(No availability) 15 Day Route 66 Guided Motorcycle Tour in the Heart of America
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Guided Motorcycle Tour in the USA
It's the mother road, the route that gave birth to all other routes in the United States. This historic route offers wonders along its 4,500 km for those willing to see them. From the lush plains of Illinois to the deserts of California, passing through the plateaus of Arizona, this route is a marvel both in terms of history, geology, and human connection. Those who live along the Route 66 say it's "a small village"; everyone knows each other and shares the same passion: keeping history alive. Colorful and authentic characters you meet along this journey through the heart of America.
Key information
- Terrain: road-only
- Bike: rental bike (BMW, Honda, Yamaha, KTM, Indian, or Harley Davidson models)
- Mileage: 4,350 kilometers / 2,703 miles
- Daily rides: 200 - 485 kilometers / 124 - 301 miles
- Meals: all breakfasts
Highlights
- Starts in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles
- Ride through part of Illinois along the old Pontiac Route
- Cross the "Chain of Rocks" bridge that rises above the Mississippi
- Pass the "Devil's Elbow," one of the most dangerous places on the route at the time
- Visit Gay Parita's, a must-visit place on Route 66 run by Gary Turner
- Take the "Chisholm" trail passing ending at the must-visit Route 66 Museum
- Drive pass Grants and the Cibola National Forest
- 14 nights accommodation with breakfasts
Skill level
- Beginner
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in various 3-star category hotels along the route.
Program
Brief itinerary
- Day 1: Chicago
- Day 2: Chicago
- Day 3: Springfield
- Day 4: Rolla
- Day 5: Joplin
- Day 6: Oklahoma City
- Day 7: Amarillo
- Day 8: Santa Fe
- Day 9: Santa Fe
- Day 10: Gallup
- Day 11: Grand Canyon
- Day 12: Kingman
- Day 13: Las Vegas
- Day 14 : Los Angeles
- Day 15: Los Angeles
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Chicago
Welcome to the USA! Arrival at Chicago airport, and then you will reach your hotel via shuttle or taxi on your own. Once settled in, you can enjoy the hotel at your leisure while waiting for your meeting with your guide this evening for a welcome drink, briefing, and dinner!
Day 2: Chicago
Free day to rest or take a stroll in downtown Chicago and head to the first Route 66 sign with your guide. Second night in Chicago.
Day 3: Springfield (300 km / 186 miles / 4 hours)
Let's go! You head to the garage to pick up the motorcycles, and after some necessary formalities, you finally leave Chicago. Your adventure on Route 66 begins! Today, you ride through part of Illinois along the old Pontiac Route. This first motorcycle stage ends in Springfield, the capital of Illinois.
Day 4: Rolla (360 km / 224 miles / 5 hours)
Another day of your Route 66 journey. Heading to St. Louis, Route 66 meanders through the cornfields surrounding the traditional villages of the heart of America. The arrival in St. Louis is marked by crossing the "Chain of Rocks" bridge that rises above the Mississippi. Continuing to Rolla to reach the hotel. It's time to relax after this second beautiful day of riding on Route 66.
Day 5: Joplin (450 km / 280 miles / 5.5 hours)
You leave Rolla in the morning, and once back on Route 66, your road trip takes you on the winding roads of the Missouri valleys. Continuing on Route 66, you'll pass the "Devil's Elbow," one of the most dangerous places on the route at the time. The next stop of the day is Gay Parita's, a must-visit place on Route 66 run by Gary Turner, a former family garage owner who will gladly share his incredible stories with you. Arrival and night in Joplin.
Day 6: Oklahoma City (400 km / 249 miles / 5 hours)
Heading west towards Oklahoma... Nowhere else is Route 66 as beautiful, as well-preserved, and as well-used. Up to Tulsa, it's loved by eccentric architects who left it with astonishing landmarks: in Catoosa, a giant blue plaster whale still floats on its lake! The road continues inland, where various Native American families still reside, such as the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, Creek, and Cherokee. Arrival in Oklahoma City, the capital of the eponymous state, and a city at the heart of Route 66.
Day 7: Amarillo (425 km / 264 miles / 5 hours)
You ride today on one of the oldest sections of Route 66. It was once used to move bison herds between Texas and Kansas. You ride on a section of the "Chisholm" trail passing through El Reno, Yukon, and ending at the must-visit Route 66 Museum in Clinton. After lunch, you cross the Texas border through the southern plains to arrive at the hotel in the afternoon. In the evening, you head to the "Big Texan Steak Ranch and Brewery" to savor one of the best steaks in Texas.
