Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey along the iconic Route 66, starting in the vibrant city of Chicago and concluding in the glamorous Los Angeles. This tour offers a rich tapestry of American history and culture, with highlights including the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, and the breathtaking views from the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Savor local delights like Ted Drewes Frozen Custard and explore the historic Americana-style shops in Williams. Experience the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon and the bright lights of Las Vegas. With guided sightseeing tours, comfortable accommodations, and special experiences, this adventure promises a deep dive into the heart of America. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Chicago
Location: Chicago
Accommodation Name: Hotel Saint Clair
Welcome to Chicago, the start of Route 66! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3pm-6pm to answer questions. Once settled into your hotel, perhaps start exploring the city’s amazing architecture via the 1.25-mile Riverwalk along the Chicago River or do some shopping at the many well-known retail destinations along Michigan Avenue.
Day 2: Chicago
Location: Chicago, Willis Tower, Magnificent Mile
Accommodation Name: Hotel Saint Clair
Meals Included: Breakfast
Known as the “Windy City,” Chicago is home to iconic architecture, including one of America’s tallest buildings, notorious gangster Al Capone, and countless jazz and blues clubs. Oh, and deep-dish pizza, of course! Get to know this exciting city on a morning sightseeing tour that includes the sign marking the start of historic Route 66. Spend a free afternoon exploring Chi Town—perhaps a visit to the 103rd-floor Skydeck of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), a walk along the Magnificent Mile, or an optional river cruise for a different view of the city’s celebrated architecture.
Day 3: Chicago,Pontiac,Springfield
Location: Pontiac, Springfield
Accommodation Name: Drury Inn & Suites Springfield
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, immerse yourself in Route 66 memorabilia. Visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, housed in a historic fire station. See the large maps that will sketch out your Route 66 adventure for the coming days and enjoy the nostalgic photos and postcards from the “Mother Road’s” heyday. Then on to Springfield, the capital of Illinois, where we will visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.
Day 4: Springfield,St. Louis
Location: Springfield, St. Louis, Gateway Arch National Park
Accommodation Name: Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Convention Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cross the mighty Mississippi River and continue to St. Louis, “Gateway to the West.” Your orientation tour includes towering Gateway Arch National Park. Ascend to the top of the 630-foot-tall arch for a panoramic view of the city and river. Then drive along an original stretch of Route 66 and get the chance to savor some Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a Route 66 treat since 1929.
Day 5: St. Louis,Joplin
Location: St. Louis, Joplin
Accommodation Name: Drury Inn & Suites Joplin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we travel through the Missouri countryside exploring interesting quaint towns and quirky roadside attractions along Route 66. Overnight in Joplin, a city where a couple of infamous outlaws named Bonnie and Clyde once hid out.
Day 6: Joplin,Tulsa,Oklahoma City
Location: Joplin, Tulsa, Oklahoma City
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a quick drive through Kansas, enter Oklahoma, once known as Indian Territory and home to the Cherokee Nation. Visit the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center and get an overview of Cherokee history, art, and culture. In Tulsa, see the “East Meets West” sculpture that pays tribute to Cyrus Avery, “The Father of Route 66.” Later today, arrive in Oklahoma City.
Day 7: Oklahoma City,Elk City,Amarillo
Location: Oklahoma City, Elk City, National Route 66 Museum, Amarillo
Accommodation Name: Country Inn & Suites Amarillo West
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Oklahoma City, the capital and largest city in Oklahoma. From here, travel to Elk City and visit the National Route 66 Museum for a journey through each of the eight states which Route 66 passes through. Continue into the Texas Panhandle en route to Amarillo, the Yellow Rose of Texas.
Day 8: Amarillo,Tucumcari,Albuquerque
Location: Amarillo, Cadillac Ranch, Adrian, Russell's Car Museum, Tucumcari, Blue Swallow Motel, Albuquerque, Historic Old Town
Accommodation Name: Best Western Plus Rio Grande Albuquerque
Meals Included: Breakfast
On the way out of Amarillo, stop at Cadillac Ranch, a quirky art sculpture consisting of a collection of 10 colorful Cadillacs. Before crossing into New Mexico, reach Adrian, the halfway point on Route 66. Across the New Mexico border, visit Russell’s Car Museum, featuring classic cars and memorabilia. Next, stop in Tucumcari and shop for souvenirs at Teepee Curios. See the iconic Blue Swallow Motel that has been serving travelers of Route 66 since 1939, along with many original signs from the town’s heyday. Visit Central Avenue in Albuquerque, where many of the original Route 66 buildings and businesses still stand. Afterward, there’s free time to enjoy Historic Old Town with its fine parish church and Spanish-style plaza.
