THE MOTHER ROAD CHALLENGE
THE MOTHER ROAD CHALLENGE
THE MOTHER ROAD CHALLENGE
Park under a flashing neon sign and step into pure nostalgia.
The Route 66 motels* are vintage motor courts full of character: retro, charming and a little worn around the edges, just as they should be.
*Optional add-on
Immerse yourself in America, past and present. Roadside diners, giant neon signs, T-bone steaks, …
Plus spectacular nature and iconic pit stops.
Choose yourself what kind of car you want to take on the challenge in. From a small American Chevy to a large SUV or muscle car, anything goes!
Choose your car through our partner Discover Cars to get the best deals!
Every day, you’ll receive a route featuring must-sees and tips for the road.
This unique guide takes you to the most spectacular views and hidden gems. Enjoy!
We start in Chicago, where you’ll immediately feel the spirit of the legendary Mother Road. The next morning, you’ll head south towards St. Louis, passing diners, neon lights and endless highways. From there, you’ll drive through Oklahoma and Texas, where prairies, cowboy saloons and the Cadillac Ranch set the scene.
Continuing west, you’ll head into the desert landscapes of New Mexico and Arizona, where the Blue Hole, the Wigwam Motel and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon await. You’ll take a detour via Las Vegas, the city of lights in the middle of the desert.
The final leg takes you through the Mojave Desert to the coast. At the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles , we’ll reach the official endpoint of Route 66.
The Route 66 Rally isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s a challenging road trip, with long stages along remote roads through remarkable landscapes.
During the Route 66 Rally, you can earn points in several ways: creativity, quick wins, and above all through our Route 66 Rodeo.
During the Route 66 Rodeo, we're searching for the most legendary Route 66 Riders in the USA. From photo challenges at iconic stops to surprise tasks along the way, every day brings a new challenge.
For example:
Complete them all and compete for eternal glory and the title of Ultimate Route 66 Rider!
Turn your vehicle into a rolling tribute to the Mother Road. Decorate your car, muscle car or SUV with stickers, flags or neon, or go all in with matching outfits.
The more eye-catching, the better.
Will your team finish the rally with the highest score? Then you’ll win the coveted Rally Riders travel budget, worth €500!
And of course... the title of ultimate Route 66 Rally Riders, plus a unique trophy to commemorate your victory forever.
On The Route 66 Rally, you’re free to choose your own vehicle, from a small American Chevy to a large SUV or muscle car.
Rent an American Chevy Spark from our partner Discovery Cars, starting at EUR 500 per car for the entire trip. Click here: Discover Cars
You can also choose to rent a larger Chevy SUV or pickup truck. This will cost you around EUR 1,000 for the entire trip.
United States, from Chicago to Los Angeles
Thursday 12 to Sunday 22 May 2027
On Wednesday, May 12 you’ll fly to Chicago. Aim to arrive that afternoon. The adventure really begins on Thursday morning, when we leave Chicago for our next destination: Saint Louis.
On Friday, May 21 we'll arrive in Los Angeles. Hotel guests still can enjoy one last night in LA. On Saturday morning the roadtrip is officially finished.
Physical Route 66 roadbook, plus access to the app with routes, tips & tricks
Support from an English-speaking crew on site
Full logistical support throughout the trip
Fun arrival locations and lively evening activities
Rally challenges and activities along the way
Unique Rally Riders atmosphere and adventure
Rally Motel package: 10 nights in Route 66 motels (€699 per person)
Return flights from Paris or Brussels, including baggage (estimated price € 895 – € 995 per person)
Rental car: €500 for a small Chevrolet, up to €1,000 for an RV or pickup truck (book it yourself through one of our partners)
Big Texan 72 oz steak challenge (€ 49 per person)
Route 66 dinners: group meals with delicious buffets
Travel insurance (€59)
Flights from Paris
Flights from Brussels
We offer return flights from Paris CDG Airport and Brussels Airport. Both airports are easy to reach by public transport, and the flights fit perfectly with the itinerary.
You'll find the exact flight schedule in local time below shortly:
FLIGHTS FROM PARIS, estimated price € 995 per person
Outbound flight, Wednesday 12 May
Return flight, Saturday 22 May (back home on Sunday 23 May)
FLIGHTS FROM BRUSSELS, estimated price € 895 per person
Outbound flight, Wednesday 12 May
Return flight, Saturday 22 May (back home on Sunday 23 May)
All flights we offer include one piece of checked baggage weighing up to 23 kilograms.
You can also book your own flights. Just make sure you can leave Chicago on the morning of Thursday 13 May, allowing plenty of time to pick up your car.
We’ve put together a fantastic selection of quintessentially Americana hotels and motels. From luxury resorts in Vegas to old-school motels with giant neon signs along Route 66.
