Cruisin’ on Route 66 - The American West

Day 1 – Welcome to Oklahoma! (Sunday, November 1)

Included transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX this morning for an included, scheduled nonstop flight arriving in Oklahoma City this afternoon. Upon arrival, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and begin our exploration of Route 66 in this vibrant metropolis where modern Southern hospitality seamlessly blends with the rugged, timeless spirit of the American frontier. Our first stop is none other than the whimsical Milk Bottle Grocery. Built in 1930, this tiny, triangular brick building on Classen Boulevard is a quintessential example of “programmatic architecture,” designed to catch the eye of fast-moving motorists. Perched squarely on its roof is a giant, famously oversized fiberglass milk bottle added in 1948 – a nostalgic symbol of the golden age of American roadside marketing that Route 66 became so famous for. We’ll celebrate our first night on the road with an overnight stay at a hotel in the heart of OKC’s historic Bricktown Entertainment District. This evening, enjoy an included dinner at Toby Keith’s "I Love This Bar" & Grill, named after Oklahoma’s own country music superstar. Experience an authentic slice of down-home Americana as we enjoy a hearty meal featuring classic Southern comfort food set against a backdrop of vintage music memorabilia. (Dinner)

Day 2 – Oklahoma City to Amarillo (Monday, November 2)

This morning we’ll begin our journey west along the historic route of Route 66. As we hit the open road, watch the landscape transition toward the vast Texas Panhandle and prepare to meet some of the road’s most colorful characters. Our first step back in time is at The Filling Station, a beautifully restored vintage Texaco station in El Reno. Featuring classic visible-gas pumps and authentic porcelain signage, it perfectly captures the look and feel of the early filling stations that fueled the first generation of cross-country travelers. This afternoon we’ll deep dive into history at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. Set to an authentic big-band and rock-and-roll soundtrack, this decade-by-decade multimedia experience explores everything from Dust Bowl migrations to the neon-drenched family road trips of the 1950s to the ultimate decommissioning of Route 66. Enjoy an included lunch at Lucille’s Roadhouse, a classic diner inspired by the legendary hospitality of Lucille Hamons, the iconic "Mother of the Mother Road.” Explore the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City which celebrates the human element of the highway. Here, you can sit inside classic cars parked in realistic dioramas of old-school drive-ins and vintage diners. Next, we’ll roll into Erick, a small town with a massive musical legacy as the birthplace of country icons Roger Miller and Sheb Wooley. The highlight here is the eccentric Sandhill Curiosity Shop, operated by the unforgettable Harley Russell – widely cited as the direct inspiration for "Mater" in Disney/Pixar's animated film, Cars. We’ll cross into the Lone Star State and cap off an incredible day with an included Texas-sized dinner at the legendary Big Texan Steak Ranch, famous world-wide for its top-tier steaks, and lively, saloon-style atmosphere. We’ll overnight in Amarillo. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 – Amarillo to Albuquerque (Tuesday, November 3)

As we continue west, the horizon transforms into dramatic southwestern mesas, deep canyons, and endless desert skies. Our first stop is the iconic Cadillac Ranch, one of the world's most famous public art installations. Created in 1974 by the avant-garde art group, Ant Farm, this striking monument features ten vintage Cadillacs buried nose-first into a Texas cow pasture at the exact same angle as the Great Pyramid of Giza. We’ll pause for a photo at the official geographical midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian, Texas. Located exactly 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles, this milestone lets you stand at the literal center of the historic route. Further along, Russell's Truck & Travel Center in Endee serves as far more than a typical highway rest stop; this is a sprawling, museum-quality classic car showroom featuring restored hot rods, vintage delivery trucks, and highway memorabilia. We’ll cruise into Tucumcari, a town that cherishes its authentic, 1950s neon-lit soul. Marvel at the hand-painted Tucumcari Murals scattered throughout town before browsing for Native American jewelry and kitschy relics at Teepee Curios, famous for its whimsical 1940s concrete-teepee entrance. After an included lunch at a locals’ favorite, we’ll stop to admire the iconic Blue Swallow Motel, widely considered the crown jewel of Route 66 lodging. We’ll begin a two-night stay in Albuquerque with an included dinner at 66 Diner. This energetic diner features a 1950s rock-and-roll vibe, complete with vinyl booths, a vintage jukebox, and a menu featuring legendary burgers, chicken pot pie, and award-winning milkshakes. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 – Albuquerque, Santa Fe (Wednesday, November 4)

This morning we’ll explore Albuquerque’s section of Route 66 – the longest continuous urban stretch of the highway in the country. This iconic roadway transformed Albuquerque from a quiet desert crossroads into a major metropolitan center, leaving behind a resilient legacy of mid-century motels, vintage neon signage, and innovative neighborhoods like the trendy Nob Hill district along Central Avenue. Later we’ll travel north to Santa Fe following the scenic, pre-1937 alignment of the Mother Road. Winding through the beautiful high country toward the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this path mirrors the journey early cross-country travelers took before the 1937 Bypass removed Santa Fe from the official route. In Santa Fe we’ll be joined by a local guide for a comprehensive tour through the historic downtown district, tracing both Route 66 and the Old Santa Fe Trail to showcase the city’s stunning tapestry of Spanish, Pueblo, and Mexican heritage. We’ll step inside the San Miguel Chapel to admire the oldest church in the country, as well as visit the Loretto Chapel to marvel at its “miraculous” spiral staircase – a true feat of architectural mystery. A walking tour through the historic Santa Fe Plaza brings us past the Palace of the Governors and the landmark La Fonda hotel. The afternoon is yours to freely explore the Plaza’s vibrant soul, which boasts a variety of restaurants, boutiques and world-class museums like the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum – home to the largest collection of O’Keeffe’s work in the world. We’ll return to Albuquerque and enjoy an included dinner at El Pinto Restaurant, a celebrated locals’ favorite. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 – Albuquerque to Winslow (Thursday, November 5)

This morning we’ll travel west, leaving the high desert of Albuquerque behind as we venture into a landscape carved by time, where ancient history and otherworldly geological formations line our path into Arizona. We’ll pass through Grants, New Mexico and pause for a photo at the Continental Divide before arriving in Gallup, home to a vibrant stretch of Route 66 lined with quirky landmarks, historic sculptures, and bold roadside art. We’ll enjoy an included lunch at the Historic El Rancho Hotel, immersing ourselves in the Golden Age of Hollywood westerns. Built by the brother of movie mogul Cecil B. DeMille, this legendary Route 66 oasis served as the base camp for iconic stars like John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Humphrey Bogart, and Katharine Hepburn while they filmed in the rugged surrounding landscapes. This afternoon we’ll cross into Arizona on a journey leading directly into the mesmerizing vistas of Petrified Forest National Park. Here, the desert floor is scattered with brilliant, fossilized logs that have crystallized into solid quartz and jasper over 200 million years, shimmering under the sun alongside the vibrant, multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert. After passing through Holbrook, we’ll arrive in the legendary town of Winslow, Arizona, to stand on the famous street corner made immortal by the Eagles' classic rock anthem. Enjoy an overnight stay at the magnificent La Posada Hotel. Originally built in 1929 as the crown jewel of the famous Fred Harvey Company passenger rail resorts, this beautifully restored Spanish Colonial Revival hacienda stands as an architectural masterpiece. We’ll enjoy an included dinner in the hotel’s iconic Turquoise Room. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 – Winslow to Kingman (Friday, November 6)

This morning we’ll head into the high-country pines of Williams to visit Bearizona Wildlife Park. This premier drive-through wildlife adventure allows you to view majestic North American animals – bison, rugged bighorn sheep, wolves, and bounding black bears – all roaming freely through their natural forest habitats from the comfort of our motorcoach. Enjoy time at leisure for browsing and lunch on your own in historic downtown Williams, the very last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40 in 1984. Because it held out the longest, the town has proudly preserved its authentic retro architecture, neon signs, and classic Americana. This afternoon we’ll arrive in the birthplace of the Route 66 revival: Seligman, Arizona. Frozen in a vibrant 1950s time-capsule, this quirky town is famous for its bright neon, classic tail-finned cars, and the legendary Angel Delgadillo, the local barber who single-handedly spearheaded the campaign to preserve the historic highway. Later, our adventure takes a thrilling subterranean turn at the Grand Canyon Caverns. Here we’ll descend 210 feet below the earth’s surface into the largest dry caverns in the United States, exploring massive, ancient limestone rooms where the unique atmospheric conditions have perfectly preserved prehistoric history for millennia. Later, we’ll cruise through Peach Springs, the historic railway stop that served as a major inspiration for the fictional town of “Radiator Springs” in the animated film, Cars. We’ll overnight in Kingman, Arizona and cap off a memorable day with a fantastic, nostalgia-filled dinner at Mr D’z Route 66 Diner – an authentic retro hotspot serving up sizzling burgers, classic comfort platters, and old-fashioned milkshakes in an energetic, neon-lit setting. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 – Kingman to Barstow (Saturday, November 7)

