Route 66 Forum
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5:29 pm
January 20, 2012
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Hello everyone
I recently joined your group motivated by my next trip to the US. I am a 32 y'old Guatemalan that will do a road trip with friends in september driving Route 66 and then by train to Niagara and NYC.
I've already started doing some research on the web and have gathered not as much information about the route as I though there would be, considering it is such a famous road and such an important landmark (now) for the U.S.
I have already bought the Rand McNally Road Atlas 2012 and the Route 66 EZ Guide to start maping the directions and browsing places to visit while doing it. I guess the first question would be if these are good sources of information to do this trip and if you know if there is a better map for the route. Another question would be if all the road is in adequate driving conditions and are the possible restricted areas well marked.
I will appreciate if anyone out there could give me ideas on which places I could and should visit while driving it, like parks, towns, etc. We will have a bit less than 2 weeks to complete this trip (not sure yet), since we still have to spend some time in Vegas, Niagara and NYC. The whole trip will last 19 days. We are thinking about renting a sedan from LA to Chicago, don't know if it is the best idea though... Driving time per day is not an issue (I've driven more than 8,000 km in south america so far doing long runs per day)
Anyway, hope I get a lot of inputs from you guys and thanks for your help!
Cheers,
Manuel
9:04 pm
October 13, 2011
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Hi Manuel,
Like you I bought the Rand McNally atlas and the EZ66 guide when I drove Route 66 in 2007. I found that I rarely even looked at the atlas for the 3 weeks I was on the road and relied entirely on the EZ66 guide. You can't go wrong with this book. I t might not seem so clear when scanning through it at home because it's out of context but when you're in the car and you have a friend with you with a copy of the book it all makes sense.
I personally don't believe there is a better map for the route than the EZ66. It won't allow you to take your car into restricted areas and if there are 2 possible routes due to rough terrain it clearly states which is which and gives you plenty of notice. The only one that springs to mind is a section of "dirt 66" in New Mexico that in actual fact is just a portion of gravelled road that is easy to drive on.
I would recommend seeing the Big Texan Steak Ranch, the Cowboy museum in Oklahoma, the town of Oatman and a stay at the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari.
Set up the Driving Route 66 website in 2010 following the best road trip experience in 2007.
8:41 pm
January 20, 2012
Offline Thanks Steve! I appreciate your inputs. Will look up for the places recommended.
3:37 am
November 30, 2011
Offline Manuel--You're off to a great start with those two reference items. The road itself will not give you any problems in a car. The EZ66 guide, as Steve mentioned, becomes clear as you actually do the trip. I just did the 18 miles (30 km) "Dirt 66" stretch (the only unpaved section) in eastern New Mexico in an ordinary car two-weeks ago and it was fine. The nearby "Cuervo Cutoff" (an abandoned section of crumbling pavement) is still driveable from both ends with only a careful turn-around necessary before large wash-outs.
I have recommendations on what to see in the Travel section of my site, https://www.rt66pix.com, along with state tourism websites and other essential stuff.
September is a GREAT time to go--you will beat the heat, still enjoy long sunny days, and find everything on 66 open.
I hope you realize what Amtrak is...and is NOT. I would be tempted to do a Chicago-Niagara Falls trip by car and then perhaps take Amtrak to NYC--if only to avoid the liability of having a car in Manhattan.
8:50 pm
January 20, 2012
Offline Thank you for tips Frank. I will check your website for more information and maybe contact you, if possible. I have never traveled with Amtrak. I know they don't have trains as those in Europe but hell, nothing a few beers can't fix for you.
Do you recommend an especific rent-a-car agency? I was thinking about dollar.
10:09 pm
November 30, 2011
Offline Manuel--I don't have any recent rental car experience, sorry. And very little on Amtrak--except to recommend a car instead. You should research this further (in terms of cost and frequency of Chicago-Niagara Falls trains etc.) if you are interested. It's nothing like European-style train service.
Amtrak's big advantage in New York City is that it goes right into the heart of Manhattan and so you avoid the tremendous liability of a car, parking etc.
5:11 pm
October 13, 2011
Offline I have always used CarHire3000 to help me find the cheapest deals for car rental and have never been disappointed - they are easy to communicate with via email or phone. One point worth noting is that if you get an estimate for car hire online but do not book straight away, they wait a couple of weeks before sending you an email with a slightly reduced rate to entice you back!
Set up the Driving Route 66 website in 2010 following the best road trip experience in 2007.
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