Help plan a Route 66 road trip... in winter?
Jan 22, 2016, 8:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 22
Help plan a Route 66 road trip... in winter?
So this is a little crazy, but my partner and I have an opportunity to do a one way road trip from Kentucky to San Diego, CA the first weeks of February. We are picking up a car and need to bring it home.
I discovered that we can follow a good portion of Route 66 along the way.
I've been doing lots of research, but would love any ideas that you all might be able to give us about things to do or places to stay.
I am currently working on getting a Southwest Companion Pass (have my first Chase card and working on the min spend, then will get the second one), so anywhere that will help with those miles would be great!
Thanks!
I discovered that we can follow a good portion of Route 66 along the way.
I've been doing lots of research, but would love any ideas that you all might be able to give us about things to do or places to stay.
I am currently working on getting a Southwest Companion Pass (have my first Chase card and working on the min spend, then will get the second one), so anywhere that will help with those miles would be great!
Thanks!
Jan 23, 2016, 12:51 am
#2
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I find that Route 66 is mostly sad. First, there are all the corpses of has-been towns whose days of glory are decades past. Second, much of what fills those towns today are chintzy tourist-trap shops peddling gaudy junk to nostalgia seekers. I suggest including a bit Route 66 on your trip to see what it's about while planning the majority of your trip around things you're interested in that are still relevant today.
Jan 24, 2016, 8:31 pm
#3
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The town of Oatman, AZ, just east of Laughlin and Bullhead City is definitely worth a stop for an hour or two - a good lunch break.
http://www.oatmangoldroad.org/
http://www.oatmangoldroad.org/
Jan 25, 2016, 10:25 am
#4
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Jan 26, 2016, 1:13 pm
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What is now designated AZ State Route 66 extending from the CA state line to Ash Fork AZ is probably the best preserved section of old US 66. Much of the rest of US 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica has been replaced by Interstate highways.
Jan 30, 2016, 9:14 pm
#6
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I did a little bit of the tour a few year ago in January. May I suggest a night at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, AZ? It was a real gas when I did it:
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66..._holbrook.html
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66..._holbrook.html
Jan 30, 2016, 10:18 pm
#7
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What is now designated AZ State Route 66 extending from the CA state line to Ash Fork AZ is probably the best preserved section of old US 66.
There are some spots in Missouri that are mildly interesting where the old 66 parallels I-44 a few hundred yards to the south.
I'd also consider a drive through Albuquerque on old 66 along Central Ave, especially if stopping at the Frontier Restaurant (not to be missed imo)
Feb 4, 2016, 7:09 am
#8
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The town of Oatman, AZ, just east of Laughlin and Bullhead City is definitely worth a stop for an hour or two - a good lunch break.
http://www.oatmangoldroad.org/
http://www.oatmangoldroad.org/
I'm looking at Google maps, and I see Oatman-Topock Hwy (AZ 10), but no 66?
I have been to Kingman a few times, both on the way to Vegas and have actually stayed there when I was in town for work. They do a decent job with 66, and it has easy access to the I-40.
If you're on the I-40, a stop in Winslow, AZ is worthwhile too. At least long enough to hear Take it Easy once or twice
Feb 4, 2016, 7:23 am
#9
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The old/original routing does:
http://roadtripusa.com/route-66/ariz...ute-66-oatman/
http://roadtripusa.com/route-66/ariz...ute-66-oatman/
Westbound drivers have it the easiest—simply follow the well-signed Historic Route 66 west from Kingman, exit 44 off I-40. From the west heading east, take exit 1 on the Arizona side of the river, then head north. Whichever way you go, you can’t avoid the steep hills that lead to Oatman (elev. 2,700 feet), an odd mix of ghost town and tourist draw that’s one of the top stops along Route 66.
Feb 4, 2016, 9:39 am
#10
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Since the OP is doing the trip in, "winter," there could be weather issues. Heck, it isn't uncommon to hear on the news, "The I-40 is closed between Kingman and Flagstaff."
Feb 4, 2016, 10:38 am
#11
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I don't know, but I doubt it... Oatman is at 2900 feet elevation and Flagstaff at 6900 feet.