Route 66 Forum
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9:12 pm
November 29, 2011
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Hi guys.Me and my girlfriend are travelling R66 in December.Our journey starts from Las Vegas and we will be spending Christmas in Flagstaff.After Flagstaff we are going into the dark and would be thankfull of any hints,tips,must see places and dare i say it -places to avoid.We have got about 10 days to reach Chicago but are worried about bad weather affecting R66 and then missing something.
We own a sat nav and were wondering if there is any way that R66 can be uploaded to our device.
Any replies will be greatly recieved and after our trip we will give you a full run down
10:39 pm
October 13, 2011
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As far as Sat Nav is concerned I'm sure that a package exists that can help you. Have you tried Googling it? I'll do some research and get back to you. For me the must stay motels would be The Blue Swallow and The Munger Moss. Both are featured in the site (search for them using the search tool at the bottom of the page). They are both considered to be classic, original Route 66 motels with distinctive neon signs. By modern standards they might be considered basic, but they are both comfortable, homely places. The Wig Wam motel in Arizona is also a nice stop over and a unique experience.
Set up the Driving Route 66 website in 2010 following the best road trip experience in 2007.
10:44 pm
October 13, 2011
Offline Check out the FAQ page of this website for info on Sat Nav and a link to download GPS coordinates. Also seriously consider getting a copy of the EZ66 Guidebook - check out the Trading Post for info 🙂
Set up the Driving Route 66 website in 2010 following the best road trip experience in 2007.
2:18 pm
November 29, 2011
Offline Thanks Steve for your feedback.We have tried to by the book but are having problems with the delivery with us not living in the US.Is this book available in US bookshops or in any R66 giftshops because we would really like to pick up a copy.Thank You
7:45 pm
November 30, 2011
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Ryandal…
At this late date, I would do research on-line and wait until the US to pick up the EZ66 Guide. It's routinely stocked at the Mid Point Cafe in Adrian TX and Afton Station in Afton OK. You'll want to hit both anyhow. Price should be around $20-25.
For others, the book is available from Oklahoma-based author Jerry McClanahan through his website: https://www.mcjerry66.com. It's valuable both in researching/planning your trip, and while on the road. If you order it instead through a bookstore, the ISBN Number is 978-0-9709951-6-2. This is for the current (2nd) Edition.
Some states have marked the route of 66. Some have not. Some signs get swiped–and missing just one will really throw you off. So it's a good idea to have the EZ Guide with you.
Flagstaff AZ and Santa Fe NM (on an earlier routing of 66) are both at 7000 feet (2135 meters) elevation. Cold and snow should be expected in December. In fact anywhere on your planned 66 trip might have snow–it just depends on the year. The US government site https://www.weather.gov offers information on typical winters in cities en route.
The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari NM has NOT been open year-round in the past–but it's under new ownership. Be aware it only has 12 rooms. Another solid Route 66 choice there is the Motel Safari (or Safari Motel). And plenty of national chains are clustered out near I-40.
Some Route 66 attractions, such as Four Women on the Route in KS (home of the truck that inspired Tow Mater) are closed till spring. The truck is outside and can be photographed near the restored pumps. Perhaps you'll get lucky and have a light dusting of snow!
Let me add one classic motel to Steve's previous list–it's the Rest Haven on 66 in Springfield MO. This is an hour away from the Munger Moss in Lebanon MO, and you have I-44 as an option. With a little planning you can stay at one…and photograph the glorious neon at BOTH. The Rest Haven's sign remains on until after sunrise. I've stayed at both in the past few months to do exactly that…rooms are okay and prices reasonable.
And in Joplin MO there's the non-functioning but still wonderfully-over-the-top 1958 sign for the Capri Motel. This is not actually on 66–which goes through the heart of town–but out near I-44.
2:06 am
November 30, 2011
Offline I have just added an extensive "Travel" section to my website, https://www.rt66pix.com. It can be reached from a tab at the top of the home page. This stems from the earlier question in this thread from Ryandal, and a question elsewhere on the site from Kelly80.
The Travel section includes frameworks for Route 66 trips ranging from 3-day samplers, to full two-week vacations. There's also an optional trip down the National Road.
I would appreciate feedback on this material, especially from Europeans who have never visited the US and are actively contemplating a trip (like Kelly80) or about to start out (like Ryandal).
An UPDATE to the earlier information about the EZ66 Guide. Orders should go to the publishers, https://www.national66.org. Through them, the book is under $20 US.
9:19 pm
November 29, 2011
Offline Hi there.We are back from our R66 trip and here is a rundown of our trip which hopefully be some use to somebody.Having visiting LA at the start of our holiday we walked the the first bit in Santa Monica and this is where we found a little shop dedicated to R66 on the pier.There was a very helpful man(Ian) working there who had experience of R66 and they sold the EZ66 book that we were so keen to purchase.
After LA we flew to Vegas and then drove to Flagstaff for Christmas and this is where we picked up and started our R66 adventure.The roads were very clear from what we can gather is a very mild start to an american winter and we are sorry to say that some attractions were not very busy and some where shut (midpoint cafe) but it still didnt dampen our spirits as following the EZ66 was full of the attractions so there was always something around the corner and something to look forward too.
The worst stretch of road was in New Mexico where it was covered in ice but everywhere else was clear which helped our travel time.
The EZ66 book is a must have if you are doing R66 and with the help of a sat nav we found getting about fairly easy and we only got lost a couple of times and we were surprised at how many roadsigns there were on the route especially later on(we were going from W to E).
We would recommend doing R66 and if anybody has any questions,we will try our best to help you
9:08 pm
October 13, 2011
Offline Glad you had a great trip. The EZ66 book is an excellent guide and so I'm glad you managed to get a copy.
What were the highlights of your trip? 
Set up the Driving Route 66 website in 2010 following the best road trip experience in 2007.
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