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Hi My husband and I are from Australia and we hope to travel Route 66 in September. We will need to travel West to East as we are meeting friends in New York at the end of the trip. Just a question.. Why do most people travel east to west? Also anyone have any tips on not paying the one way fee for the hire car? Cheers!
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EZ 66 guide book works just fine going West to East, you won't miss anything
You will have to pay a One way Fee, don't get blinded by the cost though, some will be $500 some $1000.
The base rental costs will also vary, just look at the total cost of the rent including insurance and drop fee
June 15th to July 13th 2016
Did the whole thing, Chicago to Santa Monica
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OK thanks, Yes, I've just bought that book from advise on this site but I'm still wondering why do most people go east to west?
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Hi Vic & Jim
Most people drive east to west because of history. Back in the 20's, 30's and onwards, Americans would migrate from the hardship and lack of opportunity in the area they called the Dust Bowl around Chicago/the East to the land of opportunity and dreams - The West and California! They would get in their cars and drive in to the sunset in the hope of finding a better life. I drove the entire route last year from east to west. Because this was the natural flow of movement, many cafes, restaurants, motels etc would be on the west side of R66.
That all said, towards Chicago will still be an adventure. Just remember the origins of The Mother Road and why it came about whilst you drive!
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Paul beat me to it; that's a really clear and accurate answer (although the Dust Bowl mostly affected people in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri etc rather than further north east towards Chicao).
If I had good reason to go west to east, then I'd do so. But if I had a choice, I'd definitely go east to west (as I did in 2012 when I drove Route 66 from Chicago to LA), because it just seems much more logical that way, since that's the direction people migrated all those years ago... with dreams of a better life. Also, it's desirable to start in Chicago and head towards warmer weather!
--- Drove Route 66 in August 2012 ---
