October 2024
Route 66 100 Year Anniversary Roadtrip
Max Schmidt, chief adventurer and head of CamperDays, says: “2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the most historic and iconic road in America: Route 66.
Lovingly called the “Mother Road” by famed American novelist John Steinbeck, the 2,400-mile highway travels across eight states, unimaginable natural beauty, and a century of history and change. The route gets its claim to fame through the century of road trippers, and pop culture appearances aplenty including Cars and Little Miss Sunshine.
“There is truly no better time to experience this road, and the vast variety of locales means there is something for everyone to enjoy. Using a campervan to traverse the route means that you get to make your own itinerary and camp under the stars at the countless beautiful stops to choose from.
“While it doesn’t necessarily matter which direction you tackle the route, my recommendation is to start in the bustling heart of the Midwest: Chicago. Explore the Windy City at your own leisure before picking up your campervan; perhaps try the Deep-Dish pizza; brave the waters of Lake Michigan; or have a hot cup of Joe at Lou Mitchell’s Diner, the unofficial starting point. After you have picked up your moving home for your adventure, get ready to set off on a journey of culture, memories, and the lost history of the American South.
“Although Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985, and doesn’t officially count as a highway anymore, huge efforts by people who wanted to preserve this cornerstone of American history mean that 85% of the original road can still be driven and enjoyed by travellers.
“Great stops along this route include the beautiful Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, the Route 66 museum in Clinton, Oklahoma, and the famous Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, where you are able to freely spray paint old cars that are buried nose down in the ground.
“For those interested in the gorgeous National Parks and beauty spots, look no further than the beautiful Painted Desert and the Grand Canyon State Park, both located in Arizona. There are countless RV camping locations across the route, most with facilities to replenish your campervans water and waste needs, however it is always advisable to book in advance, especially with those located in National Parks.”
About CamperDays
Launched in Germany in 2013, CamperDays is Europe’s leading camper tour operator, working with 150 partners in over 700 locations globally.
CamperDays facilitates access to over 35,500 vehicles available for rent worldwide, including in the UK, Europe, Australia, USA, Canada and South Africa. The platform allows customers to choose from a selection of trusted providers globally via an easy three step booking process, with rentals available from just £70 per day.
Since it was launched, CamperDays customers have booked over 1,000,000 nights in vehicles rented through the site. CamperDays provides access to a broad selection of campervans and motorhomes catering to every type of traveller, with transparent pricing and no hidden costs. All vehicles come with insurance, with excess, as standard, to allow renters a truly carefree holiday.
For more information or to make a booking, visit the website: www.camperdays.co.uk.