Historic Routes Overview
Route 66, often called the Mother Road, runs from Chicago to Los Angeles. This iconic route passes through eight states, showcasing America's heartland and unique roadside attractions. Vintage motels, antique gas stations, and famous diners line this highway, offering a glimpse into nostalgic Americana.
U.S. Route 50, known as the Loneliest Road, stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic, crossing a varied landscape. This route is known for its low traffic and remote stretches, especially through Nevada. It offers a chance for solitude and discovery, from exploring Great Basin National Park in Nevada to visiting the colonial streets of Williamsburg, Virginia.
These highways are linked to different eras in American history, from westward expansion to the golden age of motoring. Traveling these roads is about more than just covering miles; it's about uncovering layers of American history and experiencing the sites where history was made.
Ghost towns along Route 66 that thrived during the gold rush and silver mining days, and the peaks and valleys along U.S. 50 that provide insights into rural American life, serve as a backdrop for a range of experiences. These roads foster a connection with a simpler time in history when each mile promised new hope and opportunities.
These road trips also offer the chance to engage with communities whose lifestyles have remained remarkably steadfast over decades, preserving crafts, cuisines, and traditions. These routes provide an opportunity to step back in time and understand the continuing impact of America's unfolding story.
Planning Your Historic Road Trip
When planning a historic road trip, it's important to consider the best times to travel. For Route 66, spring and fall are ideal to avoid the summer heat of the Midwest and desert landscapes. For the Loneliest Road, summer might be preferable, especially if you plan to travel through higher elevations like those in Colorado or explore rural parts of Nevada where winter conditions can affect travel.
Planning essential stops along the way is also crucial. On Route 66, a visit to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum offers a detailed look into the historical significance and cultural impact of this road. For U.S. Route 50, a stop at Ely, Nevada is a must – it's a quintessential pit stop that captures the isolating beauty of the highway's most barren stretches.
Accommodations on these routes range from historic hotels and cozy bed-and-breakfasts to roadside motels with mid-century charm. Booking in advance can secure a night at classic spots like the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, along Route 66, or a stay in the history-rich Clifton Inn in Charlottesville along Route 50.
Finding the right balance between driving time and exploration is key. Aiming for no more than five to six hours of driving each day allows ample opportunity to veer off the main track to discover local history, cuisine, and crafts.
Equipping yourself with both digital and physical maps is helpful. Reliable GPS technology is essential, especially on less-frequented roads, but traditional paper maps offer a broader perspective of your route and can assist in planning your daily itinerary.
Unique Attractions Along the Way
Each historic route offers a variety of unique attractions worth stopping for and exploring. These stops craft scenes of memorable experiences engraved within local charm and history.
On Route 66, the Meramec Caverns in Missouri are a must-see. These caverns offer a spectacular underground journey beneath the Ozarks. A guided tour leads through well-lit corridors displaying vast rooms of mineral deposits creating a magnificent subterranean landscape.
Also along Route 66 in New Mexico lies the Blue Hole of Santa Rosa. This ancient natural limestone sinkhole offers a refreshing reprieve with its consistent 62-degree cool waters and exceptional clarity. It forms an interesting stop on a road filled with eclectic curiosities.
Moving east on U.S. Route 50, one can explore the ghost towns of Nevada like Eureka and Austin. These towns provide a glimpse into the past, with dusty streets lined with Victorian buildings and relics from the silver rush glory days.
The journey down these roads also invites the culture enthusiast in every traveler with quirky art installations and roadside diners spotted frequently along the way. The Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, where half-buried Cadillacs invite visitors to leave their mark with spray paint, is a visually striking display.
For those seeking local flavors, consider visiting small-claim eateries like Clanton's Café in Vinita, Oklahoma. Owned and operated by the same family since 1927, it's well-known for its calf fries and chicken fried steak1.
These attractions, each with their own stories, give every mile traveled on these historic routes its unique voice. They spur us forward not just from one place to another but deeper into understanding and appreciation of what has shaped this country.
- Everett J. The Top 100 Dishes of Oklahoma. The Daily Oklahoman. May 14, 2008.
