Is Route 66 still worth doing?

In some states Rt 66 is not well- marked and it was often difficult to find where it picks up when one section of it ends. But all in all it is worth the effort if you want to see some almost forgotten bits of Americana. Lots of worthwhile stops along the way, but they are scattered across 2,400 miles.



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In some states Rt 66 is not well- marked and it was often difficult to find where it picks up when one section of it ends. But all in all it is worth the effort if you want to see some almost forgotten bits of Americana. Lots of worthwhile stops along the way, but they are scattered across 2,400 miles.

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Of the original 2,448 miles that made up Route 66, about 80-85% is still drivable.

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May and September are considered good months to travel Route 66 if you're not a fan of the intense heat that comes with the summer months - you get the benefits of fair weather and reduced tourism. June, July and August are the peak months in terms of both tourism and temperature.

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Practicalities of driving Route 66 You need around three weeks to complete Route 66. There is no perfect time to drive Route 66. Due to its sheer size, you're likely to experience some adverse weather conditions, whatever the month.

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Jericho Gap, Texas This became so profitable that there were rumors that some residents watered down the road to increase the plight of Route 66 travelers. Eventually, Route 66 was rerouted to higher ground in the 1930s and the area dwindled into a ghost town.

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Route 66's popularity led to its downfall, with traffic swelling beyond its two-lane capacity. In 1956, legislation created the Interstate System, and over the course of three decades, five separate interstates bypassed segment after segment of Route 66.

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And it's a prime example of a rebirth of Route 66 that's occurring in various parts of the country. Town leaders here decided to use the history of the famous road to their advantage, 20 large murals, a museum of Route 66 collectibles, and much more, all bringing in tourists from around the world.

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Migration and tourism shaped towns along Route 66 even before the road was officially established in 1926. But the Interstate Highway System decimated many of these communities when it circumvented Route 66 in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Today, many sections of Route 66 are completely gone.

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Since Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985 it has ceased to be recognised as a US Highway and as such is no longer featured on standard maps. However, there are specialist maps and guidebooks available that will guide you through from one end to the other.

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Federal law states an individual can be imprisoned and fined for so much as digging a small hole or removing anything at an archaeological site. Unfortunately this rules out all metal detecting. The only thing you can legally take at a ghost town is pictures!

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The fictional movie town of Radiator Springs, faithfully replicated at Disney's Anaheim theme park, draws inspiration from a number of locations along a 1,000-mile stretch of Route 66 between Kingman, Ariz., and Tulsa, Okla.

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As with the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas isn't considered part of the original Route 66. But, it's a city you might be keen to experience at least once, and it's close enough (five hours' drive) to the canyon. En route is Seligman, a classic Route 66 town of traditional motels, diners, shops and flashing neon signs.

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