Route 66 Driving Tour, The Mother Road Revealed

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7 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

Tour ran by 12th Generation New Mexican and tour company Vigilante Guides.

Explore the heart of Route 66 on this immersive tour led by local experts Owner Jerard Vigil and lead guide Willie Lambert, who has dedicated over 22 years to uncovering the hidden treasures of the iconic highway. Travel in comfort as you visit forgotten landmarks, historic churches, and breathtaking vistas. Enjoy an included lunch at Pecos National Historic Monument, where you can walk through ancient history dating back 12,000 years. This all-day adventure from 9am to 4pm is perfect for history buffs and culture enthusiasts alike, offering hands-on experiences and stories that breathe life into this legendary road.

- Immerse yourself in the authentic history of Route 66 with a local guide
- Discover hidden gems and original Route 66 relics along the way
- Enjoy an included lunch at Pecos National Historic Monument
- Experience a full day of exploration with multiple stops for hands-on interaction

What's Included

Guests will be contacted directly by us to place a box lunch order of their choice for the trip.
Air-conditioned vehicle
Gratuity is not included

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
La Fonda on the Plaza

We will pickup outside of La Fonda on E. San Francisco St.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 7 hours (approximately)
  • Santa Fe (Pass by)

    Since this is a Route 66 tour of the original Route 66, many of the places we see and ride along are not on any map. That's why this is such an authentic tour because guests are going to be able to ride along the original Route 66 that many people don't even know exists. We go alongside the current I-25 where we cross under over 10 times weaving our way finding hidden fragments and alignments of the original Route 66 pre 1937. Some places we will stop and get off the van, but none of these are located on any map.

    Admission ticket free
  • 1

    Here we will stop and get off the van to see a Veterans Memorial called AL's Place which is also what we refer to as the Gettysburg of the West. Guests will have the choice to see where the original Route 66 came through which is now covered by grass and weeds. We will talk about the battle of Apache Canyon and show them some areas of the road that continue to melt.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Here we will see parts and fragments of the original Route 66 along with where the battle of Glorieta pass took place.

    Admission ticket free
  • 2

    We will be stopping for lunch at Pecos National Park where guests will have the option to walk the park led by lead guide, shop at the visitors center, and enjoy a box lunch that they will choose before the trip. Guests will be able to enjoy the park at their leisure taking photos and taking in the ruins of the Pecos Pueblo people who lived there from 800AD to early 1800s.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 3

    Here we will go through a really old town that was once a booming community with the arrival of the railroad. Now slowly dying. However we will get off the van and see the original Route 66 and Truss Bridge where guests can walk on and take amazing photos of the Pecos River.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Towards the end of the trip we will go through another old community that again was once a booming town. Here we will see another bridge no longer in use. This was 1 of 3 bridges and guests will be able to see first hand the various alignments and how the Route has changed over time.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Vigilante Guides

Tags

Historical Tours
Small Group
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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