Question for the Americans..

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To the original poster....."Can anyone tell me how long, in time and distance, it would take to travel there and back along the full legnth of the infamous route 66?"Route 66 was a major artery traveled mostly by people traveling from the East to the West during the depression years… The infamous Route 66 was once a major road from Chicago to Los Angeles. (Santa Monica to be exact). It would be nearly impossible to actually travel the original route today. Large portions of the original route have been replaced with expressway and interstate freeways. Many of the towns along the original route have since grown into very large cities. Most of these cities have designated portions of the old road as “National Scenic Route 66” If you’re expecting it to look and feel like the original in the movies, you’ll be sadly disappointed.I’m not sure if that answered your questions or if this info has helped you out. I would say the trip from Chicago to Santa Monica would take you about 6- 7 days if you were to try to travel most of it by the original route. Once it (The actual route) was decommissioned as an interstate route, cities along the route were no longer obligated to keep it posted as such….

To reply to the original question, Rock is correct, there isn't that much of it left. However, I think that there is enough that as long as you go into with that knowledge it will still be an outstanding trip.In many places you will be on the interstate especially, (going east to west)...I think, before Springfield Missouri. Oklahoma, if I'm not mistaken, has the largest amount of the route still intact. Around here there is mostly fun hokie shit to see like the famous blue whale of Catoosa, the shoe tree, but there is also beauty such the art deco Boston Avenue Methodist Church or the round barn to name just a few.Once you get out towards New Mexico way the landscape becomes more apart of the show with towering cliffs and deep canyons, truly magnificent, but still with its fair share of kitchy (sp?) crap.I've made the run, not stopping for much mind you, from Tulsa west and it took us about four, four and half, days but that also includes going from L.A. to San Fransisco along Highway 1. I would say give yourself at least 7 days if your going to make the whole thing (for a one way trip.) That amount of time shouldn't rush you to much. The Book The Mother Road by Micheal Wallis is probably the best I've seen. It's written as a history book but serves as a great travel guide.If you do decide to do it you have to do it right, rent a convertible.

I was just on part of route 66 the other day while visiting the grand canyon.

"If you do decide to do it you have to do it right, rent a convertible"Thanks everyone; and yes Oldfolks, the plan formulating in my mind definatly does involve a convertible, (good God you couldnt do it in anything other than a convertible, ha ha!) I'll make a note of that book too, it sounds like an interesting read. I'd imagine I'll have to order it via air mail. Thanks for the info.I don’t know how long this'll take to put into action, but I'll let you all know when it happens!, x.

I dont think I've ever even seen it in the movies Roc, so I wouldnt be dissapointed no matter what it was like anyway, ha ha. It's just something I'd love to do, to drive right the way across America.

I drove from Sydney to Adelaide (in Australia) a couple of years ago and just loved the feel of the open road (did it in November, Auzzie summer, bit too bloody hot for me, took two and a bit days) I am from a country that is three hundred miles in legnth, so we dont quite get that feel here, even on our longest straightest roads!

Oh it's pretty legendary. I would have come across it in the works of different writers/journalists, probably Hunter S Thompson, among others.As for joining an American auto club, that would be somewhat difficult since I'm not American, ha ha! Thanks for your response.

"The loss will be yours, as well!"Eh, the loss for what Rad? Take it easy! If I find myself stranded anywhere along the route sure I could always post on a2a for someone to come along and give me a lift! Will be taking names of those living anywhere along the route now please..

My father was an AAA member forever, but I didn't find it to be a good value. I have low-premium towing through my car insurance company, I make travel arrangements through the Internet, and AAA's Eurpean maps were not so great (for France, the Michelin map book is unbeatable if you're driving off the major highways).Auto clubs may work for some people, but you have to add up the benefits and see if it's worth it for yourself.

"I am at a loss to understand why you do not learn to read!"

I suspect I learned to read further back than you learned to breathe. As I said; take it easy.

He is somewhat older than you are.

Well then, that does away with any excuse I could have conjured up for him. Really Rad, there is no need for that sort of childish carry on. Being a member of an auto club or not is really no reason to bang on at people like that..