Route 66 Self-Drive Holidays

A trip along Route 66 can be taken at any time of the year but heavy snowstorms and icy roads can severely interrupt travel plans during the winter months. Also bear in mind that during early spring and late autumn, some attractions will be closed or only open for reduced hours. May to October is the optimal time to drive Route 66, with May, June, September and October being our preferred travel months. July and August are extremely popular months to travel but do bear in mind that the western states experience extremely high temperatures.

As long as you want it to! Remember, the joy of the Route 66 experience is the journey itself, not the destination. We recommend you allow at least 14 days to travel from Chicago to LA if you want to sample a true taste of Route 66 and its many attractions, plus a few more days if you’re planning to add the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas to your trip.

Accommodation along Route 66 is extremely varied, from luxurious and boutique city hotels to quirky motels and charming lodges. You will also find a wide range of international hotel chains to choose from. Be prepared that outside of the big cities, accommodation choices can be limited and more basic, but there are always comfortable and characterful places to choose from and we can advise at the time of booking. At Pettitts Travel, we tailor-make your Route 66 itinerary and can offer hand-picked accommodation suggestions to suit you.

There are an extremely limited number of convertible vehicles available to rent in Chicago and many car hire companies will not permit trans-state rentals. Convertibles are also not particularly practical. It is possible however to experience part of the journey in a convertible between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. A standard car or even an SUV can be arranged from Chicago to Las Vegas or similar, then a convertible can be collected for the rest of the journey across to Santa Monica.

Depending which car hire company you choose and which route you drive, you may or may not have to pay a one-way car hire fee. One of our experienced Travel Consultants can discuss your options with you during the planning stage.

The simple answer is no. Motorhome rentals charge for mileage packages and when covering a distance as great as Route 66 (over 2,400 miles), this can work out at almost $1000 or so. Add to this the vehicle hire charge, campsite fees for each overnight stop, the fuel required for the journey and a hefty one-way drop-off fee, it is far more cost-effective to rent a car and stay in hotels and motels along Route 66. It is also quite difficult to find and pre-book campsites to stay in along the route.

You will find gas stations at least every 30 miles or so along the majority of Route 66 and the surrounding roads. In more remote areas such as Arizona, there are fewer gas stations so be certain to fill up as often as possible and avoid the fuel gauge dropping below the halfway mark. If you are heading out to the Grand Canyon on a side trip, it is worth refueling in Kingman to avoid paying premium prices in the desert area. Fuel is usually paid for before filling up at most gas stations in the USA.

Our Route 66 travel experts will be delighted to offer advice on all aspects of a Route 66 road trip from car hire and accommodation to the best things to see and do. So, whether you wish to drive the entire route between Chicago and Los Angeles, shorten your journey by starting in Oklahoma City or incorporate one of the country’s other iconic sites such as the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas, we will be delighted to help you plan your perfect holiday. Contact us via our website or by calling 01892 515966.