Route 66 RV Road Trip to Celebrate 100 Years of this Iconic Journey!

Route 66 RV Road Trip to Celebrate 100 Years of this Iconic Journey!
Top stops on RT66, RV camping suggestions, and tips for a great trip.

By: Kenny & Sabrina Phillips

This year, America has been celebrating its 250th birthday by honoring the people, places, and events that shaped our nation. But while fireworks, parades, and patriotic celebrations are taking center stage, another American icon is quietly reaching a remarkable milestone of its own: Route 66 turns 100 years old in 2026! 

For the last century, the “Mother Road” has connected California to Illinois, carrying generations of travelers through eight states and hundreds of small towns while inspiring thousands of unforgettable stories. Long before interstate highways bypassed Main Streets across America, Route 66 introduced families to roadside diners, quirky attractions, and communities they might never have discovered otherwise.

Nearly 100 years later, despite large interstates bypassing many of these areas, Route 66 still lives on! Over the past year, Sabrina, Belle, and I set out to experience Route 66 from behind the windshield of our Winnebago Vista. For this adventure, we let the road dictate our pace. Some stops lasted only a few minutes, while others kept us longer than expected. Along the way, we were reminded that Route 66 isn't always about reaching your next attraction.

One of the biggest lessons Route 66 teaches you is to take it easy and enjoy the journey.

Initially, we did the entire route in one go, then we went back throughout the year to some things we missed. With that said, this still is not a complete list of everything there is to see. I'm not even sure it's possible to ever see it all. But we are going to share some of our favorite stops to help you plan your Route 66 RV road trip!

California: Where Our Route 66 Adventure Begins

The official western point of Route 66 is in Santa Monica, CA, but we started our journey at the eastern border of the state in Needles, CA. This was a good spot for us to get excited about the trip ahead and plan out what we wanted to see on the trip. 

Standing at the western edge of our adventure, we knew the next 2,000+ miles would take us through eight states, countless small towns, and some of America's most iconic roadside attractions. After visiting our first RT66 roadside attraction, Needles Monument, we were on our way!

Other popular attractions on Route 66 in California include the Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, the Wigwam Motel near San Bernardino, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, and the Santa Monica Pier.

Route 66 in Arizona for History & Wildlife

Crossing into Arizona, our first major stop was the historic town of Williams, AZ, which became one of our favorite towns along the entire route.

Exploring & Camping in Williams, AZ

We made Circle Pines KOA Holiday Park our home base while exploring the historic downtown. This campground has more amenities than just about any KOA we've visited, including an indoor pool, miniature golf course, and ATV rentals. It’s also the first campground we've stayed at with its own go-kart track, and racing those cars made me feel like a kid again.

The campground is just minutes from historic downtown Williams, where we browsed local shops, enjoyed homemade ice cream, and had dinner at Station 66 Italian Bistro, which had some of the best pizza I have ever had. Every evening, the neon lights transformed the town into a living postcard from Route 66's golden era.

Just outside town is Bearizona, where we got an up-close look at North American wildlife. A sudden Arizona monsoon drenched us while we explored the park, but instead of ruining the day, it became one of our favorite memories. Watching the bears and other animals remain completely unbothered by the storm reminded us that sometimes you just have to enjoy the adventure you're given.

Visiting Petrified Forest National Park

Our next stop in Arizona was Petrified Forest National Park, the only national park where Historic Route 66 passes through its boundaries. From the name, we expected towering trees, but we instead found colorful badlands and ancient logs that had turned to stone more than 200 million years ago. It was another reminder that Route 66 is full of surprises!

We stayed overnight about two hours from the national park inside the Coconino National Forest, and it is one of our favorite places to dry camp because there are lots of options. You can also take an off-road trail from Flagstaff all the way down to Sedona if you have a rugged, off-road-capable rig. Just know it’s a bumpy ride! My Jeep makes it easily, but our Winnebago Vista would never be able to do it. (Note: Keep in mind that this area is closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall.)

Embracing the Pace of the Desert in New Mexico

Old Town Albuquerque is another place where you feel like you are stepping back in time. You’ll find shops filled with handcrafted goods, saloons that feel like they were taken right out of an old Western movie, and reminders of the town’s Spanish roots throughout the area. It’s worth walking through just to gaze at all the colorful buildings and decor. 

We wandered through the historic plaza, explored local shops, enjoyed ice cream (which you'll find is something I like to do just about everywhere I go), and simply watched the world go by. Albuquerque is also the home of the annual balloon fiesta, so you will be able to watch the show, if you time it right.

We recommend booking a trip with Fantasy RV Tours! You can learn more about our experience in this article.

Other top stops on Route 66 in New Mexico include the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, the retro neon signs of Tucumcari, and the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa.

Boondocking Near Albuquerque

I have two great options for places to stay along Route 66 while traveling through New Mexico. The first is a Coronado municipal campground. It is super cute, with adobe picnic areas at each site and great views of the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains. We have stayed at this campground several times and enjoy the views as well as its low cost. It is located about twenty miles north of Albuquerque.

If you want an even cheaper option, we also enjoy dry camping at San Lorenzo Canyon, located south of Albuquerque. This is a beautiful area to camp and explore, with very cool rock formations and hiking paths. This area is located about 80 miles south of Albuquerque, but I think it is worth the drive.

Some of our favorite evenings in New Mexico came after we left town when we found peaceful places to dry camp, cooked dinner outside the RV, and watched spectacular sunsets.

Pro Tip: With any dry camping location, I suggest downloading iOverlander to help determine if your RV can manage the trails leading to the campsites. I must admit, I tend to take my Vista to places it probably shouldn’t go, and we have gotten stuck in sand as well as taken some body damage from large rocks. Always stay within your comfort zone when choosing places to camp and pay close attention to the reviews.

