What do you think?
Rate this book
Route 66 Adventure Handbook
A guide to all the exuberance, splendor, and absurdity of Route 66, this reference includes details on the magnificent architecture, natural wonders, vintage motels and cafes, unique museums, offbeat attractions, fascinating artifacts and icons, and kitschy tourist traps that dot this famous stretch of road. Painstakingly researched, this resource provides information on how to locate unmarked portions of the old highway; contact information for Route 66 associations and local visitor bureaus; maps and other navigational aids; an index of all Route 66 towns; and anecdotes, trivia, attractions, and suggested side trips. From well-known hotspots to obscure, off-the-beaten-path destinations, this inspiring guide presents a wealth of information for both first-time adventurers and seasoned travelers. Also included is a foreword by David Knudson, Executive Director of the National Historic Route 66 Federation.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
25 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 9, 2023
Okay, after reading this book, I am absolutely ready for my next Road Trip.
The book is chock full of Route 66 goodness. It gives you a ton of places that are still there, while bringing you into the history of some things that are no longer around. There are terrific pictures and lots of little hints about how to get to some places that are a bit off the beaten track.
Most of all, this is aspirational! It just makes you want to jump in the car and go!
I'll definitely keep this around as my motivation to travel!
The book is chock full of Route 66 goodness. It gives you a ton of places that are still there, while bringing you into the history of some things that are no longer around. There are terrific pictures and lots of little hints about how to get to some places that are a bit off the beaten track.
Most of all, this is aspirational! It just makes you want to jump in the car and go!
I'll definitely keep this around as my motivation to travel!
June 22, 2017
Route 66 is famous for it's history, unique attractions, and fascinating towns along the route. The author has created an updated version of this book that is out now to help travelers on their journey of exploration. The book lists some of the attractions, hotels, restaurants, and instructions on finding the route again should you lose it due to new roads and buildings. There are almost 100 maps included as well as numerous pictures.
The book is incredibly detailed and full of history. Even if you never plan on traveling this road, it's worth the read just to learn such neat history about our country. I've traveled quite a bit of this road over the years and found the authors information to be spot on for the places I was familiar with. The little extras that he throws in throughout the book are a plus and add rich depth to what would otherwise just be a list of things to see and do. My only complaint was that the pictures were all in black and white. I would have preferred color, but realize this might increase the price of the book significantly. Overall, this is a book that I highly recommend if you enjoy traveling, history, small towns, and unique attractions.
I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.
The book is incredibly detailed and full of history. Even if you never plan on traveling this road, it's worth the read just to learn such neat history about our country. I've traveled quite a bit of this road over the years and found the authors information to be spot on for the places I was familiar with. The little extras that he throws in throughout the book are a plus and add rich depth to what would otherwise just be a list of things to see and do. My only complaint was that the pictures were all in black and white. I would have preferred color, but realize this might increase the price of the book significantly. Overall, this is a book that I highly recommend if you enjoy traveling, history, small towns, and unique attractions.
I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.
November 21, 2017
If I were ever to realize my dream of driving the entire Route 66 road, this would be the book I'd take with me. Lots of good information about sights along the way along with gps coordinates, which could come in handy for those sites not on the beaten path.
October 1, 2017
We just got done with a 10 day Eastbound (EB) drive from Santa Monica to Chicago using this guidebook. While I really want to give this guide book a five star review. It's obvious that Route 66 is important to the author, and after having met the author, I can attest to the fact that he has travelled Route 66 quite often and knows it quite well. The nostalgia and Americana that *is* Route 66 is not lost on him. However, this book has more than its fair share of flaws. First and foremost, if you plan on driving Eastbound (from Santa Monica to Chicago), I cannot recommend this guidebook. I'm sure that the author has driven Eastbound, but my guess is that it has been a while. There are sections of the directions that are written as though the author is reversing the more traditional Westbound directions in his head. We did not drive Westbound, so it is quite possible that this guidebook works perfectly for Westbound drivers. Second, and this may be related to my first point, the mileage counts are often off . . . sometimes by non-trivial amounts. This may be because the author doesn't (at times) explicitly tell you where to begin your mileage count. Third, again possibly related to the WB to EB translation, there are sections written in such a way that it is virtually impossible for the reader to know what he is referring to. (except from page CA-17): "About 4.5 miles from the curve, turn left to curve up onto the Palm Avenue overpass." In this particular excerpt the Palm Avenue overpass is not marked and we were left to rely upon the inconsistent mileage count. It would have been much more useful if the author had simply called out the name of the street you needed to turn left on (instead of curving on).
