SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1:  Fly to Chicago

Depart from London on your daylight flight to Chicago.

On arrival, collect your hire car from the airport and drive to your hotel in this city that is known for its live music venues and museums, the sculptures of Millennium Park and the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan.

Day 2: Explore Chicago

Today is free to explore this bustling ‘Windy City’ that was the birthplace of skyscrapers.

You might wish to stroll along Michigan Avenue, enjoying some world-class shopping and admire the impressive architecture in the vibrant business district. You can also visit the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Chicago's tallest building standing 108 stories high. One of the best ways to appreciate Chicago’s skyline is from the river. Boat cruises are also available on Lake Michigan, which make for a relaxing change of pace.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to head Downtown to take a photograph of the sign that marks the start of Route 66. In the evening, we suggest swinging by one of Chicago's famous blues clubs.

Day 3: Springfield, Illinois

Your Route 66 adventure gets going today as you head out west, driving through picturesque farmlands and cornfields to Springfield, Illinois.

En route you can stop at little towns such as Atlanta and Pontiac, where you will find the Route 66 ‘Hall of Fame’.

With its red brick architecture, Springfield feels a world away from the skyscrapers of Chicago. It was the hometown of Abraham Lincoln and you can visit his house, an attractive wooden building with large shuttered windows.

(Driving distance: 205 miles)

Day 4: St Louis

Cross the border into Missouri today and enjoy the scenery of woodlands, rivers and bridges as you cruise towards St Louis.

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, St Louis welcomes visitors with its famous Gateway Arch, which commemorates Thomas Jefferson and his quest for westward expansion.

(Driving distance: 97 miles)

Day 5: Springfield, Missouri

Travel onwards through the beautiful countryside of Missouri, past many billboards advertising the Meramec Caverns. This 4.6 mile cave system was formed from the erosion of large limestone deposits over millions of years, and is well worth a visit.

Continue on to Springfield, which is noted for its old-fashioned motels and many classic cars that line the streets.

(Driving distance: 215 miles)

Day 6: Oklahoma City

The countryside is flat and green as you make your way to the capital of Oklahoma. This compact metropolis is a highlight of Route 66, with wonderful food that is an eclectic mix of Deep South Cajun dishes and Mexican fare.

You can visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens or one of Oklahoma City's many museums, such as the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, where you will find a showcase of western art. Depending on fixtures, it may be possible to attend a game of the Oklahoma City Dodgers, a minor league baseball team.

(Driving distance: 286 miles)

Day 7: Amarillo

Bid farewell to Oklahoma City today and head into the Texas Panhandle, as the prairies give way to a drier landscape. Along the way you can visit the town of Anadarko (the ‘Indian Capital of the Nation’), which has an outdoor museum consisting of a Native American dwelling.

After travelling along vast stretches of open highway and over the border into Texas, you will arrive in Amarillo where you will spend the night. Ten miles outside the town you will come across an unusual spectacle - 10 graffiti-covered Cadillacs buried nose first in the ground. What started as an art installation has become a legendary Route 66 stop and travellers, armed with their own spray cans, will leave a lasting reminder of their stop here.

Afterwards, if you are up for a challenge, you can try the mighty steak-eating competition at the Big Texan Steak Ranch.

(Driving distance: 260 miles)

Day 8: Albuquerque

A road sign in the tiny town of Adrian marks the midpoint of Route 66.

After this, continue across the state line into New Mexico, remembering to turn your watch back an hour.

Journey through the historic hunting grounds of the Comanche Indians until you reach Albuquerque, situated on the Rio Grande and surrounded by the beautiful Sandia Mountains. On arrival you can stroll around the Old Town or visit the Pueblo Indian Museum on the river.

(Driving distance: 287 miles)

Day 9: Gallup

Next drive to Gallup, another famous stop on Route 66 known for its mix of indigenous people and native culture. To its east are the red sandstone cliffs of Red Rock Park, which has a museum displaying Anasazi pottery and silver dating from around 300 AD.

