Highlights of Route 66 with Mother Road Festival & Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

16 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4/5 Great
100+ reviews  
67%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
none

USTOA

Group Tour
Get your kicks on Route 66 with a legendary trip across America. This historic route, which was called the “Main Street of America” for more than 50 years before the advent of the US Interstate system, begins in Chicago, travels through eight states, and ends in Los Angeles. On this trip down memory lane, you’ll visit the major cities along Route 66, see many...
From$3,669
See departure dates

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    Get your kicks on Route 66 with a legendary trip across America. This historic route, which was called the “Main Street of America” for more than 50 years before the advent of the US Interstate system, begins in Chicago, travels through eight states, and ends in Los Angeles. On this trip down memory lane, you’ll visit the major cities along Route 66, see many of the Route 66 museums, and step back in time to when the journey was part of the fun. And you’ll be just in time to experience two special events - the 20th Annual Mother Road Festival and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta! The annual Mother Road Festival in Springfield, Illinois, brings automobile and motorcycle enthusiasts with hot cars, cool trucks, and vintage bikes together to salute Route 66 and the tradition of the open road. Enjoy classic cars, live entertainment, contests and prizes, and other scheduled activities. On to St. Louis to witness amazing views of the city and the Mississippi River from the top of the 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch. Visit Branson, Missouri – one of America’s most popular entertainment destinations and opt for dinner and a show. Visit the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City to view antique cars and historic documents that help you feel what it was like to travel Route 66. In Albuquerque, watch the colorful spectacle of hundreds of balloons rising into the sky at the early morning Balloon Glow and the Mass Ascension at the International Balloon Fiesta, before continuing your journey. Deviate from Route 66 to see breathtaking scenery at one of the Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon and then experience the excitement of Las Vegas where you can explore the Vegas Strip, take an optional raft trip on the Colorado River, or just relax by the pool. In Los Angeles, you’ll enjoy a tour of Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, and finally Santa Monica, the ending point of Route 66. Discover vintage Americana, wide open spaces, and national treasures on this Route 66 tour designed for value-minded travel lovers.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityCHICAGO
End CityLOS ANGELES

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States

Attractions

  • Albuquerque
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Chicago
  • Las Vegas
  • Los Angeles
  • St. Louis
  • Texas

Activities

  • Culture

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: CHICAGO

Welcome to Chicago, the start of Route 66! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer questions.

Day 2: CHICAGO

Known as the “Windy City,” Chicago is home to one of America’s tallest buildings, legends such as Al Capone and his notorious gang, and countless jazz and blues clubs. Get to know this exciting city on a morning sightseeing tour that includes seeing the sign marking ...

Day 3: CHICAGO–PONTIAC–SPRINGFIELD-INTERNATIONAL ROUTE 66 MOTHER ROAD FESTIVAL

This morning, take a spin through Route 66 memorabilia with a visit to the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac. Housed in a historic fire station, this collection of fascinating items includes large maps to sketch out your upcoming Route 66 adventure, as we...

Day 4: SPRINGFIELD–ST. LOUIS

Cross the mighty Mississippi River and continue to St. Louis, “Gateway to the West.” Your orientation tour includes the towering Gateway Arch National Park. Ascend to the top of the 630-foot-tall arch for a panoramic view of the city and river. Then drive along an original stretch of Route 66 and get the chance to savor some of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.

Day 5: ST. LOUIS–BRANSON

Travel through the Missouri countryside en route to Branson, known as The Live Music Capital of the World. Enjoy free time to explore historic downtown Branson, situated along Lake Taneycomo. No visit to Branson is complete without seeing a live performance, so join your Tour Director for an optional dinner tonight followed by a music-filled show. (Breakfast)

Day 6: BRANSON–TULSA–OKLAHOMA CITY

This morning, depart the Ozarks and continue through America’s “Bible Belt” into Cowboy Country. After a quick drive through Kansas, enter Oklahoma, once known as Indian Territory and home to the Cherokee Nation. In Tulsa, see the “East Meets West” sculpture that pays tribute to Cyrus Avery, “The Father of Route 66.” Later today, arrive in Oklahoma City. (Breakfast)

Day 7: OKLAHOMA CITY–ELK CITY–AMARILLO

Start the day with a city sightseeing tour of Oklahoma City, the capital and largest city in Oklahoma. From here, travel to Elk City and visit the National Route 66 Museum for a journey through each of the eight states through which iconic Route 66 passes. Continue into the Texas Panhandle en route to Amarillo, the Yellow Rose of Texas. (Breakfast)

Day 8: AMARILLO–TUCUMCARI–ALBUQUERQUE

On the way out of Amarillo, stop at Cadillac Ranch, a quirky art sculpture consisting of a collection of 10 Cadillacs. Before crossing into New Mexico, reach Adrian, the halfway point on Route 66. Across the New Mexico border, visit Russell’s Car Museum, featuring cla...

Day 9: ALBUQUERQUE

This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or sunbathe in the New Mexico sunshine. Consider an optional Albuquerque Trolley ride or a short walk to Old Town, site of the city’s original settlement. Or visit one of the city’s fine museums, like the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque Museum, or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Day 10: ALBUQUERQUE–GALLUP–WINSLOW–WILLIAMS

Enjoy an unforgettable experience at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s early morning Balloon Glow followed by the Mass Ascension, where hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons fill the morning sky. Depart Albuquerque and cross the Continental Divide and con...

Day 11: WILLIAMS. EXCURSION TO GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Deviate from Route 66 to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park. Wander along the canyon rim for breathtaking views and wildlife with the chance to spot elk grazing in the forested areas on the South Rim. Consider an optional hel...

Day 12: WILLIAMS–SELIGMAN–LAS VEGAS

Depart Williams for Seligman, home to the rebirth of Route 66. Detour once again from Route 66 to visit the bright lights of Las Vegas. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the glittering “Strip.” This evening, join an optional night on the town featuring an extravagant dinner followed by a dazzling live show featuring top Vegas entertainment.

Day 13: LAS VEGAS

A day at leisure to relax by the pool or explore the legendary Las Vegas Strip. Ride the world’s highest rollercoaster, float through a Venetian canal, or test your luck at one of the many world-famous casinos—it’s all possible in Las Vegas! Don’t miss downtown Las Ve...

Day 14: LAS VEGAS–VICTORVILLE–LOS ANGELES

Today, depart the man-made oasis of Las Vegas, and cross the natural beauty of Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles. Visit the California Route 66 Museum to see its nostalgic 50’s diner, VW Love Bus, and the 1917 Model T Ford exhibits. Overnight in Los Angeles, where you’ll visit Santa Monica, the ending point of Route 66.

Day 15: LOS ANGELES

Explore the exciting “City of Angels” with a morning tour of legendary Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, and Hollywood, where you’ll walk along the stars on Hollywood Boulevard, and get a photo of the iconic Hollywood sign. Consider an optional Warner Brothers Studio tour, shop for souvenirs, or relax by the pool.

Day 16: LOS ANGELES

Your vacation ends this morning. Consider extending your vacation with extra nights to explore Los Angeles further.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $3,669
Price per day$229
Last Updated: 4/10/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
26 Sep 2024
11 Oct 2024
$3,669
Available
26 Sep 2024
11 Oct 2024
$3,669
Available
25 Sep 2025
10 Oct 2025
$4,039
Available

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Cosmos.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Cosmos Reviews & Ratings

4/5  Great
Excellent
1
Great
1
Average
1
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
Write a Review

Other Cosmos Reviews

C

Coral

Jun 2023

Written on

Cosmos? No

We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-...

H

Happy Traveler from US

Jun 2020

Written on

Excellent Experience and Excellent Guide

I would highly recommend this company and some trips to Scandinavia and Baltic. The countries are amazing, the service and our guide Ausra Paukste was really the bes...

T

Tangobeauty

Sep 2018

Provided byCosmos

Great Cosmos Value

I am a budget solo female traveler. I have traveled with COSMOS for about 20 years in the past, all over Europe, Switzerland, Turkey, etc. The best thing is that I n...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

Cosmos

none
View Profile

Since inventing the budget vacation over 50 years ago, Cosmos has offered savvy, value-minded travelers the most affordable travel packages to the world's most captivating places - from the City of Brotherly Love to the City of Light…from the Great White North to northern Africa…from tropical Hawaii to sub-tropical Lugano, Switzerland…from the rainforests of Brazil to the Lost "City of the Incas." Our incredible value helps travel buffs travel more often.

We understand that you want to get out and experience the world. And that you'd rather spend another day in London than have a chocolate on your pillow. That's why Cosmos vacation packages include comfortable, clean, and attractive pre-selected hotels; guided city sightseeing; a dynamic assortment of transportation…to make getting there half the fun; and many meals. Our clout with suppliers is concentrated…and we pass the savings on to you.

With Cosmos, you'll enjoy the benefits, security, and convenience of escorted travel, an expert Tour Director, a greater choice of activities and excursions, and longer stays in key cities so that you can truly immerse yourself in the local culture.

You can also personalize your getaway, thanks to well-designed itineraries that feature the must-see sites as well as significant free time to explore your destination the way you want.

What they’re known for
Value vacations for savvy travelers willing to cut back on the extras in exchange for more activities and time spent at bucket list destinations.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel Saint ClairWyndham Springfield City CentrePear Tree Inn St. Louis Convention CenterComfort Inn at Thousand HillsSheraton Oklahoma City Downtown HotelCountry Inn & Suites Amarillo WestHoliday Inn Express Albuquerque MidtownGrand Canyon Railway HotelLa Quinta Inn and Suites-Grand Canyon AreaSahara Las VegasWestin Bonaventure,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Optional Activities
8530|Highlights of Route 66
Additional Information
Trip ID
COSMOS-8580

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!