Example Itinerary: 22 day trip Route 66

In 2026, the well-known Route 66 in America will celebrate its 100th anniversary. This historic road known to many, played a significant role in 20th-century American culture, and remains an iconic route on numerous people’s bucket lists. Starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Route 66 stretches nearly 4000 km across 8 states.

For this iconic RV journey, you will fly into Chicago, Illinois. The suggested route takes 22 days, but you can choose to make it shorter or longer as you prefer. We recommend taking 3 to 4 weeks for this route.

Day 1-2: Chicago

You arrive in Chicago, Illinois' largest city, a great starting point for your trip. This itinerary suggests spending the first two days in Chicago, but you can stay longer if you wish.

• Visit Willis Tower with its observation deck on the 103rd floor and a glass balcony.
• Attend a sports game in one of the iconic stadiums.
• Shop on Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile.
• Bike around Chicago, with its good and safe roads for cyclists around parks and the Lake Michigan shoreline.
• Relax at Millennium Park, home to the Cloud Gate sculpture.

Day 3: Chicago - Springfield, 320 km, approx. 3.5 hours

Pick up your RV and head to Springfield. This city is a must-visit for Abraham Lincoln fans, with numerous tributes to the former president.

• Visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
• Tour the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln's former residence.
• Explore the Dana-Thomas House, a detailed and large prairie-style house.

Day 4-5: Springfield - Saint Louis, 160 km, approx. 2 hours

After a night in Springfield, Illinois, drive to Saint Louis, Missouri. Saint Louis is a vibrant city with plenty to do.

• Admire the Gateway Arch, Saint Louis' most famous monument.
• Spend a day at Six Flags amusement park.
• Stroll through Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the U.S.
• Visit the Cathedral Basilica near Forest Park.

Day 6-7: Saint Louis - Springfield, 340 km, approx. 3.5 hours

Next, head to Springfield, Missouri, which calls itself the birthplace of Route 66.

• Visit the Route 66 Springfield Visitor Center to learn about Route 66 and buy souvenirs.
• Explore the Fantastic Caverns, a cave tour taken by tram.
• Choose from various museums, such as the Air & Military Museum of the Ozarks or the Springfield Art Museum.

Day 8: Springfield - Tulsa, 300 km, approx. 3 hours

Continue to Tulsa, Oklahoma, formerly known as the oil capital and another city claiming to be the birthplace of Route 66.

• See Tulsa’s Art Deco architecture.
• Visit The Golden Driller, a 23-meter tall statue of an oil worker.
• Admire the art collection and gardens at the Philbrook Museum.

Day 9: Tulsa - Oklahoma City, 170 km, approx. 2 hours

Drive to Oklahoma’s capital, Oklahoma City. This ‘green’ city has many parks and diverse neighborhoods.

• Explore neighborhoods like the Adventure District for its attractions or Bricktown for its restaurants and nightlife (tip: take a water taxi in Bricktown).
• Relax at Lake Hefner, a large lake surrounded by parks, where you can sail, picnic, bike, or walk.

Day 10: Oklahoma City - Amarillo, 410 km, approx. 4 hours

Leave Oklahoma and drive to Amarillo, Texas, known for its unique art, culture, and nature.

• Visit Cadillac Ranch, an art installation featuring graffiti-covered Cadillacs buried nose-down in the sand.
• Explore Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Amarillo.

Day 11-12: Amarillo - Santa Fe, 464 km, approx. 5 hours

After a brief stop in Texas, head to Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, rich in Spanish colonial history. Spend two days exploring.

• Discover highlights around Santa Fe Plaza.
• Visit the Santa Fe Opera, an open-air theater.
• Walk through the Barrio de Analco Historic District to see what Santa Fe looked like during Spanish rule.

Day 13: Santa Fe - Albuquerque, 120 km, approx. 2 hours

Travel to New Mexico’s largest city, Albuquerque, filled with culture and history. Fans of the Netflix series "Breaking Bad" will recognize many locations.

• Visit Petroglyph National Monument.
• Walk through Old Town and see the San Felipe de Neri Church.
• Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway, the longest cable tramway in the U.S.

Day 14-15: Albuquerque - Petrified Forest NP, 360 km, approx. 4 hours

Drive to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, known for its colorful petrified wood. Hike and discover the park’s unique landscape.

• Drive through the park and stop at viewpoints.
• Hike the Blue Mesa Trail.
• For adventurous hikers, there are routes off the beaten path.

Day 16-17: Petrified Forest NP - Grand Canyon NP, 350 km, approx. 4 hours

Continue to the Grand Canyon, one of the most famous national parks in the U.S. The Colorado River divides the park into the North and South Rims, with the South Rim being more accessible.

• Hike the Rim Trail or part of it.
• Take the shuttle to Hermits Rest.
• Consider a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon.

Day 18: Grand Canyon NP - Seligman, 160 km, approx. 2 hours

Leave the national parks and drive to Seligman, a quintessential Route 66 stop with classic gas stations and motels.

• Eat at a typical American diner, Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In.
• Explore Seligman’s surroundings on foot, by bike, or on horseback.
• Walk around Seligman to see the colorful buildings, neon signs, and classic cars.

Day 19-20: Seligman - Las Vegas, 290 km, approx. 3 hours

Drive to Las Vegas, the largest gambling city in the desert, famous for its nightlife, extravagant hotels, and large casinos.

• Visit the Neon Museum.
• Ride the world’s largest Ferris wheel, the High Roller.
• Stroll down Fremont Street.
• Spend an evening in one of the casinos.
• Take the elevator up the STRAT Tower and try the thrilling rides like the Skyjump.

Day 21-22: Las Vegas - Los Angeles, 440 km, approx. 5 hours

The final destination of your trip is Los Angeles, where Route 66 ends at the Santa Monica Pier. Return your RV and spend the rest of your trip exploring ‘The City of Angels.’

• Walk on the Santa Monica Pier, where the Route 66 sign is located.
• Rent a bike and ride from Santa Monica to Venice Beach.
• Spend a day at Universal Studios or Disneyland.
• Explore Downtown Los Angeles.
• Visit the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.
• Enjoy the view over the city at the Getty Center or Griffith Observatory.

Campsites Along the Route

• Springfield IL: Riverside Park Campground
• St. Louis: DraftKings at Casino Queen RV Park
• Springfield MO: Springfield / Route 66 KOA Holiday
• Tulsa: Honcho RV Park
• Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City East KOA Holiday
• Amarillo: Route 66 RV Ranch
• Santa Fe: Santa Fe Skies RV Park
• Albuquerque: NomadLand RV Park Albuquerque
• Petrified Forest NP: Holbrook / Petrified Forest KOA Journey
• Grand Canyon NP: Mather Campground
• Seligman: Seligman / Route 66 KOA Journey
• Las Vegas: Las Vegas RV Resort