Route 66

[justaspade]

Hello all. My wife and I were thinking about a road trip since I have vacation saved up. She mentioned taking the Camaro on the route 66 from Chicago, since we're in Ohio to possible LA to the end and back. I know it is a long trip, but I am curious if anyone else has done the haul. What are the roads like? Would it be wise to leave the camaro at the house and use the family mobile. There would not be any kids or dogs this time around as they have a place to go during the trip. I pulled up some youtube videos and some of the roads are off the beaten path it seems. Any insight and forewarning would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Scalded Dog]

I'm most familiar with the Southern CA end of it. Much of the desert route (from a little north of San Bernardino, and northeast) essentially parallels Interstates. Rte. 66 is not always well maintained... there are sections out in the desert that seem to be more pothole than pavement, and it becomes sort of a speed control device. No matter what vehicle I am in, I don't like to go over 50 MPH on certain desert sections.

However... I could never recommend leaving the Camaro at home, as long as it's got the room for your passengers and cargo. Nothing better than a roadtrip in a Camaro, especially for a nostalgia tour like a Rte. 66 venture. If you do find the roads a little rough in places, you can always (a) take it a little slower (not my preferred solution), or (b) run along the parallel Interstates. It's still essentially the same route, you'll see the same things, and Rte. 66 will be in your sight... so it counts as Rte. 66!

[justaspade]

Sounds simple enough. I have not been west of Vegas, but never on R66. We both thought it would be a good time with the Camaro, I am just leery about trying new things in the car like 2400 mile road trips to places I've never been. the 2010 camaro has 26000 miles and has been maintained so that is a relief? What is the temperature like this time of year. I hear horror stories about overheating and such, but I would think that today's cars should be able to maintain if your basic maintenance is good, tires and fluids.

Again, thanks for the input.

[Scalded Dog]

Originally Posted by justaspade

Sounds simple enough. I have not been west of Vegas, but never on R66. We both thought it would be a good time with the Camaro, I am just leery about trying new things in the car like 2400 mile road trips to places I've never been. the 2010 camaro has 26000 miles and has been maintained so that is a relief? What is the temperature like this time of year. I hear horror stories about overheating and such, but I would think that today's cars should be able to maintain if your basic maintenance is good, tires and fluids.

Again, thanks for the input.

I can't imagine any problems with your Camaro... my 2011 has 73,000 miles, I crank the AC and make frequent trips to Vegas and back, often at very high speeds (I'm not admitting to anything, but I will say that I happen to have pretty good intel that confirms that even at triple digits, both speed and ambient temp, the car performs like a champ). I would not hesitate for a second about taking it on the trip you are planning.

Temps this time of year can be high... desert temps, especially Nevada and SoCal Desert, can run as high as 120, from now through September or so. Typical is more like 90 - 100 degrees. However, I assure you, you will be comfy and cool inside your car. Some prefer to drive the desert roads at night, to at least avoid the heat of direct sunlight, but, there are times when nighttime lows don't fall below 100, as the pavement and earth bake all day, releasing that heat right back atcha during the night. The sprints from car to gas station restroom, casino entrance, or restaurant will let you briefly taste the heat, but other than that, it'll be a piece of cake.

[69supersport396]

The condition of RT 66 varies here in AZ. For the most part, the road is in good condition in Flagstaff and west of Flagstaff. Williams and Flagstaff embrace being RT 66 towns and have much to offer and see, too much to list here. There are many other towns along this stretch that may interest you. For the most part, it is continuous.

East of Flagstaff, the actual road is not continuous. You'll have to drive on Interstate 40 in some areas. There are some RT 66 points of interest along the interstate that you can check out. The pavement condition varies along this stretch.

Joseph City has the Jack Rabbit Trading Post and a small stretch of RT 66. Sometimes there is neat stuff in there, sometimes there is not. This is the sight of the iconic yellow sign with HERE IT IS on it. Winslow is a small rail road town that has a few shops and a famous corner you can stand on. Holbrook is a neat place that is bigger (not by much) than Winslow. If you want to spend the night at the Wig Wam in Holbrook, you will need to make reservations. From what I am told, they sell out almost every night. We stayed the night once. Not a bad place, but it is not modern.

July through September is monsoon season in AZ, and the high country can get pounded with rain from time to time. Listen to the weather station on XM, if you still subscribe.

[ChrisBlair]

If you plan to motor west
forget it, somebody will complain

[Scalded Dog]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

If you plan to motor west
Travel my way, take the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66
It winds from Chicago to L.A.
More than 2000 miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66
You'll see St. Louis,
Joplin Missouri,
Oklahoma City looking mighty pretty
You'll see Amarillo, Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff Arizona, don't forget Winona
Barstow, Reno, San Bernardino
Get hip to this timely tip
When you take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66

They musta moved either Reno or Route 66... pretty sure they don't share any real estate! And if I don't run through Kingman, I'll feel cheated!

[ChrisBlair]

I know how to fix that

[dianeokie]

I'm from Oklahoma and it's pretty similar to what they were saying. Some of Rt 66 isn't there any more, but you can take I-40 for the parts that aren't drivable. There are lots of cool places on Rt 66. Make sure to stop at the round barn in Arcadia Ok and stop at Pops also (although it wasn't there when it was Rt 66). I've been on parts of it in MO and I drove some of it back from the Hot Rod Power Tour and there's a neat museum in Pontiac, IL as well as one in Barstow, CA. There's also a drive in of Rt 66 near Barstow. I'd buy a guide, that will help you to identify places you can follow the route. I envy you!

[sticks88]

I was also planning on doing a sort of route 66. I have a sis-in-law in California and from there I was going to continue on up to Victoria B.C. To much going on this year so it will have to be next.

[justaspade]

Thanks for all the input. We ordered a couple of r66 books for landmarks and dining and such. We'll be venturing out that way starting in St Louis to and we'll see where we end up or maybe the whole way. Just depends on how many times the wife wants me to stop. Wish us luck. Thanks again.