Join us for the ultimate American road trip on U.S. Highway 66 - popularly known as Route 66 or the Mother Road. Travel back in time as we visit historic places that evoke images of simpler times, mom and pop businesses and the icons of a mobile nation on the road. From the Santa Monica Pier to St. Louis, travel this famous road and see the well-preserved motels, diners, gas stations and roadside attractions of a bygone era.
- The Blue Whale of Cartoosa
- National Route 66 Museum
- Cadillac Ranch
- Amarillo guided tour
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Mother Road Museum
- Santa Monica Pier
- Iconic photo opportunities
DAY 1: LOS ANGELES
Our Rt 66 journey begins as we fly into Los Angeles. Enjoy breathtaking views, ocean breezes and amusement park fun on Santa Monica Pier. Snap a picture at the official “End of the Trail” sign and visit the Last Stop Shop before dinner at iconic Mel’s Diner. Overnight in Los Angeles. D
DAY 2: LAS VEGAS
Depart for Barstow to visit the Mother Road Museum and Murals, then it’s full speed ahead to glittering Las Vegas. Take a group photo at the iconic “Welcome to Vegas” sign before arriving for dinner, and unpack for a two-night stay at the four-star Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino. B, D
DAY 3: LAS VEGAS
Today is yours to explore Las Vegas at leisure! Your Sunrise Tour Director will help you plan a perfect day. B
DAY 4: KINGMAN, AZ
Visit massive Hoover Dam before exploring Arizona’s Route 66 Museum, located on Andy Divine Road in historic Powerhouse. Overnight at the Route 66 themed Ramada Kingman in Kingman, AZ. B, D
DAY 5: GALLUP, NM
Depart for Peach Springs, the inspiration for the Pixar movie Cars. After lunch at the classic diner, Cruiser’s Route 66 Cafe, visit great photo stops at the classic Jack Rabbit Trading Post and “Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona.” Continue to El Rancho Hotel for a two-night stay, which served as home base to movie stars who came to the desert for their films. B, L
Option━Grand Canyon Caverns Take the exploration elevator 21 stories underground to explore the largest dry caverns in the United States during an optional guided walking tour. Price: TBD
DAY 6: PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Spend the day exploring the Petrified Forest National Park, the world’s largest and most colorful collection of petrified wood, dating back 225 million years ago. Part of a natural travel corridor used for over 10,000 years, historic Rt 66 is its most famous road! After a stop at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and lunch on-your-own at the Painted Desert Diner, head out for a scenic drive through the park’s 28 miles, enjoying breathtaking views of the park’s Painted Desert vistas and colorful badlands. B, D
DAY 7: AMARILLO, TX
Continue on the Mother Road to Albuquerque, NM, for a visit to the new Rt 66 Visitor Center. Enjoy a classic 50s-style blue plate special lunch at the 66 Diner, complete with their famous milkshake. Next, you’ve reached the halfway point of Route 66! Stop in Adrian, TX, for a photo at the iconic midpoint sign. Join a local guide for a tour of Amarillo, including the must-stop at Cadillac Ranch to see 10 Cadillacs buried nose down and covered in spray paint graffiti. B, L
DAY 8: OKLAHOMA CITY
Stop in McLean, TX, to learn about the history of barb wire at the Devil’s Rope Museum before continuing to Shamrock, TX, to visit the U-Drop-Inn. Capture the spirit of Rt 66 at the National Route 66 Museum, the ultimate way to experience our nation’s most revered highway. Visit the Old Round Barn before dinner at the iconic POPS. Overnight in Oklahoma City. B, D
DAY 9: JOPLIN, MO
Visit the Rt 66 Interpretive Center featuring artwork and local memorabilia. Today is filled with classic Route 66 roadside attractions. Take photos of the famed roadside wonder, The Blue Whale of Cartoosa. Learn about the life of humorist Will Rogers by visiting his memorial museum in Claremore. Stop in Chelsea to marvel at the World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole. Overnight in Joplin, MO. B, D
DAY 10: CUBA, MO AND HOME
Enjoy a guided tour of Joplin’s history, Route 66 Mural Park, and infamous outlaws Bonnie & Clyde’s hideout apartment. See the 163-foot-wide waterfall at Grand Falls before continuing our journey to Main Street of America. Stop at the Rt 66 Rocker (formerly the World’s Largest Rocking Chair) and see the famous Cuba Murals. Arrive in the St. Louis area with treasured memories of Route 66! B
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Renaissance Hotel LAX, Los Angeles, CA
Nights 2-3: Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas
Night 4: Ramada, Kingman, AZ
Nights 5-6: El Rancho Hotel, Gallup, NM
Night 7: Big Texan Motel, Amarillo, TX
Night 8: Hampton Inn, Oklahoma City, OK (or similar)
Night 9: Hampton Inn, Joplin, MO (or similar)
Dates:
- Departure: September 14, 2024
- Return: September 23, 2024
Pricing:
- Double: $2,599
- Triple/Quad: $2,399
- Single: $3,039
*Per person rates
*Includes outgoing flight to Los Angeles, return by coach to St. Louis
Luggage
Make sure you have comfortable shoes! This tour requires a lot of walking.
Orange luggage tags are provided and are to be placed on your “checked luggage” (large bag). You do not need a tag for your carry-on bag, for which you will be responsible for taking on and off the coach. There is limited space in the cabin of the coach, so unless you require your carry-on bag while traveling, we will stow it in the luggage compartment.
On the first and last nights of this tour, you are welcome to pack your carry-on bag with essentials that would enable us to leave your “checked bag” on the coach. This will facilitate faster check-in and luggage delivery. This is not a requirement, merely a suggestion; we will deliver your “checked bag” to your room on the first and last night if you desire, just like every other night of the tour.
Important Information
Each reservation requires a $250 per person deposit planning fee (exceptions may apply) to be credited toward your final payment. Some or all of your deposit may be non-refundable per our cancellation schedule noted in these Terms & Conditions below. We are happy to accept cash, check (preferred) or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) for your deposit.
Throughout 2021 we limited capacity on all our tours. This policy was so overwhelmingly popular by Sunrise travelers, we have made it permanent. In 2022 and beyond, we will limit the capacity on our motorcoaches to 80%. Most Sunrise Tours travel on 50-seat coaches with extra legroom, which means guests will enjoy extra legroom AND at least 6-8 empty seats. In the rare cases when we charter a 55-seat coach, there will be at least 10 open seats on the bus.
Our popular on-board refreshment service on travel days will feature a variety of soda, beer, wine spritzers, juices and sparkling water choices served in recyclable aluminum cans. This is a safe and eco-conscious way for us to deliver the ever-popular Sunrise Tours “happy hour” on tour. We do not typically serve bottled water and ask that while on tour you be responsible for your own hydration and consider the Sunrise Tours drink service a welcome refreshment.
Terms and Conditions:
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