Some places stand out for their character, while others wow you with their fantastic location. Your accommodation becomes an adventure in its own right and a definite must for anyone who wants to make the most of the trip.
Don’t expect run-of-the-mill hotels. We’ve taken a creative approach. Every place you stay has all the facilities you need and meets high standards of comfort, cleanliness, service, and more.
Choose the vehicle you want to start this adventure in. There are options for every budget, and you can find a small car for as little as 500 EUR for the entire trip.
We recommend our local partner Discover Cars for great deals and a wide range of vehicles.
Whichever ride you choose, we recommend booking your car shortly after signing up, so you can lock in the best price!
Pick-up location: Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Drop-off location: Los Angeles International Airport
Route 66 Rally 2026 sold out in record time!
Pre-registration is open!
Want to increase your chances of taking part in this edition? Pre-register now and get the chance to secure your spot on the starting line 24 hours early.
No risk, priority access
Pre-registration is 100% free and non-binding. You’re not committing to anything yet.
Registrations for people with a preregistration open on September 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m..
You can register as a team of 2 to 8 people. Each team is allocated 1 car. If your group rents multiple cars, you’ll need to create the same number of teams.
PLEASE NOTE: one person must register the entire group. Make sure they have all the details for every teammate to hand: full name, date of birth, email address, and preferences for hotels, number of beds, flights, and insurance. There’s no need for multiple people to book at the same time.
When you book, you’ll pay a 20%* deposit for the entire booking. The remaining balance must be paid by 11 January 2027 at the latest. Need an invoice? Send us an email.
*If you choose to book without our Flexible Cancellation Terms, you’ll pay a 50% deposit
When you book, you pay a 20% deposit* of the total booking amount. The remaining balance must be paid by 11 January 2027 at the latest. Need an invoice? Send us an email.
*If you choose to book without our Flexible Cancellation Terms, you’ll pay a 50% deposit
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That would be very challenging. We cover a lot of kilometres every day, so we don't recommend driving alone. It's always a good idea to have a second driver in case of problems on the road or fatigue.
If you're travelling solo and add the Rally Motels option, you'll still be charged the full room rate for a single room.
We expect flights to sell out quickly. If demand far exceeds supply, we’ll try to increase capacity. If you managed to book but the flights were already sold out, you can send us an email, and we’ll look into the options.
In total, you’ll stay in 10 different motels and hotels. The Route 66 Rally is an unforgettable but intense adventure, so getting a good night’s sleep is essential. That’s why we’ve selected comfortable hotels where you can properly unwind in the evening. Some have a pool, while others offer incredible views of the surrounding area.
The rooms normally have one double bed. Would you prefer two separate single beds? Just send us an email and we’ll see what we can arrange!
That works perfectly! In that case, simply don't select any hotels when signing up.
No, absolutely not. The Route 66 Rally isn’t a race, it’s an adventurous road trip.
Anyone with a valid driving licence and a healthy sense of adventure is welcome.
You need an international passport. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your departure.
If you have a biometric passport (a passport with a chip, recognisable by the e-symbol), you don't need to apply for a visa. An ESTA is all you need.
You can easily apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) online before departure.
Don't worry, we'll send you a clear overview of the required documents before you leave.
Are you sure? You’ll be missing out on an unforgettable adventure! If you really can’t come along, we’ll of course help you find the best solution.
We try to be as flexible as possible when it comes to cancellations, because we know it’s never nice when you can’t join, and it’s even worse if you can’t get your registration fee back. We recommend taking out cancellation insurance when you register. It doesn’t cost much and can save you a lot of money.
You can read our cancellation terms here. You’ll find all the information about finding a replacement, cancelling with insurance and cancelling without insurance.
Of course, but there’s a bit more to it. You’ll need to export your car to the US several months in advance, then import it back into Europe afterwards. That’s quite a lot of effort for a relatively short trip.
Most teams simply choose a local rental car or RV. Whether you go for a budget car, a roaring muscle car or a home on wheels, it’s the adventure that matters, not the model.
Don't panic! Our team travels with you and can help if you can't find a solution yourself. Breakdown assistance is also included with most car rental companies.
Not usually. Everyone travels at their own pace and chooses their own stops. As the trip goes on, you get to know the other teams better, and it’s easy to end up riding together and visiting pit stops as a group. It’s entirely up to you.
During the day, you can follow your own route, but in the evening, the teams meet up at diners, bars or classic motels. That’s where we share stories and hand out the daily prizes.
Of course! At the end, we crown the Ultimate Route 66 Riders.
Not the team that rides the fastest, but the team that best embodies the adventure, style and spirit of the Mother Road.
No, certainly no more than on an ordinary road trip. As long as you follow the American traffic rules and use your common sense, it’s all about enjoying the ride, with a healthy dose of adrenaline, dust and freedom.
Our Dutch-speaking team travels with you and is available 24/7 via the emergency number if you need help.