The Route 66 Road Trip
A Smarter Way to Cross America
There’s a certain magic to travelling America in spring. The air feels crisper, the roads more open and long journeys lose their urgency. Route 66's road map and attractions remain classic Americana, from neon motels glowing at dusk to diners pouring bottomless coffee. But you don’t need to drive every mile of the Mother Road to feel its spirit. Spring is the ideal time to explore it in curated stretches, flying and driving the sections that matter most. With milder weather, flexible car hire and quieter highways, the journey is shaped by choice rather than endurance.
Setting the Pace in Chicago
Chicago greets spring with brighter lakefront mornings and a Riverwalk re-energised after winter. Spend a morning tracing the skyline on an architecture cruise, wander through the Art Institute or stand beneath the “Begin Route 66” sign on Adams Street and feel that old American pull westward. Once you’ve set the mood, collect your rental car and ease into your first stretch south.
St Louis, The Midwest, Unhurried
The run to St Louis is classic Midwestern ease, with old service stations, retro signs and small-town diners punctuating the miles. St Louis in spring means mild temperatures and light traffic, offering one of the route’s most comfortable drives. Visit the Gateway Arch, follow Route 66 signs through Maplewood’s historic district, then fly west when the distances widen. Priority Pass members can pause at the Wingtips Lounge at St Louis Lambert International Airport (Terminal 2).
The Desert Ease of Santa Fe
Flying into New Mexico lands you in the slow-burn beauty of the Southwest, where more of Route 66's attractions await. In spring, Santa Fe’s adobe-lined streets are bright with desert blooms, inviting unhurried exploration. Skip the fatigue-heavy desert miles and arrive with the energy Santa Fe deserves. Explore Canyon Road’s galleries, visit the Santa Fe Plaza or simply enjoy the city’s uniquely Southwestern charm.
Pines and Peaks in Flagstaff
From Santa Fe, a short flight or scenic drive brings you to Flagstaff’s cool elevation, where Route 66's map shifts into mountain country. Retro motel signs, classic diners and stretches of original highway sit beneath tall ponderosa pines, with the San Francisco Peaks in the near distance. Clear spring skies and gentle temperatures make this a varied, rewarding stretch to drive.
Los Angeles, Where the Road Meets the Pacific
Your journey meets the Pacific in Los Angeles, long considered the traditional end point of a westward crossing. Arriving at the coast carries a quiet sense of ritual. Spring offers softer light and lighter crowds, ideal for wandering from Los Feliz to Venice Beach and, of course, the Santa Monica Pier. When it’s time to fly onward, Priority Pass Members can unwind through dedicated experiences at LAX Airport.
Travel Smart, Move Gently
This spring, Priority Pass offers familiar comfort in the quiet spaces in between the next road, the next sky, the next horizon, helping ensure your Great American Adventure is marked by convenience and calm. Because it's not about where Route 66 starts and ends, it's about the journey. Make sure yours is one of gentleness and comfort, not rushing and stressing.