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Long story short. I'd love to correspond with someone (many) who has travelled Route 66. We are from Australia, and we start our journey in Vegas July 18 this year.
Soooooooooo...
We are heading out from Vegas and we'd love to know a little about Laughlan, Chloride and Topock. We are planning on stayin in either Needles or Kingman (suggestions?). Would we need one or two days to scout the immediate area -- again, suggestions.
Any and all advice greatly appreciated.
More posts to follow, as we are doing the whole route.
I hate to inform you of this but most of 66 is buried under I-40. There are occasional 20 or 30 miles stretches going into cities & beyond them. There are short stretches of the original road, nine feet wide and poured in six feet segments. It's pretty cool.
The best part is in upper AZ where about 200 miles of it still exists. If you are coming from the east get off I-40 at Sleigman and proceed west. It goes thru Kingman and Oatman, which is the coolest little town. Hundreds of tame burros, abandened by departing miners, wander all over. Kingman is a big town with plenty of hotels, food, etc.
The road goes west, way out in the sticks, thru scenic mountains and is generally fun. There is also a long segment of 66 in CA west of AZ. We haven't driven this yet but it's supposed to be the hariest, most daunting stretch left.
Tomorrow I'll go out to the car and get an AZ map & give you some more detailed advice.
Goodluck! Welcome to America.
I think that from wherever in Oklahoma or New Mexico the old route 66 diverged from the path this is now I-40, they have a bunch of roads designated as historic route 66 from there to Chicago.
Thank you sooooooo much for the interesting advice. We appreciate it. Our plan is to drive from LA all the way -- I40 - as needed. We have about 3 months in USA. Later we will hit Nashville and we want to explore Texas (chasing the music). Our immediate thought is to stay in Laughlin, using it as a two day base to explore the local area, including Oatman.
Looking at the village is near the top left side of the mesa from a view point near Acoma NM. You may have to google Sky City NM to find out more about Acoma. This is the oldest continues village of native Americans in North America; an interesting part of history along route 66 & I-40.
Some states still have portions of old US 66 labeled as "State Route 66" depending on what state you're in. For example, much of AZ 66 in northern Arizona used to be part of US 66.
July in Vegas/Laughlin? Wow, you're daring July & August are the HOTTEST time of the year here.
Vegas to Kingman is ~2hr drive & I've driven on Rte 66 in Kingman - you ain't missing much. If you want to escape the heat in Kingman, head up to Mt Hualapai (just a 10 minute from Kingman itself). It's a good 20 degrees cooler on the mountain than in town.
It's been a while since I traveled I-40 from Flagstaff to NM border, I vaguely remember seeing signs for petroglyphs near the border area. Should be an interesting road trip!
I hate to inform you of this but most of 66 is buried under I-40. There are occasional 20 or 30 miles stretches going into cities & beyond them. There are short stretches of the original road, nine feet wide and poured in six feet segments. It's pretty cool.
I thought I read once that Oklahoma has more original miles of old Route 66 than any other state. I know from Oklahoma City to the Kansas border is all old Route 66. I have driven that stretch many times. I live only two blocks from Route 66 in Tulsa.
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Route 66 & I-40 in New Mexico
July & August are the HOTTEST time of the year here. 
