Route 66
- Thread starter Tadams
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66340SEDAN
FABO Member #3649
Yes and we absolutely loved it!! Went this past May, didn’t take the whole route but drove most of it...got on in Joplin MO and took it all the way to CA but didn’t go to the end because of the LA traffic and such in that area, plus we had a lot farther to go yet up the coast. Started in MN, went to 66, then west to the coast and took coastal HWY 1 up the coast and then back home to MN, 12 days and 5,300 miles....I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
So much to see and many sections are still open, many are sections that act like a frontage road, some are dirt trails and some closed...we went on them all. Much of what they call 66 isn’t even where the original mother road was, many cases it’s moved over time but still called 66. There is “66” and “Historic 66” historic route is usually the real route and has more history on it. Need to watch the maps and signs cause they are easy to miss, we made many u-turns. Go sooner than later if you can...many is disappearing fast, the road and it’s shops and sites....best Americana trip you will ever make! We met the nicest people and took hundreds of pictures!
So much to see and many sections are still open, many are sections that act like a frontage road, some are dirt trails and some closed...we went on them all. Much of what they call 66 isn’t even where the original mother road was, many cases it’s moved over time but still called 66. There is “66” and “Historic 66” historic route is usually the real route and has more history on it. Need to watch the maps and signs cause they are easy to miss, we made many u-turns. Go sooner than later if you can...many is disappearing fast, the road and it’s shops and sites....best Americana trip you will ever make! We met the nicest people and took hundreds of pictures!
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66340SEDAN
FABO Member #3649
You would really need 2 weeks to see most of it.... there are thousands of historic sites, hotels, restaurants, museums, scenic overlooks, and just places to stop and take a look....Buy a couple books that have lots of pictures of the mother Road, they will feature all the things that are still there and that you can see. Any things have been restored, many things are gone, and many things are deteriorating fast. Many sites have been restored, many things are gone, and many things are deteriorating fast.
It has always been a bucket list item for me to travel route 66 and I am thrilled that I got to go. As soon as we left 66 to head north in California I felt a little sad, I felt like I was part of 66 while I was on it and I couldn’t get enough of it... it’s hard to explain but maybe that’s part of the experience. I couldn’t imagine traveling that road back in the day, cars without air-conditioning and other comforts that we take for granted today. I think about all the truck drivers that traveled the route, and also the people who traveled to make a better life for themselves. I got really wrapped up in the whole experience and I can’t wait to do it again.
It has always been a bucket list item for me to travel route 66 and I am thrilled that I got to go. As soon as we left 66 to head north in California I felt a little sad, I felt like I was part of 66 while I was on it and I couldn’t get enough of it... it’s hard to explain but maybe that’s part of the experience. I couldn’t imagine traveling that road back in the day, cars without air-conditioning and other comforts that we take for granted today. I think about all the truck drivers that traveled the route, and also the people who traveled to make a better life for themselves. I got really wrapped up in the whole experience and I can’t wait to do it again.
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
I drove 66 many times in my trucks...started driving in '72 when much of the road was still in use.
Took my wife on a shortened version about 10 years ago....Bloomington Il to Tulsa....
Took my wife on a shortened version about 10 years ago....Bloomington Il to Tulsa....
I was on parts in OK and TX, going to pick up my 66 Coronet circa 2003.
Mainly the parts that were still active as secondary routes to avoid some congested interstate routes and to cut off corners on my route.
Glad to be able to say I did.
Mainly the parts that were still active as secondary routes to avoid some congested interstate routes and to cut off corners on my route.
Glad to be able to say I did.
Gotta hit the Route 66 Museum in Victorville CA. Also one in Barstow
I've been dying to do this trip as well. My plan is to take my Dart, on the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, on the route as much as I can, all the way to LA, then up the Pacific Coast Highway, to San Fran, and return along US Route 50 all the way back. There's a website that has the updated version of Route 66 that are still open, I'll see if I can find it.
my68barracuda
Well-Known Member
yes, that looks to be a must do, thanks for posting
Definitely thanks for sharing. My wife isn't interested but I am for sure. I've got several friends in Chicago area who wish to go. I lived in marina del rey. California 40 plus years ago. I'm retired so if my 65 formula s is good when I finish it I told my wife I was going. She asked how long I would be gone and I said a month or so.
My son gave me a cool book at Christmas about rt 66 today, with places that are open for food and places to stay.
Keep dreaming!
My son gave me a cool book at Christmas about rt 66 today, with places that are open for food and places to stay.
Keep dreaming!
Thanks for sharing
sharing
I've had the opportunity to visit both of those a few years ago.
Hyper_pak
Old School Chrysler Fan
There is a lot in AZ that you can run, last trip I took we took an old spur west bound from Flagstaff, Burma Shave Signs and ran 45 miles an hour for around an hour. Had a great time, you have to stop Seligman AZ, Snow Cap, order a Burger and tell them you want mustard! Be prepared to have a great time! Angel is right next door, AZ Mayor of RT 66.
