#5. Amarillo to Albuquerque |
![]() Classic Dining Stops:
The Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, TX Prepare your stomach because this place is the nirvana of Texan Steak Ranches. The legendary Big Texan Steak Ranch offers a truly uniquely American dining experience. If you’re up for the challenge, try to eat the 72oz steak in under an hour and you’ll get your meal for free and be on the wall of fame. MidPoint Cafe, Adrian, TX If you made it to MidPoint Cafe, you are officially halfway through your Route 66 roadtrip! Before going back on the road, give yourself a present and taste their delicious “Ugly” pie.
Del’s Restaurant, Tucumcari, NM Famed for the giant cow on its sign, this New-Mexican restaurant offers a perfect mix between Mexican spicy food and traditional Western food. (and when they say spicy, they mean really fucking hot!) |
Amarillo to AlbuquerqueDistance: 286 Miles / 460kms
Howdy partner and welcome to the great Amarillo - a mix of the old & the new Wild West America, where almost every public space of the city has horse statues. Put on your cowboy hat & boots, explore the city, eat a typical Texas Steak and embrace your inner-cowboy. Grab a beer at the Golden Light Cantina, visit Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum (because we like RV’s & Campervans, right?!), have a look at the cool Cadillac Ranch (psychedelic Cadillac in the ground, it’s awesome!) and finish your visit with a game at the Lights off Golf.
|
"How tall are you cowboy? I’m six feet and seven inches, ma’am. Let’s forget about the six feet and talk about your seven inches" - Mae West |
#6. Albuquerque to Flagstaff |
![]() ![]() Classic Dining Stops:
66 Diner, Albuquerque, NM For an authentic retro 50’s dining experience, enjoy a meal at the iconic 66 Diner in Albuquerque.
Turtle Mountain Brewing, Rio Rancho, NM For a good beer, north of Albuquerque is a craft beer company named the Turtle Mountain Brewing Company. They offer more than a dozen beer types on tap in a fun, and relaxed atmosphere. |
Albuquerque to FlagstaffDistance: 325 Miles / 523kms
Albuquerque, New Mexico & the true Southwest awaits you. Albuquerque is a great destination full of natural wonders, native American culture and, of course, it’s famous for a popular tv-show - Little hint: Mr. White aka. Heisenberg! Indeed, you will have the chance to visit the city of our favourite drug dealer from Breaking Bad and eat at the Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant- you lucky bastard! Finally, don’t miss out on the Sandia Peak Tramway for an awesome selfie spot destination.
|
"I believe a lot of conflict in the Wild West could have been avoided completely if cowboy town planners had just made their towns big enough for everyone." |
#7. Flagstaff to Santa Monica |
![]() ![]() Classic Dining Stops:
Rod's Steak House, Williams, AZ This steak house is a Route 66 classic - established in 1946, Rod’s Steak House offers everything you’re looking for in an historic Route 66 restaurant, kitschy retro atmosphere, huge steaks and friendly service. Rt. 66 Roy’s Motel Cafe & Gas Station, Amboy, CA One of the best roadside on Route 66, Roy’s Motel Cafe & Gas Station is a great place to stop and refill your energy bar from all this long driving - just minutes away from the Amboy Crater and the Bristol Dry Lake.
Barstow Station, Barstow, CA Offering modern restaurants, like Starbuck and McDonald (cannot be more American than that!), in a retro style with train cars for decoration, Barstow Station is the perfect pit stop before doing the last bit of road that will lead you to heaven (aka. Los Angeles Baby!). |
Flagstaff to Santa MonicaDistance: 480 Miles / 775kms
Located in the mountains of northern Arizona, Flagstaff is a cool mixture of culture, local breweries and hiking trails. Flagstaff also makes a great Homebase for attractions in the region, like the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Oak Creek Canyon (Sedona).
Further down on route 66 is the town of Williams, the gateway to the Grand Canyon. The wilderness surrounding the city make it an outstanding outdoor location for you and your Wicked Campervan - with great hiking and even a rodeo, your visit will be yet another uniquely American experience.
From Williams, the Grand Canyon is only an hour away by car; and if you want, there’s a scenic train ride that cuts through Williams and brings you to the Southern Rim. On your way back, why don’t you stop in at the Grand Canyon Brewery for a nice beer baby!
|
'Myths that need clarification: "No matter how many times you see the Grand Canyon, you are still emotionally moved to tears.” False. It depends on how many children the out-of-towners brought with them who kicked the back of your seat from Phoenix to Flagstaff and got their gum caught in your hair' - Erma Bombeck" |
#8. Santa Monica & Los Angeles, California |
![]() "I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They’re beautiful. Everybody’s plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic" - Andy Warhol |
Santa Monica & Los Angeles, California
As you’ll overcome the various peak, you will begin to decent and see afar the Los Angeles’s skyscraper, and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. After more than two thousand miles, your roadtrip will come to an end at beautiful Santa Monica, and the famous Santa Monica Pier where Route 66 officially finishes (Go get some shrimp at the Bubba Gump shrimp mate, you deserve it). Congratulations, you’ve just finished the greatest North-American road trip ever, you fucking Legend!
Since you’re in Los Angeles, here’s what you can do and see before starting your prominent acting career:
|
Enjoyed this article? Experience the REAL Route 66, hire a campervan at Wicked Campers Los Angeles and get going on your awesome American odyssey! |