Car tour through High Desert kicks off Route 66 centennial celebration
A group of drivers in classic vehicles will travel the Mother Road through the High Desert this weekend in celebration of this year’s Route 66 Centennial.
The caravan of nine vehicles is part of “The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure,” which departs from Santa Monica on Saturday, Jan. 3, with plans to arrive in Chicago on Jan. 12.
The group will then travel to Motor City, where the cars will be on display at the world-class Detroit Auto Show beginning on Jan. 14.
A group of drivers in classic vehicles will travel the Mother Road through the High Desert this weekend in celebration of this year’s Route 66 Centennial.
The long-distance event is organized by America’s Automotive Trust, along with partners the Detroit Auto Show and the National Route 66 Centennial Commission.
The Drive Home tour spotlights vintage, Route 66-inspired vehicles making the historic journey across America’s most iconic highway. Those vehicles include:
- 1934 Buick Model 61 Club
- 1952 Chevrolet 3100 Deluxe
- 1960 Chrysler 300F
- 1965 Ford Country Squire
- 1967 Pontiac GTO
- 1969 Mercury Cougar RX7
- 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
- 1991 Ford Mustang
- 1992 Land Rover Discovery
A group of drivers in classic vehicles will travel the Mother Road through the High Desert this weekend in celebration of this year’s Route 66 Centennial.
Traveling across California
In San Bernardino, the group will visit the Wigwam Hotel and Jovi’s Diner before leaving at 3:30 p.m. and heading to Barstow.
Based on the tour’s website, the group is not scheduled to take the traditional Route 66 through Victorville, Oro Grande or Helendale.
The caravan plans to arrive in Barstow at 4:45 p.m. to check into the Barstow Town Place Suites off Lenwood Road near Interstate 15. The group will then dine at Roy’s Cafe on Main Street.
On Sunday, the group will leave Barstow and make a photo stop at Roy’s Motel and Cafe in Amboy.
They will then head to Needles and have lunch at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant before heading off to Arizona and the rest of Rt. 66.
The travel itinerary and route are subject to change, organizers said.
"The National Route 66 Centennial Commission is proud to endorse The Drive Home event celebrating the rich tapestry of people and places that are the heart and soul of Route 66,” said National Route 66 Centennial Commission Chairman Rod Reid. “We hope you’ll join us in commemorating the “Mother Road” that now— even 100 years later— is still bringing people together.”
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
