Chicago

The start of Historic Route 66 is in Chicago, Illinois, at the intersection of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue. This is where a sign marks the official beginning of the historic road, which runs 2,448 miles west to Santa Monica, California.

Chain of Rocks Bridge

Spanning the Mississippi River and connecting Illinois and Missouri, the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge carried drivers across the water to avoid traffic in downtown St. Louis until a new bridge was built in 1967. It is still open to bikers and pedestrians today passing through the Route 66 trail.

Kan-O-Tex Service Station

Once a service station for motorists traveling Route 66, the Old Kan-O-Tex in Galena, Kansas, has undergone several changes throughout its history. It was first restored by four women into a tourist attraction named Four Women on the Route, but this diner and souvenir store is now called Cars on the Route for its association with the classic Pixar movie 'Cars'.

The Blue Whale

The Blue Whale is one of the most beloved attractions on Historic Route 66. This quirky, smiling creature has been greeting travelers passing through Oklahoma from all around the world since 1972.

Cadillac Ranch

One of the stops you can't miss is the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. It features a series of old Cadillacs cars buried nose-down in the dirt, painted with neon colors.

Blue Swallow Motel

The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico has been in existence since 1939. Much like other stops along Route 66, the faithfully restored rooms, attached garages, and neon display of this family-owned-and-operated business takes guests back to a bygone era.

Wigwam Village Motel

Driving through Holbrook, Arizona, you come across an unusual sight: 15 concrete and steel tepees, each thirty-two feet tall. The structures are part of a motel chain that has become legendary on Route 66 over the decades.

Santa Monica Pier

Though the original end of Route 66 was at 7th and Broadway in Los Angeles, 10 years later it was extended to the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards in Santa Monica. In 2009, a symbolic 'End of the Trail' sign was placed on the Santa Monica Pier.