Small groups of up to 14, a road captain on every trip

How to book
Checkered floor, chrome stools and Route 66 signs inside the Cozy Dog Drive In, Springfield

5 trips in 5 states

Route 66 neon and diner tours

Trips planned around two things the road does better than anywhere: glowing motel signs after sunset and long lunches at counters that have served travelers since the 1930s.

Trips
50 end to end
States
5Along Route 66
Length
1 to 8 daysSmall groups
From
$179Per person

Neon and diners

Route 66 neon and diner tours: what to expect

Route 66 was built for people in cars, and the signs were built to stop them. Many of the best ones still work, and several have been restored in the last 15 years: the Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa, the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, the Munger Moss in Lebanon, Missouri, and a long run of motels and theaters on Central Avenue in Albuquerque.

On these trips we plan the evenings around them. Dinner is early, and at dusk the group walks or drives slowly past the signs as they come on. Our road captains know where to stand for photos and which motel owners are happy to talk about the tubes, transformers and costs of keeping old neon alive.

Days belong to the diners and cafes: onion burgers in El Reno, a slice of ugly crust pie at the MidPoint Cafe in Adrian, chicken fried steak in Oklahoma, green chile everything in New Mexico. Lunches at classic places are included on most days, and we ask you to save room.

Our 8-day Neon and Diners trip runs from Tulsa to Albuquerque, the richest stretch for both. Section trips through Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico and the Southwest convertible trip also carry this theme, as does the Tulsa day tour, which ends with the Blue Whale of Catoosa.

A practical note: the diners we use are real working places, not theme restaurants. Portions are large, coffee refills are free, and the waitress may call you honey. We book tables for the group ahead of time, so there is no wait even at the famous ones on a Saturday.

Route 66 neon and diner tours: trips for 2026 and 2027

Per person sharing a double room. Optional flights to the start and home from the end are priced on each trip.

All 16 trips

5 trips

    Your own private trip

    Car club, family reunion or friends: any trip can run just for your group on your dates, from 6 travelers.

    Private and group trips

    Deals and early booking

    Save $150 per person on 2027 departures booked by January 31, 2027, plus last-minute prices on November and December 2026 dates.

    See current offers

    Not sure which stretch?

    Tell us how many days you have, the month and what you love: neon, diners, museums or open desert. A trip advisor in Tulsa suggests two or three trips.

    Email a trip advisor

    Neon and diner stops on Route 66

    The places these trips stop at most often. Each links to its section on the state page.

    All stops

    4 questions

    Route 66 neon and diner tours: your questions answered

    Are we out late every night?

    No. Most neon is lit by 7 pm in spring and autumn, so evening walks finish by 9. Two or three nights per trip are planned around neon; the others are free.

    Can you handle dietary needs at diners?

    Yes, within reason. Every diner we use has salads, eggs and vegetable sides, and we tell them in advance about vegetarian or gluten-free guests. Strict vegan diets are hard in rural Oklahoma and Texas.

    Will I get good night photos with a phone?

    Yes. Modern phones handle neon well. Our road captain shows a few tricks on the first evening: tap on the brightest tube to set exposure, and lean on a post rather than using flash.

    Do the motels really still use neon?

    The ones we choose do. Some signs have been converted to LED for cost reasons; we tell you which are true neon.

    Free advice, no obligation

    Route 66 neon and diner tours: which trip suits you?

    Tell us the month, how many days you have and your budget. A trip advisor replies with the trips that fit.

    Email a trip advisor How to book
    How to book