Again, the above may sound harsh but it's not intended to be. But I am trying to give the folks here at Amazon what the guidebook is like. I will say this, after several days getting to know how the author gives directions, it does get easier, but there is room for improvement.
On the plus side, the book is full of history and anecdotes that make the trip more fun.
I think the author should write a separate Eastbound (EB) guidebook or simply remove the EB directions from this book.
Again, the above may sound harsh but it's not intended to be. But I am trying to give the folks here at Amazon what the guidebook is like. I will say this, after several days getting to know how the author gives directions, it does get easier, but there is room for improvement.
On the plus side, the book is full of history and anecdotes that make the trip more fun.
I think the author should write a separate Eastbound (EB) guidebook or simply remove the EB directions from this book.
July 13, 2011
One of the best books on one of my favorite topics. It's a good guide book, but it's not turn-by-turn directions, which I like because it encourages you to have your OWN trip, rather than spend the entire time double-checking whether or not you should have turned left back there. It's also good for armchair travel when a trip down the Mother Road isn't in the budget or your remaining vacation time for the year. I can't imagine reading this book and NOT wanting to abandon your job and home life, throw a few essentials in the back seat and hit the road. Well written and informative, and very entertaining.
October 3, 2017
A good book to help plan your Route #66 experience. It doesn't have everything. It leaves out some key attractions--but has most. It isn't like the triple A book that gives you museum times and prices, but then again the triple A travel book only has a small fraction of the attractions listed. Our favorite things were surprises. Crossing the pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi, visiting the National Historic site, Cahokia Mounds and climbing to the top of the highest Indian Mound outside of Mexico. The view of the surrounding forest and St. Louis in the distance was breathtaking.
The Rialto theater in Joliet was SO elegant--and famous--but we'd never heard of it until now. We really liked the Route 66 museums in Bloomington and Pontiac. The National Cemetery in Elwood was humbling and moving. The Springfield courthouses and the Lincoln Museums were inspiring--several drive-by attractions were fun--the World's largest ketchup bottle, 30 foot high muffler men statues along the road, Dead man's Curve complete with a burned out car and its skid marks, the Polka Dot Cafe with life size statues of Betty Boop, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and the Blues brothers, several old gas stations, drive-in theaters, and retro motels, and... I could go one and on.
We talked to several foreigners from Europe who heard about this route from their travel agents over there. It really does give a good slice of Americana. So many travelers come to the USA and see NYC and LA and think they have seen America. This is such a warm fuzzy, feel good trip. there were plenty of Americans traveling, too. We met a couple that had the same plan as us--they vowed that when they turned 66 years old they'd travel route 66. We took our motorhome and that was a real plus on this trip. Great place to eat meals, and even take a nap in the middle of the day sometimes. Just relaxing.
The Rialto theater in Joliet was SO elegant--and famous--but we'd never heard of it until now. We really liked the Route 66 museums in Bloomington and Pontiac. The National Cemetery in Elwood was humbling and moving. The Springfield courthouses and the Lincoln Museums were inspiring--several drive-by attractions were fun--the World's largest ketchup bottle, 30 foot high muffler men statues along the road, Dead man's Curve complete with a burned out car and its skid marks, the Polka Dot Cafe with life size statues of Betty Boop, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and the Blues brothers, several old gas stations, drive-in theaters, and retro motels, and... I could go one and on.
We talked to several foreigners from Europe who heard about this route from their travel agents over there. It really does give a good slice of Americana. So many travelers come to the USA and see NYC and LA and think they have seen America. This is such a warm fuzzy, feel good trip. there were plenty of Americans traveling, too. We met a couple that had the same plan as us--they vowed that when they turned 66 years old they'd travel route 66. We took our motorhome and that was a real plus on this trip. Great place to eat meals, and even take a nap in the middle of the day sometimes. Just relaxing.
February 6, 2018
Not a turn-by-turn guide to Route 66, but a wonderful book that follows the length of Route 66 and points out many of the sights along the way. I'm using this book to plan out a trip along Route 66 and this book had been tremendously helpful in the planning process. I will likely take the book along with me too. As the book says, it is not a turn-by-turn guide, but it gives you the tools and tips to follow the routes (there were many Route 66 designations over the years, particularly though the major cities.) That said, the book does contain many small maps that point out some of the variant routes through some areas.
