Skip to main content
DRIVE TRIP

Route 66 - Western California

63.0 miles: 3 hours, 27 minutes

Route 66 enthusiasts won’t want to miss this trip across southern California from the road’s westernmost end. You’ll leave the glittering Pacific Ocean behind, trading Los Angeles’ urban sprawl for serene scenes of small town life in the San Gabriel Valley. Echoes of the old Route 66 still exist here, from historic motor inns to retro roadside signs.

1

Santa Monica to South Pasadena

27.4 miles: 1 hours, 36 minutes

Flickr/Joe Wolf

Begin your drive at the Santa Monica Pier—it’s the farthest west you can get on the Mother Road. A sign marks the “End of the Road,” although the original terminus was once in downtown L.A. Pass through glitzy Beverly Hills and West Hollywood then cruise down the Arroyo Seco Parkway (US 110) to South Pasadena, where Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain is a landmark.

Recommended Stops

2

Pasadena to Azusa

6.2 miles: 0 hours, 26 minutes

Flickr/Monrovia

A number of quaint shops and historic buildings line Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena. Back on the black top, you’ll head east through small towns in the San Gabriel Valley. In Monrovia, the Aztec Hotel (311 W. Foothill Blvd.) is worth a short detour for its ornate Mayan-style architecture. The 1925 hotel was built on an early alignment of Route 66.

Recommended Stops

3

Azusa to San Bernardino

29.4 miles: 1 hours, 24 minutes

Carolyn/iStockphoto.com

The last leg of the trip has a few more Route 66 sights, from vintage motels and steakhouses to classic neon signs. You’ll have a great view of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north as you head east on Foothill Boulevard. Snap a photo of the Foothill Drive-In’s retro sign in Azusa. The journey ends in Rialto, where a stop to see the Wigwam Motel is a must.

Recommended Stops

THE VALUE OF TRIP CANVAS

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get Ideas from the Pros

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

BACK TO TOP