2026 The Mother Lode of the Mother Road

Route 66 is arguably the most famous highway in the world.  For most  of us, the mere mention of it brings back memories of family vacations, picnic lunches at roadside parks, souvenir shops and “are we there yet?”   Join us as we take a “bucket-list” trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, over 2200 miles, across 8 states, through three time zones, and with hundreds of “oohs” and aahs, ” following as much of the pre interstate alignment of the road as possible.

 We will explore the history of the road itself, the evolution of transportation and tourism during the road’s heyday, the history of cities and towns along the way, and the art, culture and food that still give the road it’s flavor and appeal.

Just a few of the highlights:

Chicago/Joliet: Beginning of Rt 66, Willis Tower, River cruise, Millennium Park, Rialto Square Theater, Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, Ernest Hemingway Birthplace. 

Pontiac IL: Rt 66 Hall of Fame/Museum, Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum

Springfield IL:  Lincoln Presidential Library & Natl Historic Site

St. Louis MO: Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Chain of Rocks Bridge, Confluence Tower, Fox Theater

Meramec, MO: Meramec Caverns, and Jesse James Hideout

Springfield, MO: Devils Elbow Bridge, Gillioz Theater, Wilson’s Creek Nat’l Battlefield, Historic Rt 66 Drive-in Theater

Baxter Springs, KS: “Cars” on Rt 66, Galena, Riverton store.

Tulsa, OK: Will Rogers Memorial sites, Packard Museum

Oklahoma City, OK: Oklahoma City Memorial Museum, Nat’l Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum,

Amarillo TX:  Jack Sizemore RV Museum, Big Texan restaurant, Cadillac Ranch, National Quarter Horse Museum,

Santa Fe, NM: La Plaza, a Harvey House Inn, Museum of Indian, Arts & Culture, Georgia O’Keefe Museum

Albuquerque NM: Pueblo Cultural Center, Petroglyph Nat’l Monument, Rattlesnake Museum

Gallup, NM: El Rancho Hotel, El Morro Theatre, Santa Fe Depot

Holbrook/Winslow AZ:  Petrified Forest Nat’l Park, “Standing on the Corner in Winslow AZ”, La Posada Hotel

Flagstaff, AZ: Grand Canyon Railway/Bus Tour of Grand Canyon

Needles, CA:  Old Trails Bridge, side trip to Laughlin NV casinos,

Oatman, CA: Oatman Ghost Town experience.

Barstow, CA:  Calico Ghost Town, Amboy Crater,

Los Angeles, CA:  LA Highlights Bus Tour, San Dimas, Pasadena highlights,  End of Rt 66 bus tour, sunset dinner at Santa Monica Pier.

And of course, the countless vintage neon signs, quirky roadside attractions,  historic service stations, classic retro diners and motels, that Route 66 is famous for!

Notes to consider:

1. We expect there will be 4-5 long days of touring via tour bus.  We will make every effort to locate pet sitting and/or kennel services for our furry family members, but ultimately it will be your responsibility to decide how to handle these long touring days.
2. Please note: we  are planning 1 night of boon docking/dry camping at a Route 66 site.  If this is a significant concern for you, please contact the Caravan Leaders for the further information before you register.
3. We will be have a few travel days at high altitude: anyone with health issues related to high altitudes should be aware this!
4. We will be traveling in the fall through a variety of altitudes and climates.  Be prepared for temperatures that could range from the mid 80s down to freezing temperatures – pack layers!!
5. Drivers should be comfortable driving in mountains as well as in metropolitan areas.

Thanks for your consideration

 

Caravan Number: N-2026-W

Caravan Name: Mother Lode of the Mother Road - Route 66

 

Start Date:  9/11/2026

Starting  Location:  St Charles, IL

          Kane County Fairgrounds

          525 South Randall Rd

          St. Charles, IL.  60174     

 

Stop Date:11/08/2026

Stop Location:San Dimas, CA

 

Total Number of Nights: 59

Number of Stops: 22

 

Leaders & WBCCI #. Tom and Shirley Herron BRN 13007

Home phone: 515-556-9339 Shirley

Phone: 515-988-4950 Tom

Email:  Rt66ACaravan@gmail.com

 

Co-Leader & WBCCI # Tom and Vicki Ketchum #878

Home phone: 812-322-6075 Vicki

Cell phone: 317-339-5777 Tom

Email: vicketchum@gmail.com

 

Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 25

 

Kitty Fee w/2:  $9100

Kitty Fee w/1:  $7500

Guest:             $1600

Deposit Amount: $900, upon acceptance to caravan “Go List”

Dates of Payments (if applicable)

          1/2 of remaining balance 1/1/2026

           Remaining balance 5/1/2026

 

Cancellation Fee:$100 plus non-recoverable expenses              

Leaders discretion after 5/1/2026

 

 

Credit Card Payment Fee Disclaimer

Effective April 1, 2025, all caravan payments made via credit card will be subject to a 3% processing fee. This fee is automatically applied at the time of payment and is non-refundable, even in the event of a cancellation or refund request. By choosing to pay via credit card, you acknowledge and agree to this additional charge.