Route 66 trip suggestions ?

[John Phillips]

I’m doing the entire Route 66 with two other guys next year, April 2024. Hoping to take the FFR Roadster, but older Z4 Roadster is my backup. I’m trying to get an idea of car guy stuff to see or do on the trip, including any cool car museums, race shops, or fun driving roads that are twisty and uncrowded. No ideas yet on food or lodging. We’ll be starting in Chicago. Any ideas, experiences, or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. John P

[kgkeys]

Pops is not really a "car place" but always draws cool cars. They've got decent food and an endless selection of sodas.

https://pops66.com/

The Arcadia Round Barn is nearby and makes a cool photo-op, as well.

https://arcadiaroundbarn.com/

Kyle

[Joel Hauser]

The Wigwam Motel Located On Old Route 66 In Holbrook, Arizona. https://sleepinawigwam.com/ It is very close to Petrified forest National Park, and not far from the Grand Canyon. There is almost too much to see in Arizona.

[mikeinatlanta]

My suggestion is to buy at least two different guide books. Second is don't get too wrapped up in trying to find the actual old route. It can consume considerable time just finding some of it.

[R. Button]

You want the "feel" what it was like to travel the old Rt 66 stop in Tucumcari, NM at the Blue Swallow Motel where they leave the garage door open for you! The motel will remind you of what it was like to travel the old road in the vehicles they had back in the 30's!
https://blueswallowmotel.com/

[wrp]

I enjoy the Oklahoma Stretch. Haven’t done the entire trip but have visited the strip between Oklahoma City and Tulsa a number of times. Between Oklahoma City and Tulsa there are already a few good mentions above. Personally, I wouldn’t get overwrought in the specific automobile only related attractions. There is a ton of stuff to enjoy. Did you know that Al Capone was influential in the decision to extend and expand the road? Prior to the route it was tough to drive trucks loaded with whiskey out west from Illinois because the off road ish conditions made it hard to transport anything glass. The original road was forged through in 1926, but in 1928 they came back and straightened it. That left sections of the road cut off by the straight highway. There are a number of these orphaned remnants that cut off of the current route and that join back after a piece. Many homes were along the original route and the old road serves as a service roads. I think I show some examples in this video. I’r recommend you review the movie, “The Grapes of Wrath” before finalizing your plans. Much of the movie was shot along route 66 and there are still some features from that movie available and they make great backdrops for pictures. In Oklahoma at least you will see many car clubs and groups traveling the route.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOi83YMFbaY&t=83s

[wrp]

Some photos.

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[CaptB]

Lucilles in Weatherford, OK

https://lucillesroadhouse.com/

It's not the original one but it is a pretty darn good stop.

[Al_C]

We did as much of the road as possible between 4 corners (AZ, UT, CO and NM) and Chicago. In many places the old road is marked; in others it parallels or is replaced by the interstate. Carhenge is fun in Texas (if it hasn't rusted away yet). There are so many great places to see - you may end up taking more time than you planned! There's a great museum in Pontiac, IL, and several old service stations (O'Dell, Springfield, etc.) I second the idea of getting a couple of guidebooks.

[PointmanUSMC]

Hey John close to Chicago in Volo Illinois is a decent car museum. Volo Auto Museum. If that's your jump off point. They also sell classics on the side. As you make your way south in my home town Springfield Illinois on route 66 you may stop in for a bite to eat at Motorheads off 55 south. Toronto Road Exit. Motorheads is a great place for brew and during the warmer months tons of locals car and bike clubs hit the place up. Sometimes live music etc. They have nice decor on the inside racing and classics. Bikes cars etc. Usual pub food items not sure I have come across anything special yet. There is always OBed and Isaac's micro brewery restaurant downtown Springfield near the Abraham Lincoln Home. Few more upscale places to eat if those don't interest you. Not a car museum but near Springfield is New Salem. On a warm day it's a nice short walk through a recreation of early settlers days. Log cabin homes blacksmith shops and stores. More Lincoln History stuff. Also downtown Springfield is the Abraham Lincoln Museum. If you make your way to Springfield on Sept 22 they have the Route 66 Mother road car show downtown Springfield. Weather permitting that is always a huge turnout.

https://66motorheads.com/

P.S.
Almost forgot Cozy Dog. Little hole in the wall local place that was on the original route 66 on 5th-6th street on edge of town. Corn dogs fries burgers but like many places not the same as it once was. I remember the original building from younger days. I don't mind going there on occasion for nostalgia. I still see folks on occasion taking selfies near the sign. Met a nice couple from England there once having lunch when I showed up with a couple Ducati friends. Their goal was also to travel the mother road on motorcycles. We chatted up for a while about their bikes and travel plans.

[Al_C]

Yes! Cozy Dog! Definitely go there. There was also Bill Shea's museum in an old Texaco station in Springfield. Don't know if that's still around. If it is, it's full of interesting old gas station stuff.

[JimLev]

Last week our NM car club drove out to the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, https://www.route66automuseum.net/ very close to the old Rt 66 Russell's truck stop museum in Glen Rio, NM that R. Button mentioned.
http://www.russellsttc.com/

In Albuquerque there is the Unser Racing Museum.
Lots of great driving mountainous roads here in NM.
You said your backup was a Z4, as in a BMW Z4?

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Unser Museum
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[John Phillips]

Jimlev, a few years ago a wounded 2007 Z4 convert followed me home really cheap. It runs nice, only about 85,000 miles now, so that’s my backup plan. Hoping to have my Mk4 FFR done & painted & road tested by next April for this trip.

[John Phillips]

You guys are great! Thanks for all the info & suggestions. I’ll get on it, & forward this thread to my traveling companions to get them inspired too. I’m really not much of a planner, but this should be totally doable. Thanks again for sharing your ideas.

[John Phillips]

Ralph, I’ll take your travel advice any day!!! I just ran across the artwork we used for our Stooges Tour T-shirts in 2001. My shirt is long gone, but the memories of the trip are as vivid as ever! Thanks my friend. 181914181915

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

There is a good car museum on the old 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico