The DW and I are heading to Arizona this year and are thinking about taking a Route 66 route for we will be leaving from the Windsor/Detroit area.
We will be in the Chicago area about October 15th. We don't want to rush the trip but don't want to be looking over our shoulder at the weather all the time. Is this too late in the year for the northern states? Also, do things shut down along the route for the season etc.
I have purchased and read lots about the route, where to find the few remaining sections, parallel roads and how to negotiate the getting on and off but none of them mention weather or closures.
Any suggestions and input will be appreciated.
PS: We like to stay in NP and Boondock alot, so we are interested in any suggestions there also.
Thanks.. Mike
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
Forget route 66 and look to nearby cities and towns for weather. It will be the same on 66. October 15 is certainly late in the year, and is it too late, well hard to say. Weather is like, the weather. Could be nice, could be a horror. What passes for okay on the roads nearby may be a stopper on 66.
Route 66 has many places to visit 'yesterday' but be aware that it is not a road built with easy cruising in mind. Many areas I have been on are hilly, narrow, have sharp turns. While the interstate that is parallel with it may be smooth and level, 66 may be rough and very hilly. Not sure what kind of RV you have, but just know you will have to take it very slow compared to what you may be used to.
Springfield IL has some Route 66 memorabilia including the Cozy Dog where corn dogs are a staple and you can stay at Double J campground right on 66 but just off I-55. Williams AZ is one of the best preserved towns along the route which, by the way, is two lane.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
Dick_B wrote: Springfield IL has some Route 66 memorabilia including the Cozy Dog where corn dogs are a staple and you can stay at Double J campground right on 66 but just off I-55. Williams AZ is one of the best preserved towns along the route which, by the way, is two lane.
Don't forget Seligman, a little west of Williams. Be sure and stop at the Road Kill cafe!! Also have Grand canyon Caverns along there.
Speaking to AZ, weather in the higher elevations can be unpredictable. But mid-October should be fine, it will get iffier once you get into November, and by mid-November your chances of a winter storm definitely go up. The same applies to western NM.
It is not too late in the year if your coach has heat. The Mother Road goes south so fast from Chicago (we picked it up in Joliet) that cold won't really be a big issue. I don't recall much that actually closes for the season. School will have started most places, so that is one problem you won't have.
We did this about 4 years ago to get to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
If you didn't get a copy of EZ66, get one now.(ISBN 0-9709951-4-8).
We didn't pay for a campground anywhere.
We (actually my wife) actually drove a lot of the original road (including 4 miles of a 9' wide section - That was a mistake, I was navigating and reading).
We stopped at every museum/attraction that seemed at all interesting.
I would love to do this trip again and maybe have time to get to California. This is a dream. With fuel prices as they are and going higher, we are now limited to about 3000 miles a year. There and half way back when we run out of money.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dog going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.
Mootpoint wrote: The DW and I are heading to Arizona this year and are thinking about taking a Route 66 route for we will be leaving from the Windsor/Detroit area.
We will be in the Chicago area about October 15th. We don't want to rush the trip but don't want to be looking over our shoulder at the weather all the time. Is this too late in the year for the northern states? Also, do things shut down along the route for the season etc.
I have purchased and read lots about the route, where to find the few remaining sections, parallel roads and how to negotiate the getting on and off but none of them mention weather or closures.
Any suggestions and input will be appreciated.
PS: We like to stay in NP and Boondock alot, so we are interested in any suggestions there also.
Thanks.. Mike
Historic route 66is the best website I've found to date on the old Route 66.
here's some possible sights to see along your way.
New Mexico, Petroglyph National Monument
Video photo click it
Easy walking paths are at the petroglyph's.
Old town in Albuquerque, park at the museum, plenty of room there.
video photo click it
Tingley Beach Park is just off Route66 (Central Ave, Albuquerque, NM)
Video photo click it
fishing ponds
video photo click it
With your schedule you'll miss the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.
Arizonia-Petrified National Park
from the north entrance follow the tour road south, there is a marker for route66 just before the overpass (I-40).the tour road is a easy to drive with many beautiful sights along the way
There is dry camping just outside the south entrance run by the native Indians, just but 20 dollars worth of stuff at their rock store.From there you can re access the I-40 through Holbrook.
Seligman to Kingman-route66 (Andy Devine in Kingman) Grand Canyon Caverns
Campground
cavern tour
Heading toward Kingman you'll travel through part of the Hualapai Indian Reservation.
Be sure to make a stop in Hackberry on Route66
From Hackberry to Kingman it's pretty much open road.If you want to see Oatman,Az. and take you 5th wheel come in from the road at Topock near the Calif/Az line, the west traveling road to Oatman from Kingman is very narrow,windy and highly not advise for RV's and busses.
California Route66
I-40 west bound get off at Mountain Spring road, make a left over the interstate, this is now National Trail Hwy (Route66). It will take you back to the I-40 in Luglow, along this route you have the town of Amboy,Ca., fuel can be bought here. Amboy Crater is a couple of mile west of Amboy and is operated by the BLM, free stay for 14 days. A easy hiking trail leads out to the crater with information signage along the way.
When wild flower were blooming at Amboy Crater.
video photo click it
There are things sights in between what I'd posted here,just pm me if you have any questions.
Some great pics there. We were in the Petrified Forest 10 years ago. The DW looked at your pics and said "Hey I remember that!"
We were on a time line then and were in and out in several hours but this time with both of us retired we will spend more time.
Dick_B wrote: Springfield IL has some Route 66 memorabilia including the Cozy Dog where corn dogs are a staple and you can stay at Double J campground right on 66 but just off I-55. Williams AZ is one of the best preserved towns along the route which, by the way, is two lane.
Don't forget Seligman, a little west of Williams. Be sure and stop at the Road Kill cafe!! Also have Grand canyon Caverns along there.
Dave
At Seligman stay on 66 to Kingman good 2 lane road we go that way all the time, get Gas in Flagstaff as GAS is about .40 or 50 cents higher in Willams & Seligman ,
also take a car trip from Kingman to Oatman no the RV
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