I can't count the number of times I've been across Rt.66 starting in the '50's when I was a kid to visit my Grandma in Los Angeles. I did a part of it just this past summer slabbing it back home from a trip to the Four Corners. As others have stated most of it is gone, most replaced with interstate. The best parts left no doubt are in Arizona. I would stop at Route 66 Harley in Tulsa for a T-shirt. In Winslow there is a cool place for a photo op at a little park they made in honor of the Eagles song 'Take It Easy' that mentions Winslow. When you get to Santa Monica there is a nice display and sign commemorating the end(or beginning) of Route 66. Go all the way to the end of the Pier and check out the free little museum(mostly pictures).

BTW Santa Monica is one of the prettiest parts in the L.A. area. If you wanna stay a night or two the Holiday Inn Santa Monica Beach at The Pier is a good choice. Pricey but reasonable for the area and you are literally 1/2 block from the Pier. They have free parking in a parking garage as well. You are a couple blocks from the Third Street Promenade, an outdoor mall with lots of upscale shops, bars and restaurants. Great place to sit outside and have a cold one, without having to ride and people watch. The ocean and the clean palm tree lined streets have the feel and atmosphere of what you think of when you think of Southern California.

IMHO there are lots better ways across the country then Route 66, there's nothing special about the route, especially till you get to New Mexico and points west. It does get prettier from there. It's been romanticized in song and lore for years though and I do understand the longing to do it, people come from all over the world to do it. I'm doing a part of it again next summer, because a group of guys I enjoy riding with are doing it.

You'll no doubt end up slabbing a lot early on so that will give you more time when you do get out west. There is crazy amounts of stuff to do out west. May is a good time as well, it won't be as hot.

 

Thanks. I've been down on 66 with a car a few years ago and drove thru Winslow and took 66 in to Oatman. But I have to cross it off my bike bucket list so I'm gonna have to ride the boring parts as well

 

Interesting. thank you.

 

Get fuel before Oatman since there are no gas stations in Oatman. Oatman also closes about 5pm.

 

Four of us just rode 66 from Kingman to Vegas in October. Make sure you stop at the Hackberry General store. Be careful, you can go right by it if you're not careful. It's in the middle of nowhere but worth a stop. The place is full of interesting 'junk'. Plus, there's a bathroom and cold drinks.

 

Hey, it would be great if you could post your plan (as much of one as you may have)...Planned miles per day, extimated gas stops, hotel/motel's, points of interest, etc.....I'm going to do this some day...I don't think I'll have the time soon to do it both ways..I've thought about having my bike shipped to Cali and then riding it back east or riding it from Boston to LA and then having it shipped back home.....We'll have to see..

 

I will as soon as it starts coming together.

 

And the reading/planning phase begins.

 

Here is an interesting Route 66 thread to read/see.
Have fun!

 

Pretty interesting but was never finished. But still give me a good idea of the timeline. Thanks.