Take a Road Trip Down Route 66

June 28, 2019

Traveling Route 66 is the perfect all American road trip! Historic Route 66 spans over 2,400 miles and crosses 8 states starting in Chicago, Illinois and ending in Santa Monica, California. Here at Fort Wood Hotels, we are proud to be a part of this historic highway going right through Waynesville, Mo! Have you always wanted to go on a Route 66 road trip? Today, our hotel in St. Robert, Mo has a guide for traveling Route 66 below!

Brief History of Route 66

Route 66 is a historic highway that originated in 1926 when folks were trying to escape the dust bowl and head to California seeking a better life during the great depression. During this time diners, gas stations, tourist attractions, and motels sprung up which is what created the culture of this popular highway. Today, many Americans travel this iconic route during family vacations and road trips. The route is no longer signed as Route 66, however, more than 80% of the original route can still be driven on and many Americans and even people out of the country travel along this highway for vacations.

Stops Along Route 66!

As we mentioned early, Historic Route 66 runs through eight states and there is a lot to see and do along the way! The states Route 66 go through include Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Today, our hotel along route 66 in Missouri would like to break down each state and provide you with a must-see attraction for each state!

Illinois

If you're planning on starting at the beginning of Route 66, you have to take a picture at the beginning road sign located at Jackson Boulevard at Michigan Avenue. Of course, if you're starting in California, you can do the same there.

Missouri

It just so happens that Fort Wood Hotels is located along Route 66! While you are in town, you have to visit the Route 66 Courthouse Museum!

Route 66 Courthouse Museum

The Courthouse Museum located along Historic Route 66. The 1903 Courthouse Museum is open to visitors on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., April through September. A guided tour through the George Lane Room, Homestead Room, Settler's Room, Military Room, Leonard Wood room, Schoolhouse Room, Courtroom, Photography/Medical Room and Trail of Tears Room is available -- or you can explore at your leisure. The Gift Shop features Route 66 souvenirs, 1903 Courthouse T-shirts, historical publications, postcards, and knick-knacks- including frog themed items.

Stay at Liberty Lodge

The Liberty Lodge is the right choice for visitors who are searching for a combination of charm, modest rates. It is a cozy, comfortable hotel located right on the Historic Route 66 near Fort Leonard Wood. Liberty Lodge originally opened as a Ramada Inn in 1959 and is one of the last original hotels on Route 66 in St. Robert Missouri. You will be delightfully impressed with our notable ‘66 rooms on Route 66’, all modern, clean and comfortable rooms making us the best stop on the Mother Road.

Kansas

Kansas is the shortest portion of Route 66 with only 13 miles passing through three small towns, Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs. You can stop at the Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, an authentic 75-year old store. The store was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. While you are traveling through Kansas you can also eat at the nostalgic Angels - a route 66 diner, see Brush Creek Bridge - the only original surviving bridge of its kind along Route 66. These are just a few of the many attractions to see along Route 66 in Kansas.

Oklahoma

Unlike Kansas, Route 66 spans over 400 miles in Oklahoma! There are a lot of things to see along the way including the unusual roadside attraction - The Blue Whale, several museums such as National Route 66 & Transportation Museum and the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Pops Arcadia which is home to the 66 ft tall soda bottle out front with 650 soda flavors, and many other stops along the way.

Texas

There are a lot of fun photo opportunities along the way through Texas including a leaning water tower in Groom, VW Slug Bug Ranch featuring Volkswagen Beetles laying nose-down where people are encouraged to spray paint the cars to leave their mark, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo with the same concept as the VW Slug Bug Ranch, and of course, no trip to Texas is complete without visiting the Big Texan Steak Ranch!

New Mexico

If you're looking to see some great desert scenery, you will begin to really see some beautiful parts of the desert starting in New Mexico. Along your drive, you can enjoy stopping at the Route 66 Auto Museum, stay at the iconic Blue Swallow Motel, stop at a couple museums, and see the Route 66 Monument in Tucumcari.

Arizona

You will want to take your time driving through Arizona because it has some of the best desert scenery in the United States! You'll want to take time to drive through the Painted Desert, Petrified Forrest, and of course one of the Natural Wonders in the world the Grand Canyon National Park!

California

While you are in California, you'll want to make plans to stay at the Route 66 Wigwam Motel where you can stay in a teeppe, visit the original McDonalds restaurant, and of course head over to Hollywood if you've never been!

These are just a few of the fun stops along the way traveling on Route 66! If you're planning a road trip along Route 66, don't forget to book your stay at Liberty Lodge in St. Robert, Mo! Located right off of I-44, the Liberty Lodge offering charm and modest rates is the perfect stop to rest for the night and see a few historic sites while you are in town. Liberty Lodge is just one of our Hotels in St. Robert, Mo and when you stay at any of properties you will always be treated with Ozarks Hospitality!

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