My wife isn't into it either. She hates long road trips.
Oh dang, it doesn't even go through Colorado at all. 
I guess they didn't want to mess with mountain passes, so I can see it.
Still would be cool to check it out, what's left
I guess they didn't want to mess with mountain passes, so I can see it.
Still would be cool to check it out, what's left
my68barracuda
Well-Known Member
"Chicago area who wish to go"
I believe that one of the Chicago suburbs,, Countryside,, is on a section of Route 66,, or it has signage saying it is part of Historic Route 66
I believe that one of the Chicago suburbs,, Countryside,, is on a section of Route 66,, or it has signage saying it is part of Historic Route 66
So.... take Highway 50 or I70 east, link up with Route 66 in KC, take Route 66 west to LA, then shoot up Pacific Coast Highway and take US 50 back homeOh dang, it doesn't even go through Colorado at all.
I guess they didn't want to mess with mountain passes, so I can see it.
Still would be cool to check it out, what's left
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And I want that phone case!Oh dang, it doesn't even go through Colorado at all.
I guess they didn't want to mess with mountain passes, so I can see it.
Still would be cool to check it out, what's left
View attachment 1715384832
TrailBeast
AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
I live about 25 miles from a section here in AZ and have driven some of it.
Going to go next year if all goes well
a FABO version of the Hot Rod Power Tour?
66340SEDAN
FABO Member #3649
Oh man that would be fun!!
yeah it would!
66340SEDAN
FABO Member #3649
I’m serious when I said I loved the mother road...hard to explain unless you have traveled for a great length. My wife enjoys my hobby and has her own Valiant she bought and she didn’t know much about Route 66, she really enjoyed it too, not her favorite part of our trip, but maybe she enjoyed seeing me having so much fun too.
We loved eating at the older roadside reaturants, the food was amazing on the entire Route 66. Went to a place in Vinita OK, can’t remember the actual name, sign said “EAT” typical greasy spoon type place with lots of old stuff gracing the walls inside...all the food network stars have eaten here and done shows...I had no idea what “calf fries” were, we were starving so I ordered them as an appetizer. Started eating them and they tasted good, just had a texture I couldn’t pin down. My wife ate a couple and she couldn’t do any more, by this time she had an idea so I looked them up on my phone and had a good laugh....she would have never eaten them if she knew what they were. I finished them off, the smaller ones were better lol
The gift shops were cool and the best one was the Jack Rabbit trading post in Holbrook AZ, super friendly owners and cool stuff to buy and a good price too.
We seen many old cars and bikers too. We drove our new Challenger and it was a blast on the trip. An old car would be fun, but I think a/c would be a must certain times of the year. I have a friend building a 55 Chev with modern upgrades just to take on Route 66 when done....I could go on and on, like I said, I loved it lol
We loved eating at the older roadside reaturants, the food was amazing on the entire Route 66. Went to a place in Vinita OK, can’t remember the actual name, sign said “EAT” typical greasy spoon type place with lots of old stuff gracing the walls inside...all the food network stars have eaten here and done shows...I had no idea what “calf fries” were, we were starving so I ordered them as an appetizer. Started eating them and they tasted good, just had a texture I couldn’t pin down. My wife ate a couple and she couldn’t do any more, by this time she had an idea so I looked them up on my phone and had a good laugh....she would have never eaten them if she knew what they were. I finished them off, the smaller ones were better lol
The gift shops were cool and the best one was the Jack Rabbit trading post in Holbrook AZ, super friendly owners and cool stuff to buy and a good price too.
We seen many old cars and bikers too. We drove our new Challenger and it was a blast on the trip. An old car would be fun, but I think a/c would be a must certain times of the year. I have a friend building a 55 Chev with modern upgrades just to take on Route 66 when done....I could go on and on, like I said, I loved it lol
66340SEDAN
FABO Member #3649
I also snagged some 66 souvenirs, the 2 thicker chunks came from Kansas, the thinner one came from an abandoned stretch in Oklahoma, this one is thinner, found a washed out area next to the road that went about 10” or so deep, I got the farthest down layer of tar I could get so I know this piece is old! Not sure if I could get into trouble or not, I got them all loose using my hands. Kinda cool is the one piece I grabbed I noticed well after we got home is shaped like a heart 
that's cool (and I highly doubt you could get in trouble)I also snagged some 66 souvenirs, the 2 thicker chunks came from Kansas, the thinner one came from an abandoned stretch in Oklahoma, this one is thinner, found a washed out area next to the road that went about 10” or so deep, I got the farthest down layer of tar I could get so I know this piece is old! Not sure if I could get into trouble or not, I got them all loose using my hands. Kinda cool is the one piece I grabbed I noticed well after we got home is shaped like a heart
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