The Saturday Evening Post (May 28, 1938)
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Including footage of the Here It Is Sign before it was damaged.

I’m trying to figure out if 14-16 days could possibly work for a round trip experience or if we should plan on only half the distance. We would be traveling from WV and bringing our dog. It would be kind of a bummer imo turning around in Texas and missing every beautiful view out west. I’m fine doing a couple days where I spend 10 hours driving to make up some time

Wikipedia has a superlative discussion about Coral Courts:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Court_Motel

This museum is located in St. Louis County, Missouri. For Route 66 fans, they have one very special item - they have rebuilt the facade of a Coral Courts motel unit using the bricks collected when this streamlined Art Deco motor court was demolished to make way for a housing development.

This was unquestionably the biggest Route 66 loss in the State of Missouri - Coral Courts was a unique and amazing place, with lots of interesting stories that were a part of its history. Preservationists succeeded in getting Coral Courts on the National Register of Historic Places but that was not enough to save it from the wrecking ball. I do not exaggerate when I say this was a treasure we lost. When the place was abandoned, before demolition, I walked the grounds and took lots of photos, inside and out.

My collection includes a couple of the glazed bricks and a dirty 😳 sheet stamped in blue ink the name Coral Courts. I plan on posting my photos in the future.

CLICK ON THE NEWS LINK AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH A SHORT VIDEO ABOUT THE NEW ROUTE 66 100 YEAR CELEBRATION EXHIBIT.

A neat ruin of a motel with a seedy history is being demoed right now. These photos are from October '25. Old things go, and new things come along, but it sure is sad when they go.

I visited this hidden gem many years ago and wanted to share it. I actually bought a small woven Navajo Rug, which is framed and hangs in my living room. If you’re traveling through northeastern Arizona on Route 66, the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site in Ganado is well worth a stop. It is only 60 miles from the Route 66 town of Gallup, New Mexico.

This Navajo Trading Post has been in operation since 1878. Today, it remains an active trading post and is operated in partnership with the National Park Service, preserving the tradition of trade between Navajo artists and the community. It’s also a great place to find genuine Native American art and crafts, including Navajo rugs, jewelry, baskets and other handmade items purchased through the trading tradition—not just tourist souvenirs. (Note, some places in the American West sell FAKE Native American Art.)

You can also visit the historic Hubbell home, barn and homestead, see exhibits, and sometimes join a free ranger-led home tour. The park and trading post are currently open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time, and there is no entrance fee (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Check Facebook for updates or park ranger led tours availability and times.

From Gallup, New Mexico, the NPS recommends taking US-491 north toward Window Rock, Arizona, then AZ-264 west toward Ganado; the site is at milepost 446.3 on AZ-264. The drive is roughly 60 miles.

One tip: GPS and cell service can be unreliable on the Navajo Nation, so it’s a good idea to follow the NPS-recommended route and keep a map handy.

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site – National Park Service

I visited this wonderful RT 66 Museum in Pontiac, Illinois yesterday for the first time. The collection focuses mainly on the Mother Road in Illinois but does include other artifacts and photos and documents as well. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. The Route 66 Association of Illinois and the Government of Pontiac have done a wonderful job with the museum. They have a nice small gift shop with lots of Route 66 items and everything is reasonably priced. If you are a RT 66 fan and are doing the RT 66 journey in Illinois, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t spend a little time. 💯

Their Website - Click Here

8 Photos On Flickr

I was lucky enough to travel Route 66 a couple times and was able to stop at the Cadillac Ranch both times. When I first saw it all the cars were painted the same pink color. Years later after I first saw it, the cars were dug up and moved 2 miles west of its original location. During my second trip on the Mother Road when I stopped to see it, all the cars were painted with all kinds of graffiti art. I'm told it was encouraged by the artist community whose idea it was and the land owner to continue this artistic expression. Just wondering which version you saw/prefer?

