Route 66 Road Trip: San Francisco to San Francisco

Yosemite National Park is famous for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient sequoias. This is a place that demands awe, and if you have enough time, don’t miss a hike to Glacier Point for an unbeatable view of Half Dome and the Yosemite Valley below, both of which act as an incredible contrast to the urban setting of San Francisco.

Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake that is over a million years old, and it makes for one of the most surreal stops on your journey. Its most famous features are the tufa towers, which are bizarre, spiky limestone formations emerging from the lakebed. There are also some excellent birdwatching opportunities here, especially for anyone who is interested in the migratory species that rely on the lake for food.

Known for its Joshua trees, mountains, and expansive sand dunes, Mojave National Reserve is a stark yet stunning contrast to the lush landscapes of California you’ve seen up until now. While you’re here, make sure you visit the Kelso Dunes, where you can experience the phenomenon of singing sands, and the Kelso Depot Visitor Center, which will give you an insight into the area’s history and natural features.

Just 30 miles from Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel that needs to be seen to be believed. Completed in 1936, it tamed the Colorado River and provided both electricity and water to a vast portion of the Southwest, and visitors here can tour the dam itself or simply stand in awe at the overlook. You’ll also be able to see the equally impressive Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge from several lookouts.

Kingman is often refered to as “The Heart of Route 66”, and it’s a great place to stop if you want to soak in the history of the Mother Road. The Route 66 Museum here offers you a fantastic look back at the heydey of the highway, showcasing old cars, neon signs, and a wealth of information on the people who traveled this historic route.

Known for being instrumental in the preservation of Route 66’s legacy, Seligman is filled with memorabilia, vintage cars, and quirky shops. It’s also home to the iconic Snow Cap Drive-In, a must stop for a burger or a malt, and the town’s whimsical atmosphere, with its colorful signs and decor, makes it feel like a living museum of mid-century America.

As you head into Arizona, make a stop at Meteor Crate – one of the most well-preserved meteorite impact sites on Earth. Measuring nearly a mile across and 550 feet deep, this massive crater was formed around 50,000 years ago and visitors can walk the rim, take guided tours, and visit the onsite museum to learn more about the impact and its significance to planetary science.

Petrified Forest National Park is home to one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world, and as you walk among the ancient, fossilized trees that have turned into stone over millions of years, you really do feel as though you’re stepping back in time. You’re also offered incredible vistas of the Painted Desert here, with its layers of red, pink, and orange rock providing the opportunity to take some amazing photos.

Filled with adobe buildings, cobblestone streets, and a plethora of shops and galleries selling local crafts, Albuquerque’s Old Town is another must-visit on this leg of your journey. The centerpiece here is the San Felipe de Neri Church – a stunning building that has been in continuous use for over 300 years.

Tucumcari is an essential Route 66 stop, with its colorful murals and vintage neon signs that light up the night sky. This small New Mexico town once had over 2,000 motel rooms to choose from, and while that number has dwindled, you can still find several well-preserved examples of classic 1950s and 1960s architecture. The Blue Swallow Motel is perhaps the most famous, with a beautifully restored neon sign and classic cars parked out.

Marking the exact halfway point on Route 66, Midpoint Cafe is an unassuming roadside diner that serves up classic American fare and its famous “ugly crust” pies. No trip along Route 66 is complete without a visit here, not just for a slice of pie but to take a photo with the official midpoint sign that marks this milestone on your journey.

Just outside of Amarillo, you’ll find one of Route 66’s most iconic roadside attractions – Cadillac Ranch. This awesome site features ten Cadillacs half-buried nose-first into the Texas soil, and was created by an art collective in the 1970s as an ever-evolving piece of public art. Put simply, this means that visitors are encouraged to bring spray paint and leave their own mark on the cars!

This is one for the foodies! The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo is famous for its 72-ounce steak challenge – eat the entire meal, including the steak, within an hour, and it’s free. Don’t worry if you’re not up to the challenge, though, as the restaurant itself is well worth the visit for its over-the-top Western decor, which includes taxidermy, neon lights, and giant cowboy boots.

The U-Drop Inn in Shamrock is one of the most striking examples of Art Deco architecture along Route 66. Once a run-down gas station, it has been beautifully restored and a diner was attached in 1936, soon making it one of the historic route’s most popular landmarks. These days, it serves as a museum and visitor center, and offers a fascinating peep into the heydey of roadside architecture and travel culture.

Once you reach Oklahoma City, make sure you pay a visit to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, which houses an impressive collection of art, artifacts, and exhibits that tell the story of the cowboy, Native American culture, and Western expansion. Some of the most popular exhibits here include a replica frontier town and an interactive rodeo!

