RIDING ROUTE 66 - The Chicago to LA Tour & Rally A GUIDED MOTORCYCLE & AUTO TOUR & RALLY DAILY TOUR ITINERARY
Friday, August 27 to Saturday, September 11, 2021
Day 1: Friday, August 27: Arrive in Chicago, Illinois
The Riding Route 66 - Chicago to LA Tour officially kicks off today! Participants will spend the early part of the day traveling to Chicago and arriving at Willowbrook, IL. Those who will be flying in and need to rent a Harley, or a vehicle, will need to do so in the afternoon. Your ground transportation is your responsibility. All participants/passengers and motorcycles/vehicles will need to be checked in at the Hotel prior to 6:00 p.m. After Check-In participants and/or passengers will be free until we meet for dinner and drinks at 7:30 p.m. to get better acquainted, enjoy dinner/refreshments along with an introductory presentation about pertinent information and features and tips of the Tour from your Tour Guide(s).
Day 2: Saturday, August 28: Willowbrook, Illinois to Chicago, Illinois & Return Approximately 85 miles
Today is a newly added day to allow those who cannot arrive on Friday to arrive or those interested in visiting downtown Chicago, IL, to do so. Eat at Lou Mitchell’s, travel the Route 66 Loop, visit the End of Route 66 Signpost and the Begin Route 66 Signpost, Grant Park, the Miracle Mile and return down Ogden Ave/Route 66, maybe stop for photos at Henry’s Hot Dogs, Castle Car Wash or Steak n’ Egger ... and enjoy a little Route 66 experience Chicago-style. Dinner tonight will be at the famous Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket back in Willowbrook, IL.
Day 3: Sunday, August 29: Willowbrook, Illinois to Springfield, Illinois Approximately 200 miles
After a short safety briefing and receiving information of the highlights of the days travels, it’s time to climb onto the saddle and head southwest through Joliet, IL, before beginning our trek across the Land of Lincoln. We will be following the path of the historic route and experiencing many Route 66 icons along the way, including a stop to pay tribute to the Gemini Giant Muffler Man in Wilmington, IL. Then we will enjoy Lunch at an authentic, and recently renovated, Route 66 eatery in Dwight Then it’s off through Odell and on into Pontiac, where lots of Route 66 abounds. Next we join the super-slab on the way to Funks Grove before entering Atlanta, the home of Tall Paul! The group rejoins the super-slab for the last leg of today’s journey that will end in Springfield, IL at the Hotel, followed by dinner/refreshments at Motorheads.
Day 4: Monday, August 30: Springfield, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri Approximately 175 miles
An early visit to the Cozy Drive-In prepares us for another great day along this famous old highway. Our travels will take us along the original Portland cement path of the 1918 Illinois State Route 4 (the 1926 -1930 alignment of 66) to Pawnee Junction, then we turn west to cross over a 1.4 mile section of early brick paving of 66. Then on through Auburn, Virden and Nilwood before proudly riding into the quaint, brick paved square of Carlinville. The group returns to the 1930 -1940 alignment of 66 in Litchfield just in time for Lunch. After lunch, we travel through Mt. Olive on the way to a visit with Rich at his Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, IL.
Leaving Staunton, the group follows the old road through Hamel, Edwardsville and Mitchell to a scenic view of the majestic Chain of Rocks Bridge. We then cross over the mighty Mississippi and into Missouri. After skirting around St. Louis we end our travels for today on “The Hill”, famous for it’s Italian Restaurants, on the way to our Hotel for the night. After Dinner, we visit a “cool” icon of old Route 66 located on Chippewa Street.
Day 5: Tuesday, August 31: St. Louis, Missouri to Lebanon, Missouri Approximately 175 miles
After covering some two-lane 66 and old motels and neon signs through Webster Groves and Crestwood, we join the super-slab as we head westward and enter the beautiful Ozarks of Missouri. Today’s tour features a superb ride along two-lane 66 through several small towns from Pacific to Cuba before joining the super-slab into Rolla where the group will enjoy a unique culinary treat for Lunch.
Heading further west on 66, the group encounters some early four-lane 66, the famous Hooker Cut and Devil’s Elbow. Ready for some more two-lane 66 across the Missouri Ozarks? No problem. The tour follows old 66 through Waynesville, Buckhorn, Gascozark, Hazelgreen with a stop at an endangered historic Route 66 bridge Then we head for Lebanon where we will hold-up for the night at an authentic 1945 Route 66 period Motel.
