Route 66 Centennial Road Trip

[N Wilson]

This year, 2026 is the Centennial of Route 66, so I was thinking it would be fun to do a road trip with my family on The Mother Road.

I'm only in the beginning stages of planning and figuring out if this is even possible for us financially and time-wise, so it's by no means a definite plan yet and very well may not happen. Since I live in MA, it would basically be a full cross-country road trip, as I'd have to drive across the whole Eastern US just to get to the start of Route 66 in Chicago, then, if we drive the full length to CA, we'd have to drive all the way back across the country to get home.

One thing I am thinking about is whether it would make more sense to buy a tow behind camper and stay at campgrounds, or skip the camper and stay at hotels/motels. Anyone done a road trip on Route 66 and have any thoughts either way about this?

Another question I have is about charging infrastructure along the route. Anyone have any sense of what that's like? If I end up going with the camper option, I'll need to charge more frequently as the Lightning suffers from reduced range when towing a large trailer. Any pull-through charging stations along the route?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions soon.

 

[N Wilson]

Another thought I have is this:

If I end up doing this trip, would any other members who live near parts of the route want to either meet up, or join the caravan for part or all of the trip?

 

[J Alynn]

This year, 2026 is the Centennial of Route 66, so I was thinking it would be fun to do a road trip with my family on The Mother Road.

I'm only in the beginning stages of planning and figuring out if this is even possible for us financially and time-wise, so it's by no means a definite plan yet and very well may not happen. Since I live in MA, it would basically be a full cross-country road trip, as I'd have to drive across the whole Eastern US just to get to the start of Route 66 in Chicago, then, if we drive the full length to CA, we'd have to drive all the way back across the country to get home.

One thing I am thinking about is whether it would make more sense to buy a tow behind camper and stay at campgrounds, or skip the camper and stay at hotels/motels. Anyone done a road trip on Route 66 and have any thoughts either way about this?

Another question I have is about charging infrastructure along the route. Anyone have any sense of what that's like? If I end up going with the camper option, I'll need to charge more frequently as the Lightning suffers from reduced range when towing a large trailer. Any pull-through charging stations along the route?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions soon.

Never driven it but to me I always imagined the nostalgia of older hotels along the way would be a cool experience

 

[Scoutsie]

This year, 2026 is the Centennial of Route 66, so I was thinking it would be fun to do a road trip with my family on The Mother Road.

I'm only in the beginning stages of planning and figuring out if this is even possible for us financially and time-wise, so it's by no means a definite plan yet and very well may not happen. Since I live in MA, it would basically be a full cross-country road trip, as I'd have to drive across the whole Eastern US just to get to the start of Route 66 in Chicago, then, if we drive the full length to CA, we'd have to drive all the way back across the country to get home.

One thing I am thinking about is whether it would make more sense to buy a tow behind camper and stay at campgrounds, or skip the camper and stay at hotels/motels. Anyone done a road trip on Route 66 and have any thoughts either way about this?

Another question I have is about charging infrastructure along the route. Anyone have any sense of what that's like? If I end up going with the camper option, I'll need to charge more frequently as the Lightning suffers from reduced range when towing a large trailer. Any pull-through charging stations along the route?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions soon.

Is it a horrible personal admission to say that I learned of the existence of the Route 66 song through the Depeche Mode cover of it as a teenager, which is probably like a 16-year-old kid today asking you “What’s a Steve McQueen?” or something similarly tragic?

(There was a PBS documentary about all of the winsome Americana and whatnot later on that cleared things up and used an era-appropriate version: don’t remember which)

More on topic, there’s a website that has mapped out all of the cool kitschy stuff that some couple found on their travels. Provided all of this stuff has survived COVID and whatnot, this seems like a helpful guide. Something that’s really sad that I was talking about with my mom is how many places that you just kind of assumed would always be around are now disappearing. Around here, at least.

Route 66: The Mother Road

www.route66roadtrip.com

Blog of someone who went in 2024… she has tips on when is best to go, what she saw, etc.

How to Plan an Epic Route 66 Road Trip

Visit the post for more.

www.travellingwithnikki.com

This site says it’s a trip planner? I don’t know if I’d trust this for making reservations, but for exploring options, sure.

