Route 66

Daved_XB

I put this thread up on another forum on the weekend & the feedback was quite positive, so I thought I share here too


My brother & I have always had a thing for American Muscle cars from when we where little kids watching TV & seeing the General Lee, Smokey & the Bandit & Mad Max (didn’t know back in the 80’s that that one was Aussie) & we had spoken for years about how cool it would be to one day drive Route 66 from end to end. This was a conversation that came up over & over again as the years past & we always had something pop up to get in the way, then finally last year we decided that enough was enough & on the 85th anniversary of the road we planned to every mile of it that we could.

Now as I’m sure you all know Route 66 or the Will Rodgers HW or the Mother Road or The Main street of America as it’s also know crosses a big chunk of America, covering just under 2,500 miles the road begins at a T junction in down town Chicago



& roles to a casual stop on the Pier in Santa Monica







Now normally you would expect to start your trip in Chicago & head west along Route 66 but with the way things where working out for Keith he would have to be back in work the day after we returned from the trip so we opted to fly to LA first & do 66 backwards thus leaving us with the shorter flight home from Chicago…. Lessons learned from this included the fact that the road is not so well signed if your going this way… so we spent a lot of time looking for sign posts in the rear view on some of the less well used sections to figure out if we where on the right road or not. We often found for the most part in New Mexico & Oklahoma that the way to work out which road at an intersection was to take the worst maintained road or the completely unsigned road.

We had planned to do this trip with no real plan at all & to wing it as much as possible, so we had a selection of maps that we got.. 1 large fold out map like that you’d get from a service station that showed a dotted red line of Route 66 as it overlaid the main map… this was dated as last updated 2009… I had also purchased a set of 8 specific maps that covered each state that we would traverse, these where dated 2006.. now when I say 8 maps, they where cartoon maps which only showed 66 & didn’t show any of the other roads or landmarks around 66… but they did give a list of all the must see attractions along the way & detailed the sections where you would come to alternate sections of 66 that where used over the years. We also had my GPS complete with Billy Connelly voice (before he did his 66 show, so I think he sold that idea from us). Now in hindsight we should have bought a full set of new standard road maps for each state as the 2006 & 2009 maps often contradicted each other & more often that not they where both trumped by reality… large sections of Route 66 are disappearing.. if you’ve ever dreamed of doing this, then do it now.. some sections are gone forever & some are so bad that the roads are officially closed.

So our rough plan was simple… fly into LA, pick up our first hire car & drive 66 until we hit Kingman & then we would leave 66 & drive north to Vegas & spend two days there before picking up our RV & heading from Vegas back onto 66 at Kingman & then getting off 66 again at Flagstaff & heading up to the Grand Canyon for a day & then we would get back on 66 at Flagstaff again & drive the next 10 days across to Chicago… we had a hotel booked in LA, Vegas & then the final nights in Chicago.. but the middle bit was 100% fluid, nothing booked or planned we would follow the road & stop where we saw cool stuff & camp the whole way over. We opted for a new SS Camaro for the first leg of the trip & I have to say that that car was a dream to dive on some of the deserted sections of 66 out of LA



We left LA at about 7am as we where awake anyway, thanks jetlag.. plus we didn’t want to have to deal with heavy morning LA traffic, we followed 66 as much as we could out to San Bernadino (unless your wanting to try & cover as much of 66 as is possible skip this bit, it’s all residential streets & not 66 anymore) we push on out to Barstow & stopped there for breakie, we wanted to stop at as many of these old iconic 66 style cafes as we could on our trip

Daved_XB

This section of 66 is magic… lots of empty roads curving on into the distance & just what you would picture 66 would be (or at least it was what I expected it to be), the old iron bridges & the massive 66’s painted on the road to let you know your heading the right way











Was happy to see that the café at Bagdad was reopened again… had heard it had shut for a while



We also loved the HUD in the SS



However it’s offroading capabilities let a lot to be desired…. When I go back to do 66 the correct way next year I’ll be hiring a Jeep to do it… big sections of 66 no longer exist as a valid road & the counties didn’t want to keep paying for the upkeep so they have dug up a few hundred feet of sections to stop you following 66 end to end.. but if you can cross these dug up sections then your are greeted with miles of original 66 to cruise on your own



This was a section that WAS on both maps…. But was missing in reality, from talking to people in the towns along 66 this is something that sadly we can expect to see more off… some towns have embraced the history of 66 & try & make a buck off it, but some small towns are too far gone to do so.. There are big section of 66 that are now the I40 & are long gone… but most of the time you can find yourself the loan car on an empty road crossing over & under the 40 for miles