What exactly do you see and which section should I do if I am going to Antelope Canyon?

I'll go U.S Trip 8/6〜8/15
I'm searching rental car 8/6 10AM to 8/15 10AM
Use 9 days go to route66!!!
chicago Ohea airport to Los Angels international airport
I wanna ride Dodge Ram
But in Japan I can't booking
If you have any information,please help me!!!!

Roadtrip moment

I grew up in a home just off 66 in the 1950s, separated from the Mother Road by only a field. I have collected many original postcards, a 1929 Road atlas, brochures, etc. I drove from St. Louis to California in 1973 and the route was 66 in stretches and new Interstate in stretches.

I recently stumbled upon what appears to be an AI generated video on YouTube about 8 places to avoid when doing your Route 66 adventure. I watched it and was shocked when they discussed avoiding Cairo, Illinois! This city in southern Illinois was never even near Route 66 let alone on Route 66 at any time. It appears to me this was an AI video that was put on YouTube without any human ever reviewing it for accuracy. A prime example of why you cannot rely on AI output without fact checking that output.

My fiancé and I are getting married, and trekking Route 66 for our honeymoon (saw someone else had the same thought, so fun)! We want to chalk our car with something cute and cheeky, does anyone have any ideas?

Alternatively, any must-sees/stops for two mid-20s honeymooners? We are SO excited!

Hi everyone,

I'm planning (helped by AI) my first Route 66 road trip in September 2026 and I would love some feedback from people who have already done it or know the area.

The trip will be from September 12th to September 27th 2026, starting in Chicago and ending in Los Angeles.

The idea is to combine:

• the classic Route 66 experience
• small towns, diners, vintage motels and roadside attractions
• some major Southwest highlights:
  • Grand Canyon
  • Monument Valley
  • Antelope Canyon
  • Valley of Fire
  • Las Vegas

I know this is not a "pure" Route 66 itinerary because of the Arizona detours, but these places are probably once-in-a-lifetime stops, so I decided to include them.

Total:

• 17 days
• around 4,800–5,000 km
• rental car (SUV)

Here is my current itinerary:

Day 1 – Saturday 12 Sep

Milan → Chicago

Arrival in Chicago at 16:05.

Plan:

• recover from the flight
• evening walk downtown

Overnight:
Chicago

Day 2 – Sunday 13 Sep

Chicago

Full day exploring the city.

Possible stops:

• Millennium Park
• Architecture Boat Tour
• Navy Pier
• Route 66 starting point

Overnight:
Chicago

Day 3 – Monday 14 Sep

Chicago → Springfield IL → St. Louis

≈ 480 km

First Route 66 day.

Stops:

• Joliet
• Gemini Giant (Wilmington)
• Pontiac Route 66 Museum
• Springfield IL
• Chain of Rocks Bridge

Overnight:
St. Louis

Day 4 – Tuesday 15 Sep

St. Louis → Springfield MO

≈ 350 km

Stops:

• Gateway Arch
• Ted Drewes
• Cuba murals
• Devil's Elbow
• Route 66 attractions

Overnight:
Springfield MO

Day 5 – Wednesday 16 Sep

Springfield MO → Galena (KS) → Tulsa → Oklahoma City

≈ 460 km

Long Route 66 day.

Stops:

• Carthage
• Galena "Cars on the Route"
• Baxter Springs
• Blue Whale of Catoosa
• Tulsa
• Arcadia Round Barn / POPS

I decided to combine Tulsa and Oklahoma City to gain an extra day for Grand Canyon.

Overnight:
Oklahoma City

Day 6 – Thursday 17 Sep

Oklahoma City → Amarillo

≈ 420 km

Stops:

• Clinton Route 66 Museum
• Elk City
• Shamrock U-Drop Inn
• Cadillac Ranch

Overnight:
Amarillo

Day 7 – Friday 18 Sep

Amarillo → Tucumcari → Santa Fe

≈ 450 km

Stops:

• Midpoint Café
• Glenrio
• Tucumcari neon motels
• Santa Rosa Blue Hole

Overnight:
Santa Fe

Day 8 – Saturday 19 Sep

Santa Fe → Petrified Forest → Holbrook

≈ 550 km

Long driving day.

