Route 66 is a Great Ride When Traveling in an RV
From St. Louis to Amarillo, Texas and back. Route 66, maybe a trip that’s over talked about, but it is well worth doing it anyway. 2200 miles of culture, natural wonders, caves and of course, history. Old rockers and writers as well as current ones tout the joys of this iconic stretch of road and it’s a great ride when you are traveling in an RV.
Ok, so as others have pointed out and you may already know, technically Route 66 runs from Chicago to California. But a little secret shared by those in the know have found that the trip between St Louis and Amarillo is just as awesome!.
When you are traveling in an RV, it doesn’t matter whether you are starting in St. Louis or the edge of Texas, winding through the roads around the Lake of the Ozarks or in Oklahoma City it’s a great ride.
Where to stop:
- Meramec Caverns in Stanton, Missouri—is a 4.6-mile long cave system with a series of vast underground spaces that were used by Native Americans for shelter, and, reportedly, as a hideout by outlaw Jesse James. Today you can zip line, pan for gold and even rock climb here. When you visit Meramec it is sure to be hit with the whole group!
- Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas). The ranch has been called a quirky public art installation. Ok, they are right, it’s quirky. Located outside of Amarillo, Texas, Cadillac Ranch is one of Route 66’s most popular attractions. Made up of ten old Cadillacs, half-buried nose down in the dusty Texas countryside, as a monument to America’s “Golden Age of the Automobile”. The owners encourage graffiti. As a result the cars designs are constantly changing due to travelers leaving their mark. As one documentary recently put, once you put your name there, even if its painted over, it’s still still there. According to the website, Travel Awaits, the artist’s purpose was “To show the evolution of the Cadillac tail fin. So he drove ten Cadillacs, starting with a 1949 Club Sedan and ending with a 1963 Sedan de Ville to one of Stanley Marsh 3’s fields and placed them nose-down, facing west in a straight line.” Whatever the reason, Cadillac Ranch is fun whether you are heading with your significant other, your best buddies or you’re taking the kids.
- Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, IL, with an exhibit of both bunnies and VW Rabbits.
- Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois skyscraper stands just a half mile west of the marker that designates the beginning of Historic Route 66. The Willis Tower, you all probably know it as Sears Tower stands 110 stories tall with a Skydeck visitor’s center on the 103rd floor. (not for the faint of heart)! Wherever you go or decide to stop, you know it will be a great ride when you are traveling in an RV.
Where to eat:
- Anywhere that serves ribs, St. Louis-style: the midwestern city’s southern inflection is evident in the pride locals take in its ribs, grilled and sauced, rather than dry-rubbed and slow-smoked.
- Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, IL and for great snacks
- The Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store in St. Robert, MO
Where to stay:
- Traveling in an RV to St. Louis West/Historic Route 66 KOA (Eureka, Missouri) 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis, the KOA offers RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, and cabin rentals. This amenity-packed Route 66 RV campground features a pool, off-leash dog park, bike rentals, basketball court, ping pong, and more.
- A Great Ride to Oasis RV Resort (Amarillo, Texas) Down the road from Cadillac Ranch, the Oasis RV Resort in Amarillo, Texas is one of the top rated Route 66 RV parks. You’ll find full service pull-thru RV sites, as well as cabin rentals with free cable and WIFI. Other amenities include an onsite restaurant, dog park, pool, and playground.
There are many more great places to stop and experience the legend that is Route 66 and it’s a great ride when traveling in an RV.
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