Route 66: Las Vegas to California

In this article, I’m going to take you on one of my most enjoyable trips along an amazing route. Just to be clear, I’m not promising that you’ll find “everything” about the Route 66 experience here. This route is quite long - approximately 3,940 km - and not something you can complete in one go. I’ll be sharing the section I chose, including a detailed one-week plan, highlighting the best moments and experiences. Let’s get started.

Kingman Route66 Visitor Center

First, a bit of history… Route 66’s foundation is based on the National Old Trails Highway and railroad lines built between 1913 and 1926. At that time, these roads were used for mail delivery, trade, and westward migration. To create a modern highway network connecting the Midwestern states of America to California on the West Coast and support economic development, Route 66 was officially opened in 1926. Stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, this road was repaved over most of the old routes and quickly became an iconic symbol of America’s road trip culture.

Kingman Route66 Visitor Center

On the Arizona and New Mexico route, the road starts from Needles and continues through Kingman, Seligman, Williams, Flagstaff, Tolchaco, Holbrook, and Gallup. Kingman was a critical stop in the 1930s for the maintenance and operation of the road; Seligman stands out as a nostalgic stop, preserving the spirit of classic Route 66 towns. Williams and Flagstaff offer important points for both accommodation and Grand Canyon tourism. Holbrook and Gallup, with their nostalgic motels, historic gas stations, and structures reflecting migration culture, still capture the spirit of the journey; however, they are less known compared to other towns on the tourist route.

Kingman Route66 Visitor Center

Although Route 66 lost its official highway status in 1985 with the expansion of the interstate system, it continues to live on as an iconic symbol of freedom, exploration, and American road culture.

America road trip

Day One: Las Vegas

Your first task is to quickly pick up the car you rented. We’re extremely excited; the American road trip we’ve dreamed of for years and planned for months is about to begin! Regarding the car, an open-top Mustang lets you fully experience the American dream. Still, regardless of the model, my recommendation is to choose a red one, in line with the spirit of the land of freedom, America; that way, you can truly make the most of the exciting road adventure ahead of you :)

The second thing to do – keeping in mind that you will likely experience a time difference of a few hours based on the local time of the place you arrived – is not to rest, but to make good use of your time! There’s a lot to see in this seemingly small city. Especially if you plan a casino visit, you’ll need even more time. To recharge, head straight to the nearest In-N-Out branch. As I’ve said, even though it doesn’t exist outside the US, it’s a great option that sits somewhere between Five Guys and Bleecker Burger in taste, and it’s very affordable.

After your meal, you can start exploring this city that feels like a giant amusement park: stroll along the hotels on The Strip, watch the famous Fountain Show, enjoy the lights and performances on Fremont Street, explore The Sphere, and of course, don’t forget to take a photo with the iconic Las Vegas sign.

Las Vegas New York Hotel

Day Two: Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon

We set off very early from Las Vegas in the morning and grabbed our morning coffee at one of those famous gas stations which, for anyone living outside the US, is an experience in itself. First, you pay, then you pump your own gas. As soon as you hit the road, the slow pace and the calm atmosphere relax you; before you know it, four hours have passed without even noticing on the seemingly endless roads.

Our first stop in the Grand Canyon area is Horseshoe Bend; a short walk takes you to the viewpoint. What follows is pure awe: I remember standing there, motionless, completely captivated. To save time, we set off for our Lower Antelope Canyon tour, for which we had a reservation at noon. Thanks to our expert guide’s detailed video explanations, we really internalized this incredible natural wonder, including the formation processes of the canyons. Our guide also mentions that this area has become extremely popular over the last 10 years thanks to Instagram; we’re not surprised… Of course, having seen Petra, Lower Antelope didn’t have the same impact on me. You can use this time to explore an entrance of the Grand Canyon, or, if your schedule allows, enjoy each site separately to the fullest.

Horseshoe Bend

Day Three: Williams - Seligman - Kingman - Joshua Tree

We stayed the previous night in Seligman, but I’m detailing each of these places under separate headings for clarity.