Daved_XB

On the road into Amboy (a town famous for being sold on ebay a few years back) we couldn’t work out why the roadside was what looked like volcanic rock



We figured maybe it was from the impact at Amboy crater



But it wasn’t….. the real answer was something out of a 1950’s B movie… Project Plowshear.. in the 60’s it was decided to use Nuclear bombs to carve roads through the rocky terrain… what a sight that must have been…





We stopped at the famous Roy’s in Amboy for fuel & some cold drinks… it was mid summer on this trip & it was a record heatwave they where having… it was killer

Daved_XB

66 is littered with old run down shops & gas stations & old cars sit slowly rusting in a lot of the towns…. However even the towns that are still doing business today have latched onto the romance of the sights of ghost towns & most have preserved a few for the passing tourist to see













Lots of old car lots along the way to look at

Daved_XB

The drive from Amboy into Oatman (the town famous for having the mules on the streets) & then on into Kingman is probably one of the best parts of 66 & if you wanted to experience a bit of 66 but didn’t want to take in the effort of the whole trek then this is the bit to do… easly done from LA in a day without having to push too hard… or if your happy to push then you should try & get to Seligman.. perhaps the most touristy or all the small 66 towns, rumoured to be the town that inspired the movie Cars to be made



This was clearly rush hour

Daved_XB

You never knew what was going to pass you on the road next







I was too slow with the camera for this one… but it was a Kitt replica & had the full dash & silly steering wheel… it looked 100%

Daved_XB

We swung north then & into Vegas for 2 days, I put up a post a while ago of the cars on Level 5 of the Imperial hotel… a must see in Vegas… anyway we picked up or RV there & that was the end of our scripted holiday… from here on it was drive when we wanted, stop when we wanted & just be sure we’re in Chicago in 10 days.. When we hit Seligman we decided to do our souvenir shopping there as there isn’t a route 66 plate, plaque, shirt or mug that can’t be gotten there.. we ate in the





We ate in the Roadkill Café.. whose tag line is “you kill it we grill it” & I believe they would have

Daved_XB

Whilst chatting to a store owner here he told us of a section of the very original Red road of route 66… it was all red back in the day, so we headed off to find it









We decided to take some samples home (for scientific purposed only)

Daved_XB

Then it was back on the road for the trip to our next planned stop Winslow Arizona











Along the way the odd roadside attraction tempted us to stop for a looksee







Their collection of Mig’s

Daved_XB

Oh & there B50 Superfortress restoration project









Then it was back on the road



I loved these old bridges, so glad that they didn’t rip them down



Tried to reopen some sections





The famous 66 Arrows

Daved_XB

More roadside distractions











Try as I might, I did find myself humming the song as I stood on the corner

Daved_XB

I just love these old airstreams…

Daved_XB

Always handy to find a you are here map

Daved_XB

So on we trekked… alongside the 40, sometimes over the 40 & sometimes under… Gallop New Mexico was the destination & as someone who owns a Challenger I was kindaa excited… what a let down that was… nothing like Vanishing Point at all











Good thing the tanks where big on this bus…. Lots of towns that the maps said where open where NOT when we got to them… as I’ve said before this road is still slowly dying in sections

Daved_XB

Back to an open town…







Yet another of the more famous 66 motels that is still open today





And more that aren’t… in a way it was these old ghost towns that I loved most on the trip… it was in my mind what I had always dreamt 66 to be

Daved_XB

Another section of 66 in New Mexico that didn’t exist any more



These roads actually broke some of the body supports on our RV that we had to fix & re-fix along the way… so like I said, next time it’s a Jeep & a sleeping bag in the back for me





Was glad to see the back of New Mexico, the road is almost gone & they have no care to change that… if you wanted to drive most of 66 & didn’t mind missing a bit then stay of the I40 all thru New Mexico would be my advice









Then we reached the town of Adrian… the official midpoint



Sadly the town was closed that day…. I **** you not, mental note.. next time ring ahead to let them know your coming

Daved_XB

Then off in the distance we spotted the Caddy Ranch

Daved_XB

Now this garage was freaky… it was abandoned, but it looked like it was only in the last few weeks… there was old stock still on the shelves & the doors swung in the breeze.. it was like a scene in a movie when you awake to find you’re the only person left on the planet





