Tour Itinerary
Chicago
1 night’s accommodation at The Drake Hotel
Upon arriving in Chicago you will transfer to your downtown hotel at the northernmost end of the famous Magnificent Mile which overlooks the beautiful Lake Michigan. Not only has The Drake been one of Chicago’s landmark hotels since 1920, but it has become synonymous with refinement and luxury since opening its doors to dignitaries, celebrities and tourists alike. After settling in, check in with your Tour Leaders in the hotel lobby between 16:00h and 18:00h for further instruction on the evening’s Welcome Dinner where you’ll meet your fellow riders for the first of many great memories together.
Chicago – Springfield
1 night’s accommodation at Hilton Springfield
After picking up your motorcycle at EagleRider's Chicago location you'll burn some rubber as you head out on Route 66 to Springfield, Illinois, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. One of your first stops will be the Route 66 Museum in Joliet, a must-see for anyone travelling this great road. Afterward, wave hello to the Gemini Giant that stands guard at the entrance to Wilmington, Illinois. You'll also drive by the old gas station in Odell, a testament to the many gas stations that stayed open day and night to serve the endless stream of people heading west, before making Springfield your rest stop for the night.
Springfield – St. Louis
1 night’s accommodation at Hampton Inn Gateway Arch
As you enter St Louis this afternoon, marvel at the Gateway Arch which is the centrepiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial before passing through it. A gleaming, stainless steel structure on the banks of the Mississippi, it truly is an engineering wonder! St Louis offers numerous attractions including Busch Stadium, home to the St Louis Cardinal Major League Baseball team, the Anheuser Busch Brewery and the world-famous Ted Drewes frozen custard stand – an essential pit stop!
St. Louis – Joplin
1 night’s accommodation at Holiday Inn, Joplin, MO
The roads today are a biker's dream, wide and gently winding, accompanied by some fantastic scenery, including the ‘Devil’s Elbow’, once the deepest road cut in Missouri. You'll continue through fields and green pastures to Paris Springs Junction on Route 66 to visit the Gay Parita Sinclair, a faithful replica of the original 1930's Gas Station. We guarantee you’ll leave smiling as you head towards Joplin, your home base for the night.
Joplin – Oklahoma City
1 night’s accommodation at Marriott Oklahoma City Downtown
If time permits you may stop off at another Route 66 Museum - this time in Joplin - to walk through each era of the ‘Mother Road’ from the 1920’s to the present time. The museum also boasts an incredible gift shop with some of the best Route 66 memorabilia to be found. Continuing onwards, you will bypass a plethora of Googie architecture and infamous landmarks that will amuse and amaze you. Eventually you'll ease your way across the Oklahoma Plains before spending the night in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City – Amarillo
1 night’s accommodation at Ambassador Hotel, Amarillo
Today you'll make your way into Texas proper. As you leave the grasslands of Oklahoma you'll continue through the oil town of Shamrock, Texas and will gass up at one of Route 66’s original stations before arriving in McLean for lunch. Later you'll ride up the northern Panhandle into Amarillo, stop for a few pictures at the famous Cadillac Ranch, and end the day with a great meal Texas style. If you're hungry-or daring-the Big Texan Steakhouse has a 72 ounce steak with all the trimmings that should satisfy!
Amarillo – Santa Fe
2 night’s accommodation at The Lodge at Santa Fe
The heart of western America awaits you and with it one of her most beautiful cities, Santa Fe in New Mexico. A quaint mountain town nestled high in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, Santa Fe is bursting with Spanish and Native American history and culture. The ride into Santa Fe is truly breath-taking as the landscape transitions into stretches of remove desert and red clay canyons. You’ve got 2 days to soak up the unique atmosphere of this incredible destination with everything to do from roaming the narrow streets of downtown and browsing different art galleries to feasting on Green Chilli Stew – a local favourite that's definitely not for the faint-hearted! If you want to venture further afield, the mountains of northern Arizona and southern Colorado are awe-inspiring as is a trip north to the town of Taos.
