Route 66 by Motorcycle: 14 Days, Map, GPX and Rider Tips
At a glance: Chicago to Santa Monica, about 2,400 miles (3,900 km) in 14 days through 8 states. Best stretches for riders: Devils Elbow in Missouri, Seligman to Kingman and Sitgreaves Pass to Oatman in Arizona. Best season May to June and September to October. Route 66 turns 100 on 11 November 2026.
Route 66 is the ultimate motorcycle trip: 2,400 miles through prairie, desert and small towns, diners, neon and old gas stations. It is rarely curvy, but nothing beats the feeling on the old stretches away from the interstate, and a few sections are genuinely good for curve lovers. Here you get the whole route on a map in 14 daily legs, all key stops and the tips that matter for riders: rentals, heat, fuel and helmet laws.
Google Maps calculates the route itself, small differences are possible.
The line shows the route in 14 legs; use the day filter to show single days. Click a number for a photo and details. The GPX has one track per day, so each morning you only load that day’s leg onto your navigation device.
Planning for riders
- Rental bike: there are rental companies with touring motorcycles in Chicago and Los Angeles. A one-way rental from Chicago to Los Angeles usually costs extra; book early, especially for the centennial.
- Licence: visitors usually need their home motorcycle licence, and an International Driving Permit is recommended. Ask the rental company what they require.
- Helmets: helmet laws differ by state; California requires helmets for all riders. Wear one everywhere anyway.
- Season: May to June and September to October. In high summer the Mojave Desert often tops 104 °F (40 °C), so ride early and take a midday break.
- Fuel: gas stations are far apart in the desert. There are no services between Amboy and Ludlow, so fill up first if you have a small tank.
- Wind: strong crosswinds are common in Texas and New Mexico, especially on open stretches next to the interstate.
The best stretches for riders
- Devils Elbow (Missouri): a short, curvy original alignment through woods to the 1923 bridge.
- Seligman to Kingman (Arizona): the longest continuous stretch, sweeping curves, little traffic and Hackberry in the middle.
- Sitgreaves Pass to Oatman (Arizona): tight hairpins, very few guardrails, wild burros. The curviest part of the whole route.
- Painted Desert (Arizona): the park road through the Petrified Forest, quiet with big views.
- Mojave (California): Amboy to Ludlow, dead straight, empty, pure desert. Only with a full tank.
The 14 days
| Day | Route | mi | Stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago → Springfield (IL) | 211 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| 2 | Springfield (IL) → St. Louis | 118 | 5, 6 |
| 3 | St. Louis → Springfield (MO) | 220 | 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| 4 | Springfield (MO) → Tulsa | 202 | 11, 12, 13, 14 |
| 5 | Tulsa → Oklahoma City | 113 | 15 |
| 6 | Oklahoma City → Amarillo | 263 | 16, 17 |
| 7 | Amarillo → Santa Rosa | 173 | 18, 19, 20 |
| 8 | Santa Rosa → Albuquerque | 119 | 21 |
| 9 | Albuquerque → Gallup | 139 | 22 |
| 10 | Gallup → Holbrook | 114 | 23, 24 |
| 11 | Holbrook → Williams | 124 | 25, 26 |
| 12 | Williams → Kingman | 131 | 27, 28 |
| 13 | Kingman → Barstow | 213 | 29, 30, 31 |
| 14 | Barstow → Santa Monica | 155 | 32 |
The legs are planned so that each evening ends in a town with motels. With more time, split the long days in Oklahoma and Texas.
The stops from Chicago to Santa Monica
1. Begin sign in Chicago (Day 1)
The start at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue. Parking downtown is pricey even for bikes, so take the start photo early in the morning and then ride straight west on one-way Adams Street.
2. Gemini Giant in Wilmington (Day 1)
The 1960s astronaut is the first real Route 66 moment after the big city. There is enough room in front to park your bike next to him for the photo.
3. Route 66 Museum in Pontiac (Day 1)
A small museum on Route 66 in Illinois, and the town centre is full of murals. A good first coffee stop after about 100 miles.
4. Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield (Illinois) (Day 1)
The 1946 diner is a classic end to the first day. Springfield has plenty of motels, often with parking right by your room door.
5. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (Day 2)
The bridge with the famous bend is closed to motorcycles; only pedestrians and cyclists may cross. Park on the Illinois side and walk out a little way.
6. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis (Day 2)
The custard stand on the old alignment is packed with riders on warm evenings. The “Concrete” is so thick it stays in the cup when turned upside down.
7. Meramec Caverns near Stanton (Day 3)
In summer the cave is the best way to cool off on this leg, as it stays cool inside all year. Tours run daily; check prices beforehand.
8. Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba (Day 3)
The 1938 stone cottages are a classic overnight stop, with your bike parked right outside the door. Cuba is full of murals and worth a lap through town.
9. Devils Elbow Bridge (Day 3)
One of the best stretches for riders in Missouri: the old alignment winds through woods to the 1923 bridge on a river bend. Short, curvy and far from the interstate.
10. Birthplace of Route 66 in Springfield (Missouri) (Day 3)
This is where the number 66 was chosen on 30 April 1926. For the centennial, the Birthplace Plaza with mural and mosaic map opened in April 2026.
