The Drive Home VII

Route 66 – A Century of Adventure

January 3, 2026 – January 12, 2026

The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure

America’s Automotive Trust, along with our partners the Detroit Auto Show, and the National Route 66 Centennial Commission are proud to announce The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure, a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country drive celebrating the 100th anniversary of the legendary Route 66. This commemorative event will begin on January 3, 2026, in Santa Monica, California, and nine vehicles will drive the full length of Route 66, arriving nine days later in Chicago, Illinois on January 12. The vehicles will then be on display at the world-class Detroit Auto Show beginning on January 14. We encourage you to make the drive with us! Follow us along via this webpage or our AAT social media channels as we make our way across the Mother Road.

COUNTDOWN to the drive home

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

The Drive Home VII Route 66 has officially kicked off!

Read Full Press Release

VIEW ROUTE BOOK Join The Drive Home

MEET THE DRIVE HOME FLEET

The following nine vehicles make up our official Drive Home Fleet. Coming from all different parts of the country, these cars will meet up together in Santa Monica, CA to make the drive together across Route 66 eventually ending in Chicago, IL before making the final excursion up to Detroit, MI where they will be on display for the duration of the Detroit Auto Show.

Dark gray vintage car in a bright garage.

TDH ROUTE 66 - ITINERARY

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Itinerary and route is subject to change. Updates and additions to the route are still being made. Times and stops do not factor in weather, traffic, breakdowns, and additional potential delays. Adjustments or changes to the route might need to be made along the route. We will do our best to update everyone on any potential route changes as quickly as possible when it happens. Please follow our social media channels for live updates and check the stop by stop route below for updates made to the route along the drive.

TRAVEL SCHEDULE

DAY OF ROUTE	DATE	STARTING	ENDING
DAY 1	JANUARY 2, 2026	SANTA MONICA, CA	SANTA MONICA, CA
DAY 2	JANUARY 3, 2026	SANTA MONICA, CA	BARSTOW, CA
DAY 3	JANUARY 4, 2026	BARSTOW, CA	KINGMAN, AZ
DAY 4	JANUARY 5, 2026	KINGMAN, AZ	WINSLOW, AZ
DAY 5	JANUARY 6, 2026	WINSLOW, AZ	ALBUQUERQUE, NW
DAY 6	JANUARY 7, 2026	ALBUQUERQUE, NW	AMARILLO, TX
DAY 7	JANUARY 8, 2026	AMARILLO, TX	WEATHERFORD, OK
DAY 8	JANUARY 9, 2026	WEATHERFORD, OK	LEBANON, OK
DAY 9	JANUARY 10, 2026	TULSA, OK	LEBANON, MO
DAY 10	JANUARY 11, 2026	LEBANON, MO	SPRINGFIELD, IL
DAY 11	JANUARY 12, 2026	SPRINGFIELD, IL	CHICAGO, IL
DAY 12	JANUARY 13, 2026	CHICAGO, IL	DETROIT, MI
DAY 13	JANUARY 14, 2026	DETROIT, MI	DETROIT, MI

STOP BY STOP ROUTE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2
SANTA MONICA, CA

9:00 am
TDH cars arrive at Santa Monica Ice Rink, 1324 5th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

4:00 pm
Reception at Santa Monica Ice Rink

4:30-5:30 pm
Ice skating at Santa Monica Ice Rink

6:00 pm
Dinner reservation at Barney’s Beanery 1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Lodging:
Hotel Carmel 201 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3
SANTA MONICA, CA to BARSTOW, CA – 158 MILES

8:30-10:30 am
Mel’s Drive-In media activation, dignitaries to speak, official kick-off event of The Drive Home - Route 66.

10:30 am
Depart Mel’s Drive-In for Historic Cucamonga Gas Station
9670 Foothill Blvd. Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 (60 mi.)
Police escort out of Santa Monica

12:15 pm
Photo stop at the Historic Cucamonga Service Station
9670 Foothill Blvd. Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

12:45 pm
Leave Historic Cucamonga Service Station for Wigwam Motel
2728 E. Foothill Blvd, San Bernardino, CA (18 mi.)