Santa Fe – Gallup
1 night’s accommodation at El Rancho Hotel
Today you'll say goodbye to Santa Fe as you head towards Gallup, bypassing lands that have entranced and sustained the Native Americans for centuries. In Albuquerque you’ll see red dirt plateaus and cactus blooms as well as beautiful and unique adobe dwellings. You'll ride through Petrified Forest National Park and also Sky City, one of the oldest constantly inhabited cities in America perched on a massive rock outcrop with stunning views. You'll arrive in Gallup late this afternoon just in time for a little more exploring. Make sure you get a good night’s rest because you won't want to miss out on a second of tomorrow's adventure to the Grand Canyon.
Gallup – Grand Canyon
1 night’s accommodation at Holiday Inn Express
The big finale today will of course be the Grand Canyon, but the ride into Arizona will be a lot of fun too. You'll stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, take a few photos in Flagstaff and savour the hip, uptown flair of these American Southwest towns. Next up is the Grand Canyon – grand in every sense of the word! Admire the park at your own pace, take a helicopter ride into the heart of it or join your guide for a ride to the east side to see it from another, completely different perspective. You'll have plenty of time today and even some time tomorrow morning to take in the canyon's grandeur and beauty.
Grand Canyon – Laughlin
1 night’s accommodation at Aquarius Casino Resort
Long stretches followed by a few twisty curves are on the itinerary today before opening up to wide open spaces as we ride toward the desert. Your first stop will be at Seligman, where the ‘Spirit of Route 66’ is very much alive and kicking! You'll press onto Oatman where you'll get a sense of what the mining days of the Wild West were really like. Your journey ends in Laughlin, along the Colorado River, a town to rival Las Vegas in the gambling stakes!
Laughlin – Las Vegas
1 night’s accommodation at Tropicana Hotel & Casino
There will be plenty more flirting with Lady Luck today as you leave one gambling town for another heading toward the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. If you feel you’ve been lucky enough, there are great rides out from Las Vegas to include the Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire State Park that may strike your fancy instead. Keep in mind that night-time riding is even more magical!
Las Vegas – Victorville
1 night’s accommodation at Hilton Garden Inn
Feel free to set the throttle on cruise today as you head through the Mojave Desert, taking time to admire its magnificent stillness and ever-changing colours. On your ride today into Victorville you'll pass numerous small towns, all of which keep the spirit of Route 66 as relevant today as it ever was. Soak it all in because there's only one more day of riding before you reach the end of the Mother Road.
Victorville – Los Angeles
1 night’s accommodation at Marriott LAX
Los Angeles, California, a city that’s full of glitz, glamour, palm trees and fresh ocean breezes, is your destination today. Keep your eyes peeled for the rich and famous en-route to Santa Monica Pier as they’re two-a-penny here! Once you’ve reached the pier, you’ll see a plaque that announces you’ve arrived at your final destination along Route 66 – a poignant moment indeed! After soaking in the sea breeze and the Route 66 spirit, you'll drop your motorcycle off at EagleRider's World Headquarters in Hawthorne and be transferred to your hotel for the evening. Tonight, you'll gather for the hosted Farewell Dinner with your fellow riders and reminisce your iconic journey together. In the morning, it’s time to board the plane for home, taking with you many treasured memories.
From Chicago to Santa Monica, you’ll follow as much of the original ‘Mother Road’ as possible on this incredible trip, riding the highways and byways of the world-famous Route 66.
From Chicago to Santa Monica, you’ll follow as much of the original ‘Mother Road’ as possible on this incredible trip, riding the highways and byways of the world-famous Route 66.
This tour is operated by EagleRider.
Please note: Hotels are subject to change.
Insurance is NOT included and will need to be payable locally. Aproximate costs as follows; SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance) $8.50 per day. SLI insurance protects renter against claims made by a third party for bodily injury and/or property damage sustained as a result of an accident. Rental Supplemental Liability Insurance Benefit up to $1,000,000.00. PAI/PEC (Personal Accident Insurance/Personal Effects Coverage): $3.50 per day. Insurance covers Accidental death benefit for renter ($1,000,000) and passenger ($10,000). Accidental medical expense benefit for renter and immediate family travelling with renter up to $1,000 of 24hr accidental medical expenses within one year. Personal effects coverage for up to $525.00 Contract rental location for a detailed description of coverage. Tour rate in NOT inclusive of transfer between hotel and airport. Customers will need to make there own way from the airport to their first hotel. All costs subject to change and are payable locally.