I am planning a trip down that will take along the old route 66. I plan on starting at Las Vegas and head east from there. But what is just along the way to see. I know there is two big holes in the ground (The Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater). What sight that one can spend a day or two to see. Something not to far off the path. The end of my trip will take me to the south central part of Kentucky the town of Russelville. My Fathers place of birth. I have family back there I have never met. Any help to make it a good trip.

There are books on Rt. 66, your library may have some that you can look at so you have an idea which one you might like to buy. Some of the states 66 goes thru have nice pamplets you can send for or print.Each time we go west we check out some of the places on 66, some are very depressing and some are great.

Thousand Trails monthly publication just did an extensive article in this month's magazine that you may want to track down a copy of. Gave ALOT of points of interest by every state along Route 66.

I found downtown Flagstaff interesting, tho' I just walked around for an hour in the early AM before the shops were open. I was waiting for Lowell observatory to open (also in Flagstaff; worth the effort). There's a big museum in Canyon, about 15 minutes south of I-40 in Amarillo. http://panhandleplains.org/pages/about_pphm_29.asp. I spent a full 1/2 day, mostly just walking by the exhibits & snapping pix. There's a full-sized 1920's oil drilling rig off the lobby, to give you an idea of the scale of the place.There's also the Painted Desert / Petrified Forest between Flagstaff & the NM border. I spent a day there, taking a few walking tours.Jim, "Everybody seems normal, until you get to know them."

There are only a few sections of the US66 still remaining. CA-AZ-NM have the most sections still there. Of Course ROUTE 66 only goes between Chicago and Los Angeles. For the most part Route 66 follows the now I40 route once it starts going East and West..The only part I have really observed good is in the FLAGSTAFF/WILLIAMS AZ areas... Everyone needs to have their picture taken standing next to one the ROUTE 66 historical road signs.The Meteor Crater is the breath-taking view and has an outstanding Information center but once you see the big hole in the ground not much else for us to do there hehe... Petrified Forest is another wonder to see. I also fell in love with the Wupatki Ancient Indian Ruins & Cliff Dwellings North of Flagstaff. especially just before dark when you can look to the EAST when up on one of the high ruins and see the PAINTED DESERT starting to change all of its colors.If you got time to kill the Grand Canyon would be be the place to see... Also in and around Flagstaff including SEDONA and other high country places blew us away for years of going there - Always see something new when we visit. The RED ROCK canyons blows us away hehe... Not sure when you are going on the trip by HIGHWAY 89A is undergoing alot of work and may be closed in sections around SEDONA. Scheduled work to road and the AZ FIRE has done a big number on the road.If you end up camping in FLAGSTAFF over night be aware that the railroad that goes through there is active with trains about every 5-miunutes all night long... Might want to get off the main drag there when spending a night or two.Roy Ken

We are thinking about a similar trip.I found this book. I have not ordered it as of yet.Route 66

Route 66 | Good Sam Community

Buster52
Explorer
Jul 12, 2014
Just watched a 7 part series by a British snob who rode his American made Harley from Chicago to LA down Route 66. All the way he referred to Americans as fat and the only place to eat along Route 66 was fast food places like McDonald's. The only thing he like was his Harley Soft Tale. But he did point out that there are many places you would not want to drive down old 66. That many places the road was nothing but dirt and some time it dead-ended and you would have to turn back. What book would be a good book to help some one in a RV to use? Also list sites to see and places to eat.

Thanks
1fastdad
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
The first time I drove to california the only way to get there from St.Louis was old route 40 or 66. I went west on 66 to LA and came back on 40 witch came through colorado. Both highways for the most part followed the railroad tracks so there were a lot of small towns you had to go through. I44 bypasses most of these towns now so it's hard to get a good look at the old Mother road. If you havn't seen the movie Cars you should rent it and watch it. It has somthing to do with what the the new highway did to the small towns along the route.
camperpaul
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
Buster52 wrote:
Just were does Route 66 start and stop. I keep reading that there are different places. Years ago I looked it up on the internet and I found a map that showed the whole route. Now I cannot find the old maps. Everybody want to sell you the information. So were is the official ends of the route?

The Chicago end is in Grant Park, about a 1/4 mile from Buckingham Fountain.

This may be the maps you seek.
Buster52
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
Just were does Route 66 start and stop. I keep reading that there are different places. Years ago I looked it up on the internet and I found a map that showed the whole route. Now I cannot find the old maps. Everybody want to sell you the information. So were is the official ends of the route?
hotpepperkid
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
eric1514 wrote:
hotpepperkid wrote:
Getting to Oatman from Needles is a piece of cake, however you might not fine a spot to park an RV. But try it from there to Kingman or from Kingman. Last time I of over a couple of years ago it was it was full of pot holes

I just made that ride last week and the road between Oatman and Kingman was in pretty good shape. I didn't notice potholes. Now I40 heading east out of Kingman is horrible for about 40 miles.

If you're heading east through Oatman, there is a large lot just as you leave the town on your left. I parked there for free when I went through on 6/27 but I noticed they wanted a fee when I drove through 7/3. Go figure.

Eric

Well it had been several years since I went from Kingman to Oatman. I roger that I-40 East of Kingman is a POS was on it last summer
BigRabbitMan
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
Buster52 wrote:
Neighbor was telling me that many State and National parks in California will not allow my 30 foot rig in. I hope he is wrong.

Your neighbor is very wrong.
TenOC
Nomad
Jul 11, 2014
enblethen wrote:
I remember a pull off in Oatman, just west of town on right side.
Road over the hill is curvy and slow but wasn't that bad.
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 11, 2014
I remember a pull off in Oatman, just west of town on right side.
Road over the hill is curvy and slow but wasn't that bad.
eric1514
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
hotpepperkid wrote:
Getting to Oatman from Needles is a piece of cake, however you might not fine a spot to park an RV. But try it from there to Kingman or from Kingman. Last time I of over a couple of years ago it was it was full of pot holes

I just made that ride last week and the road between Oatman and Kingman was in pretty good shape. I didn't notice potholes. Now I40 heading east out of Kingman is horrible for about 40 miles.

If you're heading east through Oatman, there is a large lot just as you leave the town on your left. I parked there for free when I went through on 6/27 but I noticed they wanted a fee when I drove through 7/3. Go figure.

Eric
Buster52
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
I want to thank all the help. All the ideas will help me plan my trip. Most thing in the internet are just businesses pushing their place. People here have been there and know if the place is RV friendly. Neighbor was telling me that many State and National parks in California will not allow my 30 foot rig in. I hope he is wrong. Thank again and keep all the good suggestion coming.

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