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Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States — Adventure
North America

Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip

United States

Point-to-point
Red Ball Garage Portofino Inn, Redondo Beach

In short: Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip is a 4,608 km plus legal sightseeing detours adventure road trip in United States, typically driven over 13 days, best in Year-round. Highlights: Red Ball Garage, Indianapolis, St. Louis Gateway Arch.

Distance
4,608 km plus legal sightseeing detours
Duration
13 days
Best Season
Year-round
NotableEasyAdventure

A legal sightseeing route inspired by the historic New York-to-Redondo Beach idea, with disclosed detours for cities, Route 66 landmarks, Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, and the Mojave. It is not a speed record attempt.

~8 refuels
~16 charges
Practical notes
This is only a legal 13-day historical homage. Public-road speed attempts are illegal, unsafe, and not part of the itinerary; obey every speed limit, rotate rested drivers, stop before fatigue, and never race a clock. Check tolls, winter storms, desert heat, wildfire, and park conditions daily.

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Plan this trip

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1New York City, NY (Red Ball Garage start)

Red Ball Garage · Empire State Building · Katz's Delicatessen

Day 2Philadelphia, PA

Independence Hall · Liberty Bell · Pat's King of Steaks

Day 3Columbus, OH

German Village · Franklin Park Conservatory · Schmidt's Sausage Haus

Day 4Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum · St. Elmo Steak House

Day 5St. Louis, MO

Gateway Arch National Park · Pappy's Smokehouse

Day 6Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City National Memorial · National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum · Cattlemen's Steakhouse

Day 7Amarillo, TX

Cadillac Ranch · Palo Duro Canyon State Park · The Big Texan Steak Ranch

Day 8Albuquerque, NM

Old Town Albuquerque · Sandia Peak Tramway · El Pinto

Day 9Petrified Forest and Holbrook, AZ

Petrified Forest National Park · Painted Desert and Blue Mesa scenic drives · Romo's Restaurant

Day 10Flagstaff and Meteor Crater, AZ

Meteor Crater · Lowell Observatory · Pizzicletta

Day 11Grand Canyon South Rim, AZ

Grand Canyon South Rim · Desert View Watchtower · El Tovar Dining Room

Day 12Needles to Barstow, CA (Mojave Desert)

Route 66 Mother Road Museum · Calico Ghost Town · Idle Spurs Steakhouse

Day 13Redondo Beach, CA (Portofino Inn finish)

Portofino Hotel & Marina · Redondo Beach Pier · The Original Pantry Cafe

Stops along the route

Red Ball Garage — Departure — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Departure
Red Ball Garage
The midnight starting line on East 31st Street where Brock Yates launched cars west in 1971. One rule: reach the Portofino Inn in Redondo Beach as fast as possible.
Hotels
Indianapolis — City — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
City
Indianapolis
The Crossroads of America at the route's midpoint. Flat Midwest interstates made this the natural fast corridor, and the city's motorsport DNA fits the spirit of the run.
Hotels
Flagstaff — City — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
City
Flagstaff
Ponderosa pine country at 2,100 metres, the last high-altitude stop before the Mojave descent. I-40 west follows the old Route 66 corridor through dramatic Southwest scenery.
Hotels
Barstow — City — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
City
Barstow
The last Mojave outpost before the LA basin, a strip of truck stops and diners where the desert highway surrenders to Southern California sprawl.
Hotels
Portofino Inn, Redondo Beach — Arrival — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Arrival
Portofino Inn, Redondo Beach
The Pacific finish line. Gurney and Yates arrived in 35 hrs 54 min in 1971; the outright record fell to 25 hrs 55 min in 2019. Touch the ocean and note the time.
Hotels

Things to Do

St. Louis Gateway Arch — Landmark — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Landmark
St. Louis Gateway Arch
The 192-metre stainless steel arch marks the Mississippi crossing and the traditional gateway to the West. Cross the river and the landscape opens into the Great Plains.
Cadillac Ranch — Landmark — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Landmark
Cadillac Ranch
Ten Cadillacs buried nose-down in a Texas Panhandle wheat field, a pop-art monument to American car culture. The terrain shifts from plains to mesa country heading west.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum — Museum — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Museum
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Explore the history of auto racing at the home of the Indy 500 with exhibits and historic cars.
Gateway Arch National Park — National Park — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park
Visit the iconic 630-foot arch symbolizing westward expansion, with museum exhibits and tram rides to the top.
Petrified Forest National Park — National Park — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Discover ancient fossilized trees and colorful badlands along historic Route 66.
Meteor Crater — Natural Landmark — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Natural Landmark
Meteor Crater
Visit the best-preserved meteorite impact site on Earth, with a visitor center and observation decks.
Show 3 more
Calico Ghost Town — Historic Site — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Historic Site
Calico Ghost Town
Explore a restored silver mining town from the 1880s with shops, mine tours, and reenactments.
Santa Monica Pier — Landmark — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Landmark
Santa Monica Pier
Enjoy ocean views, an amusement park, and dining at this historic pier marking Route 66's end.
Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum — Museum — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Museum
Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum
Learn about the history of Route 66 through artifacts, photographs, and exhibits.

Where to Eat

St. Elmo Steak House — Steakhouse — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Steakhouse
St. Elmo Steak House
Established in 1902, this iconic spot offers renowned steaks and a famous shrimp cocktail in a classic setting.
Pappy's Smokehouse — Barbecue — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Barbecue
Pappy's Smokehouse
Known for Memphis-style BBQ, this joint serves slow-smoked ribs and pulled pork in a casual atmosphere.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch — Steakhouse — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Steakhouse
The Big Texan Steak Ranch
Home of the 72-ounce steak challenge, offering hearty meals in a Western-themed setting.
El Tovar Dining Room — Southwestern — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Southwestern
El Tovar Dining Room
Located on the Grand Canyon's rim, it offers fine dining with panoramic views and regional cuisine.
Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In — American Diner — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
American Diner
Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In
A quirky Route 66 landmark serving classic burgers and shakes with a side of humor.
Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe — Diner — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
Diner
Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe
A historic Route 66 diner known for its homestyle burgers and friendly service.
Show 1 more
The Original Pantry Cafe — American — Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip — United States
American
The Original Pantry Cafe
Since 1924, this 24-hour diner has been serving hearty breakfasts and comfort food classics.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip drive?

The Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip covers 4,608 km plus legal sightseeing detours from start to finish.

How long does the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip take to drive?

Most travellers spend 13 days on the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip?

The recommended season for the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip is Year-round.

Where does the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip start and end?

The Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip runs from Red Ball Garage to Portofino Inn, Redondo Beach.

What are the main stops on the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip?

The Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip passes through Red Ball Garage, Indianapolis, St. Louis Gateway Arch.

How difficult is the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip to drive?

The Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip in a regular car?

Yes — the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip?

Plan around 8 refuels (or about 16 EV charges) along the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip, based on its 4,608 km plus legal sightseeing detours length.

Is the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip safe to drive?

This is only a legal 13-day historical homage. Public-road speed attempts are illegal, unsafe, and not part of the itinerary; obey every speed limit, rotate rested drivers, stop before fatigue, and never race a clock. Check tolls, winter storms, desert heat, wildfire, and park conditions daily.

What scenic tier is the Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip?

The Cannonball-Inspired Cross-Country Road Trip is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.