Day 9: Albuquerque
Location: Albuquerque, Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque Museum, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Accommodation Name: Best Western Plus Rio Grande Albuquerque
Enjoy a day at leisure in this Southwestern city of diverse cultures, authentic art, and rich history. Take a short walk to Old Town, site of the city’s original settlement, or visit one of the Albuquerque’s fine museums, like the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque Museum, or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Consider an optional open-air, narrated Albuquerque trolley ride tour of the city’s famous spots.
Day 10: Albuquerque,Gallup,Winslow,Williams
Location: Albuquerque, Gallup, Winslow, Williams
Accommodation Name: La Quinta Inn and Suites-Grand Canyon Area
Depart Albuquerque and cross the Continental Divide continuing to Gallup, sometimes called the “Indian Capital of the World.” It is the homeland of Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and many other tribes who comprise a large percentage of the population. Then we’ll be “Standing on the Corner of Winslow, Arizona”, the sleepy Route 66 town made famous by The Eagles in their hit song “Take It Easy”. The next two nights are in Williams, gateway to the Grand Canyon, and listed in the National Register for Historic Places. The Historic Downtown District covers six square blocks and boasts a heritage that features the Old West and Route 66.
Day 11: Williams. Excursion To Grand Canyon National Park
Location: Grand Canyon National Park, Williams
Accommodation Name: La Quinta Inn and Suites-Grand Canyon Area
Meals Included: Breakfast
Deviate from Route 66 to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park. Wander along the canyon rim for breathtaking views and wildlife with a chance to spot elk grazing in the forested areas on the South Rim. Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience on an optional helicopter flightseeing tour for an awe-inspiring bird’s eye view from above the canyon. Return to Williams where the evening is free to explore the historic Americana-style shops and restaurants dating back to the early 1900s. Be sure to take note of the neon signs of the preserved circa 1940s “Motel Row.”
Day 12: Williams,Seligman,Las Vegas
Location: Williams, Seligman, Las Vegas
Accommodation Name: Sahara Las Vegas
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Williams for Seligman, home to the rebirth of Route 66. Detour once again from Route 66 to visit the bright lights of Las Vegas. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the glittering “Strip.” What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, including an optional night on the town featuring an extravagant dinner followed by a dazzling live show featuring top Vegas entertainment.
Day 13: Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, Fremont Street Experience, Hoover Dam
Accommodation Name: Sahara Las Vegas
A day at leisure to relax by the pool or explore the legendary Las Vegas Strip. Float through a Venetian canal, visit jaw-dropping horticultural displays, or test your luck at one of the many world-famous casinos—it’s all possible in Las Vegas! Don’t miss downtown Las Vegas, where you’ll find the Fremont Street Experience, five city blocks enclosed in a glass atrium and filled with dazzling lights, sounds, and action. History and engineering buffs won’t want to miss an optional excursion to nearby Hoover Dam. Learn about the massive undertaking in building this towering engineering marvel known as the “Greatest Dam in the World.”
Day 14: Las Vegas,Victorville,Los Angeles
Location: Las Vegas, Mojave Desert, Victorville, Los Angeles, Santa Monica
Accommodation Name: Westin Bonaventure
Today, depart the man-made oasis of Las Vegas, and cross the natural beauty of Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles. Visit the California Route 66 Museum, to see its nostalgic 50’s diner, VW Love Bus and the 1917 Model T Ford exhibits. Overnight in Los Angeles, where you’ll visit Santa Monica, the ending point of Route 66.
Day 15: Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood Sign, Warner Bros. Studio
Accommodation Name: Westin Bonaventure
Explore the exciting “City of Angels” with a morning tour of legendary Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, and Hollywood, where you’ll walk along the stars on Hollywood Boulevard, and get a photo of the iconic Hollywood sign. This afternoon is at leisure. Get a real taste of Hollywood on the optional Warner Bros. Studio tour where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how TV and movies are made, including seeing famous sets from the big and small screen.