Day 6: Wednesday, September 1: Lebanon, Missouri to Miami, Oklahoma Approximately 185 miles
Today, after a stop at a Route 66 Museum, a combination of I-44 and the old two-lane roadbed is placed behind us on the way to Springfield, Missouri. Beyond Springfield, the old highway heads west toward the famous Gary Turner’s Sinclair Station. Just like a very pleasant step back in time, old 66 continues through the scenic Ozark countryside along an old roadbed that has dependably served our country for over 90+ years.
Lunch is in Carthage at an old Diner before we push west and over the Whoopee Bridge and past the 66 Drive-In Theatre toward Joplin and the State of Kansas. The path of old 66 entering Kansas winds through the Hell’s Half Acre area and into the sleepy coal mining town of Galena. After a pit stop at Cars on the Route, the hunt is on for the only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge located on Route 66.
Baxter Springs is the final town along the mere 13.2 miles of old 66 through Kansas and then we cross into Oklahoma and our first glimpse of Native American country. On through Quapaw (pronounced O-Gah-Pah), Commerce and Miami (pronounced Mi-am-ah) where we stop for the night. Tonight’s Dinner will be Bison Burgers at a 1965 survivor of old Route 66! Ku Ku!
Day 7: Thursday, September 2: Miami, Oklahoma to Bethany, Oklahoma Approximately 200 miles
In 1926, from Miami to Afton, 66 consisted of a paved road that was only 9’ wide. Today, a rare and surviving section of that original roadbed may still be carefully experienced. Buffalo’s anyone? Then on through Vinita, Chelsea, Foyil, Claremore and on to Catoosa where the world famous Blue Whale waits on us! Once in the saddle again, we travel along Tulsa’s Route 66 on the way to Lunch. Buck Atom’s and the historic Meadow Gold neon sign is our next stop before a stop at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Park and 11th Street Bridge. On we head west through Sapulpa, along some original Ozark Trail, through Bristow and Stroud to then view the only remaining Ozark Trail Obelisk on Route 66. Next through Chandler and then on to Arcadia, passing a Round Barn and stopping at Pop’s!.
Entering “Oklahoma City … is mighty pretty”, as we join some super-slab again, then once on NW 39th Expressway, a few old neon signs along the old highways flanks return as we head toward our Hotel and a well deserved and tasty dinner!
Day 8: Friday, September 3: Bethany, Oklahoma to Amarillo, Texas Approximately 256 miles
West of Bethany, we travel through Yukon and El Reno where we will experience a scenic ride along a pristine 1931 Portland cement roadbed on our way west to Weatherford. Next up is Clinton where we will stop at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum & Gift Shop. We then encounter more 1931 Portland cement roadbed. Between Clinton and Sayre, the historic alignment has been severed many times by I-40 construction, so we will travel as much as we can before heading for a surprise Hillbilly Luncheon in Erick, the Redneck Capital of the World!. Next up is Texola and then we cross over into The Lone Star State where the roadbed is long and straight through Shamrock and through McLean. A stop at Alanreed, prepares us for the long super-slab ride into Amarillo and the end of another perfect day along the old and historic Route 66!
Day 9: Saturday, September 4: Amarillo, Texas to Santa Rosa, New Mexico Approximately 175 miles
Amarillo has many hidden jewels that most Route 66 Travelers completely miss experiencing however, we will travel Amarillo Boulevard and see the old businesses and neon signs and then make some stops along Historic SW 6th Street, the original alignment through Amarillo, before heading west to the Cadillac Ranch. Spray cans ready … yes, we will spray and “brand” the #2 Cadillac! Photos! Heading west along side of I-40, Route 66 allures us into a world of our own as we forget about the mindless rush of the cars and trucks on the super-slab.
The famous Midpoint Café is our Lunch stop today where we celebrate the midpoint of our Riding Route 66 Tour. Time for the super-slab on our way to the ghost town Glenrio with its four lane divided road. Entering New Mexico’s Big Sky Country prompts us for a stop at Russell’s and their Auto Museum!
Traveling along the old 66 alignments as we head west is the same way millions of folks have migrated/traveled west over the decades is truly humbling. Tucumcari Mountain welcomes us to “Tucumcari Tonight”, the home of 1,000 Motel rooms, along with period Restaurants and Curios Shops, all sporting vintage neon signs. The time depends on how long we can visit and explore Tucumcari and it’s friendly folks. Then it is on west and through a tunnel as we follow old 66 through Montoya, Newkirk and into the unique little village of Cuervo. In Santa Rosa we will visit a very cool Auto Museum and Santa Rosa will be our home for the night as we enjoy some great Mexican specialties under the Moon!