September 13, 2018
Just what I needed as an armchair traveler. My only complaint was that some of the pictures of things highlighted in the text seemed to be missing and some of the pictures which were there seem to be about less important parts of the text. But it’s a minor quibble.
May 8, 2017
This book had lots of useful information that other Route 66 books do not. Explaining when to get back on the interstate was one of them. I made many notes for my next adventure!
June 26, 2020
Un buon compagno di viaggio
Volendo organizzare una vacanza all'avventura sulla route66, questo libro è estremamente d'aiuto con tutti i suoi suggerimenti e curiosità.
Volendo organizzare una vacanza all'avventura sulla route66, questo libro è estremamente d'aiuto con tutti i suoi suggerimenti e curiosità.
August 14, 2022
Great little book of odds and ends along Route 66
Read
February 1, 2025Ya'll got no idea how jazzed I am to go down this route. Excellent guide, thorough, filled with both well known and obscure stops along the path.
March 3, 2013
Given the enormous scope of this book, it's a foregone conclusion that some of the information will be outdated even by the time of publication. No single Route 66 resource can possibly provide a complete, current account of the information. That said, Drew Knowles does a commendable job of providing insightful and comprehensive information in a format that is both enjoyable to read and easy to follow.
I did find the turn-by-turn directions published on the Historic66 website to be superior to actually planning out my route and finding some of the lesser-known spurs. This book serves as a fantastic primary guide of all things to be seen (or, in some cases, formerly to be seen) along the Mother Road. In that sense, the fact that it forces your attention AWAY from following the actual route is refreshing. With these approaches taken in tandem, one can easily take Knowles' suggestions for worthwhile detours without worrying about whether you'll lose your way.
If you're considering a Route 66 trip--whether in part or in its entirety--buy this book. Period.
I did find the turn-by-turn directions published on the Historic66 website to be superior to actually planning out my route and finding some of the lesser-known spurs. This book serves as a fantastic primary guide of all things to be seen (or, in some cases, formerly to be seen) along the Mother Road. In that sense, the fact that it forces your attention AWAY from following the actual route is refreshing. With these approaches taken in tandem, one can easily take Knowles' suggestions for worthwhile detours without worrying about whether you'll lose your way.
If you're considering a Route 66 trip--whether in part or in its entirety--buy this book. Period.
January 22, 2014
An essential companion on any Route 66 trip. The Mother Road is the english muffin of old roads; all sorts of treasures waiting to be discovered in the little nooks and crannies of the towns that greet you along the way. This little, well-written book guides you to them. This is not a turn-by-turn instruction book, rather a list of all the things to see and do along the route, in the proper East to West format of course. Before you go, get this book (the BOOK, not the e-book), and stick it in the glove box. It'll be dog-eared and marked with your own notes by the end of your journey, serving as a reminder of the good times you had exploring what may be the worlds most famous road.
October 30, 2011
This is a guidebook to travel on the old Route 66. It looks to be indispensable for anyone wanting to get the best experience from such a trip. The old highway exists only in small segments now, much of it overlaid by I40 and other highways, so even finding the old route can be a challenge. This book shows the best routes and the best remaining sights along the old highway, as well as side trips to nearby points of interest.
December 18, 2011
I have been intrigued by Route 66 for many years and have always wanted to travel the route. Being from the east coast, I’d have to really plan for it. So I immerse myself in various books and I must say that this handbook is the best that I have come across.
Not only does the author supply photos and maps, he has updated it with new information as he continues to travel the route. One thing though, I better get on the road before many of these treasures are forever gone.
Not only does the author supply photos and maps, he has updated it with new information as he continues to travel the route. One thing though, I better get on the road before many of these treasures are forever gone.
March 22, 2018
Very informative. We are planning to take this iconic road trip this year and reading this book took away any apprehensiveness I had regarding traveling this road and made me even more excited to go.
October 15, 2008
a great book to have on our route 66 trip!
October 25, 2008
This was a great look at one of America's most famous roads--Route 66.
January 16, 2015
A black and white book about route 66?
December 9, 2016
lots of points of interest about R66
April 22, 2019
Considering a road trip...
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews