Around Route 66 by Motorcycle

Free day to stroll around the "windy city". 

Boat cruise on the Chicago River to discover the city's iconic architecture and bridges (watch your neck...), shopping on Michigan Avenue, nicknamed the "Magnificent Mile" (the local 5th Ave, but not only). 

"The Loop" is the city's economic heart, bounded by the Chicago River and the many metal bridges that span it. 

There are skyscrapers, including the Willis Tower and its "Sky Deck", or the Hancock Center with its vertiginous moving glass panels, and the famous elevated train! 

Late afternoon: transfer to the rental company at the airport and pick up the bikes. Return to the hotel. 

For the evening, there are plenty of great spots, especially for blues lovers, like Buddy Guy's Legends... 

Overnight in Chicago.

Start your journey on Route 66, after a stop at Lou Mitchell’s, the “official” starting point in Chicago.

Pass through Joliet, city of the Blues Brothers, then Wilmington and its giant astronaut.

Stop in Pontiac to admire the murals.

Arrival in Springfield, capital of Illinois, closely linked to Abraham Lincoln.

Overnight in Springfield.

After Shea’s Gas Station, continue along sections of Route 66.

Stop at the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield and Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton.

Cross the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River.

Arrival in Saint Louis, home of Chuck Berry and the impressive Gateway Arch.

Overnight in Saint Louis.

Follow the Missouri River, once explored by Lewis & Clark.

Stop in Cuba for murals and Route 66 nostalgia.

Ride through Mark Twain National Forest toward Eminence, in the beautiful Ozark region.

Overnight in Eminence or nearby.

No Route 66 today, but a crossing of the Ozarks, a superb arched bridge, and a nice ferry ride... 

Head for the Mark Twain Forest, before reaching the beautiful arched bridge over Bull Shoals Lake. Break at the marina by the lake.

Arrive in Arkansas just before boarding the Peel Ferry (the last one still operating in this state) for a short crossing. 

You then reach Eureka Springs, in the Ozarks. This lovely little town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its typical houses and its springs. 

Nearby is the famous Christ of the Ozarks statue overlooking the town and surroundings.

Overnight in Eureka Springs.

Return to Route 66 via Carthage and Joplin.

Brief passage through Kansas before entering Oklahoma.

Stop in Miami at the Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum.

Arrival in Tulsa, former oil capital.

Overnight in Tulsa.

Stop in Stroud at the Rock Café and in Chandler at Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum.

Welcome to Oklahoma City, famous for rodeo and the lively Bricktown district.

Arrival in Weatherford, home to the Stafford Air & Space Museum.

Overnight in Weatherford.

Longest stage of the trip.

Cross the plains of Texas, passing through Amarillo and the famous Cadillac Ranch.

Stop at the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian.

Arrival in Tucumcari, New Mexico, home to iconic Route 66 motels.

Detour to Conchas Lake.

Pass through Las Vegas, NM, before reaching beautiful Santa Fe, at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Explore its Pueblo-style architecture and historic plaza.

Overnight in Santa Fe.

A full day to enjoy Santa Fe and the surrounding area.

Founded by the Spanish in 1607, it's a city with a largely Hispanic population. Perched at 2,100 m, it stands out for its adobe-style architecture. 

Stroll around the historic center, around the Plaza. On Canyon Road alone, there are around a hundred art galleries! 

Two museums deserve your attention: the Wheelwright, dedicated to Native arts, and the Georgia O’Keefe, which houses many works by the famous painter.

You can explore outside the city, for example by visiting Los Alamos, at the heart of the famous "Manhattan Project". The Bradbury Science Museum will lift a (small) corner of the veil on this dark chapter of the 20th century. 

Overnight in Santa Fe.

Head to Taos via the "High Roads". Along the way, you pass charming pueblos nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, rising to 3,960 m. 

Chimayó is home to a major cultural site, "El Santuario de Chimayó", an adobe chapel famed for its miraculous virtues. 

Córdova and Truchas are also lovely, with narrow lanes lined with adobe houses and splendid views over the Rio Grande valley. 

After a great stretch of mountain road and the twists that come with it, you reach Taos. 

Set in a desert valley, Taos sits at the crossroads of Native American and Spanish cultures. The superb Old Pueblo Taos is a multi-story adobe village inhabited for over 1,000 years by the Taos people. 

