Source: Freepik.com
Few road trips in America evoke as much nostalgia and intrigue as a journey down historic Route 66. Winding its way for over 2400 miles from Chicago to California, this “Mother Road” played a pivotal role in the development of car culture and helped open up the American West during the early to mid-20th century. While much of the original highway has since been bypassed, traveling parts of the remaining Route 66 still allows one to step back in time and experience the iconic sites, sounds, and experiences of mid-century Americana.
Route 66 Lodging: Stepping Back in Time
Scattered along the original alignment of Route 66 are numerous vintage motels that have thankfully survived over the years, functioning today much as they did in their heyday during the 1940s-60s. These hotels are the best representation of route 66 lodging. Constructed during the post-war boom years when automobile travel truly took off, these budget-friendly motels offered “neon nostalgia” and a place to lay one’s head along a cross-country route lacking in amenities.
Heading Down the Mother Road
A drive along surviving portions of Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica is the ideal way to experience some of the best surviving vintage motels. Starting off in Illinois, the circa-1940s Astro-Luxe Motel in Mt. Vernon with its space rocket ship-themed signs offers a worthy first taste of the retro motor court experience on the route.
Entering Missouri, historic motels like the Wagon Wheel Motel in Rolla with its distinctive spinning wagon wheel sign beckon weary travelers. Further west, the Cabaña Court Motel outside Joplin dating back to the 1950s retains much of its nostalgic character.
New Mexico contains some true gems from the vintage era, such as the very inviting Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari where rooms go for around $60-70 a night. Also noteworthy is the Thunderbird Lodge outside of Albuquerque, where vintage vibes are complemented by Polynesian-inspired architecture and decor from the 1950s.
Route 66: Experiencing Americana on a Budget
What’s best about the vintage motel experience along Route 66 is the terrific value it provides visitors. Rooms typically start from around $50-80 per night depending on location, amenities, and season. This allows travelers to immerse themselves in retro-Americana without breaking the bank for accommodation.
With their honest charm, vintage motels on the Mother Road afford a fun, historic, and budget-friendly way to unwind after a day of exploring iconic stops and sites in small towns along the route. They also supply visitors with a tangible connection to Route 66’s glory era when postwar automobile tourism came of age in the U.S. In an increasingly faster-paced world, the relaxed atmosphere of these vintage properties lets travelers truly slow down and immerse themselves in retro-Americana.
Conclusion
Part of the appeal and magic of an open road trip along Route 66 is the opportunity to experience memorable places to lay one’s head at the end of a day’s journey. From Arizona to Missouri, the surviving vintage motels far exceed the function of basic lodging – they transport guests back to motoring’s golden age and still passionately celebrate the heritage of this legendary highway.
