Route 66 - States

Eight states, one unforgettable journey.

Route 66 isn’t just a highway — it’s a road that tells America’s story  🇺🇸 , from the towering skyline of Chicago to the sunlit pier of Santa Monica . Crossing eight states and three time zones , it connects cultures, landscapes, and decades of history in one continuous motion. If you’d like to dig deeper into its origins and evolution, our essential primer on the history of Route 66 is a great place to start.

What is the correct order of the states crossed by Route 66?

If you’re traveling the traditional way — from east to west — you’ll cross:

1. Illinois
   
2. Missouri
   
3. Kansas
   
4. Oklahoma
   
5. Texas
   
6. New Mexico
   
7. Arizona
   
8. California
   

That’s also the direction I chose — starting in  Chicago   and ending in  Santa Monica   .

There’s something truly special about watching the landscapes—and the spirit of America—change gradually from the green Midwest to the deserts of the Southwest and, finally, the ocean breeze of California.

If you’re undecided, here’s my hands-on comparison of routes: east to west vs west to east .

Before You Hit the Road Across the States

When I started planning my Route 66 trip , I remember feeling both excited and a little overwhelmed. The road seemed endless — not only in miles, but in possibilities. If you're at that same starting point, this quick table sums up what really helped me turn the dream into reality.

Route 66 Travel Essentials — Quick Reference

I learned quickly that time shapes your trip more than distance ever could. Some people rush from Chicago to Santa Monica in less than two weeks, but I’d say give yourself at least three — enough to breathe, to wander, and to let the unexpected happen.

Choosing when to go matters just as much. Spring and early autumn felt perfect to me — warm days, cool nights, and that golden light that makes every motel sign glow. Summer, on the other hand, can be extremely hot — especially across Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and the first stretch of California . But once you reach the Pacific Ocean and feel the sea breeze at Santa Monica, every degree of heat suddenly feels worth it.

For the practical side — I rented a car in Chicago, and that first morning behind the wheel felt like stepping into history. Just remember that crossing all eight states means spending long hours on the road: comfort, space and visibility matter more than you think. And when it comes to packing, you’ll need far less than you imagine — the trunk quickly becomes your home.

If you’re the kind who likes to mark every stop , you’ll love the Route 66 Passport. It turns each stage of the trip into a small celebration and, in my case, became a beautiful way to meet the people who keep this road alive. Some of their stories — full of pride, humor, and love for the Mother Road — are collected in the People section .

All along Route 66 there are events, fairs, and classic car shows . If you can, don’t miss them — they remind you that the Route 66 spirit is still beating strong. And with the upcoming Route 66 Centennial , that spirit will shine brighter than ever.

Compare the Route 66 States

🗺️ When I started planning my trip along Route 66 across eight states, I built this quick table to see how the states fit together — distances, highlights, and how to pace the drive.

It also helped me to shape the trip and understand how many days I’d need to cross all eight states, depending on what I wanted to see along the way, and I hope it might help you too.

States on Route 66

Let’s travel through the eight Route 66 states — each one a chapter of the same adventure, where landscapes shift, accents change, and the spirit of the Mother Road stays the same.

🛣️ Illinois – Where it all begins

Start: Chicago · Vibe: Urban energy, a spark of history

For me,  Illinois  was the sound of engines starting and dreams taking shape.  Standing by the  “Begin Route 66” sign  on Adams Street felt like opening a book I had waited my whole life to read. Breakfast at  Lou Mitchell’s , the skyline mirrored in the river, the hum of the Windy City fading into quiet roads and cornfields — Illinois blends steel and soul, big-city confidence and small-town charm.

But the real magic began the moment we got in the car and said, “ Here we go… we’re really doing it. ”

That first stretch of asphalt felt bigger than the miles ahead — it felt like stepping into a dream. Every Route 66 sign , every painted shield on the road made it more real, as if the journey itself was breathing to life. Even the next mornings, starting the engine again, came with the same rush — a mix of disbelief and joy.

We were truly on the road, at the very beginning of an adventure that would carry us across eight states, thousands of miles, and a lifetime of memories that we already knew we’d never forget.

🌉 Missouri – Hills, caverns, and Americana

Gateway to the West

Crossing into  Missouri , the landscape softens and nostalgia grows louder.

The  Arch  rises like a promise above  St. Louis , and the road starts to bend and breathe. Small towns like  Cuba ,  Rolla  and  Lebanon  glow with neon and hand-painted walls — reminders that Route 66 is as much art as asphalt.

We reached the  Cahokia Mounds  just as the sun was setting — a sky burning in orange and gold.

It felt like Illinois was saying goodbye with one last embrace, and Missouri was welcoming us with warmth and color. Standing there, watching the light fade over the horizon, we crossed an invisible line — from one state to another, from beginning to belonging — the second of eight states, and the road already felt like home.

🚗 Kansas – Thirteen miles of pure heart

Short in distance, endless in spirit

Kansas  barely lasts a quarter of an hour on the odometer, but it’s one of those stretches that stays with you.  Baxter Springs  and  Galena  are all warmth and pride — flags, murals, and the smell of oil and dust.

A few locals waved as we passed by, and a smiling mechanic told us, “Everyone remembers Kansas, even if they blink.” He was right.

