Route 66, One Segment at a Time
Plan a Route 66 drive state by state: which alignments still exist, how to navigate the gaps and how to split the road into daily legs.
Route 66 was decommissioned decades ago, and no single road sign carries you from Chicago to Santa Monica anymore. The old highway survives in pieces: frontage roads, town main streets, dead-end stretches and sections buried under interstate. RT66 Maps breaks the drive down by state so you always know which road you should be on.
Eight states, one old road
Illinois to Missouri
Prairie towns, brick-paved remnants and the river crossing at St. Louis. Several alignments run side by side.
Kansas and Oklahoma
A short Kansas corner, then Oklahoma’s long run, with some of the best-preserved original pavement.
Texas and New Mexico
The panhandle’s flat miles, then high desert, mesas and the choice between two New Mexico alignments.
Arizona and California
Long empty grades, the old Oatman road over the mountains, then the Mojave and the push to the Pacific.
Deciding on a start point? Read which direction to drive Route 66.
Why a segment map helps
- Alignments change. Many towns have a pre-1930s route and a later one. Both can be driven.
- Gaps exist. Some stretches are gone, private or unpaved. You’ll hop onto the interstate and back.
- Signs vary. Historic route markers help, but coverage is patchy and some get stolen.
Planning questions
- How many days do I need to drive Route 66?
- Which direction should I drive Route 66?
- Can I rely on GPS to follow Route 66?
Plan your legs
How to split Route 66 into daily driving legs. A practical method for setting daily mileage, overnight towns and buffer days.
Route 66 mapped state by state, alignment by alignment