Driving Route 66
 

Need help in locating the start and end of Route 66. Want to drive it when we make our trek from CT to Nevada. I understand it's no longer on the newer atlas or maps so any help would be great. Thanks.

Check out this web site - http://www.route66.com/

There's a guide you can order online with all kinds of good info in it.

Heidi

I checked that link and a lot of the links were crashing.

The old Route 66 went from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA. Here are some good links:

http://www.historic66.com/description/

http://www.theroadwanderer.net/66Illinois/route66IL.htm

http://www.cart66pf.org/66caravan/index.htm

Utahtea

yeah, it looked like they were updating route66.com so maybe check back later when they have it all figured out. Thanks for providing the other options Utahtea!

Hi Dillysnana!
We drove much of route 66 last summer and really enjoyed it. Here's the link to my trip report for lots of details. Be sure you allow lots of time for the actual drive and the little towns you'll encounter, as there are some unique, interesting things to see.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34662501

Make sure to go through Oatman, AZ on
Rt. 66 just outside of Kingman, AZ. It's an old mining town (reopened still
mining) and it's said Clark Gable and
Jean Harlow stayed in the old, original
hotel where you can still stay, but DON'T!!

Oh, sorry, maybe it was Carol Lombard..I don't remember, it's just fun!!

Yes, it was carole lombard.
And i agree about the oatman hotel; check it out but don't eat or stay there!

I was Carol Lombard, and I've been there and ate there. The floors are all slanting and the place is tilted. The wild mules in Oatman just freaked me out. One would not leave me alone and wanted to eat my clothing. I had to end up hiding in the souvenir shops to get rid of it.

LOL JJ5!
Oatman is indeed, a TRIP! :D
The kids still talk about it.

Here's a hint about Oatman. Whatever you do, don't buy any candy or food at the stores and attempt to eat it when you are viewing the surroundings.

I bought some black licorice, had it in my pocket and every mule within 10 miles showed up to eat. And they aren't gentle about taking a bite of you with the clothes. Even after dumping the coat and everything, I was IT. So be careful. I wasn't crying, but I was close.

And not just from the pushing and biting of the mules, but by the laughter of all my more hearty comrades who were Arizona natives and thought it was hysterical. I only laughed later.

And of course I am not Carol Lombard, I didn't type the t. IT was Carol Lombard. And they (Carol and Clark) make jokes about it being a dump even then. But it was a nice, private dump. LOL!

My DH and did this entire trip. Here is the web site you want:
http://www.historic66.com/
It lists each state, the route and you can print it all out. Also you will want these books:
Route 66 Traveler's Guide
Route 66 Adventure Handbook
The Here It is! Route 66 Map Series. The set comes with individual maps of all 8 states showing and listing exact directions. This is the must have.

It starts in Chicago Il, on Michigan street and ends at the Santa Monica Pier. We took the entire trip. I agree Oatman Az is a must. And also Holbrook with the teepees you can stay at. The whole trip was awesome. Take you time do not rush. It is a trip that needs time. We were on parts of the actual Route 66 that was the original. Of course there is alot that was taken over by the Interstate. But with the above mention literature and maps you can and do find the original. Alot of it is marked well with the brown historic signs. It is all the the regular maps but unless you have the above mentioned maps, they have renamed parts of the route so therefore that is what is on and not the actual "route 66". They are doing alot to get the route back so more people learn and drive it. My DH hitchhike the route many years ago when he was in the Navy. It was my gift to him to redrive it. Alot of the original buildings etc are there, some restored others not. I could go on and on giving you all my maps, books and directions but would just take to much time. But do check out the ones mentioned and just key "Route 66" in google and you will come up with loads to read, learn and search. Good luck. It is a well worth trip.

We had an excellent library book circa 1990 or so that had EXCELLENT pictures of then/now at every major town and lots of details about changes etc. It would be fun to view this coffee table book with large photos before you left.

Check out the database and catalog at your local library. I know it is out there.

We had a library book circa 1990 or so at my former place of employment that had EXCELLENT pictures of then/now at every major town- and lots of details about changes etc. It would be fun to view this coffee table book with large photos before you left.

Check out the database and catalog at your local library. I know it is out there.

Sorry for the double post. My preview didn't work as it normally does.

Thank you everyone for your information, can't wait to start planning. We will have plenty of time as we are planning on next year (keeping my fingers crossed) in Oct. when my husband retires and we make our way to our home in Nevada.