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Highlights of Route 66 2026
16 days from Chicago to Los Angeles
Tour Description:
Get your kicks on Route 66 and help celebrate “The Mother Road’s” 100th anniversary with a legendary trip across America! This historic route, which was called the “Main Street of America” for more than 30 years before the advent of the US Interstate system, begins in Chicago, travels through eight states to reach Los Angeles. On this trip down memory lane, you’ll travel along much of Route 66, stopping in small towns and major cities, visiting Route 66 museums, and stepping back in time to when the journey truly was the destination! Visit Pontiac’s Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, celebrating the heyday of this iconic route. In Springfield, visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Take in the amazing city and Mississippi River views from atop St. Louis’ 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch. Stop at the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City Oklahoma where antique cars and historic documents evoke travel on Route 66 in years gone by. See more classic cars and memorabilia at Russell’s Car Museum in New Mexico and overnight in Williams Arizona, listed in the National Register for Historic Places, and home of preserved circa 1940s “Motel Row.” Detour from Route 66 to see the breathtaking Grand Canyon and the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas where you can explore the Vegas Strip. Take an optional trip to see the engineering marvel of the Hoover Dam or go on an optional Black Canyon rafting adventure on the Colorado River. Visit the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville, displaying exhibits such as a 50’s diner, VW Love Bus, and a 1917 Model T Ford. Arrive in Los Angeles and visit Santa Monica and the “End of the Trail” sign in completion of your sojourn on Route 66. Tour famous landmarks of the City of Angels and Hollywood, including the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills. So, sit back, relax, and let Cosmos handle the driving with everything you need to enjoy the ride during this special centennial year of Route 66!
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Dates & Pricing
| Saturday 25 Apr 26 — Sunday 10 May 26 | Starting at $3,569 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 09 May 26 — Sunday 24 May 26 | Starting at $3,569 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 23 May 26 — Sunday 07 Jun 26 | Starting at $3,569 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 20 Jun 26 — Sunday 05 Jul 26 | Starting at $3,569 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 11 Jul 26 — Sunday 26 Jul 26 | Starting at $3,529 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 25 Jul 26 — Sunday 09 Aug 26 | Starting at $3,529 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 08 Aug 26 — Sunday 23 Aug 26 | Starting at $3,529 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 22 Aug 26 — Sunday 06 Sep 26 | Starting at $3,529 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 05 Sep 26 — Sunday 20 Sep 26 | Starting at $3,569 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 19 Sep 26 — Sunday 04 Oct 26 | Starting at $3,569 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 03 Oct 26 — Sunday 18 Oct 26 | Starting at $3,829 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingThe world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!Your Tour Includes:• Guided city sightseeing in Chicago and Los Angeles• Visit to Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum• Admission to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum• Orientation tours of St. Louis, Joplin, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas• Entrance fee to Gateway Arch National Park including trip to the top of the Arch• Visit to Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Welcome & Cultural Center• Admission to National Route 66 Museum• Stop at Cadillac Ranch• Visit to Russell’s Car Museum• Visit to El Malpais National Monument• Entrance Fee and guided sightseeing at Grand Canyon National Park• Visit to California Route 66 Museum
Notes:
• This tour has a special departure that includes the Mother Road Festival and the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. See tour code 8580 for details. • On vacations that include an overnight stay in Las Vegas, at least one member of the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older. • Maximum elevation on tour: 7,262 ft
• This tour has a special departure that includes the Mother Road Festival and the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. See tour code 8580 for details. • On vacations that include an overnight stay in Las Vegas, at least one member of the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older. • Maximum elevation on tour: 7,262 ft
Transportation:
Private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring with free Wi-Fi.
Private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring with free Wi-Fi.
MEALS
MEALS ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 CHICAGO
Welcome to Chicago, the start of Route 66! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer questions.