Williams is closer to the Grand Canyon and feels like a small Wild West town. You can see plenty of souvenir shops with sheriff statues out front, or dozens of gas stations with swinging wooden doors, as if cowboys might step out any moment. Before leaving, we stop at Pine Country Restaurant to enjoy a classic American pot roast with baked potato.

Pine Country Restaurant - Williams

Seligman, coming after Williams, is a quieter town that pulls you away from the cowboy-town vibe and where souvenir shops aren’t all clustered together. It feels like stepping into an American motel movie, and it’s precisely because of these motels that it’s my favorite town. As you drive along, you’ll pass motels and auto repair shops on both sides, and you’ll have the chance to observe locals going about their daily lives.

Aztec Motel - Seligman

On the way from Seligman to Joshua Tree, we stop in Kingman during the day. The town is best known for the Route 66 Museum (Visitor Center), which showcases America’s iconic highway culture, particularly the history and impact of Route 66. The museum is divided into several sections: one part tells the story of the road’s development through historical documents and photographs (some of the photos I used in the history section at the beginning come from here); another section offers a nostalgic journey with classic cars and period gas stations; and a final area shares the stories of local people and the history of old hotels.

Kingman Visitor Center

We slowly leave the small-town area and head toward Joshua Tree, where we’ll be staying overnight. We chose this location to experience staying among cacti in a desert setting. Just south of the area is a National Park where you can see Saguaro cacti; if you like, you can drive an additional three hours to visit it, or, like us, make do with the other cacti visible around the town and spend the rest of your time exploring the old American pubs in the center. We watch 60-, 70-, and even 80-year-old men with dyed hair socializing over a beer, looking like a scene straight out of a movie set.

Joshua Tree

Day Four: Joshua Tree to Los Angeles

We set off toward the glittering world of Hollywood, taking in the scenery around Joshua Tree. You’re in the last two hours of driving, soaking up the desert and the charm of iconic old towns one final time.

Los Angeles

Arriving in Los Angeles, we start with the central Union Station and El Pueblo, then wander through the city’s less-glamorous neighborhoods. Next, we explore Beverly Hills, the Walk of Fame, Dolby Theatre, Universal Studios, and the multi-million-dollar mansions of celebrities. I also recommend spending time at The Broad and LACMA, two of the city’s leading modern art museums; I plan to cover these in detail in another article.

Beverly Hills 

Days Five and Six: Exploring the Coastal Towns of Los Angeles – Santa Barbara and Carmel-by-the-Sea

Let me start by saying, you could easily spend days just on this route. We followed a packed schedule, visiting Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, El Matador, and finally Santa Barbara. Santa Monica is also where the western end of Route 66 finishes. Don’t forget to take a farewell photo here.

Santa Monica

Santa Barbara is a peaceful and romantic coastal town; in almost every restaurant you visit, you can see couples gazing into each other’s eyes, hand in hand. You can take a walk along its palm-lined, sprawling beach, enjoy meals at local restaurants, taste wines, and shop at small boutiques. If you stay at least one night, you’ll get a better sense of the town’s unique charm.

Santa Barbara

Carmel-by-the-Sea is located at the northern end of this coastal route, just before reaching San Francisco. It also boasts a stunning coastline. Highlights include staying overnight and enjoying brunch at local restaurants with regional wine, starting the day with a morning swim, or shopping at local boutiques in the late afternoon.

Carmel by the Sea

Days Seven and Eight: Bonus San Francisco

After an amazing week, we head from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Francisco and first return our rental car.

San Francisco

This city, located off Route 66, should be on your list as a bonus experience. You can enjoy San Francisco for two days, strolling Lombard Street , riding the historic, iconic streetcars , seeing the Painted Ladies , spending time in Fisherman's Wharf , wandering around North Beach (Little Italy) , exploring Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District , taking in the views from Twin Peaks , and enjoying delicious experiences in Chinatown . I'd also like to make a note here: San Francisco Chinatown is the best Chinatown I've seen in terms of originality and quality; I highly recommend anyone who's passing through to spend a few hours here and eat. Also, don't forget to add SFMOMA , America's iconic modern art museum, to your list and check your shopping list one last time before you return.