Driving Route 66 | Your one-stop resource for planning the road trip of a lifetime

Driving Route 66 - your one-stop resource for planning the road trip of a lifetime. Route 66 maps, motels, attractions and Trip Planner.

www.drivingroute66.com

I’m of an age and generation where the idea that I have to watch a video in order to gain knowledge that I could have searched for and read in less time pisses me off, but apparently/allegedly YouTube has some decent guides on planning a Route 66 trip. I guess the payoff there is seeing stuff in advance.

If I wasn’t a broke-ass person I would love to take my real national parks pass, real infinite leisure time, and imaginary disposable income and join you for this, but I’m missing one of these tangibles.

 

[maynard]

Another thought I have is this:

If I end up doing this trip, would any other members who live near parts of the route want to either meet up, or join the caravan for part or all of the trip?

What an awesome idea!

Could even be campsite meet-ups / potluck / campfire fun…

My wife and I are about 2 hours from 80/90 where it passes south of Toledo, as your plans come together let us know if you may be camping near there…

 

[cyure]

This year, 2026 is the Centennial of Route 66, so I was thinking it would be fun to do a road trip with my family on The Mother Road.

I'm only in the beginning stages of planning and figuring out if this is even possible for us financially and time-wise, so it's by no means a definite plan yet and very well may not happen. Since I live in MA, it would basically be a full cross-country road trip, as I'd have to drive across the whole Eastern US just to get to the start of Route 66 in Chicago, then, if we drive the full length to CA, we'd have to drive all the way back across the country to get home.

One thing I am thinking about is whether it would make more sense to buy a tow behind camper and stay at campgrounds, or skip the camper and stay at hotels/motels. Anyone done a road trip on Route 66 and have any thoughts either way about this?

Another question I have is about charging infrastructure along the route. Anyone have any sense of what that's like? If I end up going with the camper option, I'll need to charge more frequently as the Lightning suffers from reduced range when towing a large trailer. Any pull-through charging stations along the route?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions soon.

I think that’s a great idea! Route 66 does go through our city and they are planning celebrations for the 100th.

A couple car guys posted their recent trip for the 100th. There’s a book apparently that gives you the directions you can follow so you can stay on Route 66. That’s how they navigated it. I have watched the first two episodes, I still have the last episode to watch.

 

[dreamweaver]

Is it a horrible personal admission to say that I learned of the existence of the Route 66 song through the Depeche Mode cover of it as a teenager, which is probably like a 16-year-old kid today asking you “What’s a Steve McQueen?” or something similarly tragic?

(There was a PBS documentary about all of the winsome Americana and whatnot later on that cleared things up and used an era-appropriate version: don’t remember which)

More on topic, there’s a website that has mapped out all of the cool kitschy stuff that some couple found on their travels. Provided all of this stuff has survived COVID and whatnot, this seems like a helpful guide. Something that’s really sad that I was talking about with my mom is how many places that you just kind of assumed would always be around are now disappearing. Around here, at least.

Route 66: The Mother Road

www.route66roadtrip.com

Blog of someone who went in 2024… she has tips on when is best to go, what she saw, etc.

How to Plan an Epic Route 66 Road Trip

Visit the post for more.

www.travellingwithnikki.com

This site says it’s a trip planner? I don’t know if I’d trust this for making reservations, but for exploring options, sure.

Driving Route 66 | Your one-stop resource for planning the road trip of a lifetime

Driving Route 66 - your one-stop resource for planning the road trip of a lifetime. Route 66 maps, motels, attractions and Trip Planner.

www.drivingroute66.com

I’m of an age and generation where the idea that I have to watch a video in order to gain knowledge that I could have searched for and read in less time pisses me off, but apparently/allegedly YouTube has some decent guides on planning a Route 66 trip. I guess the payoff there is seeing stuff in advance.

If I wasn’t a broke-ass person I would love to take my real national parks pass, real infinite leisure time, and imaginary disposable income and join you for this, but I’m missing one of these tangibles.

A lot of good information. Thanks.