://velobike.ru/en/ ), on the app (App Store, Google Play), or on a terminal. The app shows the nearest rental station to you. When registering you need to give your name, email, and mobile phone number  – the system will send you an SMS with your personal pin code. You can also add a Troika card  – you cannot pay using it but it's easier to use the system if you do have one.

Choose your bike, press “ok” on its dashboard, enter your login and password (from your SMS), or attach the registered Troika card. Wait until the beep and start riding.

If you would like to know how much time you have left, just press “ok” and you’ll see the timer and mileage.

When you finish, you don’t need to return the bike to the same station – any will do. Push the bike into the lock, press “ok” on its dashboard, and again wait for the sound (one signal means that the rental is over, three signals indicates an error). Important note: You should receive an SMS at this point end and on the bike’s dashboard “ Vozvrat ok” (“The return is ok”) will appear.

If you would like to rent an e-bike, check its battery power: A bike with green, yellow, and red indicators can ride 18 km, yellow and red – 10 km, red - 5 km. The e-bike should can only be returned to the same e-bike station. If you don’t you’ll be fined 1,000 rubles ($16).

2. Find a rental bike station

There are 430 stations across the city with over 4,300 cycles, including 260 e-bikes. You can spot them near metro stations, parks, and on touristic routes. Next to the bikes you’ll find an electronic terminal – use it to take your wheels.

3. Choose the right bike

Look at the pedals: It’s better to choose big ones with plastic spikes as they’ll stop your feet from sliding.  Then adjust the height of the bicycle saddle – and memorize the number on the bike’s ruler under the saddle. It will save you time in future.

Some Russians also note that it’s more comfortable to use the classic side kickstand instead of the center ones as it’s easier to operate.

Don’t take bikes with a twisted saddle because this is how users show that a bike needs to be repaired.  Moreover, if you see a damaged bike at a station, turn the saddle down and technical workers will understand that they need to repair it. (the phone of the helpdesk is +74959664669)

4. The money issue

The price of  renting a bike in Moscow for one day is only 150 rubles and 600 rubles for a month: It includes 30 minutes of riding. The system will freeze 1,000 rubles on your card as a safety deposit, it will be returned after the rental is over. If you plan to ride for more than 30 minutes, the extra time will be paid from your deposit. More than 30 minutes costs 30 rubles ($0.5), two hours – 100 rubles ($1.5), three hours – 450 rubles ($7), and so on. If you ride for more than 48 hours, you’ll be fined for 30,000 rubles ($480).  

The Moscow bike-sharing system accepts Visa and MasterCard. The price for the e-bike is the same.

5. Riding a bike in Moscow

It’s better to ride on the special cycling paths: You’ll find them in the city center and parks. In Russia, cyclists can ride on the right part of the roadway, as well as sidewalks. You cannot use a bike on highways (like Moscow’s Ring Road) and pedestrian areas. You should follow the traffic rules and signal before turning.

If you need to stop for a while, use the retractable cable to lock the bike. Enter the pin code to lock the cable. Enter the pin code again or attach your Troika to use the bike.

You can take your wheels on a commuter train (you need a special ticket), on the bus, and the Moscow Central Circle.

Here are some routes to inspire you to ride . 

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• Wheels of change: Russia’s cycling revolution gathers speed
• I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride my bike
• How to explore Moscow in 1 day on 2 wheels: 5 cycling routes
• Did you know that Russians invented the bike? Find out who rode it!
• How to use a Troika card on Moscow’s Metro, and other ways to buy tickets

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.