Travel Considerations

These helpful notes were compiled by Jeremy shortly after returning from our trip, and they are some useful guidelines and tips to keep in mind while traveling a beautiful old road like 66.

AUTO

1. MANY sections of Rt. 66 W of Oklahoma are unmaintained dirt/gravel roads in the middle of nowhere. If you plan to travel them, you should drive a 4×4 vehicle or be well-stocked with spare tires and gas. Do not travel these roads after heavy rains.
2. When you budget for gas, calculate the total and then double it. Route 66 is NOT a flat Interstate.
3. Yes, 66 is just as fast as the Interstate (sometimes faster). Speed limits are usually the same or within 10 mph (except in towns, of course!).
4. Get an oil change, lube, and radiator check BEFORE leaving.
5. Be prepared. Carry a well-stocked first aid kit, water, extra gas can, spare tire, and auto fluids.
6. The last 1/4 of Rt. 66 (from Kingman AZ to LA) will be a trial on both you and your car. See #5 above.
7. NEVER let your gas tank get below 1/2 a tank. You might think there’s a gas station in that next town, but that doesn’t mean its really there.

TRAVEL

1. The “high season” for Route 66 travel is the summer months from May thru early August. We traveled in late August/early September and had the road to ourselves. However, it was “monsoon season” in the Southwest, so we had about 3 sporadic days of rain.
2. Guides are all well and good for keeping you on the right track, in general. However, there are MANY sections of the old road that only locals or ghosts still know about. Ask around in sleepy little 66 towns and, above all, follow your intuition.
3. Allow time in your itinerary to get lost.
4. Rt. 66 can be traveled in 7 days, if you’re in a hurry. However, if you plan to take a lot of side trips or make a lot of stops, allocate about 2 weeks.
5. Rely on gut instincts to guide you. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.
6. Obviously, you’ll be carrying a road map with you. However, it doesn’t hurt to bring along a topographical map and even an older road map that lists 66.
7. There are MANY ghost towns along Rt. 66. If you’d like to learn more, you can visit – http://www.ghosttowns.com/bottom.html

RULES OF THE ROAD

1. You’ll pass thru several Indian reservations in your travels so keep in mind that this is PRIVATE property. You wouldn’t like people to take pictures of your backyard, so do not take ANY photos until you have been given permission by the tribe. When you meet tribal people, don’t try out your knowledge of “Injun”. Say “hello”, “thank you”, and “goodbye”. If they teach you some words, be flattered and do your best to memorize them. Above all, feel privileged that you are able to see their land.
2. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Help preserve Rt. 66 for future generations.
3. Support local business. If you can, avoid chain stores and restaurants that bring no money into the community.
4. If you plan on hiking (or walking thru any parks), practice the #1 rule – STAY ON THE PATH. It is there to protect the ecosystem around you (Note to the idiots at the Grand Canyon - and sometimes to protect you as well).

HEALTH

1. Apply sunscreen everyday at higher elevations.
2. If you’ve lived in the Midwest your whole life, plan on getting a little altitude sickness on your trip. You will acclimatize after a day or two.
3. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water and alternate with a salty snack. Dehydration can make you tired, nauseous, and unhappy.

Honeymoon Itinerary

We spent a total of fifteen glorious days on the road. This is the basic point-A-to-point-B of how our days went:

Day One: Chicago, IL to Springfield, MO ~511 miles

Day Two: Springfield, MO to Oklahoma City, OK ~285 miles

Day Three: Oklahoma City, OK to Shamrock, TX ~166 miles

Day Four: Shamrock, TX to Amarillo, TX ~94 miles

Day Five: Amarillo, TX to Tucumcari, NM ~113 miles

Day Six: Tucumcari, NM to Albuquerque, NM ~176 miles

Day Seven: Albuquerque, NM

Day Eight: Albuquerque, NM to Gallup, NM ~138 miles

Day Nine: Gallup, NM to Flagstaff, AZ ~185 miles

Day Ten: Flagstaff, AZ to Grand Canyon, AZ ~88 miles

Day Eleven: Grand Canyon, AZ

Day Twelve: Grand Canyon, AZ to Needles, CA ~235 miles

Day Thirteen: Needles, CA to Los Angeles, CA ~258 miles

Day Fourteen: Los Angeles, CA

Day Fifteen: Los Angeles, CA