The Open Road Travel

A road trip from Chicago to Arizona takes you along much of the original route of the historic Route 66.

A road trip from Chicago to Arizona sees you spend a full day driving almost the height of the country, through the 6 states of Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, along one of the most famous routes in the United States.

For anyone planning to go on this adventure themselves, I highly recommend reading on, to ensure you don’t miss any of the highlights along the way.

A road trip from Chicago to Arizona covers 1,650 miles (2,655 kilometres) and takes a full 24 hours to complete. However, despite its incredible length, the best route is not only extremely simple but also follows much of the same path as the historic Route 66.

You begin by picking up I-55 where it begins and following it for 300 miles (483 kilometres) to St. Louis, Missouri. Use Exit 290B to join I-44 and head west for 500 miles (805 kilometres), until you reach Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Take Exit 120A to join I-40 going west, which will then take you the remainder of your journey, 700 miles (1,130 kilometres) to the Arizona state line and 850 miles (1,368 kilometres) to Flagstaff.

The best time for a road trip from Chicago to Arizona is from mid-June to late September. While the desert landscape of Arizona is associated with its heat, it can experience extreme cold snaps during the year, and often has fairly chilly evenings.

Mid-June to late September, however, is a period that is warm around the clock. This ensures you can enjoy all of the many beautiful landscapes of Arizona, without worrying about what the weather is going to do.

With a full day of driving on a road trip from Chicago to Arizona, you are going to want lots of thigs to do and see along the way to keep things interesting. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to please everyone.

In fact, there are so many choices that it may even seem a little overwhelming.

That is why we have compiled the following list of the 10 top attractions on a road trip from Chicago to Arizona. This will hopefully make life a little easier and help you plan the dream travel itinerary for your trip.

Joliet is the 3rd largest city in the state of Illinois and is a destination synonymous with the motor industry and the historic Route 66.

Attractions like the Route 66 Visitors Centre, Route 66 Raceway, and Chicagoland Speedway are all incredible destinations for car and road trip enthusiasts.

Even for those less interested in cars, locations like the Joliet Area Historical Museum, Joliet Correctional Center, Rialto Square Theatre (which is heavily linked with infamous gangster Al Capone), and a choice of casinos provide plenty of entertainment options.

Springfield is the largest city in the state not in the Chicago Metro and is best known as the home of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln from 1837 to 1861, when he worked as a lawyer. After he was elected to office, the city opened many sites dedicated to his honour.

With the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln Tomb, The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library And Museum, and the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site, Springfield is a must visit location for anyone interested in perhaps the United States’ most famous President.

Stanton is a small rural town surrounded by attractions that demonstrate the best of Missouri’s landscape and history.

Destinations like the Meramec Caverns, Meramec River, Riverside Wildlife Center, and Wild Animal Adventure are ideal for exploring the wildlife and nature of the region.

Meanwhile, sites like the Jesse James Wax Museum will educate visitors on one of the most infamous names to have ever resided in the area.

Joplin is a town best known for being one of the main hideouts of the infamous criminals Bonnie And Clyde. After committing a number of robberies in the town, they fled in a hail of police gunfire in such a rush that they left many extremely personal possessions behind.

These are now displayed in The Joplin Museum Complex, along with various other exhibits and photos of the duo, making the town a great stop for crime fans.

Joplin is also home to the Route 66 Mural Park, which boasts a number of stunning murals dedicated to the historic route, making the town equally enjoyable for motor enthusiasts too.

Tulsa is the 2nd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. Located on former Indian Territory lands, the city boasts a number of museums, historical archives, and other similar establishments, giving visitors a great insight into the culture, history, and landscape of this part of the United States.

Tulsa is also home to the Meadow Gold sign and The Golden Driller statue. Two of the most recognisable landmarks on Route 66, these are unique attractions that are well worth snapping a photo of to commemorate your journey.

The 14th most populous city in Texas, as well as the largest and most populous in the northwest of the state, Amarillo is seen by many as the heart of Texas “cowboy country”.

Cowboy boots and hats, ranchers, steaks, horses, and more, make it ideal for those wanting to see the “real” Texas. The city and its iconic landscape have also been used to shoot various movies through the years, specifically in the western genre.

With Caprock Canyons State Park And Trailway and its official Texan bison herd, the Alibates Flint Quarry National Monument where ancient natives lived and worked, and Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the 2nd largest canyon system in the U.S., Amarillo is sure to have something for everyone.

Located just outside Albuquerque, the musical highway is a novel attraction that uses rumble strips on the road to create music as people drive by. Pass by at a speed of 40 to 45 miles an hour and the road will serenade you with a rendition of America The Beautiful as you go.

Gallup is affectionately called the “Native American Capital Of The World” and rose to prominence during the 1930’s.

Legendary stars like John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Catherine Hepburn, Ronald Regan and more used the town to escape the paparazzi in LA and Vegas.

Featuring historic hotels, and markets and murals brimming with culture, Gallup is a great place for anyone interested in Native Americans, classic movies, and much, much more.

Petrified Forest National Park is the only National Park on Route 66. First opened in December 1962, the park covers more than 220,000 acres and gained its name due to the vast collection of petrified wood located across its painted desert landscape.

Boasting a wide array of archaeological sites and fossils, as well as a collection of wildlife that includes coyote, deer, pronghorn, and over 200 species of birds, such as roadrunners, it is a great place to experience the iconic history and landscape of Arizona first hand.