Day 10: Sunday, September 5: Santa Rosa, New Mexico to Gallup, NM Approximately 253 miles
Unfortunately, the super-slab takes us west this morning on our way to Moriarty where the last remaining Whiting Brothers Station and a rare Rotosphere are located along old 66. Back on the Interstate to the beautiful Tijerus Canyon and into Albuquerque where we continue west on Central Avenue, the neon pathway of New Mexico Route 66 to Mr. Powdrells BBQ!
There is so much unique Architecture and neon signs to see as we ride through historic Nob Hill and into downtown Albuquerque. After Lunch, we pass Historic Old Town on your right and just past the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel, the historic El Vado Motel is now open and has shops and eateries. It is now time to tackle Nine Mile Hill as we leave Albuquerque before a long downhill to cross the vast Rio Puerco Valley on our way west. From here to the Arizona border exists some of the most fabulous scenery New Mexico has to offer. Following old 66 through big sky country, traveling the same path that millions and millions of those before us have traveled, is a humbling experience … and one the group will certainly savor. Old 66 through the Laguna Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo are reported closed. At Grants, we exit the super-slab for more two-lane 66 through Milan, Bluewater, Prewitt and Thoreau on our way westward, rising in elevation up to the Continental Divide.
From here it is “all downhill” as our afternoon mostly super-slab journey to the Native American town of Gallup begins. Entering Gallup, we seek out a place many movie stars once stayed, to rest our road weary bodies for the night. The Hotel has a Restaurant and the ‘49er Lounge!
Day 11: Monday, September 6: Gallup, New Mexico to Williams, AZ Approximately 218 miles
After some Huevos Rancheros at Earl’s for Breakfast, today is another busy day along old 66. New Mexico gives way to the Copper State of Arizona with its spectacular scenery as we follow the super- slab to Exit 320 at Pinta Rd and embark on an excursion that no other tour includes. The Painted Desert Trading Post is about ¾ mile of sand (wet if it rains and we will cancel) and then once through the gate, about 2 ½ miles of deteriorated 1931 Route 66 roadbed (some washboard) to visit this “Holy Grail” of Route 66 out in the middle of the Arizona desert. Once back on the road, next up is the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Park. The gorgeous views from the vista points of the badlands of the Painted Desert quickly give way to the vivid colored permineralized Conifer Logs remnants, buried by sand and volcanic ash since the Late Triassic Period of the Petrified Forest. Leaving the Park, Highway 180 directs us west toward another Native American town of Holbrook where the historic Wigwam Motel is located.
Lunch today is in Joseph City at a little diner on 66. “Here It Is” beckons us to make a stop at the historic Jackrabbit Trading Post where Cindy & Tony may have some treats for us and you must get T-Shirts and trinkets! Great selection and super nice folks! Winslow gives way to The Eagles, Standin’ on a Corner Park. As we head further west on the super slab, the majestic, snow capped San Francisco Peaks appear, along with some ruins from the heyday of old 66 named Two Guns and Twin Arrows (from Forrest Gump). Flagstaff provides a well-deserved break at the famous Museum Club, referred to as “The Zoo”. Next a stop at Bellemont to pay our respects to Easy Rider at the Pine Breeze Inn, before a stop at Grand Canyon Harley Davidson, one of only a few located on an actual Route 66 alignment. Time for dinner? I though so. Next door is The Route 66 Roadhouse where dinner is certainly a unique experience and welcomed. Next, we enjoy an evening ride down through the lush Ponderosa Pine forests and beautiful scenery on the way west into Williams and to our Motel.
Day 12: Tuesday, September 7: Williams, Arizona to Grand Canyon NP Approximately 169 miles
Williams, known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, also has a great Route 66 atmosphere, with several old Motels, eateries and neon signs along the Route 66 Loop through town. Williams was the last town bypassed by I-40 in 1984. Today you are free to rest and take the day off, or to visit the Grand Canyon National Park with the group or on your own. The park is north on Highway 64 North. Once in the park it is recommended to follow the Grand Canyon Riding Route 66 Handout so you do not miss anything of interest, including the Desert View Watchtower or Hermit’s Rest. Lunch is on your own and reasonably prices locations are listed in the Handout. Once you are ready to head back to Williams, take Highway 64 South and we plan to meet as a group at the World Famous Sultana Bar before Dinner. Williams has so many Curio and Gift Shops, an old Gas Station Museum and even a Native American Store.
