Motorcycle touring and cruiser tour, USA Route 66 on car or motorbike guided

Day 1 - Chicago - 0

Arrival Chicago

When all tour participants have arrived, we meet for a welcome meeting and refreshment, with introduction of all tour participants and tour leaders. The evening’s program is getting to know each other and we eat dinner together in true American style. Those who are not tired after the long journey may go to a local bar nearby.

Day 2 Springfield - 307

Chicago – Springfield (Driving day 1: 325 km)



This is the day we start our Route 66 adventure! When everyone is ready on their bikes, we start our ride on the 4.000 km long Historic Route 66. Chicago disappears behind us as we head west for a unique adventure full of history and fun. Our first stop is Joliet, home of the Blues Brothers. Then Wilmington and "The Gemini Giant", where we eat lunch.

Afterwards we drive Route 66 past the old gas station at Odell (a good example of many day-open stations), to the museum in Pontiac, before arriving Springfield, today’s end stop.

Day 3 Springfield - St. Louis - 180

Springfield – St. Louis, Mo Driving day 2: 179 km / 111 miles
It will be a day full of traditional riding on Route 66 and spectacular nature. Many villages, ancient towns and
historic Route 66 places. Our first stop is Mt. Olive, an old Route 66 gas station. We continue to Hamel, where
we take a break on at traditional Route 66 diner and enjoy the sun.
We continue our journey through several small towns before arriving St. Louis, where cross the Mississippi
river on the historic Chain of Rocks bridge, before we stop at one of the most famous landmarks in the USA,
"The Gateway Arch", a monument raised in honor of the pioneers who went west. The Arch can be seen at a
6 km distance. St. Louis was long the last civilization. Like the real pioneers, we ride by the "Arch" and stop to
capture the moment. We will spend the evening here.
Attractions: Mt. Olive, Hamel, Chain on Rocks Bridge, “Gateway Arch”, St. Louis

Day 4 St. Louis - Springfield - 348

St. Louis – Springfield, Mo Driving day 3: 348 km / 216 miles
We continue south-west through the stunning mountain scenery of the Ozarks, which is among the most
scenic along Route 66. Keep your cameras ready!
Our first stop is at Stanton and the Jesse James Museum in Meramec Mines. We get the opportunity to go
into the caves where Jesse & his gang hid all the loot they had robbed from their many raids.
We continue through the "heart" of the United States, full of various experiences and impressions. This is the
way people originally drove Route 66. Our next stop is picturesque Cuba. We continue to Lebanon, where we
look at the legendary Munger Moss Motel. We proceed to our final stop Springfield, home of President
Abraham Lincoln.
Attractions: Jesse James Meramec mines, Cuba, Munger Moss Motel, Springfield

Day 5 Springfield - Oklahoma City - 494

Springfield – Oklahoma City, Ok Driving day 4: 494 km / 312 miles
We continue our journey along exciting Route 66. Our first stop will be a famous traditional Route 66 gas
station, The Gay Parita Sinclair, who currently is run only from donations and sales of Route 66 effects (The
station is the legacy of Gary Turner, also known as the kindest man on Route 66).
We continue and drive by Joplin, and it's "Welcome Kansas".
The drive through Kansas on Route 66 is very short, only about 31 km. We stop at the famous "4 Women on
the Route" and Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge, enjoying the historical aura, before continuing to Baxter
Springs and into Oklahoma. Oklahoma is the state that has preserved most of the original Route 66 (in total,
you can drive about 633 km), and the residents of Oklahoma are those who currently use Route 66 most
because a lot of the new Interstate 44 is levied by tolls. It was in Oklahoma people began to use the term "The
Mother Road". Oklahoma is also the state where the landscape changes from foresty to dry.
We ride through the beautiful & lush Oklahoma, and make several stops: Tulsa, where we visit the Route 66
Harley Davidson, Stroud and the Rock Café.
The journey continues along the many small and cozy Route 66 towns several towns before we reach our final
stop for the day: Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City is the 31st largest city in the U.S. according to population, but
the 8th largest according to land area.
Attractions: Gay Parita Sinclair, 4 Women on the Route, Marsh Rainbow Bridge, Rock café, Oklahoma City

