What is the best month to do Route 66?

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.



The “best” month to travel Route 66 depends heavily on your priorities—weather, crowds, and the experience you want. However, the consensus among seasoned travelers is that late spring (May to early June) and early fall (mid-September to October) offer the ideal balance.

Here’s a breakdown by season to help you decide:

Top Choices: May & September/October

  • Weather: Pleasant, mild temperatures across most of the route. Days are warm, nights are cool. Ideal for driving with the windows down and exploring.
  • Crowds: Manageable. You’ll avoid the peak summer tourist rush and the large RV caravans common in summer.
  • Experience: Attractions and motels are fully open for the season. Landscapes are green in spring or beautifully golden in the fall. Perfect for photography.

Summer: June, July, August

  • Pros: All attractions, diners, and museums are definitively open. Long daylight hours. Vibrant atmosphere.
  • Cons: Extremely hot, especially through the Mojave Desert, Arizona, and the Texas Panhandle (often 100°F+/38°C+). Heavy tourist traffic, especially around the Grand Canyon. Higher prices for accommodation. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Southwest (monsoon season July-August).
  • Verdict: Can be rewarding if you plan around the heat (drive early), but it’s the most challenging and crowded time.

Shoulder Months: April & Late October/Early November

  • Pros: Smaller crowds. Lower prices. Spring wildflowers in April, beautiful fall colors in the Midwest in

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The best time to travel domestically in the US is either during spring (late March to late May) or autumn (late September to late October). Since these are the shoulder seasons before and after summer, these months have milder temperatures as well as fewer visitors in the most popular destinations.

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Route 66 became a popular route because of the active promotion of the U.S 66 Highway Association, which advertised it as “the shortest, best and most scenic route from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles.”

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It's often much cheaper to travel from May to early June and September through mid-October. The weather is still relatively warm during the shoulder season, and you'll beat the crazy summer crowds. This is when we find the best international flight deals!

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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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