Driving Route 66

Q: I have always dreamt of driving Route 66 in the United States from Chicago to Los Angeles. Is it still possible to travel the route? Which months are best? How far is it and how long would it take? – Rod Tessendorf

A: It is possible to drive the original Route 66, but it needs a great deal of planning as many sections of the old road have changed and some are almost non-existent. You will need a very good map to guide you. It crosses eight state lines and three time zones. Many people choose to restrict their trip to sections of the route, but the ultimate dream for many remains to do the full route and take in all the extraordinary sights and small towns on the road. With a distance of 3664kms (2277 miles) it can be done in one week, but the real afficianados say you shouldn't consider less than two weeks to really enjoy the experience. You also have to decide whether to take side-trips to places like the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. You can travel Route 66 all year, but it is best to avoid winter (when some facilities along the road are closed and snow can occur) and the peak summer months (when the desert gets very hot). The best times to travel are late May/early June and September. For the best maps and information, buy the book "Here It Is! The Route 66 Map Series" by Jim Ross and Jerry McClanahan. It is published by Ghost Town Press and available from Amazon.com. It consists of eight fold-out maps that are essential for any traveller on the route.