As we look back at the incredible journey of Jim Hinckley’s America in 2024, we are filled with gratitude to our fans, to our followers, and to our advertising partners. It has been a shared adventure of epic proportions!

You joined us for the morning walkabouts where we logged hundreds of miles on scenic trails. And you tagged along on road trips, provided inspiration with your questions and comments, and joined us at major Route 66 events.

This has been a remarkable year! And with the signature pessimistic optimism, we look toward new opportunities for shared adventures in 2025.  

The Walkabout

I fell a bit short in 2024. The goal was to cover at least 1,000 miles on the walkabouts. How else could I possibly give a real-world review Hi-Tec hiking shoes?

The sunrise walkabout of December 31, 2024, along the picturesque White Cliffs Wagon Road Trails in Kingman, Arizona took us to 830 miles for the year. No excuse as there was in 2023 when I spent the first few months of the year with a banged-up knee.

This year the only excuse I can offer is that work got in the way, and I allowed it. So, for 2025, I will try again. Can I surpass 1,000 miles this year? Stay tuned.

The 2024 Kickoff

Counted among the many highlights in 2024 was the sharing of road adventures and events. In January there was a trip to Auto Books Aero Books in Burbank, California. It was the store’s annual Road Trip Day event so signing books and talking with fascinating folks consumed most of the day. But as always happens when we visit this venerable old store that opened more than seventy years ago, I also bought a few books for the office library.

But the highlight was another visit with old friends and acquaintances. That included Jay Leno who popped in graciously posed for a promo photo.

And we had the privilege of discovering the Coral Café, a classic from the 1950s. That discovery was made even better as we shared a delicious dinner and conversation with Toshi Goto of the Japanese Route 66 Association, his wife Yoko, and Scott Piotrowski of the California Historic Route 66 Association.

Road Trip

In June, I made a memorable trip to the AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And in October my dearest friend and I set out on the annual fall tour that included the Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference in Edwardsville, Illinois.

The Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference is the only event that is dedicated to the business of Route 66. Since 2025 the annual conference brings together Route 66 enthusiasts, community organizers, event planners, historians, preservationists, and business owners to discuss the future of Route 66.

The conference features presentations and networking opportunities. From its inception I have been honored to address attendees.

The AAA Route 66 Road Fest is a relatively new event. But it has become a destination for legions of Route 66 enthusiasts. In a nutshell the event is a microcosm of the Route 66 experience, and it is all indoors.

A car show and vintage travel trailer display, exhibits and a diverse array of speakers such as author Michael Wallis, voice of the Sheriff in the animated film Cars were a few of the highlights in 2024. I highly recommend adding this event to your travel plans.

On Stage in Prescott, Arizona

Another highlight of the year was an appearance on stage in Prescott, Arizona alongside the legendary Bob Boze Bell. The synergy between Bob and I created an unforgettable experience for the audience, blending historical insights with personal anecdotes. Music was also part of the fun filled evening.

Bob Boze Bell is an internationally acclaimed author, artist and speaker. He is best known as the owner and editor of True West magazine.

The Prescott evening at the historic Elks Theatre centered on his newest book, The 66 Kid. Plans are being made for a repeat performance in Prescott, possibly in June 2025.

Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association

Another highlight of 2024 was speaking about the development of the road system, including Route 66, in the Mojave Desert at the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association in Goffs, California. It was a distinct honor to be a part of the organization’s annual fund-raising event.

Goffs is less than a shadow of what it once was and it has the dubious distinction of being the second community bypassed with a Route 66 realignment. That occurred in about 1930.

As it is in the middle of nowhere, something that is proudly promoted on t-shirts and other souvenirs, I was surprised by the turnout. It was quite an evening.

Working with Tour Groups

Throughout the year, I worked with various tour groups. This was a big part of Jim Hinckley’s America in 2024.

This is a great opportunity to share America’s story. These interactions allowed visitors to gain a deeper appreciation of Route 66, and history of the American southwest. And it provided ample opportunity for me to live up to my reputation as a storyteller.

I am honored by some of the reviews I received. “Jim’s engaging tours are a testament to his ability to connect with people and make history come alive. And when he says “alive,” he doesn’t mean like your pet parrot—he means vibrant, dynamic, and full of stories that could make a cactus blush.”

Gilligan’s and Two Lane

I have had the distinct privilege to work with Sam Murray, founder of New Zealand-based Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours, for several years. In addition to programs for his tour groups I also assist with overall tour development.  

Murray’s tours do more than provided a curated experience that highlights key historical landmarks and cultural points of interest. They provide an authentic and immersive tour that captures the essence of Route 66.

This year work with Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours provided a bonus. I was able to meet and talk with Richard Bosselman of Motoring NZ.

I also work closely with Austin Coop, founder of Two Lane America. Coop has built a rock-solid reputation for developing bespoke road trip experiences across the United States. One of his most popular tours is along iconic Route 66.

Support from Sponsors

Jim Hinckley’s America and Coffee With Jim, our weekly podcast on Podbean, have been fortunate to enjoy the support of likeminded advertising partners. Fans that support our crowdfunding initiative on Patreon have played a very important part in our ability to develop educational programs.

These partnerships have been instrumental in enabling us to share America’s story and inspire road trips by telling people where to go.  So, with that said I need to say thank you to –

• RouteTrip USA: A company dedicated to providing bespoke self-drive tour packages across the USA and Canada. I would be remiss if it were not noted that I also serve as a consultant in the development of Route 66 adventures. I also provide content for their newsletter.
• Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park: Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this site offers a unique blend of history and modern amenities for travelers along Route 66. Think of an updated 1940s trading post, modern RV park, a display of vintage travel trailers and wonderful views of the Sandia Mountains.
• Roadrunner Lodge Motel: A vintage motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, providing an authentic Route 66 lodging experience. The owner’s attention to detail has created a 1960s-time capsule but with a thin overlay of modern amenities.
• Wagon Wheel Motel: One of the oldest continuously operating motels on Route 66, located in Cuba, Missouri, known for its charming, vintage accommodations. This is no mere motel. It is a destination.
• Cactus Inn Motel: An iconic motel in McLean, Texas, offering travelers a nostalgic stay on Route 66. This 1950s gem is an oasis for the weary traveler. And right next door, the Red River Steakhouse provides an authentic Texas road house experience.

The New Jim Hinckley’s America Website

2024 also saw the launch of our revamped Jim Hinckley’s America website. We kept the essence of what fans have come to expect. But we repackaged the treasure trove of travel planning information and added an embedded player for archived episodes of Coffee With Jim. The updated site offers a more user-friendly experience. That makes it easier for visitors to access and enjoy our extensive body of work.

The new website also makes it easier to access more than a decade of blog posts. Each is rich with historical insights, personal anecdotes, a bit of dry humor, and detailed accounts of travel and discoveries.

Sharing America’s story. Inspiring road trips. It’s what we do.

A Year of Growth

We have been very pleased by the growth of the Jim Hinckley’s America network including the Coffee With Jim podcast. It hints that we are providing road trip enthusiasts with what they need, information as well as inspiration.

The Jim Hinckley’s America network has seen significant growth an increasing number of followers and subscribers across various platforms. This includes Instagram and Jim Hinckley’s America Facebook page.

The Coffee With Jim podcast, hosted on Podbean, has also enjoyed a surge in popularity. But I credit this to our diverse array of fascinating guests including authors, historians, and CVB directors.

And so, we are looking forward to 2025 with eager anticipation. We have an array of exciting projects and adventures in the planning stage.