10 Reasons to Drive Route 66 This Summer

Route 66 is without a doubt one of America's most iconic road trips and a bucket-list journey for many travelers. While the Mother Road was removed from the U.S. Highway System more than three decades ago, well-prepared road trippers with the right maps and some timely help from locals are guaranteed to fall in love with this one-of-a-kind highway.

Nicknamed the Main Street of America, Route 66 stretches nearly 2,500 miles between Chicago and Santa Monica, California. The epic roadway spans three different time zones and eight U.S. states in all, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois.

Route 66 was established nearly a century ago in November 1926 and quickly became a popular route for Americans migrating west. Decades later, Route 66 became the primary route for vacationers seeking refuge from the daily grind in hot destinations and attractions like Disneyland.

Route 66 is also a tremendous way to take in the very best of America's landscape as the scenic highway traverses a variety of terrains, including deserts, mountains, rivers and more.

One of the best things about taking a road trip on Route 66 is the people that you're certain to meet along the way. Asking the locals for directions is a surefire way to break the ice and before you know it you'll be exploring far from the beaten path.

There are countless charming small towns to explore along Route 66, including Winslow, Arizona, which is home to the Standin' on the Corner Park commemorating the Eagles' hit "Take It Easy." The only bad news is that if you're under a time crunch, you won't be able to see them all.

Not every town along Route 66 has been able to survive the decline in traffic over the past few decades. Ghost towns are a big draw for visitors to Route 66. Glenrio on the Texas-New Mexico border is just one such example.

Travelers cruising Route 66 this summer will have a chance to experience several iconic sites along the way, including Chicago's Grant Park and the Santa Monica Pier if they complete the route start to finish. Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park is another example of the variety of natural and manmade wonders that await.

In addition to bucket-list-worthy sites, Route 66 road trippers will be rewarded with numerous roadside attractions, including some truly unique sites such as Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Created back in 1974, the installation features 10 brightly-painted Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground.

Foodies can't go wrong on Route 66 as the historic roadway is renowned for its friendly and satisfying roadside diners. Whether it's a classic American breakfast to fuel you up for the next stage of your trip or a cheeseburger to end a long day on the road, there's no shortage of flavor and charm to be found.

Spending the night along Route 66 can be incredibly unique. Not only will travelers uncover charming and historic hotels and motels but they'll also find quirky accommodations such as the Wigwam Motels in Holbrook, Arizona, and on the city boundary between Rialto and San Bernardino, California, which are rightfully listed on the National Register of Historic Places.