America’s renowned Route 66 may be a well trodden path but with so much to see, so many experiences to be had and all sorts of diversions to be made off the main track, all Route 66 road trips are unique. However, there are a few top tips that everyone should follow to make sure the trip goes off without a hitch and that you get the most you can out of this incredible experience.
When to go
Since Route 66 takes you across most of America, the weather can vary quite widely. While you can go any time as long as you are prepared for all weather conditions, the best time to go is between mid-May and mid-October to make the most of the nicer weather. Make sure you pack for all eventualities with regards to the weather, as it can still fluctuate in this short time period.
Renting a car
Rates are fairly erratic and change all the time, especially since they depend on your departure point, destination, travelling time, the model you want and when you make the order. If you want to keep costs down, it may be worth bucking the trend and considering driving from West to East instead of the customary direction.
On the road
On the other hand, if you want to make the most of your trip and make it as memorable as possible, why not hire an incredible car? Models similar to the Mercedes SLS AMG make great choices if you’re looking for a show stopping, attention grabbing ride that will zip along the long sections of straight road and get you to your destination faster.
Take a map
Route 66 may be a well trodden tourist trail but that’s not to say figuring out the way between stop-offs in a no-brainer. Route 66 highway signs are frequently stolen, so if you turn up not knowing where you’re going you could get very lost indeed. A GPS system can be indispensable for times when signs seem to disappear into thin air, or invest in a good old-fashioned map.
Take it slow
People on a budget or under time constraints may set themselves a shorter time period to complete Route 66. Two weeks is the minimum amount of time you should give yourself to do it justice, but if you are more flexible then extending your stay will give you the chance to see all the incredible sights along the way. Every stop-off is teeming with things to do, so the more time you dedicate to your trip the better.
Resources
And last but not least, get prepared as much as you can. The best resources for this is http://www.historic66.com where you will find maps, forums and even books.