We’ll begin our day at the Arizona Route 66 Museum, housed inside Kingman's historic, century-old Powerhouse building. This brilliant museum features meticulously crafted lifelike dioramas, vintage photographs, and a superb collection of historic vehicles that trace the evolution of the road – from early Native American trade routes and pioneer wagon trails to the Dust Bowl migrations and the bustling neon highway of the mid-century. From Kingman, we drop down toward the Colorado River for time at leisure in the riverside resort city of Laughlin. This afternoon, we’ll cross into California’s vast Mojave Desert, tracing legendary paths of heritage and historic preservation. We’ll visit the beautifully preserved Goffs Schoolhouse. Built in 1914, this rugged outpost provides a stark look at early desert schooling and serves as a monument to WWII history, marking the area where General Patton prepared his troops for the harsh North African campaign. Continuing west into the heart of the desert, we’ll cruise through iconic, off-the-beaten-path Route 66 towns like Amboy – the famous ghost town once famously sold on eBay – and the quiet historic railroad outpost of Daggett. Late this afternoon, we arrive in Barstow which holds a legendary status in Route 66 lore, serving as the premier mid-desert oasis and transit hub for generations of travelers crossing the unforgiving Mojave Desert. We’ll see the magnificent Casa del Desierto Harvey House and cruise down Barstow’s Main Street, a living gallery of classic Mid-Century motels and murals that depict everything from early pioneer wagon trains to classic cars cruising past the old local storefronts. We’ll wrap up an incredible day of storytelling and open-road discovery with an included dinner at a locals' favorite. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 – Barstow to Santa Monica (Sunday, November 8)

This morning, we’ll visit Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch, one of the most famous, beloved, and enduring folk-art installations along the entirety of Route 66. This vibrant “A Forest of Glass” perfectly embodies the eccentric spirit of roadside Americana that defines the "Mother Road." Later, we’ll explore the California Route 66 Museum, a highly interactive space lets you jump right into history. Snap fantastic photos alongside a vintage 1950s diner set, a classic hippie-era Volkswagen bus, and an array of unique artifacts celebrating California’s sun-drenched contribution to the highway’s legacy. After traversing the Cajon Pass, we’ll follow Route 66 through Rancho Cucamonga to see the Historic Cucamonga Service Station, the legendary Sycamore Inn and The Magic Lamp Inn, an ultra-classic 1950s roadhouse restaurant. In Pasadena we’ll cruise along the vibrant Colorado Boulevard corridor, stopping for time at leisure in Old Pasadena, Pasadena’s historic downtown district. Continuing into Downtown Los Angeles we’ll visit the intersection of 7th Street and Broadway, the original western terminus of Route 66 until 1936. We’ll follow Santa Monica Boulevard past the legendary music and roadhouse hubs of West Hollywood before making the final drive down to Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Enjoy a celebratory milkshake at Mel’s Drive-In, a legendary roadside landmark and a spectacular monument to mid-century American car culture that serves as the final historic dining stop at the true terminus of Route 66. Finally, the ultimate milestone awaits at the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, the official and historic "End of the Trail" for Route 66. Celebrate the completion of your epic adventure by standing next to the iconic end-of-the-road sign, taking in panoramic ocean views, feeling the cool Pacific breeze, and reflecting on the incredible tapestry of small-town landmarks, quirky characters, and timeless landscapes we’ve experienced along the way. We return to our drop-off points this evening. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.