The Ultimate Route 66 Road Trip
In an Amazing Classic Car
Our Historic Route 66 East Classic Car Hire includes up to 19 days of leisurely, cross-country travel in an absolutely amazing American classic - at a cost that is no more than a luxury car hire from a national rental car company. So why not travel in authentic Route 66 style?
Set your own itinerary and drive as many or as few miles a day as you wish with the Garmin Zumo GPS and Route 66 turn-by-turn directions as your guide. 24 X 7 premium roadside assistance and a Loss Collision Damage Waiver is also included. If authenticity, flexibility and freedom are most important to you, then the Blacktop Candy’s Historic Route 66 East Classic Car Hire is right up your ally.
Drive Route 66
When you book your Route 66 East Classic Car Hire you will start your cross-country drive in the City of the Angels - Los Angeles, California. Situated in sunny Southern California, L.A. is the second largest U.S. city and offers a large assortment of entertainment and sightseeing opportunities starting with the Santa Monica Pier, home of the famous “Route 66 End” sign and unofficial start/end of Route 66. At the pier you can grab some great seafood, enjoy a classic egg cream or phosphate, and ride the Ferris wheel. While in L.A. spend a couple days taking in the array of sites, celebrity attractions and world-class dining. Perhaps you’ll take the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the way to enjoy the culinary creations of chefs Thomas Keller, Michael Voltaggio, or Nobu Matsuhisa. Or you may catch a concert at the Whisky a Go Go and tour the Sunset Strip, visit Disney Land or take in a L.A. Dodgers or Angels baseball game.
Travel Like A Star
As you depart L.A., stop for chili and a latte at the historic Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood and then enjoy the sundrenched drive through Southern California. A side trip to Los Vegas may be on the agenda but if you end up getting delayed in L.A., consider a night in the Wigwam Hotel in San Bernardino. Then relax, play some games and enjoy world-class dining on a side-trip to Las Vegas before heading to Arizona. But resist the temptation to take Interstate 93 South and instead take U.S. 95 South where the old Route 66 meanders through the rugged Black Mountain range and through the old goldmining town of Oatman, where wild burros roam main street and wild west gun fights are reenacted in front of the historic - and reportedly haunted - Oatman Hotel. Then you’ll travel through Kingman, Williams and Flagstaff by way of the Grand Canyon—one of the 7 natural wonders of the world! You’ll then roll into Gallup, NM, which was a 1940s and 50s hotspot for filming Hollywood Westerns. Stay at the Historic El Rancho Hotel—just like Ronald Reagan, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn—among many others.
Get Your Motor Runnin’
The state of New Mexico and the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe - rich in Southwestern art and culture - are next on the journey east. Route 66 then takes you to your next stop in Tucumcari, New Mexico—a small city frozen in time and highlighted in the 1946 hit “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.” Spend the night in the newly renovated, totally retro 1940’s Blue Swallow Motel before heading to beautiful Elk City, OK, home of the National Route 66 Museum and an area replete with museums, state parks, wildlife refuges and historic sites. On the Arkansas River, at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains awaits Tulsa, Oklahoma—the state’s cultural and arts center.
Get Your Kicks on a Route 66 Road Trip
Next, a side-trip to Branson, Missouri may be on the agenda. Dubbed the “live entertainment capital of the world,” and just 60 miles south of Route 66, Branson offers something for everyone; wineries, live music venues, museums and a historic downtown, in a more family friendly, middle-America atmosphere than Las Vegas. Then it’s on to St. Louis where you can journey to the top of the Gateway Arch, the nation’s highest monument soaring 630 feet over St. Louis. Northeast of St. Louis is Springfield, IL, home and resting place of the sixteenth U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln. There you can grab a classic bite at the 1950s-styled Charlie Parker’s Diner, tour the Illinois State Capitol or visit the historic Abraham Lincoln home, office, library or tomb.
The Windy City - Chicago, Illinois
You’ll spend your final nights in the heart of the midwest - Chicago, Illinois. A world-class city and third largest in the U.S., Chicago offers a ton of shopping, museums, restaurants, theaters, sports and entertainment opportunities to choose from. The Chicago architecture is world-renowned, the capstone being the Willis Tower standing 1450 feet and 110 floors. Plan on spending a couple days in the Chicago Loop (map), the heart of Chicago’s downtown culture.
Whatever attractions and restaurants you choose along your GPS-guided, self-drive Route 66 Classic Car Hire— you’ll have a myriad of ways to enjoy every day and night and truly “Get your kicks on Route 66!”
So Many Sites to See as You Drive Route 66 East!
You’ll have up to 19 relaxing days to travel the entire 2,451-mile, historic Route 66 East in the vintage American car of your choosing; visiting famous U.S. cities, landmarks and celebrity attractions along the way. You can choose your stops, visits, restaurants and set your exact routes to create the perfect American road trip. Along Route 66—at the wheel of a classic American car— you’ll enjoy Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, St. Louis and all points between!