Also known as the Barringer Crater, Meteor Crater Natural Landmark is a massive meteor impact site that is 560 feet (170 metres) deep and 3,900 feet (1,200 metres) in diameter.

Considered by many to be the best preserved meteor crater on the planet, it is a must visit location for space enthusiasts.

With a theatre and interpretive centre designed to teach visitors about both the crater and meteors in general, as well as a gift shop and concessions outlet to purchase supplies and souvenirs from, the site is sure to offer a unique experience you won’t forget in a hurry.

With a road trip from Chicago to Arizona taking at least 24 hours to complete, you are going to need to break your journey up into more manageable sections. This also means you are going to need to find the best possible places to stay.

While there are plenty of great options, we have narrowed it down to the 3 best places to stop on a road trip from Chicago to Arizona. These offer the perfect combination of plentiful attractions and locations that split the journey into fairly equal, manageable chunks.

The 2nd most populous city in Missouri, St. Louis sits on the banks of the Mississippi River and is affectionately referred to as the “Gateway To The West”, as it was the westernmost city on the east edge of the old west frontier.

This nickname is honoured by what is arguably the city’s most famous attraction, the 630 foot (192 metre) tall Gateway Arch National Park. The tallest man-made monument on Earth, it is a breathtaking sight and demonstrates the historic importance of the city to the nation’s growth.

With other attractions like Gaslight Square and a collection of historic blues bars, which connect you to the city’s background with blues music, as well as the 2nd oldest symphony orchestra in the U.S., and various gardens, museums, and zoos, St. Louis is a city that has something for everyone.

The Hyatt Regency St. Louis At The Arch is a beautiful, 4-star hotel, located right opposite Gateway Arch National Park. It is the perfect option for anyone wanting to be surrounded by many of the city’s top attractions and enjoy some of its most stunning views right from your room.

All rooms are spacious, stylish, modern, and air conditioned, and boast amenities like a 50 inch flat screen TV, iPod dock, refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, and ironing facilities. Many will even enjoy an unobscured view of the Gateway Arch.

With the property also boasting facilities including a 24-hour gym, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, and a branch of Starbucks, as well as sitewide Wi-Fi and private parking, this pet friendly hotel has all of your needs taken care of.

Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city in Oklahoma. Founded during the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889, it is a diverse city that perfectly blends business, culture, history, and industry. It is filled with vibrant bars, parks, restaurants, and theatres, which invite in visitors from all walks of life.

Among its top attractions are locations dedicated to the culture and evolution of the region, such as the National Cowboy And Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City Museum Of Art, Oklahoma Science Museum, and Oklahoma History Center.

Between them these paint a detailed picture of the history of Oklahoma, making the city a must visit location for anyone passing through the state.

You also have the Bricktown Entertainment District, State Capitol Building, and Oklahoma City National Bombing Memorial to explore as well, creating a countless number of combinations to enjoy during your stay in the city.

Set in Downtown Oklahoma City, The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City is a beautiful hotel a historic building. Both its interiors and exteriors boast a style perfectly suited for royalty of the past.

In the communal areas, a gourmet restaurant and a bar serving cocktails and hosting live musicians allow you to drink and dine in style. You then have areas like the gorgeous swimming pool, for when you want to relax or exercise in a different way. Private parking is also available.

The rooms themselves are all spacious, pet friendly, air conditioned, and modern, while still displaying a similar style to the rest of the property. Comfortable furniture is blended with features like Wi-Fi and a flat screen TV and serenity bed, for complete relaxation throughout your stay.

Albuquerque is the largest, most populous city in the state of New Mexico. A stunning, natural city, it boasts countless attractions and amenities that display the kind of Mexican style and culture that is synonymous with the state.

With a collection of bars, casinos, racetracks, restaurants, shops, and more, there is plenty here to keep people of all interests entertained. You also have the various annual events the city holds, such as the New Mexico State Fair, Gathering Of Nations, and International Balloon Festival.

Among the top attractions are the historic San Felipe De Neri Church and stunning Cibola National Forest, which is located on the outskirts of the city and features the longest aerial tram in the western hemisphere, the Sandia Peak tramway.

Throw in other nearby attractions like Bandelier National Monument and the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, and Albuquerque may just be the most exciting place to visit in all of New Mexico.

Hotel Chaco is a fabulous, 4-star hotel, located in a historic building in Albuquerque’s Old Town. Surrounded by many of the city’s top attractions, it is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the culture and history of your surroundings.

With a 24 hour front desk, ATM, bar, business centre, fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, and restaurant, the property boasts everything you will need throughout your stay. Private parking is also available for an additional fee.

Then you have the rooms themselves, which are spacious, pet friendly, filled with comfortable furnishings, and boast a work desk and have access to room service. Breakfast is served each morning and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the site.

A road trip from Chicago to Arizona is an incredible expedition that gives you the opportunity to experience a vast range of the culture and history present across the United States. This guide will hopefully have given you everything you need to make the trip in style.

From when to go and what route to take, to the things to see and places to stay along the way, you can now start building your dream travel itinerary. All you have left to do now then is work out what to take with you and start getting everything budgeted for and booked.

That way, you can look forward to enjoying the perfect road trip for yourself, as soon as possible.