Route 66 has brought countless travelers adventure, nostalgia, and unforgettable memories. For us, it did something even more special.

Route 66 brought us together.

In June 2002, we set out on a 10-day honeymoon journey along the legendary Mother Road, traveling from the Midwest across the Southwest and back again. Along the way we visited classic diners, historic motels, neon signs, trading posts, museums, and many of the people who keep Route 66 history alive.

But the story of this honeymoon actually began many years earlier.

A Love Story Born on the Mother Road

Our honeymoon on Route 66 wasn’t just a road trip — it was the continuation of a love story that actually began because of the Mother Road itself. Years before we met, we had both independently fallen in love with the history, nostalgia, and roadside culture of historic Route 66. Through the Route 66 enthusiast community and a mutual friend, our paths eventually crossed, leading to our first date on Route 66 in McLean, Illinois. That shared passion for America’s most famous highway eventually led to our 2002 Route 66 honeymoon and a lifetime of road trips together.

Read the full story of how Route 66 brought us together →

Our Honeymoon on Route 66

In June 2002, we set out on a ten-day journey along historic Route 66, traveling across the heart of America and exploring many of the classic towns, diners, roadside attractions, and neon-lit landmarks that make the Mother Road so legendary. Our trip took us from the Midwest through Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California before turning back toward home. Along the way we met fellow Route 66 enthusiasts, visited iconic stops like the Midpoint Café and Cadillac Ranch, and experienced the nostalgia and adventure that have made Route 66 one of the most famous road trips in the world. Below you’ll find the full travel diary of our honeymoon on Route 66, with daily stories, photos, and highlights from each stop along the Mother Road.

What You’ll See on Our Route 66 Honeymoon Journey

Our honeymoon along historic Route 66 took us through some of the most memorable landscapes and roadside stops on the Mother Road. During our ten-day journey we explored classic Route 66 diners, historic gas stations, vintage neon motels, and quirky roadside attractions that define the spirit of America’s most famous highway. We visited legendary stops like Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, the Midpoint Café in Adrian, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, and the Hackberry General Store in Arizona. Along the way we also met several members of the Route 66 community who have dedicated themselves to preserving the history and culture of the road. This series shares the daily stories, photos, and experiences from that unforgettable 2002 honeymoon road trip across the Mother Road.