Chicago
Chicago is a huge, vibrant city and sprawling metropolitan area. With a wealth of iconic sights and neighborhoods to explore, there's enough to fill a visit of weeks or even months without ever seeing the end. Start by visiting the ChooseChicago.com website or view the Chicago Official Visitor’s Guide Online. Prepare to cover a lot of ground: the meaning of Chicago is only found in movement, through its subways and archaic elevated tracks, in the pride of tired feet and eyes raised once more to the sky.
Springfield, IL
Springfield is located in the center of the state of Illinois about 200 miles Southwest of Chicago. It is the capital of Illinois, not Chicago, as well as the county seat of Sangamon County. Springfield is best known for its most famous resident, Abraham Lincoln, and the several historic sites related to him. Popular attractions are the State Capital Building, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln-Herndon Law Office, Old State Capital and the Lincoln Tomb. Start by visiting the Visit-SpringfieldIllinois.com website or the Springfield Visitors Guide Online.
St Louis
St. Louis, the largest metropolitan area in Missouri, is a major Midwestern metropolis filled with culture. St. Louis planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city with green space at the street level. It is said that St. Louis is second only to Washington, D.C. in the number of free activities available in an American city. The Gateway Arch, the world's tallest man-made monument, forms a triumphant city skyline. An open mall surrounded by reflecting pools leads up to the historic court house, the site of the Dred Scott decision, facing the Gateway Arch. Start by visiting the ExploreStLouis.com website or the St Louis Visitor’s Guide Online.
Branson, MO
Known as the "Live Music Show Capital of the World," Branson, MO, is truly a one-of-a-kind family vacation destination — and an incredible value — with more than 50 live performance theaters, three pristine lakes, 12 championship golf courses, an international award-winning theme park, dozens of attractions and museums, an Historic Downtown district, shopping galore, a full range of dining options, and a host of hotels, motels, resorts, RV parks, campgrounds and meeting and conference facilities. Start by visiting the ExploreBranson.com website or the Branson Missouri Visitors Guide Online.
Tulsa, OK
In Tulsa you will find old west and southern charm set in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. The people love their city and always willing to help you find your way around. Tulsa has one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco in the nation, having been a booming city during the 1920s when the architecture was first built by rich oil barons. Positioned in northeastern Oklahoma, at the convergence of the Great Plains and the Ozark Plateau, Tulsa receives an average of 40 inches of precipitation each year, which accounts for its abundant, beautiful, rolling green terrain, breaking the Oklahoma stereotype of being a flat, arid dust bowl. Start by visiting the VisitTulsa.com website or the Tulsa Visitors Guide Online.
Sante Fe, NM
Santa Fe, New Mexico is a magical, exuberant, colorful journey at any time of year. The legendary history & culture will fascinate and inspire you. The art galleries and diverse visual arts span ancient traditional techniques to the most contemporary and edgy. Partake of the sumptuous world renowned cuisine and treat yourself to the colorful markets. Experience why Santa Fe has been considered a legendary trading center for hundreds of years. Start by visiting the SanteFe.org website or the Sante Fe Visitors Guide Online.
Flagstaff, AZ
Surrounded by natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, the Coconino National Forest, the San Francisco Peaks (12,633 feet/3,851 meters), the Red Rocks of Sedona and the rugged deserts of neighboring Native American nations, Flagstaff offers numerous night spots, and a variety of cultural, historic and scientific attractions. Visitors from all over the world are attracted to the clean mountain air, some of the clearest night skies in the world, year-round outdoor recreation opportunities, historic downtown charm and the Western legacy of pioneer ranchers, railroad builders and lumbermen. Start by visiting the FlagstaffArizona.org website or the Flagstaff Visitors Guide Online.
The Grand Canyon
A powerful and inspiring landscape, Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size. The Grand Canyon (Hopi: Ongtupqa; Yavapai: Wi:kaʼi:la) is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is contained within and managed by Grand Canyon National Park, the Hualapai Tribal Nation, and the Havasupai Tribe. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of preservation of the Grand Canyon area, and visited it on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery. It is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Las Vegas, NV
Nicknamed "Sin City" and the "Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas features a dazzling array of mega-hotel-casino complexes decorated with lavish care and attention to detail to create a fantasy-like atmosphere. The casinos often have names and themes that evoke romance, mystery, and faraway and exotic destinations. Situated in the midst of the southern Nevada desert landscape, Las Vegas is the largest city in Nevada. To check out shows and attractions during your tour, visit the Vegas.com website or the Las Vegas Visitors Guide Online.
Los Angeles, CA
As the entertainment capital of the world offering 75 miles of sunny coastline, a flourishing Downtown, lifestyle playgrounds for the rich and famous, trend-setting arts scenes and internationally flavored neighborhoods, LA is a destination unlike any other. With so much to see and do, the best way to begin is to learn about LA's vibrant regions - each one filled with memorable destinations and unique offerings. Start by visiting the DiscoverLosAngeles.com website or the Los Angeles Visitors Guide Online.