Once settled into your hotel, perhaps start exploring the city’s amazing architecture via the 1.25-mile Riverwalk along the Chicago River or do some shopping at the many well-known retail destinations along Michigan Avenue
Day 2 CHICAGO
Known as the “Windy City,” Chicago is home to iconic architecture, including one of America’s tallest buildings, notorious gangster Al Capone, and countless jazz and blues clubs. Oh, and deep-dish pizza, of course! Get to know this exciting city on a morning sightseeing tour that includes the sign marking the start of historic Route 66. Spend a free afternoon exploring Chi Town—perhaps a visit to the 103rd-floor Skydeck of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), a walk along the Magnificent Mile, or an optional river cruise for a different view of the city’s celebrated architecture
Day 3 CHICAGO–PONTIAC–SPRINGFIELD
This morning, immerse yourself in Route 66 memorabilia. Visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, housed in a historic fire station. See the large maps that will sketch out your Route 66 adventure for the coming days and enjoy the nostalgic photos and postcards from the “Mother Road’s” heyday. Then on to Springfield, the capital of Illinois, where we will visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
Day 4 SPRINGFIELD–ST. LOUIS
Cross the mighty Mississippi River and continue to St. Louis, “Gateway to the West.” Your orientation tour includes towering Gateway Arch National Park. Ascend to the top of the 630-foot-tall arch for a panoramic view of the city and river. Then drive along an original stretch of Route 66 and get the chance to savor some Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a Route 66 treat since 1929. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 5 ST. LOUIS–JOPLIN
Today, we travel through the Missouri countryside exploring interesting quaint towns and quirky roadside attractions along Route 66. Arrive in Joplin and learn about this city where a couple of infamous outlaws named Bonnie and Clyde once hid out. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 6 JOPLIN–TULSA–OKLAHOMA CITY
After a quick drive through Kansas, enter Oklahoma, once known as Indian Territory and home to the Cherokee Nation. Visit the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center and get an overview of Cherokee history, art, and culture. In Tulsa, see the “East Meets West” sculpture that pays tribute to Cyrus Avery, “The Father of Route 66.” Later, arrive in Oklahoma City. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 7 OKLAHOMA CITY–ELK CITY–AMARILLO
Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Oklahoma City, the capital and largest city in Oklahoma. From here, travel to Elk City and visit the National Route 66 Museum for a journey through each of the eight states through which Route 66 passes. Continue into the Texas Panhandle en route to Amarillo, "The Yellow Rose of Texas." This evening, join an optional dinner for a delicious taste of Texas at a local steakhouse. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 8 AMARILLO–TUCUMCARI–ALBUQUERQUE
On the way out of Amarillo, stop at Cadillac Ranch, a quirky art sculpture consisting of a collection of 10 colorful Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground. Before crossing into New Mexico, reach Adrian, the halfway point on Route 66. Across the New Mexico border, visit Russell’s Car Museum, featuring classic cars and memorabilia. Next, stop in Tucumcari and shop for souvenirs at Teepee Curios, a mainstay on Route 66 since 1944. See the iconic Blue Swallow Motel that has been serving travelers of Route 66 since 1939, along with many original signs from the town’s heyday. Visit Central Avenue in Albuquerque, where many of the original Route 66 buildings and businesses still stand. Then, have free time to enjoy Historic Old Town with its fine parish church and Spanish-style plaza. (CB)
Day 9 ALBUQUERQUE
Enjoy a day at leisure in this Southwestern city of diverse cultures, authentic art, and rich history. Take a short walk to Old Town, site of the city’s original settlement, or visit one of Albuquerque’s many museums, like the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque Museum, or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Consider an optional open-air, narrated Albuquerque trolley ride tour of the city’s famous spots
Day 10 ALBUQUERQUE–GALLUP–WINSLOW–WILLIAMS
Depart Albuquerque and cross the Continental Divide continuing to Gallup, the historic homeland of Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and many other tribes who comprise a large percentage of the population. Stop to see the rich volcanic landscape of El Malpais (‘badlands’ in Spanish) National Monument along the way. Then we’ll be “Standing on the Corner of Winslow, Arizona,” the sleepy Route 66 town made famous by The Eagles in their hit song “Take It Easy.” The next two nights are in Williams, gateway to the Grand Canyon, and listed in the National Register for Historic Places. The Historic Downtown District covers six square blocks and boasts a heritage that features the Old West and Route 66
Day 11 WILLIAMS. EXCURSION TO GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Deviate from Route 66 to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park. Wander along the canyon rim for breathtaking views and a chance to spot wildlife like elk grazing in the forested areas on the South Rim. Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience on an optional helicopter flightseeing tour for an awe-inspiring bird’s eye view from above the canyon. Return to Williams where the evening is free to explore the historic Americana-style shops and restaurants dating back to the early 1900s. Be sure to take note of the neon signs of the preserved circa 1940s “Motel Row.” (CB)
Day 12 WILLIAMS–SELIGMAN–LAS VEGAS
Depart Williams for Seligman, home to the rebirth of Route 66. Detour once again from Route 66 to visit the bright lights of Las Vegas. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the glittering “Strip.” Enjoy an optional night on the town featuring dinner followed by a dazzling live show that pays tribute to the stars who made Vegas the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” (CB)
Day 13 LAS VEGAS
A day at leisure to relax by the pool or explore the legendary Las Vegas Strip. Float through a Venetian canal, visit jaw-dropping horticultural displays, or test your luck at one of the many world-famous casinos—it’s all possible in Las Vegas! Don’t miss downtown Las Vegas, where you’ll find the Fremont Street Experience, five city blocks enclosed in a glass atrium and filled with dazzling lights, sounds, and action. History and engineering buffs won’t want to miss an optional excursion to see nearby Hoover Dam to learn about this towering engineering marvel known as the “Greatest Dam in the World.”
Day 14 LAS VEGAS–VICTORVILLE–LOS ANGELES
Today, depart the man-made oasis of Las Vegas, and cross the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles. Visit the California Route 66 Museum to see its nostalgic 50’s diner, VW Love Bus, and 1917 Model T Ford exhibits. Arrive in Los Angeles, where you’ll visit Santa Monica, the ending point of Route 66
Day 15 LOS ANGELES
Explore the exciting “City of Angels” with a morning tour of legendary Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip, and Hollywood, where you’ll walk along the terrazzo and brass stars on Hollywood Boulevard that honor leaders in the entertainment industry. This afternoon is at leisure. Get a real taste of Hollywood on the optional Warner Bros. Studio tour where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how TV and movies are made, including seeing famous sets from the big and small screen
Day 16 LOS ANGELES
Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Los Angeles further.
Accommodations
Accommodations| Chicago | Springfield | St Louis | Joplin | Oklahoma City | Amarillo | Albuquerque | Williams | Las Vegas | Los Angeles |
Courtyard Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
First-Class
First-Class
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
