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Route 66 Is Turning 100, and Here’s How To Road-Trip It on Hotel Points

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Jessica Merritt
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Edited by: Michael Y. Park
Route 66 Is Turning 100, and Here’s How To Road-Trip It on Hotel Points
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Route 66 turns 100 on November 11, 2026 — a full century of the legendary highway that inspired the classic U.S. road trip. The route stretches about 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, passing through 8 U.S. states and by some of the country’s most recognizable roadside attractions and landmarks.

Road-tripping Route 66 requires overnights on the road, but you don’t have to pay cash for every stay because there are plenty of opportunities to redeem hotel rewards points. Here are 9 cities along Route 66 where you can book nights on points, from historic boutique hotels to affordable motels.

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How To Road-Trip Route 66 on Points

Route 66 follows historic highways, city streets, and modern interstates, and takes about 10 to 14 days to do as a road trip from end to end, though you might want more time to explore along the way. The best selection of points properties is in larger cities, including Chicago, Saint Louis, Oklahoma City, and Santa Monica. Smaller stops may have fewer upscale options, but there are still properties where you can redeem points.

Route 66 points hotels map
Travel Route 66 on points. Screenshot: Google Maps

World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards have some of the best Route 66 points properties, and you can transfer eligible credit card rewards to these programs to book award nights.

Hot Tip:

Use our transfer partner calculator to see how much value you can get from flexible travel rewards points.

Chicago

Chicago skyline from Hyatt Centric Loop
The Chicago skyline. Image Credit: Lori Zaino

Upscale: Chicago Athletic Association (World of Hyatt)

Once an exclusive sportsmen’s club, the Chicago Athletic Association is now one of the best Chicago hotels, featuring a rooftop restaurant, speakeasy-style bar, game room, and gym. The $25 nightly Founder’s Fee includes a welcome Champagne toast in the Cherry Circle Room, expedited rooftop restaurant entry, and seasonal bike rentals.

The Chicago Athletic Association is a World of Hyatt Category 5 property that typically costs about 17,000 to 23,000 points per night.

Midtier: Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago Theatre District (Hilton Honors)

Directly above the historic CIBC Theatre, the Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago Theatre District has a free hot breakfast buffet, a 24/7 fitness center, and pet-friendly rooms.

Nights at the Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago Theatre District start around 45,000 points.

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St. Louis

Upscale: Hotel Saint Louis, Autograph Collection (Marriott Bonvoy)

Designed by Louis Sullivan, the Hotel Saint Louis is in a landmark 1893 building. Guest rooms have touches like record players with vintage vinyl albums and Toto toilets with heated seats. There’s a rooftop swimming pool, full-service spa, and 24/7 fitness center.

Award nights at Hotel Saint Louis range from 30,000 to 52,000 points per night.

Midtier: Hampton Inn St. Louis-Downtown At the Gateway Arch (Hilton Honors)

About a 10-minute walk to the Gateway Arch, the Hampton Inn St. Louis-Downtown has great views of the Arch and is convenient to other downtown attractions, including sports stadiums. There’s a complimentary breakfast, an indoor swimming pool, and an on-site arcade.

Standard award nights at the Hampton Inn St. Louis Downtown typically range from 30,000 to 50,000 points.

Springfield, Missouri

Upscale: Moxy Springfield Downtown (Marriott Bonvoy)

Springfield doesn’t have luxury points hotels, but it does have the Moxy, which features a downtown rooftop bar in the historic Medical Arts Building. It offers suites and has a 24/7 fitness center and electric vehicle charging.

Redemption rates for Moxy Springfield Downtown are typically around 24,000 points per night.

Budget: Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven (Best Western Rewards)

Best Western Rail Haven Springfield Route 66 sign 2
Best Western Rail Haven is on Route 66. Image Credit: Jessica Merritt

This restored motel is at the corner of Glenstone Avenue and East St. Louis Street (historic Route 66) in Springfield, the birthplace of Route 66. It offers a nostalgic Mother Road experience, complete with a themed “Elvis stayed here” suite, classic cars, vintage gas pumps, and neon signs.

Classic rooms at Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven are about 20,000 points per night.

Oklahoma City

Upscale: Fordson Hotel – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt (World of Hyatt)

Once a 1916 Ford assembly plant in downtown Oklahoma City, the Fordson Hotel is now a historic boutique property in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The landmark building has industrial-chic high ceilings, loft windows, and steel accents, and features a contemporary art gallery with rotating works. There’s also a heated, year-round outdoor pool with a sauna, steam room, and seasonal poolside bar service.

Award nights for the Fordson Hotel start at about 12,000 points per night.

Midtier: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oklahoma City Downtown – Bricktown (IHG One)

This Holiday Inn Express is in the heart of the historic Bricktown entertainment district and steps from the Bricktown Canal, Myriad Botanical Gardens, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Guests can access a free hot breakfast daily, an indoor heated pool, a 24/7 fitness center, and an outdoor courtyard with a firepit.

Expect to spend about 25,000 points per night for a standard room at the Holiday Inn Express Bricktown.

