Originally published on Suite 101 (defunct) on 8/2/2009
For people who have three weeks to spare and an overwhelming need to get away from it all, a cross-country motor trip along historic Route 66 might be appealing.
The thought of hopping in the car and driving more than 2,000 miles (one way), can be a bit intimidating, though. What if the car breaks down in the desert? What about highway bandits? What if there’s no room at the inn?
Fear not. Pre-planning and organization along the way will help even the most delicate and timid traveler not only make it to the end of the road but ultimately gain a tremendous amount of confidence in doing so.
Pre-planning is Essential to a Successful Cross-Country Road Trip
First, and foremost, the key to a successful Route 66 journey is planning. The number of resources available for those who want to make the trip is substantial. Start with an Internet search and then invest in some printed publications and maps to take on the road.
A great planning tool is the Historic Route 66 Web site, which offers turn-by-turn directions, maps, books, trivia, a forum, and a gallery of state-by-state pictures. The site also provides links to other sites and information on GPS methods of navigating the Mother Road.
After reading up on the Route 66 experience, decide how many days are available for the trip and loosely plan a day-by-day schedule. A westward nine-day option allows enough time to explore the sites along the way, and for a few days tooling around in southern California before heading back east on the big interstates, totaling three weeks.
It seems like a no-brainer to make sure the car is in tip-top shape, but it’s absolutely essential. Good tires and a healthy engine are necessary because the road can sometimes get rough and hilly. The desert is dry and the mountains are high. This is one trip that can be ruined by a break down.
Women and men alike might want to invest in some key chain pepper spray. This is not necessarily because Route 66 is dangerous, but sporting a small, bright canister in one hand when walking to and from the car, especially in strange places, has a marvelous effect on one’s confidence. In addition, the nine-day option can be driven in all daylight hours, which also helps afford a feeling of safety.
Food and Lodging Along Route 66 are Easy With a Well-Laid Plan
It’s fun to have snacks in the car, but on this trip, it’s also a necessity. Some items on the grocery list could be cases of bottled water, dry cereal, protein bars, chewing gum, and not-so-healthy items, such as chips and cookies. After all, it’s a vacation. Along the way, purchase fruits and veggies that travel well and won’t be bothered too much by sun and heat.
As for lodging, that’s pretty easy if the traveler has either a laptop, a phone with Internet service, or a hotel with a computer in the lobby. Each night, make finding the next night’s sleeping spot a priority. Decide how many miles to go the next day and pick a town to stop in for the night. Then visit sites like Hotels.com for the best deals and vacancies. This is also a good time to sign up for some hotel loyalty cards. The nights spent on the Route 66 trip might contribute to free stays later on.
As for eating, there are plenty of diners and fast-food establishments along the way. Some print publications highlight both diners and Route 66-friendly hotels along the way. These can go out-of-date quickly, though, so be sure to verify whether an establishment is still in operation. Also, what one travel author thinks is quality might not be what another considers that to be.
The level of interaction with locals and other travelers along the Mother Road is entirely an individual decision. Some people think it’s fun to get to know the culture of each area visited. Others, who truly needed to get away, can opt for very little human interaction on the trip.
In any case, a safe and enjoyable cross-country Route 66 trip is more than likely with some common sense, pre-planning, and ability to adapt to changing situations. The traveler will return home like a re-booted computer and with a new appreciation of the same bed every night.
For a travel log and pictures of my 19-day solo cross-country trip, check out Route 66.
