Please take the time to read many questions and answers that you might have regarding Route 66 Tours.
HOW ARE YOUR TOURS DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHERS?
Route 66 is the only tour that I run.
Route 66 is my passion. I’m not an operation where several tours are taking place at the same time, or I’m planning a different tour while showcasing Route 66. In addition, on my tours, guests have the freedom to pick and choose the sites they want to visit each day. The heart of any meaningful Route 66 tour is the overnight experience travelers have. While most other tours stay at large, Holiday Inn type hotels, I have booked overnight accommodations at the most memorable Route 66 establishments that have been in existence since the height of Route 66. In cases where we’re not staying at a particular hotel that embodies the spirit of Route 66, a meal or at least a stop has been included at that hotel.
WHY WOULD I TOUR ROUTE 66 WITH A PODCASTER?
Comfort and Familiarity.
Having released a large number of episodes, you know my voice. I have found when I personally meet listeners to the podcast, it is as if they personally know me. I personally lead all tours and there is no guessing about what your tour guide will be like. If you know, like, and trust me– just by listening to the podcast, that is one piece that you do not have to worry about when looking for a qualified tour guide.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
No.
But, it probably is a good idea. All deposits are fully refundable up to 30 days before the start of your tour. However, if there is something unexpected that takes place between 30 days and the start of the tour, you may want to consider some type of travel insurance. Having travel insurance will provide peace of mind for the unexpected- trip cancellation, medical reasons, trip delay, lost luggage, etc. Keep in mind that almost 80% of the claims for travel insurance are for reasons that occur prior to the departure date.
For additional information, please see sample providers listed below.
DO I REALLY WANT TO DRIVE THE ENTIRE ROUTE ON MY OWN?
Yes.
In developing various tour options, I believe I have come up with the best scenario. Whether you have grown up knowing about Route 66 or you’re an international traveler looking to see a slice of American culture along Route 66, driving it at your own pace is really the only way to travel down America’s Main Street.
What are some of the other options?
The tour bus option – do you really want to travel 2400 miles on a charter bus, stopping at only the most popular Route 66 sites with 64 other people? No. In addition, no tour bus (or even large RV) would even attempt to make it to the town of Oatman, where wild burros (donkeys) roam the streets in the Black Mountains of Arizona simply because the curves on the road are too tight.
The caravan option – traveling with 10 or more cars in a caravan limits your daily travel because you are always following the person in front of you… in addition to having someone following you. And of course, if you stop just to take a picture- everyone else will stop too. Caravaning as we near a particular destination is fine, but statistically, accidents are most likely to happen when a group of people are following one another to a given destination because their attention is focused on “following” the car in front of them and awareness of other vehicles becomes secondary.
I think that the self drive option is the best of all options, and here’s why:
- Small Group – Maximum number of participants is just 5 cars (10 guests), which is why we’re able to stay at the most vintage motels along the route. The larger tour groups can’t even attempt to stay at the sought after Route 66 motels simply because they don’t have enough rooms.
- You travel at your own pace after the briefing each morning
- Radio communication provided throughout the day so that you’re not using your phone to text while driving. Portable radios will be provided during the tour so that everyone is literally on the same channel. This is especially beneficial over cell phone usage because radio communication allows the latest updates to go out all at once without having to read any type of text message and/or picking up a cell phone. Another benefit of radio communication is in areas where cellular coverage may be questionable, the signal does not rely on the quality of reliable cellular towers.
- I will meet you at must see sites along Route 66 to provide additional insight. Instead of having the entire group follow one another to a destination along the route, a meeting time will be established for a leisurely drive to the site. Along the way, you can pull over and stop at whatever grabs your attention during the drive.
- Everyone will meet at the final destination at the end of the day
WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE?
Diverse as you can imagine!
Selecting overnight accommodations was one of the most important factors in planning the tour. Most other tours have guests stay overnight at larger hotels that offer daily breakfast buffets. There will be a few larger hotels where breakfast is being offered, but a higher priority has been placed on staying at nostalgic motels. For days where breakfast is not offered at a motel, a continental breakfast with coffee will be provided.
