Route 66 is the original American road trip — 2,448 miles of neon signs, ghost towns, diners, deserts and Americana, running from Chicago to Santa Monica. Doing it by campervan is a special kind of freedom: you follow the old road at your own pace, sleep under desert stars, and soak up a slice of history that’s slowly fading. This is the complete guide to driving Route 66 by campervan — the route, the stops, where to camp, and what it costs.
It’s a big trip, so plan your budget properly first with VanCalc’s free budget calculator — the mileage alone makes fuel your biggest cost.
What Is Route 66?
Route 66 ran from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, established in 1926 as one of America’s first highways. It was officially decommissioned in 1985, but much of the original road survives — lovingly preserved by the towns along it. Driving it today means piecing together the old alignments, which is part of the adventure.
It passes through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
How Long Do You Need?
- 2 weeks — the realistic minimum to drive it properly
- 3 weeks — the comfortable sweet spot with time to explore
- A month+ — to really savour it and add detours like the Grand Canyon
This is not a route to rush. The whole point is the small towns, the roadside oddities, and the slow unfolding of the American landscape. Plan 150–250 miles a day at most.
The Route & Best Stops (Chicago to Santa Monica)
Illinois → Missouri
Start at the official sign in Chicago. Roll through classic old-road towns and stop at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Missouri has some of the best-preserved early stretches.
Kansas → Oklahoma
Kansas only holds 13 miles of Route 66, but they’re charming. Oklahoma has the most drivable original miles of any state — plus quirky stops like the Blue Whale of Catoosa and the round barn at Arcadia.
Texas
The Panhandle brings the famous Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo — ten cars buried nose-down in a field, covered in spray paint. Bring a can and add your mark. The Midpoint Café in Adrian marks the halfway point.
New Mexico
The landscape turns dramatic. Tucumcari is a neon-sign time capsule, and Albuquerque‘s Central Avenue preserves a great stretch of the old road. The light and desert here are magic.
Arizona
Arguably the best state for Route 66. Petrified Forest National Park, the ghost town of Two Guns, the perfectly preserved town of Seligman (birthplace of the Route 66 revival), and a detour to the Grand Canyon is easy from here.
California → Santa Monica
Cross the Mojave Desert — stark and beautiful, drive it in the cool of morning. Then descend through San Bernardino to the coast and the Santa Monica Pier, the official end of the road.
Where to Camp on Route 66
The good news: much of Route 66 runs through the West, where free camping is abundant — a huge contrast to the coastal PCH. Your options:
- BLM land — plentiful in New Mexico, Arizona and California. Free dispersed camping up to 14 days.
- National Forests — free dispersed camping, especially good in Arizona
- Use The Dyrt PRO ($35/year) to find both free and paid spots along the route
- Historic Route 66 campgrounds and RV parks — part of the experience in the eastern states where public land is scarcer ($25–$45/night)
- Walmarts and truck stops — reliable overnight options through the middle states
The eastern half (Illinois to Oklahoma) has less free camping, so lean on RV parks and Walmarts there. The western half is where the free desert camping opens up. See our free camping guide for the full strategy.
What Does Route 66 Cost by Campervan?
The big variable is the sheer distance. A rough guide for a couple over 3 weeks:
| Cost | 3-week estimate |
|---|---|
| Fuel (~2,500 miles) | $500–$750 |
| Camping (mix free + paid) | $250–$500 |
| Food & supplies | $600–$900 |
| Attractions, diners, extras | $300–$500 |
| Total | $1,650–$2,650 |
Fuel is the dominant cost on Route 66 — 2,448 miles adds up fast. Use VanCalc’s route calculator with your van’s actual mpg to nail down the fuel figure before you go.
Driving Tips for Route 66
- Get a good Route 66 guide or app — the original road isn’t always signed, and you’ll need turn-by-turn help to follow the historic alignments
- Drive Chicago to Santa Monica (east to west) — it’s the traditional direction and ends at the beach
- Cross deserts early — the Mojave and Arizona stretches are brutal in afternoon heat; drive them in the morning
- Carry extra water — desert stretches are remote with long gaps between services
- Keep the tank topped up — some original stretches have very few gas stations
Gear That Makes Route 66 Better
- Maxxair Roof Fan (~$159) — non-negotiable for desert heat
- 200W Solar Panel (~$189) — endless desert sun powers everything for free
- 12V Fridge (~$329) — cold drinks are a lifeline in the desert stretches
- WeBoost Signal Booster (~$499) — signal drops out across the remote middle states
- Garmin inReach Mini (~$349) — satellite SOS for the empty desert crossings
When to Go
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal — mild temperatures across all eight states and comfortable desert crossings. Summer brings brutal heat to the Southwest deserts (avoid the Mojave in July if you can). Winter can bring snow and closures in the higher-elevation eastern and northern stretches.
The Bottom Line
Route 66 by campervan is the great American road trip — a slow, nostalgic journey through the heart of the country that no other route matches for sheer character. Give it at least two weeks, follow the historic alignments, cross the deserts early, and lean on the abundant free camping in the West to keep costs down. It’s the kind of trip that stays with you for life.
→ Plan your Route 66 road trip costs for free at VanCalc
Related reads: Van Life in the USA · Pacific Coast Highway by Campervan · How to Find Free Camping in the US