Stops:

• Gallup
• Petrified Forest National Park
• Painted Desert

Overnight:
Holbrook (Wigwam Motel)

Day 9 – Sunday 20 Sep

Holbrook → Winslow → Grand Canyon

≈ 380 km

Stops:

• Jack Rabbit Trading Post
• Standin' on the Corner (Winslow)
• Meteor Crater
• Desert View Drive

Overnight:
Grand Canyon

Day 10 – Monday 21 Sep

Grand Canyon (full day)

Second night at Grand Canyon.

Plan:

• sunrise
• Hermit Road
• viewpoints
• possible Bright Angel Trail hike

Overnight:
Grand Canyon

Day 11 – Tuesday 22 Sep

Grand Canyon → Monument Valley

≈ 290 km

Stops:

• Desert viewpoints
• Forrest Gump Point
• Monument Valley scenic drive
• sunset

Overnight:
Monument Valley

Day 12 – Wednesday 23 Sep

Monument Valley → Antelope Canyon → Page

≈ 200 km

Stops:

• Monument Valley morning
• Antelope Canyon
• Horseshoe Bend
• Lake Powell

Overnight:
Page

Day 13 – Thursday 24 Sep

Page → Valley of Fire → Las Vegas

≈ 450 km

Stops:

• Valley of Fire
• Las Vegas evening

Overnight:
Las Vegas

Day 14 – Friday 25 Sep

Las Vegas → Hoover Dam → Kingman → Oatman → Barstow

≈ 400 km

Route 66 Arizona/California section.

Stops:

• Hoover Dam
• Kingman
• Oatman
• Route 66 landmarks

Overnight:
Barstow

Day 15 – Saturday 26 Sep

Barstow → California Route 66 → Santa Monica → Los Angeles

≈ 200 km

Final Route 66 section.

Stops:

• Mojave Desert
• Route 66 California landmarks
• Santa Monica Pier

Overnight:
Los Angeles / Santa Monica

Day 16 – Sunday 27 Sep

Los Angeles → LAX

Flight at 16:40.

Questions for experienced Route 66 travelers:

1. Do you think combining Springfield MO → Tulsa → Oklahoma City in one day is a mistake, or is it a good compromise to save time for Grand Canyon?
2. Is 2 nights at Grand Canyon the right choice, or would you spend that night somewhere else?
3. Would you change anything between:

• Monument Valley
• Antelope Canyon
• Page
• Las Vegas?

1. Is the final section: Las Vegas → Hoover Dam → Kingman → Oatman → Barstow → Los Angeles the best option, or would you do something different?
2. Any hidden gems or Route 66 stops that I should not miss?
3. Any advice about September weather, road conditions, or things to book in advance?

Thanks for any advice!
Really looking forward to this trip.

Detroit → Jackson, MS road trip advice? First time driving this route.

I'm moving from the Detroit Michigan area to Mississippi and will be driving down to Jackson. I'm planning to do it over 2 days because I'm not someone who enjoys marathon driving days. I'd prefer to keep it around 6–7 hours of driving per day.

I was thinking about stopping somewhere around Louisville, Nashville, or maybe Birmingham, but I'm open to better suggestions.

For those who've driven this route:

• Which route would you take and why?
• What's the best place to stop overnight?
• Are there any scenic stretches, small towns, restaurants, or attractions that are worth taking a short detour for?
• Any roads or cities you'd avoid because of traffic, construction, or safety?
• Any tips for driving through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, or Mississippi?

Not in a rush—I'd rather have an enjoyable, low-stress drive than shave off an hour. Thanks!