Day 8: Santa Fe (485 km / 301 miles / 5.5 hours)
The day starts at the famous Cadillac Ranch, and then you leave Texas for New Mexico. At the border of these two states is the small ghost town of Glenrio. Mountains and cacti will be the backdrop for the rest of your adventures on Route 66. Night in Santa Fe, one of the most beautiful and oldest cities in America.
Day 9: Day off in Santa Fe
Free day in Santa Fe for the ninth day of your Route 66 road trip on a motorcycle. This 400-year-old city, with its complex cultural blend, has a lot to offer. You can also take a quick loop to the typical Indian village of Taos, an Amerindian village.
Day 10: Gallup (430 km / 267 miles / 5 hours)
Today, through the wild plains populated by buffalo, you head south to Albuquerque, the capital of New Mexico. It is the regional hub due to its geographical position. Crossing the Rio Grande with buffalo herds in the background, and straight west toward Laguna, you pass Grants and the Cibola National Forest. Night in Gallup, an old Native American town.
Day 11: Grand Canyon (450 km / 280 miles / 5 hours)
Today, you enter Arizona and start by crossing the "Petrified Forest," a prehistoric forest filled with tree fossils, an impressive sight as if frozen in time. You explore the surroundings before climbing up to the plateaus of the Grand Canyon at an altitude of 2,000 meters.
Day 12: Kingman (400 km / 249 miles / 4.5 hours)
For the early risers, wake up to witness the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. It's grand! You can continue exploring the Grand Canyon by air (optional) with a helicopter tour that shows you the extent of this natural wonder. Then you descend from the Arizona plateaus through legendary towns like Seligman and Hackberry. End of the day in Kingman.
Day 13: Las Vegas (200 km / 124 miles / 3.5 hours)
On Route 66, a beautiful winding road leads you to a first stop: Oatman, an old gold prospector's town that has remained "Wild West" style. You then leave Route 66 and head north to Las Vegas. You won't have much time to enjoy Las Vegas, but you'll remember it! You spend the night there, so try to get some rest because you'll be back on Route 66 the next day.
Day 14: Los Angeles (450 km / 280 miles / 5.5 hours)
Today is a special day as you enter the last state of your journey: California. You take the road to your final destination, Santa Monica Pier, passing through Angeles Crest and the Angeles National Forest and its mountains. This road, rising to 2,300 meters in altitude, is a classic California motorcycle ride. Heading to the Los Angeles Basin, and it's with much emotion that you arrive in front of the "End of Route 66" sign on Santa Monica Pier. You've completed the Route 66 on a motorcycle!
Day 15: Los Angeles
Depending on your return flight, enjoy Los Angeles a bit longer.
Motorcycles specifications for the category Classic.
Cruiser
Specifications:
- Engine: M8 107 / 114
- Displacement: 1746 / 1868cc
- Weight: 295 / 379 kg
- Seat height: 670 / 700 mm
Models included:
- HD Low Rider
- HD Heritage Softail
- HD Road King
Touring
Specifications:
- Engine: M8 107 / Flat-six
- Displacement: 1746 / 1833 cc
- Weight: 360 / 379 kg
- Seat height: 660 / 745 mm
Models included:
- HD Street Glide Touring
- HD Road Glide Touring
- Honda Gold Wing Touring
Grand touring
Specifications:
- Engine: M8 107 / Twin four
- Displacement: 1746 / 1811 cc
- Weight: 406 / 430 kg
- Seat height: 670 / 700 mm
Models included:
- BMW R18 Transcontinental
- HD Electra Glide ultra
- HD Road Glide ultra
- Indian Roadmaster
Adventure
Specifications:
- Engine: CP2 / Flat twin
- Displacement: 690 / 1254 cc
- Weight: 205 / 249 kg
- Seat height: 850 / 875 mm
Models included:
- BMW R1250GS
- KTM 1290 Super Adv
- Tenere 700
Skill level(s)
Beginner:
- can ride for 2-3 hours
- minimal riding experience
- assistance required
- comfortable with curves and leans
- basic experience with unsurfaced roads
- short distance ascents and descents
Location
The trip will take you from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Food
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Things to do (optional)
- Helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon - A 35-minute flight over the Grand Canyon: 215 EUR
What's included
- Motorcycle rental of your choice
- Road insurance VIP
- Roadside assistance
- 14 nights accommodation
- All breakfasts
- Luggage transport
- National park entrances
- Water during the trip
- FFM guide
What's not included
- Flights
- Everything the offer doesn't specify
How to get there
Recommended Airports
O'Hare International Airport
25 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