The one next door had died years ago





The less well know beetle ranch

Daved_XB

This old garage was a ghost too, but an almost perfectly restored one

Daved_XB

More museums & roadside attractions kept us busy on the trip







More original 66 bridges that weren’t sold for scrap













Every little clue helps

Daved_XB

We rolled into Tulsa about 2 weeks after a twister had… the level of devastation & the way one house can be left perfect whilst it’s neighbours was wiped off the face of the earth has to be seen to be believed







The tent city that the locals where now living in

Daved_XB

The famous 66 rocket man

















Then all too soon we came to the bright lights & the big bean of Chicago & our Route 66 trip was over…



is it worth it? Is it overrated? Would I go back?.... Yes, No, hell Yes is the answer to them.. knowing what I know now, I’d choose a different rental to do as I wanted to see every inch of 66 that I could & that just was too hard in the RV & even in the SS… if you only wanted to sample 66 & what it has to offer then do the California & Arizona sections & you’ll love it… if you’re a die hard & you want to say you covered it all be prepared to drive for hours on a semi dirt road with nothing to see for miles… & of course to have to double back for miles when you come to a deadend no one told you about

Daved_XB

I went back 3 months after that trip with my girlfriend to do the first section from LA through to Seligman & the Grand Canyon before heading back to Vegas for 10 days…. This time I decided that I wanted a new Dodge Challenger as a Rental car… this was also a very cool car to have & it had less than 1000 miles on the clock & was spotless when they gave it to me





This time we did NOT leave LA early & had to drive in the rush hour morning traffic, this was all going slow but fine UNTIL an FBI agent on his way to collect a material witness crashed into the back of my Challenger!! Again I couldn’t make this crap up if I tried… I still have his business card in my wallet

Daved_XB

Now in fairness to him & the FBI, they where very nice about the whole thing & took care of everything… & since the damage was slight I kicked the bumper back into better shape so it wasn’t flapping about anymore & then we drove on to do 66 & the Canyon before dropping the car back at the hire centre in Vegas… I was expecting to get an earful for bending their car but when they scanned the plate upon my return they where very apologetic & paid for my cab ride back to the hotel…. For the win!!

My brother flew out to Vegas the last week I was there & we hired a 4x4 then so we could mark yet another thing off our collective bucket lists… that was a trip out to Rachel Nevada & that little airforce base at Groom lake or as it’s better know Area 51…. So we packed the car for the day & headed out of Vegas for the unknown.. past the Vegas speedway



& out some long dusty roads





You’d start to think that they didn’t want people heading out there

Until we finally came across the turn off for Rachel along the world famous Extraterrestrial highway..











After what seemed like hours of driving with nothing to see we came across the black mail box (oddly enough it’s white now) & no this is not the area 51 mailbox, it belongs to a local rancher it just happens to be on the corner of the road that heads to area 51 … anyone who’s seen the movie Paul will have seen them stop here



My brother decided he needed to get closer to the aliens

Daved_XB

Here you can see they are clearly using alien technology for their security



Then we came across the tiny town of Rachel





Again if you’ve seen the movie Paul, this is the café that they are eating in









There is a time capsule here too… must remember to come back in 2050 for the opening

Daved_XB

Again… with the closed fuel station



Then we took the road down to the base itself at Area 51



Odd it doesn’t show up on my sat nav













Sadly that was as close to the base as we could get without being shot…..

So bring on next year when our plan is to drive 66 the correct way from Chicago to LA with a stop over at Roswell New Mexico to cover off yet another bucket list entry

Bigus

Well Done Daved _XB on all counts great photography and well written , brilliant to see a realistic adventure.

Cmar-Ireland

Now I want to do it !!!

Nissan doctor

Epic, Thanks for posting.

I've spent a fair bit of time on the west coast and have explored most sections of Route 66 in California and Arizona but doing the whole lot is on my own bucket list.

Daved_XB wrote: »

This section of 66 is magic… lots of empty roads curving on into the distance & just what you would picture 66 would be (or at least it was what I expected it to be), the old iron bridges & the massive 66’s painted on the road to let you know your heading the right way

This is one of my favourite sections too, that bridge is just before Oro Grande,beside the huge concrete factory isn't it?

Another fantastic section is from Kingman to Seligman.

sentient_6

Man i want to go back so bad!

dr.fuzzenstein

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCYApJtsyd0

unkel

Awesome thread. Thanks for sharing, Daved_XB

M three

Great stuff Daved _XB, brilliant posts and brilliant photos.
You had some class cars too, which of the 2 was the best?

Havent been to the states many times so plenty of places I need to see before doing route 66 but would love to be tearing round in wheels like ye had

Daved_XB

Nissan doctor wrote: »

This is one of my favourite sections too, that bridge is just before Oro Grande,beside the huge concrete factory isn't it?