Taking Route 66 through Texas for Americana at its Best

Texas may have some of the most recognizable Route 66 attractions anywhere.

We laughed at the leaning water tower in Britten that somehow never falls over, and we stopped at the Midpoint Café in Adrian to celebrate reaching the halfway point of Route 66. Of course, we couldn't leave without trying one of its famous Ugly Pies. They may not win any beauty contests, but they certainly taste better than they look. The café has a 50s-style vibe, and it is worth a visit to their gift shop as well. 

Visiting the Iconic Cadillac Ranch & Camping Nearby

No Route 66 trip would be complete without a visit to Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX. If there is one attraction you plan on seeing along RT66 it should probably be this one. Watching visitors from around the world add another layer of spray paint to the half-buried Cadillacs was very cool because it means the cars will look different every time you visit. I brought along a can of yellow spray paint and added my own contribution, which was a big smiley face.

If you are planning an overnight stay before or after your visit to Cadillac Ranch, I suggest checking out the Amarillo Travel Information Center. You can stay overnight here in your RV, and the RV parking is separated from the tractor trailers, making it a little quieter than your typical rest area. 

They also have a helpful staff that can assist with Route 66 trip planning, along with a historical exhibit to explore. This makes for a fun, low-cost overnight stop that is only about 25 minutes from Cadillac Ranch. We always make this an overnight stop when passing through!

Oklahoma: Preserving the Legacy of Route 66

Oklahoma feels like one of the true guardians of Route 66 history. The National Route 66 & Transportation Museum helped us better understand how the highway shaped America and how communities continue working to preserve its legacy today. The museum is made up of about twenty buildings, so if you plan to tour it all, be sure to set aside a few hours to take it all in.

We also visited the world's largest concrete Totem Pole, explored its surrounding park, had a picnic, and checked out the nature trail. 

Our other major stop in Oklahoma was the famous Blue Whale of Catoosa, where Belle took an adorable photo trying to match the whale's smile. This area was very busy when we visited, with people enjoying the green spaces and having lunch in the picnic areas. Even with the crowds, we were still able to get a spot to park our Vista and Jeep. 

Missouri for the Best Route 66 Rest Area 

As we continued east, Route 66 carried us into Missouri. This is one state we definitely need to return to and spend more time exploring because we only got to see its very charming Conway Welcome Center, which is a Route 66-themed rest area.

The picnic area and green space are designed to look like the famous roadway, with picnic shelters resembling businesses you might have found along the Mother Road. The rest area even lights up at night with neon signs and has dedicated RV spaces for overnight stays, located a little farther away from the tractor trailers.

The Route 66 theme continues inside the welcome center, with classic red and white decor, Route 66 displays, and a large map of the Mother Road built right into the floor. You can also pick up maps, brochures, and information to help plan your Route 66 travels.

We enjoyed strolling along the walking paths, which are painted to look like a road, even down to the yellow dashed lines running along the path. It seemed like everyone enjoyed getting out of their vehicles and exploring this unique rest area. It’s much more than a place to stop for the night. It feels like another Route 66 attraction along the journey.

We definitely need to come back to see the World's Largest Rocking Chair, and I would also like to check out the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River.

Ending Our Route 66 Journey in Illinois

After more than a week on the road, we reached our final state. In Illinois, we stopped at our favorite restaurant of the entire trip: Doc's Just Off 66. One of the highlights is its old-fashioned soda fountain, where drinks are handcrafted in a style that dates back to the early days of American soda fountains. It's worth going in just to watch them make your soda as they hand-stir the syrup into your glass.

From there, we took a slight detour off Route 66 and visited the Super Museum in Metropolis. As a fan of all things Superman, this had been on my list of places to visit for a very long time, and it did not disappoint.

I spent about three hours in the museum looking through Superman memorabilia spanning old television shows and cartoons all the way to present-day movies. It was, in a word: super!

We ended our trip at the historic Texaco Station in Ambler. It was a fitting place to reflect on everything we'd experienced along the Mother Road. This was a great location to snap some classic Route 66 photos. There is also a small museum on the property, but unfortunately, it was closed when we arrived.

On your way to the Historic Texaco Station in Ambler, I suggest staying at the Limestone Rest Area off I-55, just outside of Pontiac, IL, which puts you about 25 miles from the Texaco Station. This is a beautiful rest area that allows overnight stays, with walking paths and even a small wooden bridge that leads to a wildlife viewing deck. This spot may not be as fancy as some of the other locations, but it’s a great free option for an overnight stop.

Remember: Route 66 is for Slowing Down

Over the course of our journey, we explored national parks, walked through historic downtowns, sampled local restaurants, visited unique roadside attractions, and met travelers from around the world.

We heard countless languages spoken along the route—proof that Route 66 continues to attract visitors from every corner of the globe. And despite spending two weeks exploring the Mother Road, we barely scratched the surface. This is a trip we look forward to doing again, especially so we can experience some of the attractions we missed the first time. 

RT 66 may be 100 years old, but one thing is for sure … there are new stories to be told. I was even inspired to make this iconic road the focus of the next book in my Belle's RV Adventures series, which is written through our dog Belle's eyes. Watching her discover each stop with endless curiosity and a wondering look as to why humans do the things they do (like bury cars in the desert) really made me slow down and appreciate it all that much more!

The interstate will be a much faster way to get from California to Illinois. You can cruise by countless small towns without ever realizing what you missed. However, Route 66 makes you take your time, allowing you to enjoy the scenic views from the road and encouraging you to stop along the way. Some areas are full of history, while others are just downright quirky, but no matter where you stop, I bet you'll find something entertaining and a more relaxed pace of travel.

Have you done a Route 66 trip? What was your favorite attraction, town, or restaurant? I would love to hear about it in the comments!