LA to Chicago Road Trip -- Route 66?
 

My husband and I are moving to Chicago from Los Angeles in a few weeks. We are driving across and might be interested in taking Route 66. It sounds like it is a couple hundred miles longer (and probably about 15 miles an hour slower? just a guess...).

Anyone done it? Is it worth it? Any advice or ideas from more experienced cross-country travelers would be welcome! thanks, Melissa

We've done some of Old Route 66 and my favorite part is between Topock, AZ thought Oatman, AZ to Kingman, AZ. This section really give you the feel of what the old route use to be like. Oatman is a kick! Another good section is between Kingman and Seligman.

http://www.route66usa.com/arizona.html

Some areas you will probably have to drive on I-40.

Here is a good website on Route 66 http://www.cart66pf.org/66caravan/index.htm

Utahtea

There is no US66 anymore. For the most part, the route has been replaced by I-40/44/55, and other old roads become each state's own highway 66 or "Business 40" through many towns, or other highways. How much of the old road you want to drive is up to you. The longest stretch of the old road that's not duplicated by I-40 is in western AZ and eastern CA, the distance is not much more than I-40 itself. It will not add lot of time.

Buy one of the many guides for Rte 66, and they'll tell you how to drive it and all the sites worth doing.

Route 66 is highly overrated and always has been. It's an all weather route and best travelled in the winter.

The best route is to take I-15 up to Utah and then I-70 through Colorado. That is, if you are just going to stay on interstates. If not, and you have plenty of time, there are countless other more scenic routes. But, if you're doing this in the summer, make sure you go through the mountains.

very interesting...thanks for the replies.

Otis -- can you tell me more about why route 66 is best in the winters? and do you have any scenic suggestions? We're absolutely open....we just thought we'd make a little vacation out of it rather than just taking the fastest route.

The more northern routes are higher in altitude with high mountain passes. Route 66 (I-40) is relatively snow free and goes through the desert where it doesn't snow much.

My favorite route would be to do the national park route. Grand Canyon (north or south rim), Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Rocky Mountain, and then take I-76 up to I-80 and then downhill to Chicago. Take as long as you want and see some of the best scenery in the US.

Don't get me wrong, there is some fabulous stuff to see in the vicinty of I-40 in AZ and NM but the road itself is not that interesting. If you take I-15, its pretty dreadful from LA until St. George, UT (about 8 hours) but then the views are very scenic all the way through to Denver. After Denver, you're in fly over country on any route you choose.