A basic toolkit can also be a lifesaver in unexpected situations. That said, it’s always a good idea to carry water and snacks on your bike in case of an emergency. Route 66 runs through multiple large or mid-sized cities, and you’re never far from restaurants or gas stations. For next-level comfort in the cold, I recommend investing in heated gear. Make sure you pack both warm and cool base layers, protective gear (built-in armor and abrasion-resistant fabrics are highly recommended), and rain gear. The best way to handle extreme weather on a motorcycle is to bring layers. Depending on the time of year you travel Route 66, you may hit everything from scorching heat to snowstorms (in fact, you’re likely to encounter both some of the hottest and coldest days of your journey just within the state of Arizona). Traveling on a motorcycle means always being exposed to the elements, with very little protection beyond what you’re wearing. Since Route 66 crosses through multiple states with widely varying climates, you’ll want to make sure you pack for all-weather travel. No matter what bike you end up with, make sure it’s comfortable enough to ride long distances on, and that it has space to carry all your gear.
What to pack for a Route 66 motorcycle road trip I’ve also heard of people purchasing a used motorcycle at the start of the route and selling it after they reach the end-but that involves a lot more risk, money, and paperwork than most people are going to be comfortable with. Peer-to-peer rental platforms such as Riders Share and Twisted Road generally offer a wider range of models at a lower price point than traditional rental companies. If you’re able to pick up and drop off the bike in the same location, you’re going to have a lot more options. The 15-day self-guided tour package starts at about $2,500-however, it is entirely possible to ride all of Route 66 in 7 to 10 days, as long as you’re comfortable riding a few hundred miles per day. EagleRider also offers guided and self-guided Route 66 tours. Motorcycle rental company EagleRider has locations in both Chicago and Los Angeles, and the option of a one-way rental is available for an additional fee. | Photo: Sanna Bomanįor those not bringing their own motorcycle, the easiest choice is to rent a bike. And I couldn’t help but appreciate the juxtaposition between riding a new generation of Harley on the most classic American road. Comfortable, fast, and able to go anywhere, it ended up being the perfect choice for the trip. Instead of a classic cruiser, I got the opportunity to ride Harley-Davidson’s new adventure motorcycle, the Pan America. I’d conjured up images of cruising down the highway on a chromed-out machine that, in many people’s minds, occupies the same cultural space as the Mother Road itself: a bit dated, perhaps, but still undeniably American. When I first started planning my trip, I knew that I wanted to do it on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Related: The Roadtrippers guide to Route 66 What to ride on a Route 66 motorcycle road trip And now, just from a greater cultural standpoint, you have people who are more interested in authentic experiences.”Īnd despite the occasional tourist trap, you’d be hard pressed to find a more authentic road trip experience than Route 66. “And as those kids grow up and introduce their own kids to Cars, that’s getting them interested in the history and the story. “The figure that’s quoted is that the businesses along the route saw a 30 percent jump just from the movie,” he says.
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According to Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, a lot of the buzz can be attributed to Pixar’s 2006 movie Cars.
Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, but it has seen a revival in the last few decades. One of the Historic Route 66 “Begin” signs located along East Adams Street in Chicago, Illinois. But as more and more sections of the original route were bypassed by interstate, other towns and destinations weren’t so lucky, and fell into disrepair or disappeared entirely. Roadside attractions, diners, and motels sprang up along the route, many of which are still standing today.
The original road was established in 1926, and during its mid-century heyday, small towns went all in on capturing the tourism that came along with the highway’s rise in popularity. Stretching 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) from Chicago in the east to Santa Monica in the west, Route 66 crosses through eight states and offers a near-perfect snapshot of the U.S.-from bustling cities to crumbling ghost towns.
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