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Route 66 Centennial Motorhome Guide

100 Years of the Mother Road — Do Route 66 Your Way

Turn the 2026 centennial into the road trip of a lifetime. Book a motorhome, follow the neon, and sleep where the history happened — with live availability from trusted rental partners.

Centennial Overview

Route 66 connects Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier, crossing eight states and a century of American stories. In 2026, towns along the route will host pop-ups, parades, and special exhibits. This is a perfect year to roll the Mother Road end-to-end.

Route
Chicago, IL → Santa Monica, CA
Distance
≈ 2,448 miles / 3,940 km
States
IL • MO • KS • OK • TX • NM • AZ • CA
When
All of 2026
Peak: Spring–Fall
Theme
History, diners, neon, desert
Travel Style
One-way or loop road trip

Why Do Route 66 in a Motorhome?

Travel at your pace, sleep under starry desert skies, and keep your home comforts rolling from diner to neon motel sign.

  • Freedom to pull over for murals, museums, and roadside icons
  • Your own kitchen, bed, and bathroom — no nightly repacks
  • Detour to parks like Petrified Forest & Grand Canyon
  • Ideal for families & friends splitting costs
  • One-way rentals make end-to-end trips easy

Camping & Overnight Options

Mix classic RV parks with scenic public lands:

Private RV Parks
  • KOA & Route 66-themed parks
  • Hookups, laundry, pools
Harvest Hosts
  • Wineries, farms, museums
  • Great for unique overnights
State & National Parks
  • Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon detour
  • Book peak-season months early
Urban Campgrounds
  • Near big-city sights (Chicago, LA)
  • Transit access & amenities

Overnighting rules vary by city/county — use legal campgrounds in metro areas.

Motorhome Pickup Locations

Start where it suits your itinerary — go end-to-end or sample a favorite stretch.

Chicago, IL
Eastern start
St. Louis, MO
Gateway city
Oklahoma City/Tulsa, OK
Mid-route hubs
Albuquerque, NM
Southwest base
Flagstaff, AZ
Grand Canyon detour
Los Angeles, CA
Finish at the pier

Centennial demand will spike May–September 2026 — reserve early.

Search & Book — Live Availability

Compare Class B vans, family Class C RVs and more across multiple providers in one place.

  • One-way options across multiple states
  • Add-ons: solar, extra mileage, kitchen kits
  • Support from booking to return

What to Pack

  • Reusable water jugs & cooler/fridge space
  • Camp chairs, shade canopy, outdoor mat
  • Basic toolkit, tire gauge, roadside kit
  • Paper maps or offline nav for dead zones
  • Trash bags, wipes, compact broom
  • Layers for desert heat & cool nights

FAQs

Can I book a one-way rental for Route 66?

Yes. Many providers allow one-way trips (e.g., Chicago → Los Angeles). Availability varies, so book early for summer dates.

Do I need to reserve every campground?

Reserve popular parks and city RV parks ahead of time, especially in summer. You can keep some nights flexible between towns.

Is boondocking allowed along Route 66?

Some public lands in the Southwest allow dispersed camping, but urban areas usually prohibit it — use designated campgrounds near cities.