We’ve Been There! Route 66 Eastbound
We carefully vet and select each classic automobile that enters our American Classic Car Hire fleet and though our fleet is growing, there is limited availability. In order to manage our fleet it is imperative that we establish set departure and arrival dates for our automobiles. However, your trip is self-guided with the assistance of our Garmin Zumo GPS with Route 66 turn-by-turn directions and during the course of your classic car hire you are free to travel at your own pace, set your own itinerary and truly enjoy the experience of the American open road.
These dates are set, but the itinerary is simply a recommendation based upon our experiences.
| Arrive | City/Town | Nights | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, October 29, 2015 | Santa Monica, CA | 13 | Wed, November 11, 2015 |
| Arrive | City/Town | Nights | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, May 01, 2016 | Santa Monica, CA | 1 | Mon, May 02, 2016 |
| Arrive | City/Town | Nights | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, June 06, 2016 | Santa Monica, CA | 1 | Sun, June 19, 2016 |
| Arrive | City/Town | Nights | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, July 12, 2016 | Santa Monica, CA | 1 | Wed, July 13, 2016 |
| Arrive | City/Town | Nights | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, August 17, 2016 | Santa Monica, CA | 1 | Thu, August 18, 2016 |
| Arrive | City/Town | Nights | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, September 22, 2016 | Santa Monica, CA | 1 | Fri, September 23, 2016 |
| Arrive | City/Town | Nights | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, October 28, 2016 | Santa Monica, CA | 13 | Thu, November 10, 2016 |
Included in Your Classic Car Rental
For about the same price as a one-way luxury car hire you can drive Route 66 in true authentic style. Why travel any other way?
Classic Car Hire - Unlimited Mileage
Are you ready for rock star treatment? As you pass through small towns like Pontiac, El Rino, and Barstow, many will wave and even more will give you a thumbs-up. The teenagers will shout “sick ride” and the 50-somethings will reminisce about their first car. The capstone of your Blacktop Candy’s road trip is driving one of our meticulously restored and methodically cared for vintage automobiles.
Two Adult Passengers
The price of our classic car hire is for two adults. Unfortunately we cannot allow children or pets. We love both!! But our vehicles are all two-door roadsters or coupes, and though they may have a back seat, they were never designed for prolonged back seat use. The passengers would be uncomfortable and the wear on the cars would be substantial.
Loss Collision Damage Waiver
A loss collision damage waiver means you are not financially responsible for theft or damage to the classic car as long as the damage is not caused by a prohibited use. There is a $1000 refundable damage deposit due upon arrival and a driving record check is required.
GPS Navigation System
Your vehicle will be equipped with a Garmin Zumo GPS navigation system with Route 66 turn-by-turn directions and attractions. Route 66 is a patch-work of U.S. and state roads, so trying to follow a traditional map would be difficult at best. We’ve tested the Garmin Zumo on the entire route and it has never led us astray. Plus, we’ve loaded the Garmin with tons of the best music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s to make your travels even more enjoyable.
Self-guided (with a little help from Garmin)
When you rent a Blacktop Candy's classic car for your road trip there are no rigid schedules to follow. We give you the freedom to travel at your own pace and see exactly what you want to see. Because our classic car fleet is limited our vehicles have prescribed departure dates from Chicago and L.A. See the itinerary tab.
Premium 24 X 7 Roadside Assistance
Assistance is just a call away. Whether you have run out of gas, left the lights on, had a flat tire or some small mechanical issue, our 24 X 7 premium roadside assistance can be there soon to get you back on the road.
One-Way Car Hire
Whether you depart from L.A. or Chicago, you'll enjoy over 2500 miles of the American open road and return your car hire on the opposite coast.
"Optional" Premier Accommodations
15 Nights of premier, historic, Route 66 accommodations including two (2) nights in Chicago, two (2) nights in Santa Monica, two (2) nights in Williams, AZ for a side-trip to the Grand Canyon, and either two (2) night side trip to Las Vegas or Monument Valley.
- Tours are structured for 2 adults. Unfortunately, for various reasons, we cannot accommodate children on most car hires (1955 Chevrolet Bel Air and 1957 Chevrolet 150 are the exception - 2 children allowed) and no pets. Learn More
- Drivers must be at least 25 years old, and a driving record history must be provided before departure.
- Bookings can be either made online or by calling us. Car hires > $1000 require a 10% (of the total car hire cost) credit card deposit. Tours < $1000 are paid in full at time of booking.
- Classic Car Hire Trips must be booked not less than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled departure date.
- Payment in full (in certified US dollars) is required seventy-five (75) days prior to arrival. In the event of shorter reservation periods, payment in full is due within five (5) days of booking. Payment may be made by certified bank check or by wire transfer to our account.
- A fully-refundable $1,000 USD damage deposit is taken when you arrive, and refunded after your classic car hire. The Western NC Road Trip deposit is $500. This can be done easily with a credit card.
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