Overnight in Taos.

Magnificent view over the Rio Grande near Taos.

Ride through Carson National Forest and stop in Pagosa Springs.

Arrival in Durango, gateway to the Rockies.

Overnight in Durango.

Visit Mesa Verde National Park and its impressive Cliff Dwellings.

Climb the spectacular Moki Dugway for views over the Valley of the Gods.

Arrival in Mexican Hat.

Overnight in Mexican Hat.

Ride toward iconic Monument Valley and its legendary viewpoints.

Continue to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, with stunning panoramas along Desert View Drive.

Arrival at Grand Canyon Village.

Overnight at Grand Canyon Village.

Optional scenic flight over the Grand Canyon by helicopter (expensive: ask us). 

You join Route 66 in Williams, the departure point of the Grand Canyon Railway. This friendly little town has all kinds of souvenir shops, stamped "Rte 66". 

Ride to Seligman, with its colorful shop fronts and car wrecks. 

The Delgadillo Barber Shop, now turned into a store, was created by Angel Delgadillo, one of the key figures in the Route 66 preservation movement, launched in the late 1970s. 

Stop at the legendary Hackberry General Store, where you can find a bit of everything. 

Arrival in Kingman, once the final stop for pioneers before crossing the Black Mountains. 

Overnight in Kingman.

Ride toward the Black Mountains. Oatman, on Route 66, was born during the gold rush. The town once housed Arizona's largest gold mine. Today, it's the donkeys and staged gunfights that bring it to life!

Head for Las Vegas, in Nevada. From the "Welcome to Fabulous Vegas" sign, opposite the huge Harley-Davidson dealership, you ride up the "Strip". 

With its oversized themed resorts, built around exotic or crazy concepts, Vegas is love it or hate it! 

Don't miss the Bellagio and its fountains, and the Venetian with its Venetian canals. Climb to the top of the Stratosphere Tower, or attend a Cirque du Soleil show (ask us for schedules on your dates). And don't forget Downtown Vegas around Fremont Street!

Overnight in Las Vegas.

You leave Las Vegas for a crossing of the Mojave Desert, marking the entrance into California. It's one of the hottest regions in the country. 

Back on Route 66 shortly before Amboy, home to the famous Roy's Motel. 

Even if the motel is gone (a few windows recreate scenes from the era), the shop and the gas station are still operating.

A bit further on Route 66, stop at the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs. If it's one of the Route's stars, the place sadly no longer has much to do with the film's atmosphere. 

Arrival in Barstow, a large town near the small "ghost town" of Calico. 

Overnight in Barstow.

Ride to Cajon Junction, the gateway to the magnificent Angeles Crest Highway, whose 100 km of bends wind through the San Gabriel Mountains. 

Ranked among the 20 most beautiful mountain roads in the country, it's little known to tourists (but not to local riders!). 

Break at the Evergreen Cafe in Wrightwood, where the decor changes with the seasons. People ski in the area, and mornings/evenings can be chilly...

You leave Angeles Crest Hwy north of Pasadena, in the suburbs of L.A.

After a section of the famous Mulholland Drive with star villas and views over L.A., back onto Route 66, no longer really signposted, in Beverly Hills, before the final point of your journey in Santa Monica, on the Pacific. Arrival in Marina Del Rey.

Overnight in Marina del Rey.

Free day to discover L.A. at your own pace. 

Several options: adopt the "Californian Attitude", enjoy the beach on Venice Beach or Santa Monica...

Hop on your bike to reach Beverly Hills, Sunset Blvd, or Hollywood and its "Walk of Fame", following in the footsteps of your favorite stars. 

For museums, we recommend the magnificent Getty Center, with its great view over the city and the ocean, or the Petersen Automotive Museum and its incredible car collection.

From Griffith Park, you'll enjoy breathtaking views over the city and the famous "Hollywood" sign. 

Meet at the rental company late afternoon to return the motorcycle. Transfer back to the hotel (about 20 minutes). 

Overnight in Marina Del Rey.

Free time depending on your return flight schedule. 

Transfer to Los Angeles airport and the end of this wonderful motorcycle trip.

Return flight to Europe. Arrival the next day.

Stay extension or itinerary change: ask us