Life is a highway (or so they say)

As I mentioned in my update last week, I’m about to start heading west to tackle a new part of the country. To do so, it only made sense to traverse down a road that’s so ubiquitous in American culture it’s been deemed the “Mother Road.” 

That’s right. Starting this week, I’ll be getting my kicks on Route 66! 

Over the next five or so weeks, I’ll make my way from Chicago to Los Angeles, following the original route from 1926 as closely as possible. More than 80 percent of the road is still drivable — I’m looking forward to tracing the same path as so many travelers before me. 

Illinois 

Here, I’ll start my trip in Chicago before making my way down to Springfield, the state capital, for a few nights. 

Missouri

Then it’s off to Missouri, where I’ll cut diagonally across the state beginning in St. Louis. After a few nights, I’ll visit Springfield before ending the tour in the southwest corner of the state — I’m thinking Joplin, but would be open to suggestions if you have them!

Kansas

The original route will take me through a small corner of Kansas, but I won’t be counting this as an official state visit! I’ll be coming back to cover Kansas in a few months. 

Oklahoma 

I’ll start my Oklahoma visit in Tulsa before making my way down to Oklahoma City and finishing with a couple of nights down in a small town in the southwest corner of the state. (I’m thinking Sayre right now, but if you have any recommendations — I’m all ears!)

Texas

Much like Kansas, the original route will take me through part of Texas — but since it’s a small portion of a large state, I won’t be counting this as an official state visit. I’ll come back and do the rest of Texas this summer. 

New Mexico 

My New Mexico tour will include Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Gallup as I make my way west through the state. BUT I don’t want to neglect the southern part of the state, so I’m planning on dipping off the route for a few nights in Las Cruces as well. 

Arizona

Like New Mexico, there’s so much of the state that’s not covered via Route 66 — so I’ll be splitting my time between the Mother Road and the southern half of the state. Planned stops include Flagstaff, Tucson, Phoenix and Kingman. 

California 

Finally — and nearly 2,500 miles later — I’ll finish Route 66 in California, visiting Barstow before ending in Los Angeles. After a few days touring LA, I’ll be flying to Hawaii for my first of the two non-continental states, and will finish the northern part of the state after. 

Have recommendations for things to see along Route 66? Or places I can’t miss in any of my planned stops? Or people I should talk to along the way? I’m all ears. Feel free to shoot me an email at wethevotersproject@gmail.com. 

But until next time — I’ll be preparing all of my highway tunes. I can’t wait for this new chapter to begin.