1:15 pm
Photo stop at the Wigwam Motel

1:45 pm
Leave Wigwam Motel for Jovi’s Diner
123 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92401 (4 mi.)

2:00 pm
Lunch and gas Stop at Jovi’s Diner
123 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92401

3:30 pm
Leave Jovi’s Diner for Barstow Town Place Suites
2551 Mercantile Way Barstow, CA 92311 (65 mi.)

4:45 pm
Arrive at Barstow Town Place Suites, gas up vehicles and check into hotel

6:30 pm
Dinner at Roy’s Diner
413 E Main St, Barstow, CA 92311

Lodging:
Barstow Town Place Suites
2551 Mercantile Way Barstow, CA 92311
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4
Barstow, CA to Kingman, AZ – 225 miles

Time zone change in AZ - MST

8:00 am
Team meeting

8:30 am
Depart Barstow Town Place Suites for Roy’s Motel & Cafe
87520 National Trails Hwy, Amboy, CA 92304 (84 mi.)

10:00 am
Photo stop at Roy’s Motel and Café
87520 National Trails Hwy, Amboy, CA 92304

10:30 am
Depart Roy’s Motel & Café for Wagon Wheel Restaurant
2420 Needles Hwy, Needles, CA 92363 (80 mi.)

12:00 pm
Lunch at Wagon Wheel Restaurant
2420 Needles Hwy, Needles, CA 92363

1:30 pm
Depart Wagon Wheel Restaurant for Oatman, AZ
180 Main St, Oatman, AZ 86433 (23 mi.)

Time zone change – MST

3:00 pm
Photo stop at Oatman General Store
180 Main St, Oatman, AZ 86433

3:30 pm
Depart Oatman General Store for Cool Springs Station
8275 Oatman Road, Golden Valley, AZ 86413 (9 mi.)

4:00 pm
Photo Stop at Cool Springs Station
8275 Oatman Road, Golden Valley, AZ 86413

4:45 pm
Depart Cool Springs Station for Best Western Plus A Wayfarers Inn & Suites
2815 East Andy Devine Avenue, Kingman, AZ 86401 (23 mi.)

5:15 pm
Arrive at Best Western Plus A Wayfarers Inn & Suites, check into hotel, gas up vehicles

6:30 pm
Dinner at Rickety Cricket Brewing and Pizzeria
532 East Beale St, Kingman, AZ, 86401

Lodging:
Best Western Plus A Wayfarers Inn & Suites
2815 East Andy Devine Avenue, Kingman, AZ 86401
MONDAY, JANUARY 5
Kingman, AZ to Winslow, AZ – 221 miles

7:00 am
Team meeting

7:30 am - 8:30 am
Cars & Coffee at Kingman Visitor Center
120 W Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ

8:30 am
Depart Best Western Plus A Wayfarers Inn & Suites for Historic Truxton Frontier Motel
Truxton, AZ, 16118 (38 mi.)

9:15 am
Photo stop at Historic Truxton Frontier Motel
Truxton, AZ, 16118

9:45 am
Depart Truxton Frontier Motel for Osterman Gas Station
Peach Springs, AZ 86434 (8 mi).

10:00 am
Arrive at Osterman Gas Station
Peach Springs, AZ 86434

11:00 am
Depart Osterman Gas Station for Seligman, AZ
22925 W Old Hwy, Seligman, AZ 86337 (37 mi.)

11:45 am
Photo stop in Seligman, AZ
22925 W Old Hwy, Seligman, AZ 86337

12:15 pm
Depart Seligman for Goldie’s Route 66 Diner
425 E Rte. 66, Williams, AZ 86046 Williams (43 mi.)

1:00 pm
Lunch and Gas Stop at Goldie’s Route 66 Diner
425 E Rte. 66, Williams, AZ 86046 Williams

2:30 pm
Depart Goldie’s Route 66 Diner for Winslow, AZ
Corner of Kinsley & E 2nd St, Winslow, AZ 86047 (90 mi.)