In the city, Gallup Cultural Centre has Native American crafts and cultural exhibits. The Rex Museum covers local history, including railroads and mining.

(Driving distance: 139 miles)

Day 10: Holbrook

Enter Arizona today and visit the colourful Petrified Forest National Park. This area was once the site of an ancient forest, but was later covered by lava flow. Throughout the park you’ll see normal-looking tree stumps, but with fossilised insides of inorganic material such as pyrite and opal.

This afternoon we suggest you don your cowboy hat and boots, and attend a local rodeo or visit a working ranch.

(Driving distance: 96 miles)

Day 11: Grand Canyon

Today you will leave Holbrook and travel through Route 66 towns such as Winslow and Flagstaff. Here you can stop to visit Meteor Crater east of Flagstaff and the impressive Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument to the north.

Then take a detour from Route 66 and head north to the southern rim of the majestic Grand Canyon, the largest in the world, for sweeping views over these enormous layered bands of red rock. Although not technically on Route 66, this is a most worthwhile detour.

(Driving distance: 180 miles)

Day 12: Las Vegas

Continue via Williams and Seligman, a classic Route 66 town of traditional motels, diners, shops and flashing neon signs - travelling along one of the longest segments of the original Route 66.

The dusty desert surrounds you as you cross over into the state of Nevada and make your way to Las Vegas, whose outline you can see on the horizon for miles as you approach. We suggest you make a stop at the Hoover Dam, just 40 miles outside the city, where you can join a ranger-led tour or explore under your own steam.

Continue to the entertainment capital of the world - Las Vegas. ‘The Strip’ will mesmerise you with its glittering lights and mega-hotels.

(Driving distance: 280 miles)

Day 13: Las Vegas

Las Vegas is all about entertainment, so be sure to do your homework and check what shows are on offer, and book your tickets online well in advance to avoid disappointment. The variety of shows is astonishing and the standards are simply world-class.

Slot machines are everywhere, with all forms of gaming on offer, but don’t miss Fremont Street, also known as “Glitter Gulch” - a pedestrianised thoroughfare in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, which features live entertainment, a zipline and a light show. The Container Park is an open-air shopping centre with many boutiques and restaurants.

For 360 degree views of Las Vegas and the surrounding desert, climb the Stratosphere Observation Deck, which at 1,149 ft is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States.

Take a trip back in time with a visit to the Neon Museum Boneyard, with its historical collection of iconic signs. The Mob Museum is also fascinating, telling the story of organised crime (particularly the role played by the Mafia) in the history of Las Vegas. The Atomic Testing Museum explores the history of America’s nuclear testing program.

There is simply so much to see and do in Las Vegas - from Mandalay Bay’s ice lounge; to the free Bellagio fountains, music and lights show (held every 15 to 30 minutes); Cirque du Soleil circus acts; and dinner at the Excalibur Casino, complete with medieval knights. You can even take a hot air balloon ride over ‘The Strip’ and Red Rock Mountains, try out indoor sky diving and race in a supercar. Somehow in Las Vegas, all things seem possible!

Day 14: Santa Monica

End your journey travelling through the Mojave Desert from Las Vegas to Los Angeles today.

Along the way we suggest you visit Calico Ghost Town. Then cross the San Bernardino Mountains and enter the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles - the city of dreams, sunshine, big cars and beautiful people. This is where Route 66 becomes Santa Monica Boulevard, winding its way through Hollywood and Beverly Hills until it suddenly ends at the Santa Monica Boardwalk and the Pacific Ocean. You have reached your journey’s end!

(Driving distance: 287 miles)

Day 15: Los Angeles

Spend today relaxing or exploring Los Angeles and the surrounding area. You may like to check out Santa Barbara, Redondo Beach or cruise around the sights of Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Days 16/17: Fly Home

Drive to Los Angeles airport to return your hire car and board your overnight flight home.

This itinerary can be done in either direction

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a room only basis. Economy flights from London and standard car hire are included.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance and an appropriate driving licence. Road laws vary throughout the country, so check the speed limit when crossing into different states. The FCO should also be consulted.