Easy Route 66 Family Road Trip Itinerary (LA to Santa Fe)

Few highways capture the American imagination like Route 66, the legendary Mother Road that has inspired generations of road trippers chasing nostalgia, adventure, and iconic roadside charm.

As a family that’s lived out West our entire lives, we were inspired by "The Best Hits on Route 66: 100 Essential Stops on the Mother Road" by Amy Bizzarri, and decided to flip the classic journey and take our kids on a Route 66 family road trip itinerary, traveling eastbound from Los Angeles to Santa Fe.

Our goal? Explore quirky roadside attractions, historic diners, neon-lit motels, and unforgettable landmarks that make this stretch of Route 66 one of the most fun and family-friendly road trips in the U.S.

Along the way, we stayed at Best Western® Hotels & Resorts the entire trip, a reliable, affordable, and family-friendly hotel choice that made this multi-city adventure easier, more comfortable, and stress-free for parents traveling with kids.

If you love road trips, you may also enjoy our cross-country family road trip adventure , where we covered even more iconic American routes and destinations.

Below, you’ll find our easy Route 66 family road trip itinerary, including the best stops, kid-friendly highlights, must-see attractions, and travel tips for each city, plus why this trip is perfect for families who want adventure without overcomplicating the drive.

Day 1, Stop 1 (passing through)

Once upon a time, Oatman was a main gold producer and was chock full 'o prospectors trying to strike it rich. Now it is a historic ghost town full of...wild burros!?

Yes, you read that right, there are (mostly) friendly little jackasses roaming the streets of Oatman daily.

We love visiting Old West ghost towns like Tombstone and Calico, and hearing all the fascinating stories. I expected Oatman will fit the bill just perfectly.

Things We Did:

• Pet wild Burros of Oatman
• Have lunch at Olive Oatman Restaurant and Saloon
• Shop the eclectic souvenir shops

See Our Oatman Family Travel Vlog

Days 1-2 (stay 2 nights)

Williams has long been considered the gateway to the Grand Canyon, one of the true wonders of the world. We took a train tour on the historic Grand Canyon Railway from Williams Depot, which made its first journey into the Canyon way back in 1901 (and also doubles as the Polar Express)! The quaint but rather bustling town in the high desert is also home to numerous shops and fun places to eat.

Things We Did

• Stay overnight at Best Western Plus Inn of Williams
• Train tour of the Grand Canyon
• See Williams Depot
• Eat at a Route 66-style diner or restaurant

See Our Grand Canyon Family Travel Vlog

Day 3 (passing through)

Gallup has served as the backdrop for over 100 old Western Movies over the years, predominantly through the 1930's and 40's. A jewel of this sleepy old town on Route 66 is the El Rancho Hotel, which was built in 1936 to serve the burgeoning film industry around Gallup. All we did was grab lunch and a drink at El Rancho's 49ers Lounge and take a tour of rustic El Rancho Hotel.

Things We Did

• El Rancho Hotel

See Our El Rancho Hotel Vlog

Days 3-5 (3 nights)

Santa Fe has been calling me for years, and we made it the centerpiece of our Route 66 family road trip. We stayed three nights in Santa Fe because there is just so much we wanted to see and do in Santa Fe. History, music, art, natural beauty, Hatch chiles, and margaritas, you can find it all in Santa Fe, and two full days is likely not enough...but we did our best!

Things We Did

• Stay at Best Western Plus Inn of Santa Fe
• Meow Wolf insane art installation
• Live music at La Fonda on the Plaza
• Explore Santa Fe Plaza
• Santa Fe Margarita Trail
• Various historic sites around the city

See Our Santa Fe Family Travel Vlog

See Our MeowWolf Santa Fe Vlog

Day 6 (passing through)

On our way back from New Mexico, we made a must-stop detour to Holbrook, Arizona, one of the most iconic and nostalgic towns along Route 66. We grabbed lunch at a classic family-owned diner, Joe & Aggies Diner, soaking in the old-school charm and warm hospitality that make small-town stops so special on a road trip.

Sadly, the diner, which had been open since 1943, closed in 2020 following the owner's passing.

The highlight of our visit was exploring the legendary Wigwam Motel, the inspiration behind the Disney movie, "Cars," where you can see (or stay in!) teepee-shaped rooms that feel like stepping straight into a piece of Americana. It was the perfect mix of history, kitsch, and family fun, exactly what a Route 66 road trip is all about.

Things We Did

• Had lunch at Joe & Aggies Diner
• Visited the Wigwam Motel

See Our Holbrook Family Travel Vlog

Day 6 (1 night)

After a long drive leaving New Mexico, we stayed the night and rested up in Kingman. We had planned to take a 25 min excursion to visit the legendary Hackberry General Store and stock up on Route 66 memorabilia. However, we were exhausted by the time we arrived in town. We just had a nice dinner and slept before another long drive home.

Things we plan to see:

• Stay at Best Western Plus A Wayfarer's Inn
• Ate dinner at Mattina's Ristorante and Steakhouse

See Our Kingman Family Travel Vlog

Day 7 (passing through)

About halfway home to Orange County, CA, we almost always stop for gas and a meal in Barstow on our way home from Vegas. However, this time we also planned to visit the Route 66 Mother Road Museum and to have lunch at one of the original Del Tacos, which opened in 1964 and is still owned by the original owner, Ed Hackbarth, for one last nostalgic experience of Route 66 culture and memorabilia.

We only ended up having lunch, because my son came down with something and we decided to just head home.

Things We Did

• Grab lunch at the OG Del Taco

See Our Barstow Family Travel Vlog

Day 7 (END)

While the Santa Monica Pier is the official ending point of historic Route 66, we will actually be heading home to Anaheim after a long road trip with kids. I wanted to include Santa Monica on our map, and most people that want to do this itinerary will want to finish the trip in Santa Monica anyways.

Things We Would Do

• Santa Monica Pier
• Visit Muscle beach in Venice
• Explore nearby Getty Museum
• Eat really good food
• Watch sunset of the Pacific

Our Route 66 family road trip from Los Angeles to Santa Fe reminded us why the Mother Road is one of the most unforgettable drives in America. It is packed with quirky roadside stops, nostalgic diners, classic motels, and meaningful family memories along the way. Whether you’re planning a full Route 66 adventure or a partial itinerary like ours, this journey is proof that road trips with kids can be fun, affordable, and incredibly rewarding.

If you’re mapping out your own route, be sure to explore our California family travel guide and Arizona family travel guide for more kid-friendly stops, hotels, and activity ideas. And to make your drive smoother (and quieter), don’t miss our list of road trip car games for kids and top toddler toys for car rides. They’re lifesavers for long stretches of highway.

Route 66 isn’t just a road, it’s a family adventure you’ll talk about for years.