4:15 pm
Photo stop at Standing on the Corner in Winslow, AZ
Corner of Kinsley & E 2nd St, Winslow, AZ 86047

4:45 pm
Gas up vehicles and check into The Winslow Hotel
2206 N Park Dr, Winslow, AZ 86047

6:30 pm
Dinner at Turquoise Room Restaurant, La Posada Hotel
303 E 2nd St, Winslow, AZ 86047

Lodging:
La Posada Hotel
303 E 2nd St Route 66, Winslow, AZ 86047
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6
Winslow, AZ to Alburquerque, NM – 265 miles

8:00 am
Team meeting

8:30 am
Depart Winslow Hotel for Holbrook, AZ for Wigwam Motel
811 W Hopi Dr. Holbrook, AZ 86025 (33 mi.)

9:15 am
Photo stop at Wigwam Motel, Holbrook AZ

9:45 am
Depart Wigwam Motel for El Rancho Hotel
1000 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301 (96 mi.)

11:30 am
Lunch and gas stop at El Rancho Hotel
1000 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301

1:00 pm
Depart El Rancho Hotel for The Arrive Hotel 717 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (143 mi.)

3:30 pm
Gas up vehicles and check into The Arrive Hotel
717 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

6:00 pm
Reception at Garcia Neon Glass Sign Museum
102 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Lodging:
The Arrive Hotel
717 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7
Alburquerque, NM to Amarillo, TX – 287 miles

Time zone change in TX - CST

7:30 am
Team meeting

8:00 am
Depart The Arrive Hotel for Cuervo Ghost Town
2031 Cuervo, Cuervo, NM 88417 (130 mi.)

10:30 am
Photo stop at Cuervo Ghost Town
2031 Cuervo, Cuervo, NM 88417

11:00 am
Depart for Cuervo Ghost Town for Blue Swallow Motel
815 E Rte. 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401 (42 mi.)

11:45 am
Photo stop at Blue Swallow Motel
815 E Rte. 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401 (42 mi.)

12:15 pm
Lunch and gas stop Del’s Restaurant
1202 U.S. Rte. 66, Tucumcari, NM 88401

1:45 pm
Depart Tucumcari for Cadillac Ranch
13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124 (100 mi.)

Time zone change - CST

4:30 pm
Photo stop at Cadillac Ranch
13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124

4:45 pm
Depart Cadillac Ranch for Courtyard Marriott
724 South Polk Street Amarillo, Texas, USA, 79101 (10 mi.)

5:00 pm
Gas up vehicles and check into Courtyard Marriott hotel
724 South Polk Street Amarillo, Texas, USA, 79101

6:30 pm
Dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch
7701 I-40, Amarillo, TX 79118

Lodging:
Courtyard Marriott
724 South Polk Street Amarillo, Texas, USA, 79101
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8
Amarillo, TX to Weatherford, TX – 189 Miles

8:30 am
Team meeting

9:00 am
Depart Courtyard Marriott for Leaning Tower of Texas
I-40 U.S. Rte 66, Groom, TX 79039 (43 mi.)

9:45 am
Photo stop at the Leaning Tower of Texas
I-40 U.S. Rte 66, Groom, TX 79039 (43 mi.)

10:15 am
Depart Leaning Tower of Texas for U Drop Inn Café
111 U.S. Rte. 66, Shamrock, TX 79079 (49 mi.)

11:15 am
Lunch and gas stop at U Drop Inn Café
111 U.S. Rte. 66, Shamrock, TX 79079

12:45 pm
Depart U Drop Inn Café for Sandhill Curiosity Shop
201 S Sheb Wooley Ave, Erick, OK 73645 (22 mi.)

1 :15 pm
Photo stop at Sandhill Curiosity Shop
201 S Sheb Wooley Ave, Erick, OK 73645

2:00 pm
Depart Sandhill Curiosity for Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
2229 W Gary Blvd, Clinton, OK 73601 (58 mi.)

3:00 pm
Photo stop at Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
2229 W Gary Blvd, Clinton, OK 73601

3:45 pm
Depart Oklahoma Route 66 Museum for Weatherford Spaceman Statue
201 W Main St, Weatherford, OK 73096 (17 mi.)

