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Boston Motorcycle Attorney

Tour the Mother Road: Route 66
November 5, 2009

The Song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” was written by Bobby Troup in 1946 and later performed by artists like Nat King Cole, Chuck Berry, John Mayer, Depeche Mode, and the Rolling Stones. Duped “the Mother Road” by John Steinbeck in his 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath, Route 66 represents much more than a 2 lane highway

Troup conceived the idea of the song during a cross country trip from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles, CA as a way to commemorate his trip and celebrate the freedom and adventure of cross country automobile travel.

Route 66 connects Chicago, IL to the Pacific Ocean ending close to the Santa Monica Pier in southern California. This road was completed 1926 at the dawn of America’s passion for automobile travel. This road was designed to connect the main streets of cities along the route connecting the Midwest to the Southern Pacific town by town.

Route 66 became legendary after World War II as returning soldiers traveled this road to the promise of the good life in the wide open western United States.

Route 66 became the pathway to the American dream.

Traveling on Route 66 by motorcycle provides an even better way to experience the 2500 mile trip from Chicago to the Pacific Coast than by car. While most of the original road has been replaced or updated by modern highways that bypass the main street feel of Route 66, much of the old highway can still be traveled.

It is possible to traverse Route 66 without guidance but, the best way to enjoy this ride would be through a motorcycle guided tour. And while there are guided tours that cover just a portion of the journey, clearly the best way to experience Route 66 is driving every mile of it. When touring an American legend by motorcycle, it is only fitting that you ride an American legend. Most Route 66 tour companies offer rental Harley Davidson motorcycles for the trip.

This is definitely not a cross country race and this tour is best taken at a leisurely pace. Most tours last 10-14 days. That way, all the sites from the Midwest, Great Plains, Lone Star State, and Pacific can be enjoyed. Bring enough motorcycle gear to accommodate weather conditions from the Midwest to southern California. Tours of the Route 66 are typically one way so tourist will have to fly back to Chicago, IL at the end of the journey.