Ride iconic Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. Plus the option to visit the home of Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee
Known as the “Mainstreet of America” or “Mother Road”, Route 66 is 2400 miles long from Chicago to Los Angeles, crosses three time zones and 8 States: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. It has been the path of migrants, dreamers, desperadoes and an entire generation of vacationers discovering the way west. Much of Route 66’s classic roads, restaurants, gas stations and nostalgic landmarks are preserved just as they were in the 1950’s. The famous and nostalgic Route 66 is the road created in heaven for motorcycle touring. Simply stated, this is the guided tour of America!
What better way to celebrate your upcoming ride down Route 66 than with a visit to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! This tour is a great way to kick the jet lag while enjoying a couple of nights in downtown Chicago and Milwaukee in two world famous luxury hotels before meeting up with your fellow riders to enjoy Route 66.
Day 1. Tuesday – Arrive Chicago
Check in to The Drake Hotel in Chicago. An EagleRider Tour Leader will be in the hotel lobby from 4pm to 6pm to greet you. Tonight we enjoy our first of many great meals together.
Day 2. Wednesday – Chicago – Milwaukee – H-D Museum
We’ll head to Union Station for our short train ride along the shores of Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. Upon arrival in we will check in to the famous Iron Horse Hotel and make the short walk across the river to enjoy as much time as you like at the Harley-Davidson Museum. VIP museum entrance fee and private behind the scenes tour is included in your package.
Day 3. Thursday – Milwaukee – Chicago - (this is Day 1 of the main tour)
Don’t worry if you didn’t get to experience all that the H-D Museum had to offer yesterday, as we have plenty of time this morning for you to see your favourite parts once again before heading to Chicago around noon. This afternoon you’ll have some time to relax before meeting up with the riders who will be joining you on the Route 66 guided tour. Tonight we’ll have a great dinner and dream of what is to come!
Inclusions:
- 2 nights accommodation •Dinner on day 1
- Round-trip train travel •VIP Harley-Davidson Museum package – behind-the-scenes Back Roads Tour, copy of The Harley-Davidson Museum® book, a $25 Museum gift card
- Special EagleRider ‘H-D Museum’ patch
All this for just an additional $695 pp twin share
Single room supplement $225
MAIN TOUR
Day 1. Thursday. Arrive Chicago, IL
Check in to our tour hotel today. An EagleRider Tour Leader will be in the hotel lobby from 4pm to 6pm to greet you and take care of a few small details before we take to the open road in the morning. Tonight you will have the opportunity to meet your fellow riders as we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Day 2. Friday. Chicago – Springfield, IL
Today we put rubber to the hallowed pavement of Historic Route 66 for the first time. After picking up our bikes we start on the 2400 miles that lies ahead. Our first stop today will be the well known Route 66 Museum in Joliet, Illinois, a must for anyone traveling this great road.
Day 3. Saturday. Springfield, IL – St Louis, MO
The excitement is just beginning today. As we enter St. Louis, we see one of the most recognizable structures in the US, the Gateway Arch. The gleaming, stainless steel structure welcomes travellers heading from East to West.
Day 4. Sunday. St Louis, MO – Joplin,MO
Today you’ll be amazed with the scenery the Midwest has to offer. The roads out of Rolla are a rider’s dream. We take our time through the “Devils Elbow” to view what once was the deepest road cut in Missouri. Soon we’ll get a taste of what the real Route 66 was like. One of the few characters left on the Old Route 66 stills exists in Paris Springs Junction, MO. The Gay Parita Sinclair gas station has charm with bit of panache that shows us how they drew customers in by the hundreds. You’ll have one of the best days so far after our visit here that you will leave smiling. We end our day in Joplin for a well deserved night’s sleep.
Day 5. Monday. Joplin, MO – Oklahoma City, OK
This morning we’ll head for another city which has been immortalised in song – Tulsa. Then we’ll continue to the state capital, Oklahoma City, for overnight.
Day 6. Tuesday. Oklahoma City, OK – Amarillo, TX
We eagerly start today for an early visit to the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma. This is a favorite of all the museums along the route, as it walks visitors through each era of Historic Route 66 from the 1920’s through present time. Then we ride to Amarillo, up in the northern Texas Panhandle. Amarillo may seem cut off from the rest of Texas, but it stands on one of the great American cross-country routes. For those who want a few more miles under their belt, you might like to explore stunning Palo Duro Canyon.
