By Jim Hinckley
“Telling folks where to go… with a little help from our friends.”
The road is calling! Got a craving for wide-open roads, neon nights, and a road trip filled with stories of fascinating and inspirational people weathered into red brick facades and fadedsigns? Welcome to the beginning of your Route 66 adventure, the ultimat road trip.
To get the most from that adventure I’m here to help you plan every inch of it.
This is Part One of the Jim Hinckley’s America Route 66 Travel Planning Series – the essential guide for putting your road trip dreams into drive. We’ll be talking tour companies, guidebooks, and some of my favorite motels on the Main Street of America. Stay tuned for Part Two, where we dive into restaurants and diners, and the third post in the series, where we’ll hit the road RV-style.
So grab a cup of coffee (preferably with Jim), and let’s start mapping out your epic journey.
Guided Tours: Ride Along With the Best
Whether you’re a Route 66 rookie or a seasoned road warrior, sometimes the best way to experience the magic is to ride along with someone who knows the road, the people, and the special places. I proudly work with three of the finest Route 66 tour companies on the road today, and I also serve as a consultant to ensure that these are some of the best tours available:
Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours
Led by the ever-charismatic Sam Murray, Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours are legendary for their relaxed pace, warm hospitality, and down-to-earth style. Sam’s knowledge of the road is deep as a prairie well. Sam has developed an incredible self drive group tour, and with the help from some modern technology, a single self drive tour that has virtual guide for every mile. And I would be remiss if it wasn’t noted that he also offers an incredible Mississippi River driving tour from Minneapolis to New Orleans.
🌐 www.gilligansroute66.com
RouteTrip USA
Run by my good friend Stephen Disbrowe, RouteTrip USA helps international travelers live the American road trip dream with self-drive tours in the United States and Canada that include car rental, hotels, and a well-crafted itinerary.
🌐 www.routetripusa.co.uk
Two Lane America
Austin Coop and his team know how to bring the road to life with guided driving tours that blend nostalgia, history, and good old-fashioned fun. If you want Route 66 with a smile and a story, this is your crew. Auston also offers an incredible auto museum tour in southern Michigan, a New England fall foliage tour, and an amazing tour in the southwest.
🌐 www.twolaneamerica.com
Must-Have Travel Tools
You wouldn’t build a house without a hammer – and you shouldn’t tackle Route 66 without a solid guidebook and a trusty app.
📘 Route 66: EZ Guide for Travelers by Jerry McClanahan
This glove-box essential is part map, part museum guide, and all heart. Clear directions, quirky tips, and Jerry’s hand-drawn maps make this one a road-tripper’s bible. I havebeen traveling this old road since 1959 and never set out on a Route 66 adventure without a copy of Jerry’s guide.
📱 Route 66 Navigation App
Turn your phone into a Route 66 co-pilot. This app gives turn-by-turn navigation, event information, alerts about attractions, and even lets you track your journey offline. It’s the perfect blend of modern tech and classic adventure.
🌐 www.route66navigation.com
Where to Stay: Classic Motels and Roadside Gems
I could fill a book about some of my favorite places to eat and stay on Route 66. In fact, I have – 100 Things To Do On Route 66 Before You Die.
But for this blog post I will share just a few of the Jim-approved motels that capture the soul of the open road. Each has a story – and a great night’s sleep waiting for you.
Carlvilla Motel – Carlinville, IL
Mid-century charm meets small-town comfort. A cozy, friendly stop in the heartland.
Country Hearth Inn – Edwardsville, IL
A good launching point for your Route 66 journey, this place offers modern comfort with easy access to the original alignments. And there are some wonderful restaurants within walking distance.
Wagon Wheel Motel – Cuba, MO
One of the most iconic motels on the Mother Road. Built in 1935, lovingly restored with stone cottages, a charming gift shop, and more neon than a 1950s soda shop. As a bonus, some of the books in the gift shop were defaced by me, and that alone makes them worth the purchase price!