One of the most unique sights you’ll see along the road, The Round Barn was built in 1898 and its unusual shape was intended to help it withstand Oklahoma’s high winds. Naturally, over time, it deteriorated but it has since been restored to its former glory, and inside, you’ll find a museum showcasing local history and memorabilia from the early days of Route 66.

The Blue Whale of Cartoosa is another quirky roadside attraction you’ll find at this stage of your road trip, and it was built in the 1970s as an anniversary gift by local resident Hugh Davis. Visitors are welcome to climb this giant, smiling blue whale for a photograph, as well as explore the surrounding park and even fish in the pond.

The natural wonder that is the Meramec Caverns have become a Route 66 legend, as these limestone caves are believed to have been used as a hideout by notorious outlaw Jesse James! Today, you can take guided tours to explore their impressive formations, including towering stalactites, stalagmites, and underground lakes, all of which make for a fascinating geological experience.

The tallest man-made monument in the United States, St Louis’s Gateway Arch stands 630 feet tall, and visitors can take a tram to the top for stunning views of the city and the Mississippi River. While you’re here, take the time to visit the nearby Museum of Westward Expansion, where you’ll find exhibits that provide an insight to the historical context of the arch and the explorers who paved the way for America’s westward growth.

The Chain of Rocks Bridge is a former Route 66 bridge that spans the Mississippi River, and it’s unique shape is caused by the 22-degree bend in the middle that was necessary to avoid a natural rock formation in the river. Nowadays, the bridge is closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians and cyclists, so it’s a great way of stretching your legs and taking in some fascinating Route 66 history at the same time.

You simply cannot drive Route 66 without visiting the Route 66 Hall of Fame, which is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Mother Road. This museum houses a treasure trove of memorabilia, from vintage cars and road signs to detailed exhibits about the businesses and people that made Route 66 famous.

Not to be mistaken with the fictional home of The Simpsons, Springfield is best known as the home of Abraham Lincoln, and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site here preserves the only home Lincoln ever owned. Nearby, you can visit Lincoln’s tomb and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, where you’ll find an extensive collection of artifacts about his life and legacy, some of which offer a glimpse of how things were before he was awarded the presidency.

This beautifully-preserved small town has a history that dates back to the 19th century, and one of the most notable sites here include the Ulysses S. Grant Home, where the 18th President of the United States lived before the Civil War. Galena’s historic district is also filled with unique shops, art galleries, and restaurants, making it a great place to stop, stroll, and explore.

As you approach Salt Lake City, one of the most striking natural wonders you’ll encounter is the Bonneville Salt Flats. This vast, flat expanse of salt-covered ground stretches for miles, creating a stark and surreal landscape, which is often used as a location for land speed records as well as providing excellent photography opportunities.

Once you reach Salt Lake City, make a visit to the Salt Lake Temple – one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in the city. While the temple itself is only open to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the surrounding temple square is open to the public and offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere to unwind in after a long drive.

Just a short drive from the city, the Great Salt Lake is a natural wonder that you should definitely visit. The lakes high salinity makes it easy to float in the water, and you are able to put on your swimsuit and take to the water for a truly unique swimming experience. Or, if you’d prefer to stay dry, the surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and photography.

As you near Reno, make a stop at Lake Tahoe, a famous alpine lake known for its clear blue waters and surrounding pine forests. There are many activities you can enjoy here, including boating, swimming, and skiing in the winter months.

Once of the richest cities in America during the silver boom of the mid-1800s, Virginia City is now a living museum where you can walk along the wooden boardwalk, explore the historic saloons, and visit the many museums that tell the story of the Comstock Lode and the people who lived here.

Donner Lake, near Truckee in California, is a peaceful spot surrounded by pine forests and mountains. The lake here is a great place to stop for a picnic or cool off with a swim in the hot summer months, and it’s also a location steeped in history, as it was near here that the ill-fated Donner Party became stranded in the winter of 1846-1847. You can visit the nearby Donner Memorial State Park while you’re here to learn more about this tragic chapter in American history.

No trip to San Francisco would be completed without crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, which spans the Golden Gate Strait and is a symbol of the city. It’s also one of the most photographed locations in the world, and whether you drive over it or stop at one of the scenic viewpoints, it’s a fitting way to end your journey along Route 66.

Cruising along Route 66 in a campervan is about more than just covering miles – it’s about creating memories at every bend in the road, and with Travellers Autobarn, you can enjoy the freedom to take detours, soak in those panoramic sunsets, and stop wherever your heart desires. And, with unlimited miles as standard, your Route 66 adventure can be as spontaneous and flexible as you want it to be. So, get ready to hit the open road and let your next great adventure begin!

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