At  Cars on the Route  in Galena, I met Tow Mater — the rusty truck from Cars , standing proud beside an of an old garage. I hugged him without even thinking; for a second, it felt like the cartoon had come to life. That’s what Route 66 does to you — it turns imagination into something you can actually touch.

🌾 Oklahoma – The land of stories

Rural, soulful, deeply American

Oklahoma  feels like the true heart of Route 66. It’s long and open, filled with stories painted on barns and hearts alike. 

In  Tulsa  and  Oklahoma City , motels glow in red and turquoise, old diners serve coffee strong enough to fuel a thousand miles, and strangers still draw you maps by hand — not because you asked, but because that’s how kindness works here. 

I still remember Blaine Davis in  Catoosa , telling us about his family and the  Blue Whale  with a sparkle in his eyes, or Pauletta Clawson and Dan Presley , volunteers at the  Route 66 Historical Village , welcoming us like old friends.  They didn’t treat us as visitors — they made us feel part of the Route 66 family.

That’s Oklahoma: open roads, open hearts, and the unmistakable feeling that here, kindness is a tradition as old as the Mother Road itself .

🏜️ Texas – Big skies and bold flavors

Pride, flavor, and a touch of humor

Texas  makes its presence known the moment you cross the state line. The sky stretches endlessly, the road turns straight as a ruler, and colors sharpen under the sun. We stopped at  Cadillac Ranch  to leave our spray-painted mark, ate way too much at the  Big Texan Steak Ranch , and watched the horizon fade from gold to violet.

Halfway through Texas came a moment every Route 66 traveler waits for — the  Midpoint . Standing by that sign in  Adrian , knowing we were exactly halfway between Chicago and Santa Monica, I felt an unexpected rush — joy, disbelief, and the quiet pride of realizing how far we’d come. You don’t just see the midpoint; you feel it. You’re in the middle of America , in the middle of your dream, in the heart of all eight states .

I’d always heard that everything’s bigger in Texas — and that Texans see themselves as Texans first, Americans second — but I hadn’t realized how true that was until I got there. From the giant pickup trucks to the huge food portions and massive flags, everything radiates pride. And one small thing that still makes me smile? At breakfast, in a motel, I made myself a waffle shaped like the state of Texas . Somehow, it tasted like pure joy — crisp, warm, and unmistakably Texan .

It’s loud, proud, and unforgettable — like Texas itself.

🏞️ New Mexico – Culture meets desert

Adobe towns, sacred colors, open skies

In  New Mexico , Route 66 turns spiritual. The light feels ancient here — golden dust floating above adobe walls and turquoise doors. 

Santa Fe ,  Albuquerque ,  Tucumcari … each town hums with art, food, and tradition. This is where Native roots, Hispanic rhythm, and Route 66 nostalgia blend into something timeless. 

At dusk, when the neon buzzes to life, you feel you’re driving through a living painting.

🌵 Arizona – The heart of the Southwest

Red rocks, wild legends, and open horizons

Arizona  hits differently — it’s where the desert finally opens its arms. Here, every curve of the road feels alive, shifting with color and light.

Somewhere between  Winslow  and  Flagstaff , the world changed. Even now, if I close my eyes, I can feel that moment again — the warmth fading from my skin, the first chill of mountain air, the faint scent of pine drifting through the car. I couldn’t believe it — still in Arizona, yet it felt like another world.

Then the road descended again, the forests thinning, the sun reclaiming the horizon. We followed the old road from  Seligman  to  Kingman  and  Oatman , through ghost towns and giant skies. 

From the edge of the  Grand Canyon  to the red rocks of  Sedona , this state feels carved by time itself. Every mile glows under the sun, and at sunset the whole land turns to fire. No photo, no word, no souvenir can ever truly hold it.

🌴 California – The finish line

Desert to ocean, endings that feel like beginnings

Crossing into  California  felt like a long, quiet sigh — the last stretch, the last sunrise on the road. Between  Needles  and  Barstow , the asphalt shimmered with heat — mirages wavering on the horizon, freight trains echoing through the stillness, and ghost towns like  Calico  keeping watch. The Mojave wasn’t something you looked at — it was something you felt on your skin.

Then, little by little, the air shifted: a faint coolness, a hint of salt that made us roll the windows down. 

At the  Cucamonga Service Station , that small canary-yellow building pulsed with life — laughter, stories, the kind of joy only a road like this can hold. It looked modest from the outside, but inside it felt as if the whole Route 66 had gathered in one room. 

And then, finally, the ocean. The  Santa Monica Pier , the breeze lifting our sleeves, the scent of salt, sunscreen, and sun-warmed wood; at sunset, the sky melted into copper and gold. 

I touched the  End of the Trail sign  and felt my throat tighten — more than 2,448 miles across eight states . The road had ended, but something in me had just begun.

❤️ Eight States, One Story - Where the Road Becomes Memory

Route 66 isn’t just a line on the map — it’s eight stories stitched together by dust, neon, and dreams. Each state adds a voice, a flavor, a color. Whether you drive it all or just a stretch, the road changes you. It teaches patience, curiosity, and the quiet art of wonder. And when you finally reach the ocean, you realize something simple but powerful: you didn’t just cross America — America crossed you. Now you are part of the history of Route 66 and all its states.