🌐 www.wagonwheel66cuba.com
Route 66 Rail Haven – Springfield, MO
Elvis slept here, or so the story goes! Now a part of the Best Western chain this gem from the 1930s is steeped in vintage magic. Cozy rooms, a great location, and plenty of Mother Road flair.
Rockwood Motor Court – Springfield, MO
A beautifully restored 1920s motor court. Feels like stepping back in time, with modern comfort and gracious hospitality.
Campbell Hotel – Tulsa, OK
An elegant, boutique hotel with themed rooms that celebrate Tulsa’s rich history. A little bit of luxury along the road.
Best Western Mark – Weatherford, OK
Classic western hospitality and a great base to explore Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66. Even better, dating to the 1950s this is a delightful blurring of past and present.
Roadrunner Lodge Motel – Tucumcari, NM
A personal favorite – lovingly restored 1960s motel with modern amenities, vintage charm, and a commitment to authenticity. Owners David Brenner and his team do it right. Ask for a Tiki room!
🌐 www.roadrunnerlodge.com
Sunset Motel – Moriarty, NM
This little slice of Americana that dates to 1959 boasts glowing neon and a warm welcome. A wonderful roadside rest stop and one of the oldest one family owned motels on Route 66.
El Vado – Albuquerque, NM
Originally opened in 1937, beautifully updated with modern flair while keeping its historic soul. Walkable to food pods, restaurants, Old Twon, the zoo, and fun.
Hotel Andaluz – Albuquerque, NM
If you’re looking for Route 66 elegance with a splash of Southwest charm, this historic refurbished 1939 hotel in the heart of the city is the place to be.
El Rancho – Gallup, NM
Where the movie stars stayed! Western legends, rustic wood beams, and old-Hollywood vibes in every corner of this pre-war treasure.
Earl’s Motor Court – Winslow, AZ
A no-frills gem right down the road from the corner. It’s got personality and prime location. This is a true time capsule, and a favorite of mine. It opened as the Marble Motel in 1953.
Americana Motor Hotel – Flagstaff, AZ
Revamped and reimagined with retro flair, and promoted by Lisa Kissinger, a recent guest on Coffee With Jim. This one is truly unique – cool, cozy, and colorful.
Arizona 9 Motel – Williams, AZ
Affordable, clean, and just minutes from downtown Williams – your gateway to the Grand Canyon. Another time capsule
Arizona Inn – Kingman, AZ
One block off Route 66 in the historic heart of Kingman this renovated, comfortable, family-owned motel that opened in 1964 as a Rodeway Inn is conveniently located for exploring Kingman’s historic district. Calico’s restaurant across the street is one of my favorites. For breakfast try the Mexicano.
Saga Motor Hotel – Pasadena, CA
As you cruise toward the end of the line in Santa Monica, pull in at the Saga. Classic SoCal style from the 1950s is a perfect end cap to your journey through the heartland of America, and through time.
More Than a Road Trip – It’s a Revival
Need more planning help? You’re already in the right place. The Jim Hinckley’s America website, Facebook page, Instagram, and the Coffee With Jim podcast on Podbean are all great places to hear about upcoming events, hidden gems, and insider tips from folks keeping the road alive.
Speaking of which, Lisa Kissinger of Americana Motor Hotel and David Brenner of the Roadrunner Lodge were recent guests on Coffee With Jim. Their insights into running classic motels in the 21st century are worth a listen!
And stay tuned – in Part Two, we’ll be tackling diners, diners, and more diners. Then, we’ll roll into Part Three, where we talk about traveling Route 66 with an RV, including a spotlight on the amazing Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park in Albuquerque – an RV traveler’s dream, complete with vintage trailers, Route 66 memorabilia, and roots that stretch back to the 1940s.
🌐 www.enchantedtrails.com
Thank you. Shared adventures are the best adventures.