Route 66, and its 2,500 miles, is known affectionately as "The Mother Road." It's the quintessential cross-country road trip experience. From Chicago through the beating heart of America, the route officially ends at the Santa Monica Pier. The road reached peak popularity in the late 1940s and early '50s before being officially removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985. After a few years, travelers from around the country and beyond started feeling tinges of nostalgia, and by the end of the 1980s it was once again becoming one of the most popular road trip routes.
Looking for more tips for your Route 66 trip? We've got you covered.
The historic Rock Cafe is a classic Route 66 stop. Named for the sandstone rocks used in its construction, the cafe opened in 1939. Crews from Pixar stopped here while they were researching the movie Cars, and the popular eatery was also featured on the "TV show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." The cafe may be famous for its mouthwateringly golden-brown chicken-fried steak, but if you're in the mood for something sweet, try the Diet Doctor Pepper float.
Chandler’s Lincoln Motel was built in 1939 and has one of those motor courts you see in old movies. The cottage-style rooms are clean and comfortable. Even if you don’t spend the night, it’s worth pulling over to take a photo of the 1950s neon sign.
If you've had your fill of chicken-fried steak and are in the mood for some good barbecue, head to Jigg’s Smokehouse in Clinton, one of the most famous BBQ joints on the entire Mother Road. Established by Jiggs Botchlett, the Smokehouse has been serving its signature “secret” BBQ from a little hole-in-the-wall shack since the late 1970s.
Everything is bigger in Texas, so you may as well try your luck with the 72-ounce steak challenge at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo. Just a few years after owner Bob Lee opened his steakhouse, he noticed an influx of hungry cowboys on payday looking to down some hearty steaks. One Friday in 1962, Lee set up an eating contest to see who could eat the most one-pound steaks in an hour. After one cowboy downed 72 ounces of steak (along with a salad, a shrimp cocktail, a roll, and a baked potato), Lee declared that anyone who could eat that much steak in an hour should get it for free. The current record-holder is Molly Schuyler, who devoured three steaks (plus sides) in just 20 minutes in 2015. The restaurant also features a shooting gallery, arcade games, a huge gift shop, and a bull statue out front.
Get your nature kicks on Route 66 at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. This is the second largest canyon in the U.S. and admission is only $8. You can easily drive the length of the park and pull over for the scenic overlooks. There's a sizable campground in the park (perfect for stargazing), and several trails that traverse the bottom of the canyon offer a beautiful place to stretch your legs.
Banner Photo Credit: Facebook/Lincoln Motel