4:15 pm
Photo stop at Weatherford Spaceman Statue
201 W Main St, Weatherford, OK 73096

4:30 pm
Depart Weatherford Spaceman Statue for Lucille’s Hotel Restaurant & Bar
3825 East Main Street, Weatherford, OK 73096 (3 mi.)

6:00 pm
Dinner at Pecina’s Mexican Café
1711 E Main St #5823, Weatherford, OK 73096

Lodging:
Lucille’s Hotel Restaurant & Bar
3825 East Main Street, Weatherford, OK 73096
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9
Weatherford, TX to Tulsa, OK – 177 miles

8:00 am
Team meeting

9:00 am
Depart Lucille’s Hotel for Lucille’s Historic Gas Station
U.S. Rte 66, Hydro, OK 73048 (7 mi.)

9:15 am
Photo stop at Lucille’s Historic Gas Station
U.S. Rte 66, Hydro, OK 73048

9:30 am
Depart Lucille’s Historic Gas Station for Pops 66 Soda Ranch
660 OK-66, Arcadia, OK 73007 (85 mi.)

11:15 am
Photo stop at Pops 66 Soda Ranch
660 OK-66, Arcadia, OK 73007

11:45 am
Depart Pops 66 Soda Ranch for Threatt Filling Station
21940 OK-66, Luther, OK 73054 (11 mi.)

12:00 pm
Photo stop at Threatt Filling Station
21940 OK-66, Luther, OK 73054

12:30 pm
Depart Threatt Filling Station for Route 66 Bowl
920 E 1st St, Chandler, OK 74834

1:00 pm
Lunch and gas stop at Route 66 Bowl
920 E 1st St, Chandler, OK 74834

2:30 pm
Depart Route 66 Bowl for Buck Atoms Cosmic Curios
1347 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 (65 mi.)

4:00 pm
Photo stop at Buck Atoms Curios and Meadow Gold Sign
1347 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK 74120

5:00 pm
Depart Meadow Gold Sign for Hampton Inn & Suites
211 West 3rd Street, Tulsa, OK 74103 (1.5 mi.)

6:30 pm
Dinner SMOKE Woodfire Grill
1542 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74120

Lodging:
Hampton Inn & Suites
211 West 3rd Street, Tulsa, OK 74103
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10
Tulsa, OK to Lebanon, MO – 233 miles

8:00 am
Team meeting

9:00 am
Depart Hampton Inn & Suites for Will Rogers Museum
1720 W Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, OK 74017 (32 mi.)

9:30 am
Photo stop at Will Rogers Memorial Museum
1720 W Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, OK 74017

9:45 am
Depart Will Rogers Museum for Coleman Theater
103 N Main St, Miami, OK 74354 (73 mi.)

11:15 am
Photo stop at Coleman Theatre

11:55 pm
Depart Coleman Theater for Main Street Café
230 S Main St, Miami, OK 74354

12:00 pm
Lunch and gas stop at Main Street Café
230 S Main St, Miami, OK 74354

1:30 pm
Depart Miami, OK for Holiday Inn Express
1955 West Elm Street Lebanon, MO 65536 (149 mi.)

4:30 pm
Arrive at Holiday Inn Express, check in gas up vehicles

5:00 pm
Reception hosted by Route 66 Centennial Chairman Rod Reid at Shepherd Hills Factory Outlets
1900 W. Elm Street, Lebanon, MO 65536

6:30pm
Route 66 Museum tour
915 S Jefferson Ave, Lebanon, MO 65536

Lodging:
Holiday Inn Express
1955 West Elm Street Lebanon, MO 65536

Hampton Inn Lebanon
930 Ivey Ln, Lebanon, MO 65536
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11
Lebanon, MO to Springfield, IL – 259 miles

7:30 am
Team meeting

7:45 am
Depart for Rolla MO Visitors Center
500 Tim Bradley Wy, Rolla, MO 65401 (52 mi.)

8:45 am
Coffee, pastries, gas stop at Rolla MO Visitors Center
500 Tim Bradley Wy, Rolla, MO 65401

10:00 am
Depart Rolla Visitors Center for Chain of Rocks Bridge Bridge
10820 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137(121 mi.)