11. Gay Parita near Paris Springs (Day 4)
The replica Sinclair station sits on a quiet stretch of old road, perfect for a retro photo of your bike in front of the vintage pumps.
12. Galena (Kansas) (Day 4)
Kansas has only about 13 miles of Route 66, but they are a pleasure to ride. Galena has the tow truck said to have inspired “Mater” in “Cars”, and the Brush Creek Bridge is just beyond.
13. Blue Whale of Catoosa (Day 4)
The smiling concrete whale is the Route 66 icon of Oklahoma. A short stop, free entry and enough roadside space for your bike.
14. Cyrus Avery Plaza in Tulsa (Day 4)
The plaza honours the “Father of Route 66”. On 11 November 2026 Tulsa celebrates the centennial here with a parade and concerts, a date for anyone riding for the anniversary.
15. Round Barn and POPS in Arcadia (Day 5)
The 1898 round barn and, right next to it, POPS with its giant soda bottle. The bottle lights up at night, a nice stop just before Oklahoma City.
16. Route 66 Museum in Clinton (Day 6)
One of the best museums on the whole route, with vehicles, a diner scene and music. Good for the hottest part of the day.
17. U-Drop Inn in Shamrock (Day 6)
The 1936 Art Deco gas station is at its best at night under neon. Stay overnight in Shamrock and you get the photo of your bike against the lights.
18. Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo (Day 7)
Ten half-buried Cadillacs, and spray painting is allowed. Leave your bike on the I-40 frontage road; the path gets muddy after rain.
19. MidPoint Cafe in Adrian (Day 7)
According to the sign, the exact midpoint: 1,139 miles to Chicago and to Los Angeles. The photo at the midpoint sign is a must.
20. Blue Hole in Santa Rosa (Day 7)
A crystal-clear spring in the middle of New Mexico and, after hours in riding gear, the best way to cool off on the route. Check opening times first.
21. Central Avenue in Albuquerque (Day 8)
The longest urban stretch of Route 66, with neon signs and the KiMo Theatre. On 7 November 2026 there is “Chrome & Neon at 100” with a neon cruise.
22. El Rancho Hotel in Gallup (Day 9)
The 1937 hotel of the Hollywood western stars. Even if you do not stay, the lobby is worth a look, and there is room to park outside.
23. Petrified Forest National Park (Day 10)
The only national park on Route 66, with the Painted Desert Inn and a rusty Studebaker on the old alignment. The park road is a quiet, scenic detour. Motorcycles pay an entrance fee; check the current price first.
24. Wigwam Motel in Holbrook (Day 10)
Sleep in 1950 concrete tepees, with your bike parked among the classic cars outside. Book early.
25. Standin’ on the Corner in Winslow (Day 11)
The corner from the Eagles song, with statue and mural. A short, cheerful stop in the middle of Winslow.
26. Meteor Crater (detour) (Day 11)
An impact crater about 0.75 miles across, some 6 miles south of I-40. The access road is wide and well paved.
27. Seligman and the Snow Cap (Day 12)
This is where the longest continuous stretch of Route 66 in Arizona begins, for many riders the best part of the whole route: sweeping curves and hardly any traffic. At the Snow Cap the staff jokes are part of the deal.
28. Hackberry General Store (Day 12)
The lonely store with vintage pumps sits right on the great stretch between Seligman and Kingman. Cold drinks and plenty of shade.
29. Oatman and Sitgreaves Pass (Day 13)
The highlight for riders: the old road over Sitgreaves Pass has tight hairpins, steep drop-offs and very few guardrails. In Oatman wild burros wander across the road, so ride slowly. Vehicles over 40 feet are not allowed.
30. Roy’s in Amboy (Day 13)
The Googie sign in the middle of the Mojave. There are no services between Amboy and Ludlow: fill up first, carry water and avoid the midday heat in summer.
31. Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs (Day 13)
The filming location of “Bagdad Cafe” is a must for German riders. Inside it is full of greetings from visitors from all over the world.
32. Santa Monica Pier (Day 14)
The finish: “End of the Trail” on the pier. Riding through Los Angeles takes patience. Parking at the pier is expensive, and early morning is quieter.
Route 66 turns 100
Route 66 was established on 11 November 1926. For the centennial, Tulsa celebrates on 11 November 2026 with a parade and concerts, and Albuquerque hosts “Chrome & Neon at 100” on 7 November. If you ride for the anniversary, book motels and your rental bike especially early.
Plan your own Route 66 ride
Take the route into the route planner and adapt it: different day lengths, detours to the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas. After the trip, turn your GPX and photos into a ride video.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Route 66 take by motorcycle?
14 riding days is a relaxed pace; with rest days and detours, plan two to three weeks.
When is the best time to ride Route 66?
May to June and September to October. In July and August the desert is often above 104 °F (40 °C).
Can you rent a motorcycle for Route 66?
Yes, rental companies in Chicago and Los Angeles offer touring motorcycles, including one-way rentals, usually for an extra fee.
Where is Route 66 curviest?
At Sitgreaves Pass between Kingman and Oatman in Arizona. Devils Elbow in Missouri also has nice curves.
Sources
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Information as of October 2026.