Route 66 - Barstow, CA to Oklahoma City, OK

[alymorales]

I've just completed my travel plans for my long adventure home. I'll be leaving San Francisco, CA in June and will arrive in Kansas City, MO in early July. Most of my travel will be along I-40 (route 66).

My overnight camp reservations are a mix of State Parks, Private RV Resorts and a few KOAs. A few reservations I'm excited about are Bluewater State Park and Hyde Memorial in New Mexico. I'm also looking forward to Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas. Are there any great sites, restaurants, etc... I must see along the way?

Thanks in advance, gypsy travelers!

Lisa

[ROBERT CROSS]

Lisa,

Did the two way 66 awhile back, great all the way. The Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs was a hoot. Pretty good chow also. Wondering if the old AS is still on the property. There were several others stored on the lot at the time we were there.

The longest original stretch eastbond thru AZ was spectacular. We did it with our 22 Safari. The two lane is very twisty and I wouldn't advise it if your in a hurry and towing anything longer than 25' with a very capable TV.

Bob

[Protagonist]

Go to travelok.com and request their publication "Oklahoma Route 66: The Ultimate Road Trip." Lots of good info on the remaining portions of Route 66 in Oklahoma, including over 90 attractions along Route 66 in Oklahoma. You may also find other information resources on that site.

Internet resources for Route 66:
oklahomaroute66.com
route66news.com
national66.com
historic66.com

I'm sure there's plenty to do along the remnants of Route 66 in other states. But I was raised in Oklahoma and have a proprietary interest in that section of Route 66. Plus, as long as I'm still working for a living, my chances of traveling further west than Oklahoma are slim; once I retire and don't have to limit my trips to a single week, things will be different…

[ROBERT CROSS]

Just a taste of that Arizona route...

Bob

[mandolindave]

Two places that stood out to me.
Selena is a short stretch of 66 that preserved the flavor of motels, gas stations and such. I would suggest gassing up and lunching there. It's right off rte 40
Oatman predates The Route 66 era. It's an old mining town in which the cabins have been " gingerbreaded " out. There is a cool little hotel there that was a favorite watering hole for several movie stars. The route continues eastward
through some old mines and a cute little canyon, in which the road gets hilly and curvy. It's a tiny, tiny bit off the beaten track near the Arizona border.
I can't recommend the 66 stretch through Albequerque ( for one, because I can't spell it, and two because it has some kinda dangerous spots ) But there are a few motels there from the era. One motel stood out because it has carports to protect your car from the brutal summer sun.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Ah yes...Jackass Junction. A must see for sure!!

Bob

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by mandolindave

I can't recommend the 66 stretch through Albequerque ( for one, because I can't spell it, and two because it has some kinda dangerous spots ) But there are a few motels there from the era. One motel stood out because it has carports to protect your car from the brutal summer sun.

On the other hand, Amarillo— much easier to spell— has at least one must-see stop along Route 66: The Big Texan Steak Ranch, home of the free 72-oz steak. Free if you can eat it all in an hour or less, along with a baked potato and a dinner salad. If you can't finish it all in that time, you pay full price.

I tried. I failed. I got a doggie bag.

North of I-40 between the Lakeside exit and the Whittaker exit.

[polarlyse]

Better to have tried and failed then to have never tried. Or something like that. I'm always up for a good steak but not sure about that one. But the doggie bag sounds like a very good idea.

We had breakfast at one of the old original RT. 66 stops in Missouri not far from Rolla. Not a very good breakfast but it was great to see some of the old road stops have survived.

[srpuywa]

Ha - I grew up in Newberry Springs, not much between there and Needles,

If you look from the freeway there is a futuristic looking house on a hill looking east from the last Newberry exit, it's been there a long time

I guess it's for sale now

The Volcano House - 50451 Silver Valley Rd, Newberry Springs, CA 92365 - Listing # 09-401249 | Take Sunset

[eubank]

Pick up a copy of The Grapes of Wrath to remind yourselves of this history of the highway!