Day 6 Oklahoma City - Amarillo - 427

Oklahoma City – Amarillo, Tx Driving day 5: 427 km / 267 miles
After we have digested Oklahoma City, we continue our Route 66 adventure. We ride to Yukon, home of the
famous country music artist Garth Brooks. We continue to El Reno, before embarking to Weatherford.
We move into cowboy country and the nation's largest state, Texas. This day will drive through prairie country,
and there will be some straight line driving. In some fashion, this will also be the day of “the steak”.
Our first stop is Elk City, where we visit the National Route 66 Museum and take pictures in front of the large
Route-66 sign. On the way to Amarillo, we stop in McLean at a traditional Route 66 steak house to eat lunch.
Here you can eat one of the most tender steaks you ever tasted. The owner personally buys all beef to ensure
the best quality.
Afterwards, we head straight to Amarillo, where we take several fun stops. One of them is Cavender's Boot
City, where we stack up with cowboy accessories. We drive to the hotel and check in before we are picked up
in a limo and driven to a Route 66 legend: the "Big Texan Steakhouse" where you can eat the famous 2.2 kg
(72 oz.) steak. Those who manage to eat the entire meal within 60 minutes (2.2 kg/72 oz. steak, baked potato,
salad, shrimp cocktail, butter and bread) get the meal free. Many have tried - most have failed. Are you up for
the challenge?
Attractions: Yukon, El Reno, Weatherford, National Route 66 museum, Cavender’s and The Big Texan.

Day 7 Amarillo - Santa Fe - 450

Amarillo – Santa Fe Driving day 6: 451 km / 280 miles
It will be a hot driving day in cowboy country, with long flat fields and country sides. Partially, we will ride on I-
40, since parts of old Route 66 no longer is drivable in this area. Our first stop is the famous "Cadillac Ranch",
where you can sign a very special work of art. We drive to Adrian, who is "Midpoint U.S. Route 66; we are
halfway to Los Angeles. We'll drink a cup of coffee at the local Midpoint diner, before we ride out of Texas and
into New Mexico. We continue to Tucumcari and visit the "Blue Swallow" (the friendliest motel on R66). We
also eat lunch in Tucumcari, before driving to Santa Rosa.
The final stop is the Santa Fe, one of the most beautiful cities in the western United States and the capitol of
New Mexico. Santa Fe will be our home for the next two nights. You will use no more than a few minutes in
Santa Fe's narrow streets until you love the city and the population.
Attractions: Cadillac Ranch, Midpoint Route 66, Blue Swallow, Santa Rosa and Santa Fe

Day 8 Santa Fe - Santa Fe - 0

Santa Fe Fun and rest day
We have ridden over half of the distance on our Route 66 adventure and take a day off to recharge the
batteries and enjoy more of wonderful Santa Fe. The city is located high in the mountains; scenic “Sangre de
Cristo ", and is rich in Spanish and Native American history and culture. A unique blend which can be seen in
the local art and architecture. The day is free to use as you wish.
You can relax by the pool, enjoy one of the many art galleries, explore Santa Fe or a guided city tour, or visit
one of the town’s micro-breweries. You can buy local art on the local market. Do not forget to try "The Green
Chili Stew" which has become a favorite among our guests. Santa Fe's cuisine is famous. In the evening we go
to a real cowboy restaurant, eat steak, drink beer and whiskey - enjoying the real cowboy way of life.
Attractions: Santa Fe, local markets, Cowboy restaurant

Day 9 Santa Fe - Gallup - 363

Santa Fe - Gallup Driving day 7: 363 km / 199 miles
We move out of cowboy country and into Indian native territory. It will be an eventful day as we drive through
the land that Indians have lived on for centuries. We start by riding the small fun and curvy roads to Madrid,
where "Wild Hogs" movie with John Travolta was recorded. You can walk into the bar the guys sat in the movie
and relax with a refreshing drink. Then we drive just outside Albuquerque to the Route 66 Casino, where
we eat lunch.
We ride straight to Acoma Sky City, which is the Acoma Indians holy city, lying on top of a high "Mesa" (rock
formation). We park outside the Acoma Museum, buy tickets, and take the bus up to the holy city (it is
forbidden to walk up on your own). When we arrive at the top, we must stick together and close to the guide.
There will also plenty of opportunity to purchase handmade Native American art. We finish the day by driving
to Gallup.
Attractions: Madrid, Acoma Sky city, Gallup
Facts

Day 10 Gallup - Williams - 390

Gallup – Williams, Az Driving day 8: 390 km / 244 miles
This will be a day of desert driving and unique nature. First, we ride in Navajo and Apache territory to Petrified
Forest and the Painted Desert. Is it stone or wood? And is the sand painted? We drive through this wonderful
nature reserve, which is a memory for life. We continue to Holbrook and Winslow, where we make a stop at
the "corner". Eagles fans know what "Standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona" means. We eat lunch in
Winslow.
After our glucose recovery we continue along Route 66 to Williams, which is one of the coolest destinations on
Route 66. We will stay here for a fun night.
Attractions: Petrified forest, Painted Desert, Corner in Winslow and Williams