The accommodations between Chicago and Santa Monica include the most diverse sleeping accommodations that anyone could ever imagine, only along Route 66. The first night includes a stay at The Palmer House, originally built as a grand wedding gift from Potter Palmer for his bride. Just days after the original Palmer House opened, it was consumed by the 1874 Chicago Fire. After a rebuild, the hotel became an architectural masterpiece for the world to see at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
Take the time at night to unwind at Route 66 accommodations that have been in operation since the height of the road, including motels brilliantly lit in neon, former 19th century Fred Harvey establishments, no tell motels with adjoining private garages, and even a wigwam. In cases where we will not be staying at the most notable Route 66 hotels, we will be stopping for a meal at the hotel dining room.
WHAT MEALS ARE INCLUDED AND HOW WERE THEY SELECTED?
A total of 17 meals.
After establishing what accommodations should be included on the tour, deciding what meals to include was just as challenging. That being said, every meal will take place at a landmark Route 66 eatery ranging from 5 star hotel dining rooms to the smallest diner with just 6 booths. Breakfast will be provided every morning, either at the hotel or with a continental breakfast bag along with coffee. In addition, a daily snack bag and water will be distributed each day for the expected munchies that will develop while driving the road.
DO YOU PROVIDE BAGGAGE TRANSPORT AND HANDLING?
Yes.
I can accommodate guests by transporting one suitcase per person to and from each overnight destination along the route. For some, this may be a valuable service, especially if your vehicle has limited space. For others, they may not want to be separated from their luggage during an entire day. If you decide to select this service, it is suggested that you include luggage that you absolutely will not need during the daytime. Depending on available space, gifts that have been purchased during your travels can also be transported.
ARE THERE OPTIONS FOR SIDE TRIPS?
Yes.
Depending on your personal interest, you may want to visit a site that is not directly on Route 66 as a side trip. Each morning side trips will be discussed with possible options. In some cases, pursuing a side trip may result in additional driving time and guests may arrive at the designated motel at a later time than other members of the group. This is perfectly fine and up to each guest to decide.
WHY IS’NT THERE A DETAILED DAILY SCHEDULE?
There’s too much to see!
No matter what aspect of Route 66 that has grabbed your attention, the road attracts many people for so many different reasons. Participants will be able to travel at their own pace each day so that they can focus on personal interests, whether it be further exploring ghost towns, checking the Disney Cars references along the road, additional historical sites, scenic wonders, etc.
Almost every day will include admission to a popular Route 66 attraction in the area, whether it be a museum, theater tour, or national park. In addition, I will personally be present each day at the most popular sites along Route 66 to share my knowledge and personal thoughts. These include must see sites that have made Route 66 so popular from iconic muffler men to the most popular businesses that have withstood the test of time.
DO I REALLY NEED A TOUR GUIDE?
Yes.
Unless you have an entire month and want to drive less than one hour per day to see everything along the route, you simply cannot see it all.
Having traveled the road numerous times I have personally been to the most popular (and not so popular) attractions along Route 66, including eateries and motels. By joining me on a Route 66 tour, I will be providing you with one vital thing that will make your trip worthwhile- time. I have curated all of the possible sites along the route and will leave the driving decision up to you each and every day. In addition, we are most likely to meet some of the people living and working along the Route who have appeared on the podcast.
WHAT TYPE OF NAVIGATION WILL I USE?
Several.
Participants will have the following resources available:
- Route 66 Tour Itinerary featuring every city along the route along with a brief description of the nearby attractions
- Route 66 Navigation App with turn by turn directions
- Route 66 EZ Guide book
In addition, each vehicle will have access to a Motorolla 22 channel/35 mile range walkie talkie. In the age of cellular phones, why are we using walkie talkies? Using walkie talkies allows quicker communication with multiple people at once, in real time. In addition, there are certain spots along the road where cellular coverage isn’t very reliable, especially as we follow original alignments through the mountain and desert regions.
WILL WE GET TO SEE SOME OF THE UNKNOWN STOPS ALONG THE ROAD?
Yes.
Through the years, I’ve released episodes that most people know nothing about as related to Route 66. While not everyone might want to see these sights, information will be given each morning during the briefing should you want to visit these most unusual sites. From looking for remnants from the original 1941 Coral Court Motel entry to the legend of Mrs. Orcutt’s four mile long driveway.
