Why Drive Route 66 in a Tesla?
Route 66 isn't just a road — it's a promise. 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, through eight states, past neon signs, ghost towns and endless horizons. And yes: you can drive it fully electric. We've proven it.
When I first drove this route with my son in a Tesla, the most common question was: Can you even make it in an electric car? The answer isn't just Yes — Route 66 in a Tesla is better than in a gas car. No gas station smell. No engine noise at the campsite. And thanks to Tesla Camp Mode, you sleep at a perfect 70°F while the desert glows outside.
The Route: 14 Days, 8 States
Our tested itinerary breaks the Mother Road into relaxed daily segments:
Week 1: Chicago → Oklahoma City
- Days 1–2: Chicago, Illinois — Start at the official starting point (Adams St & Michigan Ave). Deep-dish pizza, Millennium Park, the Art Institute. First night in Joliet.
- Day 3: Pontiac → Springfield, Illinois — Route 66 Hall of Fame, Walldog Murals, Lincoln's Tomb. Supercharger in Springfield.
- Day 4: St. Louis, Missouri — Gateway Arch, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. Chain of Rocks Bridge at sunset.
- Days 5–6: Missouri → Oklahoma — The Ozarks, then flat country. Devil's Elbow, Gary's Gay Parita. Supercharger in Joplin.
- Day 7: Oklahoma City — National Cowboy Museum, Pops on Route 66 (the iconic soda bottle). Rest day.
Week 2: Oklahoma City → Santa Monica
- Day 8: Amarillo, Texas — Cadillac Ranch (at sunset!), Big Texan Steak Ranch. Midpoint Café in Adrian.
- Day 9: Tucumcari → Santa Fe, New Mexico — Blue Swallow Motel (photo stop), then the detour to Santa Fe for art and green chile.
- Day 10: Albuquerque → Gallup — Old Town, Breaking Bad filming locations, El Rancho Hotel in Gallup.
- Day 11: Petrified Forest, Arizona — Painted Desert, Wigwam Motel in Holbrook.
- Day 12: Flagstaff → Seligman — Detour to Grand Canyon South Rim (1.5 hours). Seligman: birthplace of the Route 66 revival.
- Day 13: Kingman → Oatman → Needles — Wild donkeys in Oatman, then the Mojave Desert. Supercharger in Needles.
- Day 14: Barstow → Santa Monica — Through the desert to the ocean. Arrival at Santa Monica Pier. You made it.
Charging on Route 66: No Problem
The Tesla Supercharger network covers the entire Route 66. Key charging points:
| Segment | Superchargers | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago → Springfield | Joliet, Normal, Springfield | ~100 mi each |
| Springfield → St. Louis | Litchfield, St. Louis | ~90 mi |
| St. Louis → Joplin | Sullivan, Rolla, Joplin | ~80 mi each |
| Joplin → OKC | Vinita, Tulsa, OKC | ~100 mi each |
| OKC → Amarillo | Clinton, Amarillo | ~130 mi |
| Amarillo → Albuquerque | Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, ABQ | ~110 mi each |
| ABQ → Flagstaff | Gallup, Holbrook, Flagstaff | ~100 mi each |
| Flagstaff → Needles | Kingman, Needles | ~150 mi |
| Needles → Santa Monica | Barstow, Victorville, SM | ~90 mi each |
Tip: Our AI route planner app calculates your charging stops automatically — including weather, elevation and camping gear weight. You never have to do the math yourself.
Camping on Route 66
The best campsites we've tested:
- Pontiac, IL — Humiston-Riverside Park (free, right on the route)
- St. Louis, MO — Cahokia RV Parque (near Gateway Arch)
- Palo Duro Canyon, TX — Texas' little Grand Canyon, 30 minutes south of Amarillo
- Santa Fe, NM — Hyde Memorial State Park (pine forest at 8,200 ft)
- Holbrook, AZ — Petrified Forest Wilderness Camping (BLM land, free)
- Flagstaff, AZ — Coconino National Forest (dispersed camping, free)
With Tesla Camp Mode, you have A/C, music and USB charging all night — without running an engine.
Best Time to Go
- September–October: Perfect. Mild temperatures (60–82°F), fewer tourists, golden light for photos.
- April–May: Good, but tornado risk in Oklahoma/Texas. Wildflowers in Arizona.
- June–August: Hot in the desert (104°F+). Doable with Tesla Camp Mode, but plan charging stops during midday heat (battery charges slower).
- November–March: Possible, but shorter days and cold. Snow in Flagstaff.
What You Need
When you book through our platform, everything's included:
- Tesla Model Y with full range via our partner network
- Camping gear: Rooftop or ground tent, sleeping pads, Yeti cooler, cook set, chairs
- Insurance: Comprehensive coverage included
- Supercharging: All Tesla Superchargers free
- AI Route Planner App: Charging stops, hidden highlights, campsites — all in one app
- Concierge Service: Available 24/7
Let's Go
Route 66 isn't waiting. Every day another diner closes, another neon sign fades. But the road is still there — and it's better in a Tesla.
Pick up in Los Angeles (LAX) or Las Vegas (LAS). We plan your route, you live the adventure.