Route 66 in 2026

[Stormy_Monday]

I'm starting to plan a trip for next year. I have always wanted to drive across the USA before I age out. Has anyone here done Route 66, or what's left of it, from southern California east. My plan is to eventually get to the to the Blue Ridge Boxster Summit from this route. If you have thoughts or recommendations please share.

grazie

[blueline]

That would be fun!

I'm closer than you but if on my to-do list, I might have to settle for reruns of the 1960 to 1964 tv series of the same name!

[RDMcG]

I have done every inch of it over many years, and it does keep changing. The CA section has a fair number of breaks due to flooding and weather though there are still some excellent places like Barstow and Roy's Cafe for example. For me the best unbroken section is from the AZ border all the way to Winslow. Lots of fascinating towns. A very tricky place to reach is the Painted Desert gas station which is on an abandon stretch of 66 down an unmarked exit where you reach a gate and have to make a phone call when it will be unlocked remotely. Heading into NM Gallup is a tough but interesting town and there are some amazing yards full of of old cars; Albuquerque is good and if you like the original 66 ran up through Santa Fe originally which is a great town. Towards the TX border is Tucumcari which is pretty original. Tx has the Cadillac ranch of course plus the Big Texan Steakhouse in Amarillo, some ghost towns here and there which are evocative. OK had quite a few 66 museums.

The Route 66 map set is available on line and is excellent for planning.

A few shots I took below:

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[RDMcG]

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[RDMcG]

The EZ guide to Route 66 ( fourth edition) by Jerry McLanahan is a spiral bound book that is excellent for planning along with the maps from the same author.

[RDMcG]

That would be fun!

I'm closer than you but if on my to-do list, I might have to settle for reruns of the 1960 to 1964 tv series of the same name!

Which oddly enough was not filmed on Route 66. There is a very brief part of Easy Rider near Valentine that was filmed on the Route. Of course, more recently Albuquerque was the site of Breaking Bad and there are actual tours of the locations there:)

[blueline]

Great pics! Phillips 66 for Route 66 and the Erick, OK store!!

I've forgotten more than once the picture feature Tom added to Carpokes some time back that's especially useful for multi-picture posts such as RDMcG's two photo-laden posts above. Click on one of the pics that then opens into a larger view, after which one can scroll through each photo back and forth using the left or right arrows that pop up on either side. Much better viewing experience!

[Stormy_Monday]

The EZ guide to Route 66 ( fourth edition) by Jerry McLanahan is a spiral bound book that is excellent for planning along with the maps from the same author.

ordered last night

[Stormy_Monday]

thanks for the pics and info.

I'm working to get a place to have my car delivered to. My salesman recommended a Porsche dealer, to accept the car and do a 4 year service before I arrive and start driving. More news as this becomes fleshed out.

[Stormy_Monday]

That would be fun!

I'm closer than you but if on my to-do list, I might have to settle for reruns of the 1960 to 1964 tv series of the same name!

you're welcome to join me.