I promise you, these will not be sites where you will find Route 66 follower- simply because they do not know about them.
WILL WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET ANY PAST GUESTS FROM THE PODCAST?
Maybe?
Many of my guests are up there in years, and sadly many have passed. Nevertheless, I am so honored to have captured my conversation with them in the form of an oral history interview. However, a younger generation of Route 66 advocates have taken the reins of some of the most interesting businesses along Route 66 and would welcome the chance to chat with enthusiastic travelers on a Route 66 motor tour.
When you tour with Route 66 Tours, I will have access to many of the guests on the podcast who would welcome a group of travelers excited to learn about the people living and working along Route 66. While there is no guarantee, we will mostly likely meet previous guests- whether it be authors, business owners, or local residents.
IS THERE A MOTORCYCLE OPTION?
Yes.
Participants interested in traveling the road on a motorcycle are welcome. This would be an ideal option since baggage transport is included.
DID YOU CONSIDER INCLUDING AUTO RENTAL IN THE TOUR?
Yes.
Automobile rental is not included in the overall price because people vary on the type of car they prefer to drive, whether it be a smaller vehicle or a luxury SUV.
WHAT ARE THE AUTOMOBILE OPTIONS?
Participants can either drive their own car or rent one.
If you reside in North America and are able to drive your automobile to Chicago, this might be an option for you. There are many people who have passionately restored classic automobiles and and would love nothing more than to drive down America’s most cherished highway with their own vehicle.
However, be mindful from Chicago to Santa Monica, the distance is 2400 miles. Depending where you live in North America, some participants could drive the same distance or more just to start off with us in Chicago. Participants will have to decide whether or not taking their own automobile is practical or not.
Depending on the size of your interested vehicle, rental rates for a twelve day tour start at about $800. An added expense is the one way charge, which can be as much as an additional $600. Depending on your schedule, returning back to Chicago with a rental might be an option by driving through the northern states to see additional national parks. The northern route back to Chicago will reveal some of the most incredible scenary that the United States has to offer.
For international travelers, the major requirements for renting an automobile in the states include:
- Their home country driver’s license that is valid, unexpired and includes a photograph.
- If the home country driver’s license is in a language other than English and the letters are not English (i.e. alphabet is not an extended Latin-based alphabet like German or Spanish but is Russian, Japanese, Arabic, etc.) an International Driver’s Permit is required.
Pricing varies greatly, depending on the type of car you prefer to drive, and the timing of reserving a rental. Please use the links below to research rental options if you prefer a rental car.
- Avis
- Budget
PRICING
$2999 per person (double occupancy)
$3499 per person (single occupancy)
WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?
- 12 nights accommodations
- 12 breakfasts – 3 lunches – 2 dinners
- Please see itinerary for details. All meals will be at original Route 66 eateries that have been in business when Route 66 was a thriving artery in American transportation
- Chicago River Boat Tour
- St. Louis Gateway National Park Arch visit to the top
- Meramac Caverns
- Tour of Coleman Theater, Miami, OK
- Admission to Will Rogers Memorial, OK
- Route 66 National Museum
- Albuquerque Aerial Tram to top of Sandia Mountain
- Painted Desert National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Tour of Santa Fe
- 1 Swag Bag per couple loaded with ALL Route 66 goodies: t-shirt (2), Route 66 Itinerary binder with pages for stamping along the route, EZ Guide Book, Koozie, car magnet, post card coloring book, travel mug (2), Route 66 luggage tag (2), and many other surprises!
- Daily trivia contests with really cool Route 66 giveaways
- Access to a custom Route 66 playlist, including a special collection of 50+ songs written specifically for Route 66 stops along the road.
- A knowledgeable guide who does only Route 66 tours
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Automobile (including fuel cost)
- Any additional meals not listed on tour itinerary
- Any toll roads you decide to take
- Any additional attractions not included on the inclusion page
- Any gratuities for restaurants, service personnel, tours, etc.
Reserve Now! Tours are fully refundable up to 30 days before departure!
Contact me at Route66podcast@gmail.com