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Hot Tip:

Make time for Tulsa, Oklahoma, on your way to Oklahoma City. It’s known as the Capital of Route 66, with a 28-mile stretch of historic highway featuring gateway arches and landmarks including the Route 66 Historical Road Village and long-standing Route 66 diner Tally’s Cafe.

Amarillo, Texas

Cadillac Ranch
Visit Cadillac Ranch along Route 66 while you’re in Amarillo. Image Credit: Jessica Merritt

Upscale: The Barfield, Autograph Collection (Marriott Bonvoy)

The Barfield is a boutique hotel in downtown Amarillo, housed in a former 1926 office building with art deco touches and West Texas cattle-culture charm. It features a Prohibition-era basement speakeasy and a rooftop lounge with downtown skyline views.

A typical free night at the Barfield costs about 41,000 points.

Midtier: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Amarillo West by IHG (IHG One)

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Amarillo West is well-positioned for visiting Cadillac Ranch along Route 66, as it’s only about 3 miles away. This pet-friendly property features a daily hot breakfast and a heated indoor saltwater pool with a hot tub.

Reward nights at this property are about 25,000 points each.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Upscale: ARRIVE Albuquerque, Design Hotels (Marriott Bonvoy)

ARRIVE Albuquerque is a 4-star historic boutique hotel along historic Route 66 and overlooking Robinson Park. It dates back to 1965, when it was the Downtowner Motor Inn, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as an exceptional example of a midcentury motel on Route 66. The hotel features an outdoor pool and swim club, along with a lobby showcasing Southwestern Indigenous art.

Award nights at ARRIVE Albuquerque are about 32,000 points per night.

Midtier: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albuquerque Historic Old Town (IHG One)

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albuquerque Historic Old Town is close to the historic shops of Old Town Plaza, and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is across the street. This property is pet-friendly, offers a free breakfast, and features a heated indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna.

You can book this hotel for about 27,000 points per night.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Midtier: Residence Inn by Marriott Flagstaff (Marriott Bonvoy)

In downtown Flagstaff, the Residence Inn by Marriott Flagstaff is convenient to downtown shops and dining and close to Wheeler Park and the Lowell Observatory. It’s also a good base camp for day trips to the Grand Canyon and Arizona Snowbowl. Each suite includes a full kitchen, and there’s a complimentary breakfast, indoor heated pool and hot tub, and 24/7 fitness center.

Nightly points rates start around 50,000 points per night.

Midtier: Hyatt Place Flagstaff (World of Hyatt)

Hyatt Place Flagstaff is just off historic Route 66 with scenic views ranging from the San Francisco Peaks and Coconino National Forest to downtown Flagstaff and high-desert landscapes. World of Hyatt guests can take advantage of the free hot breakfast, an indoor heated pool, and a 24/7 fitness center.

Free night awards at Hyatt Place Flagstaff start around 15,000 points.

Needles, California

Midtier: Hampton Inn Needles Colorado River (Hilton Honors)

Historic Route 66 runs right through Needles, and this Hampton Inn is convenient to the route, along with local boat launches and the Colorado River. The property is pet-friendly and features a free hot breakfast and an outdoor pool.

Nightly award rates at the Hampton Inn Needles are about 41,000 points per night.

Budget: Best Western Colorado River Inn (Best Western)

The Best Western Colorado River Inn is along historic Route 66 in the heart of the Mojave Valley. It’s convenient for road trips to the Grand Canyon and Lake Havasu. Guests can take advantage of the complimentary breakfast, outdoor pool, and hot tub. This property is pet-friendly.

Award nights are around 24,000 points per night at this property.

Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica Pier sunset
A sign on the Santa Monica Pier marks the end of Route 66. Image Credit: Keri Stooksbury

Upscale: The Georgian Hotel (World of Hyatt)

The Georgian Hotel is in a historic art deco building originally opened in 1933. It was recently renovated, blending old-school Hollywood vibes with modern amenities. This oceanfront hotel overlooks the beach from Ocean Avenue, with rooms and suites with direct ocean views just steps away from the Santa Monica Pier.

Booking an award stay at The Georgian Hotel ranges from 21,000 to 29,000 points per night.

Midtier: FOUND Hotel Santa Monica, Series by Marriott (Marriott Bonvoy)

This boutique hotel is convenient for visiting beaches, the Santa Monica Pier, and Los Angeles attractions. It features on-site dining, including cocktails at Offshore Lounge and Cliffdiver, a coastal Mexican restaurant. Complimentary specialty coffee is available 24/7 in the lobby.

Free nights at FOUND Hotel Santa Monica are about 40,000 points per night.

Final Thoughts

After 100 years, Route 66 is still one of America’s most iconic road trips, and you can cover lodging costs with hotel rewards points. Whether you’re checking into a downtown historic luxury hotel or spending the night at a motel directly on Route 66, there are plenty of redemptions to be had. We recommend mixing hotel programs for more flexibility and convenient stops as you cover the journey of more than 2,000 miles.

Featured Image Credit: Jessica Merritt
Jessica Merritt's image

About Jessica Merritt

Jessica is a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ (CFEI®) who covers credit cards, travel rewards, and consumer banking for outlets including U.S. News, CNN Underscored, and LendingTree, specializing in helping families maximize points and miles.

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