How to organize your Route 66 motorcycle road trip?
Who hasn’t dreamed of crossing the United States from one end to the other, at the wheel of a big car, along the legendary Route 66? This mythical road still occupies a special place in the collective imagination, and driving it is like traveling back in time. Even though the road officially no longer exists, it still attracts as many tourists as ever, in search of wide open spaces and the essence of the American dream.
Route 66: a little history
Also known as the Main Street of America, Route 66 is one of the historic routes of the U.S. Highway System. Opened to traffic on November 11, 1926, it crosses the United States from the southeast to the west coast, from Chicago to Santa Monica, covering a distance of over 3,900 km.
Route 66 became famous in the 1930s, when it was used mainly by people migrating west, especially during the Dust Bowl migration wave. At the time, people doing business along the route, such as hotel and restaurant owners, became extremely prosperous. During the Second World War, the road became even more popular, due to the intense traffic generated by the movement of troops and military equipment.
In the 50s, Route 66 was the preferred route for vacationers heading to the Los Angeles area and the great national parks. This effervescence gave rise to the invention of a pillar of American culture, the fast-food restaurant. The Red Giant Hamburg in Springfield, Missouri, became the first drive-in restaurant, and the first McDonald’s opened in San Bernardino, California.
These changes and developments give Route 66 a special aura, reflecting the perfect microcosm of American society, where everything revolves around the automobile.
How do you choose your motorcycle and when is the best time for a road trip?
Roadtrips are synonymous with means of locomotion. In our case, the means of transport we’re interested in is the motorcycle. Bringing your own motorcycle from another continent by plane or boat is out of the question, as the cost is prohibitive, not to mention insurance problems.
The best solution is to rent a motorcycle directly from a local agency in the U.S., or to take a tailor-made trip, accompanied by a guide. Several companies offer rental services. Of course, you’ll need a motorcycle license. Some motorcycle rental companies require you to have an international license.
In most cases, you can pick up your bike at point A and return it to point B without any problem.
You can play the American biker card and choose a Harley Davidson Chopper for your adventure. Bear in mind, however, that you’ll be doing a lot of driving, and if you plan to follow the whole itinerary, that means you’ll be averaging 250 to 350 km a day. You need to take this into account when choosing your motorcycle. Perhaps you’ll reconsider your choice and go for a road bike, like a Gold Wing for example.
Motorcycle rentals range from $2,500 to $3,500, for 14 days, if you pick up the bike in Chicago and return it in Los Angeles. Rates drop if you take more days or travel in a group. It’s a good idea to take a few extra options, such as breakdown assistance, in case of a breakdown or flat tire in the middle of a desert area.
A word of advice to travelers: if you want to save money on your rental, take the route from west to east. As most people travel the opposite way, rental companies charge lower rates if you take the bike back to the east coast.
As you’re about to embark on your motorcycle road trip, the weather plays a vital role in the enjoyment you’re going to experience. Nobody likes riding in the rain or on a completely frozen road. The period from May to September is the best time for your trip to the USA. Route 66 crosses 6 climatic zones, so avoid winter at all costs, or you risk encountering very harsh travel conditions.
Note that desert temperatures in July and August can reach 45° Celsius. For all these reasons, we advise you to plan your Route 66 motorcycle trip around May and June, for optimum weather conditions (although you’ll need to pack a little wool when crossing the rocky mountains).
Planning your Route 66 road trip
Route 66 crosses a total of 8 American states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The route begins in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica. If you plan to follow the entire route, with stops at major attractions, you’ll need at least 14 days to cross all 8 states. However, it is possible to shorten your journey and bypass certain sections by taking the interstate highways.
Before hitting the road, it’s important to understand that the purpose of this journey is not necessarily the final destination, but rather the time spent on the road itself. Driving along Route 66 is an invitation to discover and immerse yourself in American culture, retracing the steps once taken by millions in search of a better life.
Many attractions take place along Route 66, but one of the greatest pleasures is simply to eat or sleep along the way, in restaurants and motels that look like they’re straight out of a 50s movie. When passing through Newberry Springs, California, be sure to stop off at the Bagdad café.
Many old-fashioned shops are no longer open today, and some neglected stretches give the impression of passing through ghost towns.
The beauty of a motorcycle ride is that you can admire the majestic scenery all around you. One of the most incredible sights in the American West, along Route 66, is undoubtedly the Grand Canyon and Death Valley. The breathtaking scenery stretches as far as the eye can see. It involves a little detour from the original route, but it’s clearly worth it. While you’re there, plan a tour of the Navajo Reservation.
If you prefer big American cities, a stopover in Las Vegas seems the obvious choice. Riding a motorcycle along the strip is an experience like no other in the world, and Sin City offers every possible leisure activity for relaxing after a long day on the road.
We hope you’ll find these tips useful, and that you’ll return from your Route 66 road trip with plenty of memories. We wish you a safe journey.