The Mother Road
They call it the Mother Road, the Double Six, Route 66. I drove it in the summer of 2010, aiming to conquer every state it traversed. Kansas holds the distinction of having the shortest stretch of Route 66. Since then, I’ve cruised both I-40 and Route 66 countless times – it’s my favorite westward route from Chicago. One stop I never miss is an overnight stay in Amarillo, Texas. There, dinner at The Big Texan Steak Ranch is a must. While I usually indulge in one of their hefty steaks, the 72-ounce behemoth remains untamed – simply too much meat for this cowboy!
I love the stops along Route 66. Coming from the Chicagoland area, Illinois and Missouri feel a bit plain and boring on the route. For me, Route 66 truly comes alive in Texas and stretches even more captivating as you head west. The deserts out West offer the most fascinating stretches of the entire route.
