More commonly known as Route 66, the U.S. Highway 66 or the Mother Road, is one of the most famous roads in the world. A huge tourist attraction, it draws millions of visitors every year as people flock to experience the landscape, people and attractions of this historic route.
Established in 1926, it was one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. Running from Chicago through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, before finishing in Santa Monica in California, it covers over 2,400 miles.
Best Vehicles for Route 66
Whether you are buying or renting a vehicle, it’s important to perform a few basic checks to ensure the car has been properly maintained and is safe to drive.
Tires
- Tires are one of the most important components of a car and the only bit that actually touches the road, yet they are so often overlooked. Tires need to be properly inflated, have sufficient levels of tread and no cracks in the side walls.
- Never purchase second hand tires for any vehicle you own as they are a safety risk. Blowouts, punctures and reduced breaking performance could all put your life – and other roads users – in danger.
Records
- Always make sure you deal with reputable dealers and look for certification proving authenticity of car ad ownership. Regular servicing and maintenance records are important too – especially with older and classic cars.
Classic Car
To truly experience this classic route, you will need a classic car. Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang or a Pontiac GTO are just some of the incredible choices available.
They can come with premium price tags and will need regular maintenance, but there’s no better way to get the full Route 66 experience than driving an all-American classic.
RV
If money’s no object and you want to take your time soaking in the history and culture along the way, then an RV is for you. The Winnebago Grand Tour is a great choice and big enough for all the family. These huge vehicles ensure you’ll be living in luxury no matter where you stop for the night.
King sized bed and a private bathroom, make it a five-star hotel on wheels that can pull over and make detours anytime and anywhere you want, leaving you in control of your itinerary. It’s not cheap to buy or rent however, and the fuel economy means you’re in for an expensive gas bill.
Toyota Prius
The Hybrid Prius is a popular car in the U.S and has both an electric and gasoline engine, resulting in better fuel economy and lower emissions. There are also substantial fuel savings to be made by using this car.
Comfortable to drive, spacious enough for a small family with luggage and hugely reliable – important for such a long trip – the Prius is an excellent, if uninspiring choice.
Tesla
If you want to be even more eco friendly and reduce your carbon footprint still further, then electric cars are the way to go. Extra planning is required however, to make sure you don’t run out of charge before the next recharging point.
Tesla’s are easy to drive, smooth and quiet and have impressive levels of luxury inside the cabin.
Convertible
Roof down, sun shining, open road. That’s the joy of driving a convertible and it’s a great choice for Route 66, allowing driver and passengers to fully experience the wonderful vistas on offer.
Chevy Camaro, Ford Mustang, Mazda MX 5, BMW Z4, and Porsche 911 are a few of the great choices around. Nothing beats open air driving to truly feel part of the landscape so although it’s more expensive, it’s worth every penny.
Just make sure you pack light as convertibles are about being seen, not how much baggage you can get in the back.
Historic Route 66
Route 66 is a road trip like no other, and one that is best done at a leisurely pace. So, when you’re planning your journey make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to truly experience one of the greatest road trips in the world.