12:00 pm
Drive across Chain of Rocks Bridge
10820 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137

1:00 pm
Depart Chain of Rocks Bridge for Weezy’s
108 Old US Rte 66, Hamel, IL 62046 (26 mi.)

1:30 pm
Lunch and gas stop at Weezy’s
108 Old US Rte 66, Hamel, IL 62046

2:30 pm
Depart Weezy’s for SpringHill Suites by Marriott
3921 MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois, USA, 62711

3:45 pm
Gas up vehicles and check into SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springfield Southwest
3921 MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois, USA, 62711

6:30 pm
Dinner at Route 66 Motorhead Bar and Grill
600 Toronto Rd, Springfield, IL 62711

Lodging:
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springfield Southwest
3921 MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois, USA, 62711
MONDAY, JANUARY 12
Springfield, IL to Chicago, IL – 201 miles

8:00 am
Team meeting

8:15 am
Depart SpringHill Suites for American Giants Museum
100 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723 (46 mi.)

9:15 am
Photo stop and visit at American Giants Museum
100 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723

10:15 am
Depart American Giants for State Farm Headquarters
1 State Farm Plaza, Bloomington, IL 61710 (23 mi.)

10:45 am
Photo stop at State Farm Headquarters
1 State Farm Plaza, Bloomington, IL 61710

11:00 am
Depart State Farm Headquarters for Pontiac Oakland Museum & Route 66 Roadhouse
201 N Mill St, Pontiac, IL 61764 (36 mi.)

11:45 am
Lunch and gas stop at Pontiac Oakland Museum and Route 66 Roadhouse
201 N Mill St, Pontiac, IL 61764

1:00 pm
Depart Pontiac Oakland Museum and Route 66 Roadhouse for Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain
301 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 (98 mi.)

3:00 pm
Photo stop at Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain
301 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

3:30 pm
Gas up vehicles and check into Eurostars Magnificent Mile
660 North State Street, River North, Chicago, IL 60654

6:00pm
Media activiation event at Eurostars Magnificent Mile
660 North State Street, River North, Chicago, IL 60654

7:30pm
Dinner at Pizzeria Uno
29 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611

Lodging:
Eurostars Magnificent Mile
660 North State Street, River North, Chicago, IL 60654
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
Chicago, IL to Detroit, MI – 284 miles

Time zone change in Detroit - EST

6:00 am
Team meeting

6:15 am
Depart Eurostars Hotel for Big Rock Italian Chophouse
245 S Eton St, Birmingham, MI 48009

2:00 pm
Arrive at Big Rock Italian Chophouse
245 S Eton St, Birmingham, MI 48009

Time zone change - EST

2:30 pm
Police escort drive down Woodward Avenue

3:00 pm
Arrive and check into Fort Pontchartrain Hotel
2 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226

6:00 pm
Celebratory dinner & drinks – we made it!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
Detroit Auto Show begins, the Drive Home cars on display during the show Jan 14 - Jan 25

VIEW ROUTE BOOK

Join the drive HOME

WANT TO MAKE THE DRIVE WITH US?

We'd love you to join us! Here are a few important details for you to know:

Our route will begin on January 3, 2026, in Santa Monica, CA. You are welcome to join us from the beginning in Santa Monica or anywhere along the route. Feel free to drive as much or as little as you'd like. To see our full route and stopping points, please see the map above.

Please keep in mind, we have strategically mapped out our route and have to stick to our itinerary in order to complete the route in time to make it to the Detroit Auto Show in Detroit, MI where our vehicles will be part of the display. Because of this, we have limited time at each stopping point and cannot accommodate additional stops or requests. Please see our itinerary above to see our various stopping points and attractions we will be visiting along the route.

Unfortunately, we do not have extra room in our vehicles or hotels for additional guests. We welcome and encourage you to make the drive with us, however please keep in mind that transportation, food, and lodging needs to be coordinated on your own.

Keep an eye on this webpage for additional details as we continue to release more information about The Drive Home.

We look forward to making the drive with you!

-America's Automotive Trust

JOIN THE DRIVE HOME