Route 66 Holidays

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Immortalized in folklore, cinema and song, Route 66 remains the iconic symbol of the great American road trip; a journey of adventure, discovery and the freedom of the open road. Cruising "America's Main Street," the first direct route from the Midwest to the Pacific, you'll cross 8 states and make a small detour for the biggest sight in the West, the magnificent Grand Canyon. From snow-cones and corndogs, to cowboys, country music and rock-n-roll - its classic Americana all the way, as you travel from the heartland to the coast on the worlds most famous road.

You can now check your email and keep in touch with family and friends while on the road with our wi-fi enabled vehicles. (Maximum 5 users at a time. Fair usage restrictions may apply. Only available in USA & Alaska).

• Grand Canyon helicopter flight US$220-$280
• IMAX theater US$12
• Las Vegas casino shows US$20-$200
• Limos in Las Vegas US$30
• Scenic walks and hikes US$FREE
• Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum US$12
• Meramec Caverns US$19
• Cadillac Ranch US$Free

Our range of 3 - 4 day Mini Adventures are just the ticket for extending your tour and experiencing North America's most incredible 'must see' highlights. Check out the following adventures relevant to this trip.

CALIFORNIA COAST MINI - 3 DAYS

> California Coast and culture
> Rugged Big Sur shoreline
> Monterey bars and shopping
> Santa Cruz's famous boardwalk
> San Francisco skyline views
> View tour

If you are spending extra time in our gateway cities, you can now plan in advance by pre-booking unique city sightseeing day tours in addition to your trip.

LOS ANGELES

All city day tours are operated by local experts who are dedicated to take you behind the scenes so you know it like a local! When booking your trip, simply select your chosen city tours from the Tour Extras section on the online booking form.

> View City Sightseeing Tours

Why not arrange your own Grand American Adventures departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Day 1: Chicago to Springfield

After leaving Chicago, we drive south to the first iconic Route 66 stop, Springfield, the capital of the state of Illinois. Springfield's favourite son was Abraham Lincoln and we pay a visit to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, which is the home that he lived in with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, from 1844 until 1861 when he became US president. Springfield is also the birthplace of the corndog and drive-thru restaurants.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 2: St Louis

From Springfield, Illinois, it's only a couple of hours driving (155 km or 96 miles) to St Louis, Missouri. St Louis is one of the largest cities in USA with a metropolitan population of over 2.8 million. Founded in 1764 it became a major port on the Mississippi River and even hosted the Olympic Games in 1904. We pay homage to the iconic Gateway Arch which commemorates the settlement of America's West. It was from here that countless pioneers set out to explore and conquer the wild frontier. St Louis is also associated with the music scene, particularly blues music. Perhaps you can spend the evening checking out the city's vibrant nightlife
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 3: Branson

Home to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and their version of 'The Strip', Branson has become to country music what Las Vegas is to gambling. With over 50 dinner theatres, shows and other entertainment oddities, Branson is where it's at in Missouri.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 4-5: Oklahoma City

We drive on to and arrive in Oklahoma City for a two-night stop. Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. We spend a couple of nights here and enjoy a full day to discover some of the city's many cultural attractions. It is also 'Welcome to Cowboy Country' and what could be a better introduction to the 'Wild West' than an optional visit to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Originally established in 1955 as the Cowboy hall of Fame and Museum, it has broadened its scope to encompass both Western and Native American artwork and artifacts as well as historic photographs.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals paid locally

Day 6: Amarillo

Amarillo in the state of Texas is our destination for today. On the 'Way to Amarillo' and before we leave Oklahoma, we stop to visit the 'official' Route 66 Museum, where we learn about the legends surrounding the road we are travelling on. Then it's on to Amarillo where we make our way to the Big Texan Steak Ranch for a steak meal (optional). If you can eat a 72 oz steak in less than one hour, you get it for free! This is man versus food for real!
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals paid locally

Day 7-8: Santa Fe

Our Route 66 road trip continues onto Cadillac Ranch - a Texan version of Stonehenge with 10 classic cars buried nose-down in the dirt. The owners encourage graffiti so grab a paint spray can and leave your mark! Then it's on to New Mexico and the city of Santa Fe. Although it is the state capital it is only the state's fourth largest city and is known for its adobe architecture and new world spiritualism.

The earliest settlements in the area were Pueblo Native villages that date back 1000 years, but the Spanish took over in 1598 and laid down the city's foundations. It wasn't 1912 that the state of New Mexico became part of United States. The historic downtown area called the Plaza still retains reminders of the Hispanic era whilst the Palace of the Governors and the San Miguel Mission both date back to 1610 and are said to be the oldest European-era buildings in United States.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals paid locally

Day 9: Gallup

From modern cultures to ancient civilizations we make a stop by the 'Sky City' ruins on the Acoma Native American Reservation. This is a fortified community of indigenous people living in a sandstone mesa that dates back to the 12th century AD. We spend the night in Gallup, New Mexico, home to a diverse population with a third of its residents being of Native American decent.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals paid locally

Day 10-11: Grand Canyon National Park

So it's not on the original Route 66, but it's so close it would be a crime to pass it by! The Grand Canyon is an iconic symbol of the Desert Southwest and a spectacle not to be missed. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike down into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, this massive wonder of nature is 445 kilometres (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometres (18 miles) wide and over 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 2330 kilometres (1450 miles) through seven US states and two Mexican states.

In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic flight over the canyon, which offer perspectives that you cannot see by visiting on foot. Also recommended is the film show at the IMAX Theater, which will give you a good overview of the area and how it developed. There are many walks that you can enjoy ranging from easy to moderate ones. There is also time to shop around for local souvenirs.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals paid locally

Day 12-13: Las Vegas

Leave nature behind and head to the neon world that is Las Vegas. The Snow Cap Diner makes for a quirky ice cream stop en route to the Hoover Dam. Las Vegas is renowned as the 'tacky capital of the world' - home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and waterfalls. If it is gambling you want, you have come to the right place as nowhere else in the world will you find so many casinos.

But if you really want to look at something different, stop by one of its countless wedding chapels. In Las Vegas we enjoy a city tour that takes us to some of the quirky things that epitomises this city, as well as learn about some of its colourful history. We also have time for some last-minute bargain shopping and relax by a pool before nights out on the town amidst the bright lights, casinos and world-class shows. You may also like to enjoy a buffet dinner at one of Las Vegas' famous all-you-can-eat dining places.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals paid locally

Day 14: Las Vegas to Los Angeles

On our final day we return to California and follow Route 66 across the great Mojave Desert to the city of Los Angeles. We toast farewell at the very end of the road at Santa Monica Pier.

This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

You can easily book your trip online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of Britsh Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe & protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

Prices below are land only . For customers departing from the United Kingdom please call us on 0844 576 1370 for a flight inclusive quote.

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