Bus or auto travellers can travel in either direction. Train passengers may too, but Dr. Voyageur enjoys the trip east best, as more of his favourite places are passed in daylight, especially in the winter.

Must stops for auto, coach, and train travellers are Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Also, try to allow time to explore the area around Santa Fe, New Mexico. Auto and coach travellers will enjoy an overnight stop in Tucumcari, New Mexico, whose main street retains much of the "Route 66" flavour of its 1950's heyday.

Because its midday colours can be muted and disappointing if we dart in just for a day, be sure book an overnight stay at the Grand Canyon well ahead of time. Gold star DrVoyageur.com students will visit the canyon rim at both sunrise and sunset.

Besides the information here, several great guides to use for trip planning and for picking the best places to stay and to eat are

Let's Go USA Canada by the Harvard Student Agencies. Outstanding, comprehensive coverage. It's completely updated every year to give the most up-to-date information available on truly budget accommodation, restaurants, clubs, etc. Fun to read.

Hostels USA

You may get great hotel and motel prices along this route by using a service that does not tell you your hotel name until you pay.

Hotwire.com (no bidding) and Priceline.com Hotels (bidding) are the two best. You pick the quality range, neighbourhood (in larger cities like Las Vegas), and price, but do not learn your hotel name until you pay. This really saves.

National Geographic Scenic Highways and Byways

Also, check out Dr. Voyageur's Trip Planning section for numerous links to tourist offices, auto clubs, motel chains, etc.

Go to >> Route 66, part I: Introduction
Go to >> Part II: Santa Monica to Las Vegas
Go to >> Part III: Las Vegas to Albuquerque
Go to >> Part IV: Albuquerque to the Mississippi River
Go to >> Part V: Mississippi River to Virginia
Go to >> Part VI: Understanding the War Between the States
Go to >> Part VII: Virginia to Washington, D.C.
Go to >> Part VIII: Washington, D.C. to New York City
Go to >> Part IX: Planning your Route 66 trip