Another fantastic section is from Kingman to Seligman.

Spot on ND & yeah that whole section from through California & Arizona is magic... Although I must say that the small 14 section that snakes thru a tiny corner of Kansas is beautiful & perfectly restored & they have two Route 66's a pre 1936 one & a post '36 route too

Daved_XB

M three wrote: »

Great stuff Daved _XB, brilliant posts and brilliant photos.
You had some class cars too, which of the 2 was the best?

Havent been to the states many times so plenty of places I need to see before doing route 66 but would love to be tearing round in wheels like ye had

Depends what you mean by best.... The Camaro was a great drivers car on the smooth curves but was a pain when the road was rough & the Challenger wasn't as much a pure sports car like the Camaro was but it was a great Grand Tourer & soaked up the bumpy sections really well.

So for a spirited short drive I'd pck the Camaro & for a fast mega mile muncher I'd go the Chally

TwoShedsJackson

Great photographs, looks an amazing trip.

Nissan doctor

Daved_XB wrote: »

Spot on ND & yeah that whole section from through California & Arizona is magic... Although I must say that the small 14 section that snakes thru a tiny corner of Kansas is beautiful & perfectly restored & they have two Route 66's a pre 1936 one & a post '36 route too

These are what I had on two occasions, made exploring the closed/unpaved sections much easier:D





All the offroad section tend to mean the car needs a wash:P



Snap:D Although from the opposite direction.




@Daved_xb, you should have a read of the Route 66, then and now books and especially Route 66, the mother road. The latter is an excellent read.
Also, if your ever doing it again, try to get a hold of a copy of Jerry McClanahan's EZ66 guide. It tells you , with maps and diagrams, how to follow and access every remaining part of Route 66.

Ded_Zebra

Brilliant Photos thanks for sharing them:D

Last summer myself and a friend drove from Miami to San Francisco. Because we were students on the cheap we bought a second hand Ford Crown Victoria police intercepter instead of renting. We only got to drive about 2 hours on the 66 in Arizona :mad: . But next summer I plan to go back and do Chicago to Santa Monica on the 66.

Great to hear how you got on doing it Because a lot of people told me that it was no longer possible to drive the whole thing:rolleyes:

I wanted to post my pictures from last summer like you have, but I have been too lazy. maybe ill get them up now.

Daved_XB

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

But next summer I plan to go back and do Chicago to Santa Monica on the 66.

Great to hear how you got on doing it Because a lot of people told me that it was no longer possible to drive the whole thing:rolleyes:

Well technically there are some sections that don't exist at all & you'll have to drive on the I40 etc.... so maybe that's what they meant when they said that... but you can still have wheels on 66 for a good 90% of that trip if your willing to drive some dirt sections & do some doubling back on yourself for the dead end sections

Nonoperational

Excellent post.

alexlyons

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

Last summer myself and a friend drove from Miami to San Francisco. Because we were students on the cheap we bought a second hand Ford Crown Victoria police intercepter instead of renting. We only got to drive about 2 hours on the 66 in Arizona :mad: . But next summer I plan to go back and do Chicago to Santa Monica on the 66.

how easy was doing something like this. buying the car, getting insurance, selling it etc? what about accomodation?



Its a great thread OP, really well documented and great photos.
What company did you rent the cars from?

Daved_XB

alexlyons wrote: »

Its a great thread OP, really well documented and great photos.
What company did you rent the cars from?

National for one & Alamo for the other... What I always do is pay for the premium car level & then when you get there & ask they will let you have the pick of the lot

Big Nasty

Essential viewing y'all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6zrc7n9cug

eurofoxy

looks awesome, i am doing it this july, but am turning off route 66 in texas and heading to new orleans via houston then onto florida were i have a house rented for a week, i have 24 days in total to do it so plenty of time really.
How did you find spending money, i am using a rough budget of about 200-250$ per day but am a bit unsure how that is going to pan out.
i am also planning on getting 2 ready to go phones when i get there one for me and one for my partner, i think it will make things like shopping malls easier.

GavRedKing

Brillant read and some excellent photos, this is something I'd love to do at some stage, sooner rather then later.

2 other friends are also interested so might make a summer trip of it next year.

Ruby_Tuesday321

This is excellent......I'm thinking of doing it this July in an RV!! Any helpful hints????

Autosport

Excellent post and Thanks for sharing and the pics are making me want to do this sooner rather than later, 66 is on my to do list