Discover Route 66 and be enchanted by the beauty of the road!
Do you know or at least have heard about the famous Route 66? The road certainly needs to be on your travel itinerary. It is unacceptable for you to go to the United States and not drive along the route. Besides all the history that surrounds it, the beauty of the highway looks truly enchanting.
Renting a car for the trip is the best option to be able to venture on the amazing and extensive road. There are many places to visit along the way and precautions to be taken. Want to know more about the history of Route 66? Keep following this post and check it out!
The history of Rota 66
Built in 1920, Route 66 is a historic landmark name in the United States. And we need to talk about some important points in the history of the lovely Route 66 - after all, you can't go there without first knowing a little about the road!
By 1940, the highway was known as America's Main Street because it encompassed several cities along its length. Many movies featured this route in their scripts as backdrops, further increasing its fame.
In addition, the road was a symbol of freedom, the youth of the time, between the 50s and 60s, attracted many people with their hippie culture to travel the route, spreading myths and other realities about the road. With its neon signs and very eye-catching sculptures, the route was synonymous with experiencing something unusual!
However, it started to be overtaken by interstate highways and began to disappear from the map, even ceasing to exist at some of its points, and started to be used as a secondary route.
When the road was falling into oblivion, small towns started to get together in order to resurrect this route and make it a desired destination for everyone again, in order to attract more tourists to these towns again! And it was an attitude that worked and, today, the route still has 85% of its current route!
And to enjoy a great trip, preparation is essential! Check back later: Get ready for the best USA road trip of your life!
The size of Route 66
The route begins in Chicago, Illinois, and continues to Los Angeles, California. On the route between the two states, the highway also passes through the states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona.
During the passage along the route, you can see the Grand Canyon, the St. Monica beach, and also have contact with different indigenous communities that concentrate around there. Incredible, isn't it?
The average time to cross it completely is 51 hours. That is, almost two days to cross a single highway. Quite a long time, isn't it? Imagine, then, the length of the road - more precisely, 3,945 kilometers.
Check it out: Meet the most beautiful roads in the US
5 tips to make the best of the route:
We know that when we go on a trip it is always necessary to have a travel plan, to know the exact mileage - which, as we have seen, is quite extensive! Check what landing stops, restaurants and sights you will find on the way. And since this is a very long car trip, some tips are very valuable:
1. Cautions for driving in the region
As with any place you are unfamiliar with, you need to take some precautions when driving in the region. Remember the size of the route before you simply "hit" the road. So here are some tips for you.
2. Have a map at hand
Having an up-to-date map that shows all the points and sections of the highway is essential. You will need one. There are some very long stretches that can cause confusion.
Moreover, the use of apps can help you a lot in this mission, we have separated a post to help you and show you which are the best travel apps!
3. Fill the tank
Before venturing onto Route 66, make sure that the car's tank is full. The road is immense and it can take a long time to get to a gas station.
4. Drive with caution
The American traffic, in general, is usually quite calm when compared to other places. But it is important to be calm and responsible. Keep your distance from the vehicle in front and drive slowly.
5. Set the stops
Defining your stops before hitting the road is undoubtedly necessary, study which places are on the route. Check the available ratings of the place so you won't regret it, check the menus and the means of accommodation, and of course, the times that the places are open.
Where to stop and where to stay?
There is no shortage of roadside hotels and restaurants. The Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, is one of the most famous places to stay on the highway and has been visited by major celebrities. But that is not all. There is also the Willis Tower in Chicago, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, and other incredible places to fall in love with and want to return to the United States very soon.
We have seen that Route 66 is a tourist spot in the United States, and that it features several points that you can visit throughout the country, but that you need certain precautions to travel and not to miss some precautions! Including a good car to make this trip!
To visit all these places, you will need a good car. At Happy Tours, you can find great car rental conditions and make your trip much more enjoyable!