Lynn

[mojo]

Route 66 - America's Historic Mother Road

[Lumatic]

The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook. The girl, my Lord!, in a flat bed Ford. in Winslow. The Meteor Crater and Two Guns City ruins and cave near Winslow.

[Mexray]

If you check out the 'Volcano House', you'll see that it's the late Huell Howser's (of PBS California's Gold fame) home...got a spare $750,00 laying around...?

The Volcano House - 50451 Silver Valley Rd, Newberry Springs, CA 92365 - Listing # 09-401249 | Take Sunset

Here's an aerial view site, shows the lake as well...

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=34.86531,+-116.55829

[eubank]

Well, forget New Mexico as a stopping point. The place has gone missing again. Wait a year or so; they'll find it again.




Lynn

[Silver Otter]

An easy day before Palo Duro is Enchanted Trails west of Albuquerque. Camping World right next door. Antique caravans on the grounds. Worth a stop.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by alymorales

I've just completed my travel plans for my long adventure home. I'll be leaving San Francisco, CA in June and will arrive in Kansas City, MO in early July. Most of my travel will be along I-40 (route 66).

My overnight camp reservations are a mix of State Parks, Private RV Resorts and a few KOAs. A few reservations I'm excited about are Bluewater State Park and Hyde Memorial in New Mexico. I'm also looking forward to Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas. Are there any great sites, restaurants, etc... I must see along the way?

Thanks in advance, gypsy travelers!

Lisa

Lisa,

Thank's for the thanks'.

You may find this interesting.

Bob

[azflycaster]

The La Posada Hotel in Winslow is located on old Route 66. It is a wonderful place to stop and check out one of the great hotels of its day (1920s). It also has a fantastic restaurant. We stop here every chance we get...

La Posada Hotel: Arizona's grandest estate - a National Historic Landmark
The Turquoise Room Restaurant at La Posada Hotel | Winslow, Arizona

[Bk Yd Safari]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

On the other hand, Amarillo— much easier to spell— has at least one must-see stop along Route 66: The Big Texan Steak Ranch, home of the free 72-oz steak. Free if you can eat it all in an hour or less, along with a baked potato and a dinner salad. If you can't finish it all in that time, you pay full price.

I tried. I failed. I got a doggie bag.

North of I-40 between the Lakeside exit and the Whittaker exit.

The Big Texan runs a shuttle to Amarillo Ranch RV Park, a nice RV park with indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.
While in Amarillo don't miss the Cadillac Ranch...

[panheaddale]

Best roadtrip ever had, rode Route 66 from calif. to oklahoma on the motorcycle. So many cool places to see. You will go by edwards air force base in the middle of the desert, Baghdad cafe like some else talked about. Got to stop and have a hamburger, fries, and a vanilla shake. The town of Amboy is an iconic stop on route 66, they were restoring the town back in 2006 when I was there. Make sure your gas tank is full whenever you see gas so you don't have to detour to interestate 40. Be careful if you see signs that say pavement ends it ENDS. You will have to drive on gravel roads for a few miles since Route 66 is no longer designated as a highway it is up to local areas to maintain it. Don't worry it is good road and even the gravel areas are maintained. Oatman arizona, the wild burros roam the streets so be careful they will walk right out in front of you and they will let you pet them. Have some apples for a treat for them. I know this is a long post but there is just so much to see and do on THE MOTHER ROAD. Don't forget winslow arizona, the cadillac ranch in texas, the teepee motel and so much more. Do lots of research before your trip and plan on taking plenty of time and enjoy the greatest road trip you will ever take.

[srpuywa]

The Bagdad cafe used to called the 'Sidewinder', my parents used to own the Little Cafe about half mile done the road, it was a A frame styled building, now someone's house. Amboy used to have a restaurant with an amazing antique gun collection.