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Hi
My partner and I are looking to do route 66 next year and looking for some advice please.
We are planning on spending 3 weeks completing it and not too bothered about seeing Chicago, we would prefer to visit graceland, memphis and wondered if its possible to start at memphis and join route 66 further along?
We are not keen on going when it will be too hot to enjoy so wondering what time of year is best to visit?
I was going to book all our hotels before we leave but that leaves us tied to reaching the places on time, would it be easy to just book a hotel wherever we reach on the day?
Also this may be a strange question but will be travelling light so how do we wash our clothes?
Any help would be appreciated.
With thanks
Toni
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Welcome to the forum Toni. From Memphis it's an easy ride (5 hrs) to St. Louis. We have stayed in Fenton, MO just south (I-44) of St. Louis on two occasions, and picked up Route 66 in Pacific, MO. It all depends on how much of Route 66 you are willing to miss. There are some very good sections in Illinois, but nothing that can't wait until your next adventure. To leave Memphis, and take I-40 to OKC will make you miss to much in my opinion. With three weeks of time I think going to St. Louis from Memphis will be your best route. I suggest, and many will, that you plan 150 - 200 miles a day while on Route 66. That will give you enough time to stop, and enjoy the sites along the way.
We usually pack enough for four days, and wash along the way. All of the newer chain motels have laundry rooms that are priced reasonably. If you plan to stay in some of the iconic motels they may not have laundry facilities, but you can easily plan around that.
We have always traveled Route 66 in September, leaving around the second weekend of the month. The heat has broken, and it's very comfortable because the humidity is lower. We will be leaving North Carolina on Sept. 10th of this year, and again starting from Fenton, MO as we want to see some things in Ohio and Kentucky before we start. All of the chain hotels should be easy to book on arrival, but the iconic ones like the Blue Swallow (That I highly suggest) in Tucumcari, NM may not have a room. You could call ahead if your plans have a stop in Tucumcari.
Also, I do suggest you buy a copy of "EZ Guide Route 66" by Jerry McClanahan before you leave. It is a great guide book for Route 66, and easily understood. It is reasonably priced on Amazon. A lot of Route 66 is marked with signage, but not all. So a guide is helpful.
Enjoy your trip. Remember, Route 66 is the destination. Everything else along the way is icing on the cake.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. We all love to help, and talk about Route 66.
Jim
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Hi Toni/Jim....strangely enough we're travelling 66 in Sept. this year and have 3 weeks. We were envisaging visiting Memphis, but we have to pick up relative in Vegas so can't lose the days. But yes I agree the best way to Memphis would be from St Louis and back to 66 on the road you recommended. We're leaving 66 at Kingman through to Vegas, Death Valley then Daly City to stay with friends, before highway 1 down to Malibu and LA.
I've not done 66 before, but am used to biggish road trips around Europe 5k - 6k miles, down to southern Spain and up through France back to the UK (a circular) but this is the first linear trip we've done. I've worked out circa 200 miles per day, in order to not lose time but also to see things along the way and enjoy the experience. We leave Chicago on Sept. 9th so you never know we may meet along the way.
Enjoy the trip both of you.
Hylton
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Bonnie and Clyde said
Hi Toni/Jim....strangely enough we're travelling 66 in Sept. this year and have 3 weeks. We were envisaging visiting Memphis, but we have to pick up relative in Vegas so can't lose the days. But yes I agree the best way to Memphis would be from St Louis and back to 66 on the road you recommended. We're leaving 66 at Kingman through to Vegas, Death Valley then Daly City to stay with friends, before highway 1 down to Malibu and LA.I've not done 66 before, but am used to biggish road trips around Europe 5k - 6k miles, down to southern Spain and up through France back to the UK (a circular) but this is the first linear trip we've done. I've worked out circa 200 miles per day, in order to not lose time but also to see things along the way and enjoy the experience. We leave Chicago on Sept. 9th so you never know we may meet along the way.
Enjoy the trip both of you.
Hylton
Have a great trip Hylton. If you see a silver Corvette convertible (soft top) give it a big wave. They will be me, and my dear wife. Love to stop, and talk awhile.
