Santa Monica to South Pasadena
27.0 miles: 1 hours, 36 minutes
Begin your drive at the Santa Monica Pier—it’s the farthest west you can get on the Mother Road. A sign marks the “End of the Road,” although the original terminus was once in downtown L.A. Pass through glitzy Beverly Hills and West Hollywood then cruise down the Arroyo Seco Parkway (US 110) to South Pasadena, where Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain is a landmark.
Pasadena to Azusa
6.0 miles: 0 hours, 26 minutes
A number of quaint shops and historic buildings line Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena. Back on the black top, you’ll head east through small towns in the San Gabriel Valley. In Monrovia, the Aztec Hotel (311 W. Foothill Blvd.) is worth a short detour for its ornate Mayan-style architecture. The 1925 hotel was built on an early alignment of Route 66.
Azusa to San Bernardino
29.0 miles: 1 hours, 24 minutes
The last leg of the trip has a few more Route 66 sights, from vintage motels and steakhouses to classic neon signs. You’ll have a great view of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north as you head east on Foothill Boulevard. Snap a photo of the Foothill Drive-In’s retro sign in Azusa. The journey ends in Rialto, where a stop to see the Wigwam Motel is a must.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!