A group of us who were at university college together headed off on a trip down route 66 in March 2009 to celebrate one of the guys 50th birthday. I’m not exactly sure why we chose Route 66, but Dale organized and ran a terrific tour. Quite frankly, it was better than we expected. Dale took us to parts of Route 66 that we never would have discovered, arranged authentic Route 66 restaurants and accommodation, plus he pointed us to the right bars for a beer in the evenings. But what really made a difference was Dale’s passion for Route 66. This passion and his knowledge of its history really brought it alive for us. Great trip. Paul Clitheroe, Sydney Australia - Feb 2009 Customised Group Tour

As my partner and my first trip overseas this was an awesome experience! Being able to experience what America has to offer let alone to be a part of the history and nostalgia with old Route 66 was certainly more than we expected. We learnt so much about the road, and can now say we have travelled many miles on the wrong side of the road, met some wonderful characters, been to some incredibly emotional places such as Sky City, The Painted Desert and The Grand Canyon and ate some amazing food.

We made some lifelong friends along the way and had a great amount of fun. I would recommend this trip to anyone – even if they are not rev heads as it was a great introduction to an amazing country, to experience some life changing moments and a trip back in time. It is honestly the best time we have both ever had in our lives.

Well done Dale in organising such a great trip, and making it seem easy to travel the other side of the globe – even to us newbies!
We will 100% go back to America! Thanks again. Andrew & Tracey, Melbourne, Victoria (Group Tour Fall 2011)

Please keep Jane & I on your data base as hopefully in the not too distant future we can join you for another road trip within the USA. The Route 66 tour we went on in 2010 was one of the best experiences we have ever had and I continually give people your company details after telling them that it is a trip not to be missed. David & Jane Blakeley, Sydney, NSW (Group Tour Summer 2010)

Well mate what a trip. I feel I can truly call you a mate, hope you don’t mind but you have given yourself timelessly to a group of people recently and absolutely bent over backwards to keep us all safe and happy. Apart from the trip being a huge success, you have introduced me to a culture of a new country I will hold close for ever. I have new friends that I will definitely being keeping in contact with.

I had an absolute ball, the best time of my life. I could not have imagined that the pleasure in just letting myself go for over 3 weeks could have been such a powerful experience. I truly appreciate all the effort you and the boys (Daniel, Anthony and Dave) and Kristy-Anne behind the scenes have put in for all of us, particularly me.

Dale, I could go on for ages singing the praises of the trip and your very professional manner the whole time we were together. There are so many memories from the trip I will take with me every day, the time along Route 66 is a special experience and you along with our (motorcycle) guide Daniel made it come to life. Thanks for all you have done along “Route 66”.  You are the Road, great job. Steve Brewer, Brisbane, QLD (Fall 2011 Bike Tour)

As a 40th birthday present to me, I wanted to fulfil my ultimate dream - travel to the States and travel the “Mother Road” aka Route 66. None of my friends were available to travel at the same time so I decided to investigate organized tours – enter Dale & Kristi-Anne and Route 66 Tours. From the first contact that I had with Dale & Kristi-Anne, their customer attention was fantastic!  I had a lot of questions with a lot of “what ifs” attached - nothing appeared to be too hard for Dale and Kristi-Anne. 
They do not limit themselves to the Route 66 tour – my plan was to do another tour before the Route 66 tour and add extra days to my trip afterwards … Dale & Kristi-Anne were not only able to assist with bookings, accommodation, transfers etc but also suggest the most amazing things to do in the places that I was visiting … they are definitely a “one stop shop” if you want the travel experience of a lifetime!

Now for the Route 66 Tour … OMG, an experience way beyond my expectations!  As a single traveler in the Summer 2011 Route 66 tour, I felt completely comfortable at all times and would not hesitate in recommending this tour to any other single, and in particular female, traveler – whether you are a car lover or not (I wasn’t). 
The option to co-drive with another single traveler was also made available. This was not only a financial saving for me but it definitely added to the experience … which is what Dale and his tour is all about – the experience!

Dale, you are someone who genuinely loves Route 66.  This is shown through your amazing knowledge; the fantastic / colourful / vibrant friends you have along Route 66 that you willingly introduced and shared with us but also the towns / attractions / cafes / shops / accommodation you make as part of your tour. I can honestly say that not one day went past without a great experience attached to it.

I’m not sure if all tour groups are like what I got to experience but for a group of people with an age range of 22 to 71, I could not have wished for a better group of people -  whom I  now refer to as friends. Thanks again Dale for a wonderful trip, my memories and new friends will be constant reminders of the great decision I made on how celebrate my 40th birthday. Hope to see you in Sept 2012 for the Reunion tour.

To the people reading this wondering if this tour is for you  – the answer is a very simple YES! You will receive a great tour and be rest assured – if there is something to see or know about Route 66, this is the way to do it. Karen Rothwell, Melbourne, Victoria (Group Tour Summer 2011)

Having just toured Chicago to Las Vegas along historic Route 66 with Dale Butel of Route 66 Tours for the second time, I believe Dale has got to be best guide by far. What Dale doesn't know about the Mother Road, nobody could know. Where there is an attraction to be seen, and he knows where they all are, he not only takes you there but can usually tell you the history of it also! He has such a vast knowledge of this historic gem through all the trips he has made along it, that he probably knows every crack in the old Portland cement surface and how many rivets are in each old bridge you cross over !!

