I am planning a trip from SE Michigan to Austin TX in August. I want to take old Route 66 from Chicago to Amarillo (or maybe farther) then go south to Austin. Has anyone done this portion of Route 66 recently and can offer suggestions or advice? I am traveling alone but not new to motorcycle touring so I don’t really need the “what to pack” or “stay hydrated” or “ don’t try to go to far in a day” type advice. I am looking more for specific suggestions on points of interest, food, lodging, and specific advice from a motorcyclist’s perspective. There is MUCH info available online and I am researching that now but I thought I might reach out for info from other riders on this forum who have traveled all or part of “The Mother Road” recently.

The 8 map set “Here It Is, Route 66” (Ross/McClanahan) is in my Amazon cart but I haven’t ordered it yet so if someone has a better suggestion for maps/guides please let me know.

-Ken

 

 

Get on your motorcycle. Push the ignition button and ride until you get thirsty, hungry, or tired.
And don’t stop to take selfies.

 

I would be stopping every half hour if I did that… Oh, wait a minute… that’s Exactly what I do already… 🥳🥳

 

We just finished a trip the whole length ( Chicago to Santa Monica). Left Massachusetts on Monday May 6th, started Rt66 on Saturday May 11th, and got to Santa Monica on June 4th. I was on the motorcycle, my wife followed in the car ( both wanted to make the trip but she felt she couldn’t do it on the bike) so a win win.

We used Road Trippers (which interfaces with Waze) and the Ultimate Route 66 Guide apps. Using both will guide you to a ton of things to see on route and side trips. I’d usually plan out a day or two at a time (mostly the following day) creating routes in Road Trippers with waypoints added from to it from Ultimate. I think I may have several segments saved in Road Trippers and not sure how but may be able to share/send them to you if that’s the route (pun intended) you take.

We also had 4 books, Road Trippers Route 66 Chicago to Santa Monica, EZ 66 Guide for Travelers, Route 66 Road Trip, & Best hits on Route 66. We did reference them before leaving, and used them a little while on the road but most planning was thru the 2 apps mentioned above.

We didn’t leave too much on the table and stopped at most everything (even if it was just a few minutes or a quick picture) along the route. We stayed off the interstates as much as we could (some of 66 is the interstate) but rode secondary roads 90%. The route is sometimes hard to follow (not well signed) and got messed up a few times, but was always able to get back on track.

We stayed at many of the old 66 motels and used them whenever we could, and we really enjoyed them. Wagon Wheel, Rockwood Motor Court, Boots Court, Motel Safari, LaPossada, Wig Wam to name a few, but there were more.

I attempted this trip last year in Mid to late June, making it to Texas but turned around and headed home because of triple digit temperatures. So this year I planned on leaving earlier and it worked out great. Although the end of the trip was high 90’s and hot. Overall 45 days, 8000 miles, 22 states, 2 countries and only 1 day of rain.

For us it was the trip of a lifetime and enjoyed every minute of it. Hope the same for you

 

Thank you Cooch366, lots of good info! I am aware of the heat factor going down there in August but will try to power through. I'm an early riser so will travel in mornings as much as possible. Staying in old 66 motels sounds good to me too, thanks for the suggestions. I also want to stay off interstate highways as much as possible. I will check out the travel apps you mentioned. I was planning to use HD Ride Planner for mapping my route and my onboard HD navigation for step by step directions while riding.

 

Cooch 366 What was the part of the trip you would redo if you rode it again? Something like Oh S*#T, I thought gas stations were closer on this part of the trip, Or something that wish you knew before the trip, that would be a heads up for us that are planning to ride it?

 

A few things jump out at me,

the Murra Building museum in Oklahoma City. I was completely blown away by it. very well done

Red Oak in Cartage Mo. Many buildings & photo op’s. Should have spent more time there. Also close to Boots court motel, neat place to stay.

Seba station in Chandler Mo. Neat M/C museum

“The Shop on Route 66” Gardner IL

Winslow AZ, Oatman AZ. Seligman AZ & Hackberry General Store. I’d spend more time ( although we did 3 nights in Winslow to recharge including a side trip to Meteor Crater & Flagstaff while staying there)

Many more that I would definitely stop at again, which I hope to do.

As a shout out, I needed a bike service and while in Santa Monica stopped by Bartel’s HD in Marina Del Re, explained I was on a road trip from Massachusetts and they took me right in, and I was out by noon. Excellent and outstanding dealer.

 

You didn't like my selfies!?

 

I recorded my trip experience here: RT-66 All the Way…. Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA!

There's a ton of helpful input and advice in the thread that I got along the way. Good luck, enjoy and ride safe!