Route 66 websites come and go. But I thought this one is particularly noteworthy.
DrivingRoute66.com, which describes itself as “one-stop resource for planning the road trip of a lifetime,” comes from the brain and computer of Steve Bellamy of Wales. He and his wife drove all of Route 66 in 2007. He explains the purpose of his site:
Although neither my wife or I had ever visited the USA before, the decision to drive the old road was spontaneous. Although, at that point, we had no idea about the history or geography of Route 66 we found the simple idea of a road trip in a new country exciting enough.
We were full of enthusiasm and keen to start planning our trip. We wanted to look at maps, watch videos, see photos, research attractions, look into accommodation, plan side trips… basically we wanted to start the journey then and there! Planning the trip wasn’t a chore, it was the simply the first leg of an incredible experience that neither of us will ever forget.
We loved planning our road trip so much and found it an integral part of the experience. For that reason I decided to create this website. I hope that it can be of use to others in planning their own Route 66 experience. My aim is for the site to constantly grow and expand as people continue to recommend their own favourite motels/attractions. The forum should be a place for seasoned Route 66 travellers and newcomers alike to share their own experiences or ask questions of others. Each Route 66 experience is unique and, as I have only driven it the once, I don’t claim to be an expert in the old road by any means – but I do hope that this website and it’s community of users can provide free, useful and up-to-date information to anyone driving America’s greatest road trip… The legendary Route 66.
Bellamy’s site contains data about motels, attractions, resources, videos, photographs and an online forum where roadies can talk about the Mother Road. I found the FAQ section to be especially useful and well-informed, and would recommend it to any Route 66 novice.
If the website overlooked an attraction or motel you think is particularly noteworthy, just give your recommendation to the Contact section, and it likely will be added. It this sort of “open source” information that should make the site even more indispensable over time.