Day 11 Williams - Kingman - 433

Williams - The Grand Canyon – Kingman, Az Driving day 9: 433 km / 271 miles
Welcome to the Grand Canyon!
This day will for many be the highlight of the tour. We drive to the Grand Canyon helicopter base. Those who
have ordered the helicopter tour will get an experience of a life time, truly something they will never forget. To
hover in the air over one of the seven wonders and experience this natural phenomenon up close is absolutely
magical. Highly recommend! After the helicopter ride we drive a short distance to the visitor center, where you
have the chance to watch the world's most viewed Imax movie. When you see the film it feels almost like
standing inside the Grand Canyon. Thereafter, we ride into the Grand Canyon, where we take this year's
holiday photo! NB: Helicopter rides must be booked in advance.
When we finally are able to leave Grand Canyon we drive to little Seligman, which has one of the greatest
advocates for Route 66’s origin. Seligman is a fun, cozy and traditional Route 66 town, a lot of great photo
opportunities. The rest of the day will consist of desert driving, very hot conditions and wonderful scenery. We
stop in Hackberry, a small traditional Route 66 gas station, full of history, like taken out of an old movie. We
enjoy an ice cream or cola in the shade. Then, we cruise to Kingman, another important city on the route.
Attractions: Grand Canyon (Helicopter optional), Yaki point, Grand viewpoint, Seligman, Hackberry, Kingman

Day 12 Kingman - Las Vegas - 229

Kingman – Las Vegas, Ne Driving day 10: 229 km / 143 miles
We start the day with a spectacular drive to Oatman, an old western village in Mohave (county), which was
established by two gold diggers in 1915. The driving distance to the Oatman consists of narrow curvy roads at
different height levels, with mountain and desert landscapes. Ideal for filming, perhaps best opportunity on the
tour. In Oatman, remember to lock your bikes, and watch out for donkeys & outlaws in the streets.
We continue Route 66, before we drive straight to Las Vegas. Welcome to the city called "The adult
playground" or “Sin city”. Vegas Baby! Have fun! 
Las Vegas has everything, stunning buildings, unique shows, casinos and all kinds of entertainment. Vegas is
never boring! We highly recommend visiting Caesars Palace, Bellagio, MGM, Stardust, Treasure Island,
The Venetian, Mirage, and the Wyatt. In the evening you will be able to watch volcanic eruptions every 15
minutes at the Mirage. The garden is transformed into a flame show. Inside the casino you will find rare white
tigers. The water show outside the Bellagio is also a memory for life.
Attractions: Oatman (miner) city, Las Vegas

Day 13 Las Vegas - Big Bear Lake - 352

Las Vegas – Big Bear Lake, Ca Driving day 11: 352 km / 219 miles
It will be a day of city-, highway- and desert driving, and it will get very hot. We recommend riding with
hydration (cooling) vest, which makes it much easier to cope with the heat. We eat breakfast and drive "the
strip" before taking a group photo in front of the famous "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign.
We head towards Los Angeles, stop at Calico Ghost Town, and eat lunch in Barstow. After lunch we drive to
beautiful vacation resort Big Bear Lake, where we spend our last magical evening on the road.
Attractions: “The Strip” in Las Vegas, Calico Ghost Town, Barstow, Big Bear Lake

Day 14 Big Bear Lake - Los Angeles - 253

Big Bear Lake – Los Angeles, Ca Driving day 12: 253 km / 157 miles
We end our tour with a big bang. Today we will enjoy the magical roads and spectacular views on one of US
Best motorcycle roads; Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2). It will be a breathtaking riding experience for the
history books. Make sure to have your cameras ready and fully charged. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime
experience.
We make several stops and take our time on Angels Crest Highway, before we head towards Los Angeles.
We return our bikes and check-in to the hotel, before we drive to Santa Monica Pier, the end of Historic
Route 66 and our Farewell party.
Attractions: Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2), Los Angeles, Santa Monica Pier, Farewell party

Day 15 Los Angeles - - 0

Home travel
We check out of the hotel and grab a shuttle bus to the airport to return home.
Thanks for a great ride, good times and sincerely thank you for choosing to travel with us.
Well done U.S. Route 66 adventure and have a safe trip home!
(Because of the time difference we will arrive home the date/day after we departed the US)