Day 7. Wednesday. Amarillo, TX – Santa Fe, NM
Say goodbye to the wide open spaces of Oklahoma and Texas as we make our way into the heart of the Western United States and one of her most beautiful cities, Santa Fe, New Mexico. This quaint mountain town is nestled high in the Sangre de Cristo, or Blood of Christ, mountain range, which are thought to have been named for the deep red hues of the mountains during some sunrises and sunsets. Founded in 1607, it is the second oldest city as well as the highest and oldest state capital in the USA.
Day 8. Thursday. Santa Fe at leisure
Today is a free day to relax. Santa Fe is rich in Spanish and Native American history and culture, a unique blend that is reflected in the local art, architecture and cuisine. If you feel like a ride today we can organize a day trip into the fresh mountain air of northern Arizona and southern Colorado; the trip north to Taos is stunning.
Day 9. Friday. Santa Fe, NM – Gallup, NM
As we head to Albuquerque in the high desert we see a change in scenery with red dirt plateaus and cactus blooms as well as examples of adobe architecture. Later we’ll stop at The Petrified Forest National Park. New Mexico is home to one of the oldest constantly inhabited cites in the America, Sky City, set on top of massive rock outcrops. We’ll detour to see this once in a lifetime view before continuing to Gallup.
Day 10. Saturday. Gallup, NM – Grand Canyon AZ
It seems our ride is just getting better each day. The Eagles must have passed through Winslow, Arizona and once we finish singing the song “Standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona” in our head we remount and continue to Flagstaff. The miles of road just before Flagstaff are great riding. Next up: The Grand Canyon. It is GRAND. It’s hard to explain just how big the Grand Canyon is. No picture truly captures the grandeur and enormous size of this natural wonder. Here is where your tour leader shines. We’ll show you how to find the best photo stops and navigate this park with ease.
Day 11. Sunday. Grand Canyon AZ – Las Vegas, NV
Your passion for motorcycle riding will be repaid today as we open the throttle and let the wind fly by. The morning’s view is outstanding. There are some long stretches and a few twisty curves in the morning but later on it all opens up. By the afternoon we are treated to an odd and wonderful sight as we approach the scenic vistas just before coming into Oatman, AZ. This town has a standing army of burros that roam free and you get a sense of what the mining days of the Wild West were like. Then on to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Day 12. Monday. Las Vegas at leisure
Las Vegas offers fine dining, gambling and entertainment galore. Outside the strip, Las Vegas has great attractions in Hoover Dam, desert plains and beautiful night rides.
Day 13. Tuesday. Las Vegas, NV – Victorville, CA
The Mojave desert offers stillness and interesting colours that only a few riders ever explore. Set the throttle on cruise and just enjoy the ride.
Day 14. Wednesday. Victorville, CA – Los Angeles, CA
Glitz, glamour, palm trees and fresh ocean air permeate our ride westward. Your Tour Leader takes you to Santa Monica pier to see the plaque that announces the final destination of Route 66. Later we’ll return our bikes and tonight we’ll gather at a restaurant to reminisce about our trip.
Day 15. Thursday. Tour ends Los Angeles
Your tour ends this morning. Perhaps extend your stay in Los Angeles, or travel to other parts of the USA. We can help with your additional travel arrangements.
2013 Departure Dates
Start Chicago, Finish Los Angeles
- May 16, May 30
- May 30, Jun 13
- Jun 13, Jun 27
- Jun 27, July 11
- Jul 25, Aug 08
- Aug 01, Aug 15
- Aug 29, Sep 12
- Sep 19, Oct 03
- Oct 03, Oct 17
Price A $5690: For 2 riders travelling together. Each person rides a bike and the 2 of you share a hotel room.
Price B $4,390: For 1 rider and 1 pillion travelling together. You travel on 1 bike together and the 2 of you share a hotel room.
Price C $7,590: For 1 rider travelling solo. You ride a bike and have a hotel room to yourself.
NOTE: You must be min. 21 years old and hold a valid unrestricted motorcycle licence.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- 14 nights hotel accommodation
- 13 days late-model motorcycle hire
- Fuel and oil
- Welcome and Farewell dinners
- Sightseeing and touring as listed
- Support van, spare bike and trailer
- Elite Special Event Tours travel wallet
Not included:
Airfares, meals other than listed, drinks, tips, personal items.
Click here for important information and booking conditions
Download the brochure here: Route66BikeTours_2013
Note: Airfares are not included in the tour prices in order to give you the opportunity to take advantage of the best airfare available at time of reservation. If you would like us to assist with your flights, please let us know when making your tour booking.