You might want to use "Mapquest" or a similar site to plan you route. Mapquest came up with it being 757 miles between Amarillo, TX and Kingman, AZ. And that's using slab all the way. Like others have mentioned, by riding high mileage days you really wont being having much fun or getting many good pics.

 

You cannot do 500 miles a day on most of Rt. 66, unless you skip a lot of it. This is true even if you are willing to go way over the speed limit, because much of the road simply will not bear high speeds. For instance, the stretch from Kingman to Needles, CA (part of the longest remaining stretch of the original road) is extremely twisty, with caved in shoulders, steep dropoffs into canyons, and burros on the road. You simply cannot see any of the scenery while moving, either, unless you have a deathwish and your passenger is drunk or asleep. That stretch also takes you through Oatman, where you will want to have a few beers in a real saloon and then spend some time to sober up before continuing. Even if you don't care about seeing anything along the way, you will do well to cover 300 to 350 miles over much of 66.

If you would plan for 200 to 300 miles a day, you can do a reasonable job of seeing 66. Even if you don't want to see it but just want to say you rode it, you still will not be able to do 500 miles a day.

On the rest of your route, I believe that you could cover 500 mile per day, but you will still miss a lot.

 

we rode from NM to OK on rt 66 this year, It got a little boring after a while, so we got off and headed south. You won't make real good time unless you want to stay on the highway and then you won't see anything.

 

I would skip Santa Monica myself. Nothing there to see except a bunch of screwy people. Tahoe is a great place to spend some time. Spend a couple of days exploring the scenery. I spent a week there a few years back and loved it. 500 mile days are fine if you are trying to make time but not if you are sight seeing. When you get to where it's nice you should back off to 300 mile days.

 

BTW my sig pic is at tahoe.

 

There's some real words of wisdom in the video at this forum link.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...i-26-days.html

 

After hearing everyone, I think I'll stretch it out over four days instead. I'll will have to stay in fleabags instead of the ritzy Motel 6...Thanks for the input. What will the weather be like in the desert and mountains the first part of April?

 

Since a large part of the original Rt 66 is now interstate, those kinds of miles are doable.

As for weather, expect cold and snow in the upper elevations of NM and AZ.

Good luck!

 

Best times for Route 66 are May & September.

 

I live along your route, in Sedona, AZ. I also used to live in the San Francisco area. The only area where 66 might be fun around here would be around Seligman. The town itself seems to have some of the things that might have been found decades ago. You can ride from that town to Kingman. It is wide open country and you won't loose much time as compared to the freeway. However, the freeway from Seligman to Kingman has some beautiful areas, with lots of altitude changes and rock formations.
As far as a must add I think you have to see Sedona. This place is unreal and has some fabulous rides. However, in April you might see some snow and ice, even on the freeway (40). Flagstaff, where the freeway passes through, is at 7000 feet. Leaving the freeway at Flag to Sedona is 28 miles down a canyon that is beautiful. Sedona is spectacular. I'd spend the night in Sedona, rather than Kingman, and then take the long ride back to Flag the next day, about 2.5 hrs of gorgeous territory.
The next day from Sedona (via Flagstaff) to the coast I'd suggest going to Barstow, leaving the freeway there and going on hwy 58 accross the high desert, over the Tehacapis (interesting little mountain range) and into Bakersfield. From there I'd go onto the freeway, 99, for about 20 miles and then west on hwy 46. From Kingman to the Tehachapis is wide open high desert with some long views. It is all freeway and easy to drive 75 or better. There is little to see in terms of towns until you hit Barstow. Then it is not much of a drive to the Tehachapis, which are nice. After Bakersfield it is ugly Southern CA Central Valley. But, when you get to Paso Robles the scenery gets hilly and curvy. The roads from Bakersfield are not all that crowded and can have some interesting areas. There are no big cities after Bakersfield, and it isn't real big.
From Paso Robles you stay on 46 and go to the coast, hit hwy 1 and head for S.F. However, when you get to Carmel, you have to stay there. This is the home of Pebble Beach and the area is great for riding and seeing the area.
Hwy 1 ("The Coast Road" or as it is officially known: The Pacific Coast Highway) is a spectacular ride. However, as you close on San Francisco you go through Santa Cruz and get slowed down. I think I'd take an alternate route.
In fact, unless you are stuck on seeing San Francisco (I wouldn't be) I'd leave from the Carmel area and go inland. There is a great ride which takes you through the coastal hills on some fabulous road and there is very little traffic. You end up in the central valley, and headed on the freeway to Sacramento. From there it is a 90 minute ride to Tahoe, and the roads are great, if there is no snow left over from a very late storm. The route you would take out of Carmel if this is the way you want to go, is hwy 1 to hwy 156, about 15 miles north of Carmel, then 156 to hwy 152. Hwy 152 goes over the coastal hills and is a 4 lane, divided highway, with great scenery. 152 dumps you onto the freeway, 5, and you are then about 2.5- 3 hrs from Sacramento. There are a couple minor shortcuts on 152 and if you are interested I can fill you in. That and advise you of lots of things along the entire trip, side trips, and restaurants and hotels.
You could make this a month long trip easily, not counting the return trip.
By the way, on the return trip I'd want to go from Grand Junction to Durango. This is the "Million Dollar Highway" and worth the effort. Southern Colo. from Durango to Pueblo is wide open and interesting. Pueblo is ugly, IMHO.
Well, sorry to write a book, but there is lots to see on this trip.


From Kingman I think I'd skip going south.