Pointers for a route 66 trip plese!!

Well there's two ways to do a Route 66 trip. There's the "authentic" way where you try to retrace the original route 66, and then there's what I would call the "modified" way where you drive on bits of pieces of the original road interspersed with the main highways (like I-40) that more or less parallels major portions of road. Route 66 is no longer a continuous roadway, nor does it exist on many (any?) maps anymore, but you can still get turn-by-turn directions here.

Some of the more famous Route 66 icons are still around, including Cadillac Ranch and Wigwam Motel. Shamrock, TX is also still alive with the spirit and vibe of Route 66 and has a very well refurbished Conoco Station.

Here's some of our general road-trip advice, including a few things specific to your route:

- Keep at least a gallon/couple liters of water in your car at all times, especially when driving through New Mexico and Arizona. There are water refilling stations throughout Arizona for a quarter or two that is much cheaper than buying bottled water repeatedly.
- Pick up the state road maps and coupon lodging guides at the welcome center when you cross the state lines. The amount of assistance the people inside provide can range from non-existent to excellent, but it's always worth asking
- DO NOT stay at the EconoLodge in Elk City, Oklahoma.
- Budget for fuel increases, particularly over the summer
- Buy a small cooler to keep sandwiches/snacks with you. Truck Stop food is fun the first couple of times, and quickly gets old (not to mention expensive).
- Sometimes lodging becomes completely booked along the highway for no reason. If this happens to you, call ahead to places at the next exist (using that handy guide you got at the welcome center) as soon as you can to try to get a room for that night, otherwise you (and everyone else travelling along the highway) will be vying for the same few rooms and you'll be driving all night (that comes from experience)

Anything more and we'd have to know more specifically what you're looking for. Have fun with your trip. Reply to this

The good news for you (bad news for us) is that the dollar keeps dropping and I really don't see the economy righting itself by 2008, so a 2000 pound/pp budget should be more than plenty for you to do anything you would want. Unlike in the larger cities, you won't find many expensive resorts/hotels along much of the road, especially once you hit the southwest so you're looking at $150 max. for a room, but more like $80 on average for a decent clean motel. Try renting a car that gets better gas mileage because the cost of fuel is the number one expense on a road trip. Ask yourself: How big of a vehicle do you need? What amenities do you want? Do you want a sunroof/CD player? Do you need a ton of storage space? Getting the smallest car you need with only the 'extras' that you actually want will save you money. Also, if the weather is nice, try rolling down the windows rather than having the AC on the whole time; another huge money saver. Reply to this

A good friend of mine just made the trip last year on his own and was very budget conscious as we had just taken a budget class prior to him leaving. I would definitely talk to him (Dave is his name) about it. You can contact him at:

www.myspace.com/davelawrence8
AIM: davelawrence8
E-mail:

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Just FYI, he stopped by my work today and I told him you might be contacting him...he said that's awesome, he'd love to give you some pointers. The mods snipped his e-mail so if you need it, just let me know! 😊 Reply to this