1. How long does it take to ride Route 66 on a motorcycle?

I think 10–14 days to do the full 2,448 miles with somewhat quick stops would’ve been do-able. That was me on a slow bike, also filming, rarely stopping for lunch, just snacking instead. 3 weeks would’ve been better on the 250cc bike I was on and not as rushed, definitely good on a faster bike. I was on the Janus Halcyon 250cc, topping out at 61mph on flat roads, but I wouldn’t go faster than 55-58 mph.

**2. Can you still ride the original Route 66?**

Yes — but not continuously.
About 85% of the original road remains, but it’s broken into segments that you connect using state roads. Some stretches are abandoned or unmaintained. Some stretches have a speed limit of 75 mph, so a highway legal bike is ideal.

3. What is the best time of year to ride Route 66?

The best months are:

September – early October - I did my trip mid-end of October - only had 1 day of rain, chilly mornings, and mostly mild temperatures except for 1 abnormally hot day in California.
Late April – early June - but check the weather for high crosswinds once you ride through Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico!

Avoid:

Summer (dangerous heat in the Southwest and CROSSWINDS)
Winter (ice, snow, and closed roads in the Midwest)

4. Is Route 66 safe for motorcycles?

YES — but it depends on your expectations.
The hazards are:

high crosswinds (Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico)
uneven pavement
milled/rumble sections
remote fuel gaps
sudden weather shifts

It’s safe if you ride attentively, go slower on rough sections, and plan fuel stops.

5. Is a 250cc motorcycle enough for Route 66?

Yes - but not without challenges. Riders have completed Route 66 on bikes as small as 50cc. A 250cc motorcycle is fully capable if you’re comfortable cruising between 45–60 mph. Just remember there are stretches were the speed limit is 75 mph and only 1 lane, so you may be backing up the few vehicles on those roads and getting past by speeding semi’s.

6. What’s the hardest part of riding Route 66?

Most riders agree on three things:

Crosswinds
Broken pavement and unpredictable road conditions
Fatigue from long, slow days

You also need mental stamina — the quiet, remote sections can be surprisingly draining. I usually just listen to music and directions, but I listened to a whole audiobook on this road trip.

7. Do you need special gear for a Route 66 motorcycle trip?

Highly recommended:

a good helmet with ventilation
layers for major temperature swings
hydration system
wind protection
rain gear
power bank or USB charger
small tool kit + tire repair kit

Route 66 spans multiple climates — pack for heat, cold, wind, and storms. I can send you a free road trip packing list, just enter your email here.

8. Is GPS reliable on Route 66?

Google Maps will constantly redirect you to the interstate, and there are many dead zones. Download the Google Maps area you’ll be in day of as a backup, and a satellite communicator in case of emergencies would be good too. Instead of Google maps, I used the Route 66 Navigation App - very glitchy but supposedly less glitchy than the other navigation apps for the road. Its voice turn by turn is horrendous and hard to understand in a helmet, so I had to have it on display on my handlebars. It often shows you 2 options for Route 66. Unlike google maps, you can’t do “avoid highways” on it (as sometimes “new” Route 66 is just the interstate) nor does it show you the speed of the road you’re on. This is the phone mount I used that charged my phone (make sure to get the phone cover with it) and has a vibration dampener to protect your phone camera lens.

*Somewhere in the desert of California off Route 66*

9. Are gas stations far apart?

In some areas — yes.
The longest gaps are 60–90 miles in western Texas, New Mexico, and parts of Arizona. My tank could go for 122 miles before running dry, and I had a bottle that could give me another 10 miles, so I just refueled every 60-90 miles to be on the safe side.

10. Can you camp along Route 66?

Yes — but options vary.
You’ll find:

state parks
national forests
KOA campgrounds
roadside motels (lots of them)

Wild camping is possible in some areas of the Southwest, but not ideal in the Midwest. I didn’t do any camping so can’t speak from personal experience. About an hour before I wanted to stop, I’d just look on Expedia/ Google Maps in my direction for hotels.

11. What states does Route 66 pass through?

Route 66 goes through 8 states:
Illinois → Missouri → Kansas → Oklahoma → Texas → New Mexico → Arizona → California.

12. What’s the best part of Route 66?

Top favorites among riders:

Cadillac Ranch (TX)
Tucumcari murals (NM)
Oatman (AZ)
Seligman (AZ)
The Blue Whale of Catoosa (OK)
Devils Elbow (MO)
Santa Monica Pier (CA)

My personal favorites: Tucumcari and Seligman.

13. Do you need reservations for motels?

Most of the time, no — except:

holidays
weekends
peak season (May–June, Sept–Oct)

If you want the “classic” Route 66 motels, book a day ahead. My schedule is too unpredictable on a bike, especially one I didn’t know, so I only booked an hour in advance - booking past 5pm on the weekends risks no vacancy so keep that in mind.

14. Can you ride Route 66 solo?

Yes — and many riders do. Just plan fuel stops, stay aware of weather conditions, download offline maps as backup, and have a satellite communicator. Your phone’s satellite option isn’t going to be as good as a satellite communicator.

*End of Route 66 in Santa Monica Pier, California*
The 150 miles right before the End of Route 66 and Start of Route 66 will be the slowest and busiest through busy Santa Monica, CA and Chicago, IL. Those first and last 150 mile stretches took the longest for me - around 10-12 hrs due to traffic and in town stops. You can lane split legally in California but it takes practice to be good at it.

15. Is Route 66 worth riding today?

Absolutely — if you want:

nostalgia
history
quiet roads
small towns
Americana
a slower, more meaningful ride

Route 66 isn’t glamorous — it’s honest.
It shows you America the way it used to be.

Watch the full road trip video below