Day 16: Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Accommodation Name: Westin Bonaventure
Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Los Angeles further.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation at selected hotels throughout the tour, including Hotel Saint Clair, Wyndham Springfield City Centre, Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Convention Center, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel, Country Inn & Suites Amarillo West, Best Western Plus Rio Grande Albuquerque, Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, La Quinta Inn and Suites-Grand Canyon Area, Comfort Inn Near Grand Canyon, Sahara Las Vegas, and Westin Bonaventure. ...more ...less
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Sightseeing Tours
Guided sightseeing tours in Chicago, St. Louis, Albuquerque, and Los Angeles, including visits to the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Gateway Arch National Park, and more.
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Special Experiences
Experiences such as tasting Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, visiting the California Route 66 Museum, and exploring the Grand Canyon National Park.
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Transportation
Transportation throughout the tour, including the journey across the Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles.
What's Not Included
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as helicopter flightseeing tours, Warner Brothers Studio tour, and other activities are not included and may incur additional costs.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, minibar, and other personal items are not included.
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Tips and Gratuities
Tips and gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included and are at the discretion of the traveler.
Meals
9 Breakfasts
Notes
Guests should be prepared for sustained walking (approximately 1/2 mile) and standing while at the Balloon Fiesta.
On vacations that include an overnight stay in Las Vegas, at least one member of the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older.
Maximum elevation on tour: 7,262 ft
UNESCO Sites
Grand Canyon National Park
Accommodation
Stay in a variety of comfortable hotels including Hotel Saint Clair in Chicago, Drury Inn & Suites in Springfield and Joplin, Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel, Country Inn & Suites in Amarillo, Best Western Plus in Albuquerque, La Quinta Inn in Williams, Sahara Las Vegas, and Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles. ...more ...less
Mode of Transport
Travel across the iconic Route 66 with transportation provided throughout the tour, including a journey across the Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Route 66 tour?
The tour includes unique experiences such as tasting Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, visiting the California Route 66 Museum, and exploring the Grand Canyon National Park.
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Are there any optional excursions available during the tour?
Yes, optional excursions such as helicopter flightseeing tours, a Warner Brothers Studio tour, and other activities are available but may incur additional costs.
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What kind of meals are provided during the tour?
The tour provides 8 breakfasts throughout the journey.
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What is the significance of the 'East Meets West' sculpture in Tulsa?
The 'East Meets West' sculpture in Tulsa pays tribute to Cyrus Avery, known as 'The Father of Route 66.'
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What can I expect to see at the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac?
At the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, you can see large maps outlining your Route 66 adventure, nostalgic photos, and postcards from the 'Mother Road’s' heyday.
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What is the highlight of the visit to the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis?
The highlight of the visit to the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis is ascending to the top of the 630-foot-tall arch for a panoramic view of the city and river.
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What is special about the Grand Canyon National Park visit?
During the visit to Grand Canyon National Park, you can wander along the canyon rim for breathtaking views and wildlife, with a chance to spot elk grazing in the forested areas on the South Rim. There is also an optional helicopter flightseeing tour available for a bird’s eye view of the canyon.
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What can I do during the leisure day in Las Vegas?
During the leisure day in Las Vegas, you can relax by the pool, explore the legendary Las Vegas Strip, visit downtown Las Vegas for the Fremont Street Experience, or take an optional excursion to the nearby Hoover Dam.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Highlights of Route 66
16 Days Starting in Chicago, USA and ending in Los Angeles, USA
Visiting: Chicago, Willis Tower, Magnificent Mile, Pontiac, Springfield, St. Louis, Gateway Arch National Park, Joplin, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Elk City, National Route 66 Museum, Amarillo, Cadillac Ranch, Adrian, Russell's Car Museum, Tucumcari, Blue Swallow Motel, Albuquerque, Historic Old Town, Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque Museum, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Gallup, Winslow, Williams, Grand Canyon National Park, Seligman, Las Vegas, Fremont Street Experience, Hoover Dam, Mojave Desert, Victorville, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood Sign, Warner Bros. Studio ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
8530-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Special diets catered:
Please Advise Request
Tour operated in:
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Interests:
Activities:
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