Day 13: Wednesday, September 8: Williams, Arizona to Needles, California Approximately 205 miles
Heading into the lower elevation of western Arizona, we ride through Ashfork, before eagerly keeping an eye out for the Crookton Road Exit where old 66 is once again rejoined for an expedition along the longest surviving uninterrupted alignment of old 66 through Seligman, Peach Springs, Hackberry and in to Kingman.
After a souvenir and photo stop in Seligman, the riders aim the handlebars west toward the Hualapai Indian Reservation and Peach Springs. After Truxton and Valentine, a pit stop at the Hackberry General Store is certainly a must for this group of riders before they begin the journey around Seven Mile Curve and into Kingman for Lunch in an old gas station.
The Oatman Highway takes us through the vast San Francisco Wash to Cool Springs. Then we curve up into the Black Mountains, where the road warriors begin earning their wings on the way through Sitgreaves Pass and onward along the curves toward the old gold mining town of Oatman.
After Oatman, there is a long and curvy journey to Topock before crossing the Colorado River and entering California, the riders stop in Needles for food, fuel, and a full nights sleep. Tomorrow they tackle the most grueling portion of the tour … following the path old 66 across the vast desert landscape of the arid Mojave Desert.
Day 14: Thursday, September 9: Needles, California to Barstow, California Approximately 230 miles
An early start is required to traverse the Mojave Desert before the afternoon heat sets in. After leaving the super-slab in favor of old two-lane 66, a couple of ghost towns, Goffs and Essex (water break) are passed through before a detour directs us back to the super-slab to Kelbarker Rd taking us south to 66 and possibly a side-trip to the Roadrunners Retreat, then finally arriving at the famous Roy’s Motel and Café in Amboy for another a well deserved water break. Please hydrate today as we don’t need any body passing out! Rolling on across the National Old Trails Highway (which pre-dates Route 66), the surface becomes slightly rough for those on two wheels. Ludlow is like a mirage in the desert where we fuel up and grab a bite in the middle of nowhere! Next up is famous Bagdad Café and another water break. Then on west and to Minneola and Daggett as we then enter the Railroad town of Barstow. Let’s visit a cool Museum and Harvey House and then see some old signs before taking off our boots at the classic Route 66 Motel in Barstow
Day 15: Friday, September 10: Barstow, California to Los Angeles (Ingelwood), California Approximately 200 miles
After breakfast at Roy’s Cafe ... and leaving Barstow, more miles of the National Old Trails Highway are put behind us before stopping for a water break at Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, wave to Emma Jean;s Holland Burger as we pass, and make a stop at the California Route 66 Museum, in Victorville.
Next we begin our descent down through the Cajon Pass and into the LA Basin into San Bernardino. After a stop at the famous Wigwam Motel, we join the super-slab to Pasadena and cross the majestic Colorado Street “Curvalinear” Bridge.
The historic Arroyo Seco Parkway (Pasadena Freeway - the first built in the US), will connect the group to Los Angeles. Sunset Blvd directs us to Santa Monica Blvd for that last bit of very congested Route 66 roadway before arriving at the Santa Monica Pier at the Pacific Ocean.
After our stay at the Pier, we take Colorado Blvd to Lincoln to visit the “official” end of Route 66 where Mel’s Drive In is located. We will determine the path from here according to the time and if anyone has to visit Bartel’s HD on Lincoln. Then get ready for our final Hotel stay of the tour and the end of this spectacular two-lane journey across the heartland of America!
This evening the group will join together for one last time to enjoy dinner/refreshments and to recall the highlights of our once in a lifetime, two-lane adventure along The Mother Road … Route 66! “Life Begins at the Off Ramp!” & “It’s not the destination, but the Journey!”
Day 16: Saturday, September 11: Depart from Ingelwood, California
After a final Continental Breakfast and conversation this morning, the group packs up and the tour participants will begin their individual treks toward their home or points further! Safe travels to all! *Please use Map 15 to Exit the Los Angeles Basin abd get back on I-15 North.
“This magical journey, with its “one-of-a-kind” riding experience, down the most famous two-lane highway in America, its close camaraderie with many newly made friends, the countless unique and dusty icons of the old road, the remaining ruins of prosperous days gone by, along with the ever changing scenery across this spectacular country, have filled each rider with conjured up thoughts and vivid memories of a simpler time, of a pre-franchised era, and of a time before America became generic ... Memories enough to last each now-seasoned Road Warrior for a lifetime ... Memories of an experience they will not easily forget” ...
So what are you waiting for? Sign up for this once in a lifetime Guided Tour today. Space is Limited.