Because you are at www.route66tours.com.au, you are already on the way to the best road trip holiday you could imagine. Nothing seems too much trouble for Dale, from arranging the flights, the quality accommodation and car rental, to great places to eat and meet with the people who are the heartbeat of Route 66. So get on it, contact Dale, and book a REAL adventure.

Thanks again Dale, and all the new friends who were on the 2011 Summer tour, for another great trip. Having done this and the 2010 Spring tour, I am sure there will be more trips with you and Route 66 Tours. regards, Rod Madden, Jan Juc, Victoria (Group Tour Summer 2011)

Our Best Holiday - We decided to tour Route 66 as a 50th Birthday present for Graham. At first I was going to organise the accommodation, flights and hire cars. But whilst I was googling I came across Route 66 Tours. And I’m so glad I did and for so many reasons.

Firstly it is a locally owned company which gave me, not only peace of mind that I was dealing with someone close at hand but there were no delays in correspondence which can often occur with the time difference from the States. Secondly was the fact that Dale did everything from the flights to transfers, also all accommodation and car hire. He even organised add ons like a few days in New York and LA before and after the official tour. (And all went so smoothly.) This was an enormous relief as we could just sit back and enjoy the ride.

A very important thing for us was that without Dale we would never have travelled the “True” Route 66, not to mention the many “characters” we met along the way. That part of the tour would have been sorely missed had we ventured out on our own. But the icing on the cake was the fantastic people that we travelled with. At the end of the day we had so much fun and so many laughs with our tour companions.

We have been on many overseas holidays and have always felt ready to come home at the end. But I can honestly say that we did not want this adventure to end. And the memories as well as the new found friendships we have made will be with us for a lifetime. So much so we are now eagerly awaiting the reunion trip.

So yet again thanks Dale for such a fabulous holiday. And my advice for anyone thinking of doing Route 66 with Dale “Don’t think DO” you won’t regret it……… Oh and don’t fly out early the morning after the Farewell Limo Tour in Las Vegas haha. Louise van Velzen, Brisbane, Australia (Group Tour Summer 2011)

It was a private family holiday, pure and simple. A full-retail fallabout on our own time and terms. So trust me when I commend Dale Butel (Google him) to guide you if crossing America from Chicago to Las Vegas on a journey through the rich history of Route 66 appeals to you, too. Having travelled the Mother Road more than any other Australian, Dale knows it like a local, and he knows the most interesting Route 66 locals, too, so it was like catching up with the colourful end of the family all the way. From pony-cars to family wagons, his Route66Tours provided all the wheels for our group and arranged everything else from accommodation to daily itineraries splendidly. Try him (cue the music)<If You Ever Plan To Motor West>...and , if you do, say hello from the Cockburns. Paul Cockburn, Feature Writer / Columnist MOTOR Magazine, Sydney, Australia (Group Tour Summer 2011)

Just want to say what a wonderful time we had when we travelled with Dale and the crew from Route 66 Tours on the Spring Tour. Dale, and his fabulous assistant guide Anthony, took us along the Route 66 we'd always dreamed of.

Three years ago, we did a "Route 66 tour" with another company & tour guide. We went to a few of the Route 66 museums, but apart from that, barely saw Route 66. Until our trip with Route 66 Tours we didn't realise just how much of 66 we missed, all we did was drive on the Interstates. After the trip in 2008, we returned to Australia and questions from friends asking how the trip went, I said "Fast and Furious". Although we loved driving through the deserts in Arizona, it was NOT what we expected. Our "guide" for that trip seemed to be more interested in looking at cars to buy for himself, and we really didn't have any idea of what was going on. We were just told the next port of call for the evening and were left to do what we could on our own. We got lost on a daily basis and many events that were "scheduled", like get-together dinners or meetings with anyone who knew anything about 66, simply didn't eventuate.

Dale on the other hand, who has more knowledge and expertise than I ever knew, showed us the Real Mother Road. We drove along tracks, through the dustbowls, saw the old wayside motels and cafes, and stopped off and spoke to the real people of the Highway. We met amazing people, and finally had a real feel of what it would have been like for the Okies and the Arkies as they headed off west to find work in California. Dale took us to Indian reservations, to amazing historic Two Guns, Oatman, Seligman (love you Angel), and took time to take us to the bottom of Grand Canyon, to sit beside the Colorado River. We got to meet Amazing people along the way like the lady who makes ceramics who has lived alone, apart from her 2 dogs, for 9 years in the middle of the Arizona desert. We met the 4Women, and never will I forget the Ugly Crusty Pies.

Even though we travelled with Anthony in the luxury SUV (we chose not to drive this time), we got to meet others on the tour, and the whole atmosphere was totally different, especially as Dale, Anthony and Daniel, the other assistant guide, always made everyone, especially us, feel so very special. Our last night in Vegas was amazing with two big limos driving us around the sites of the city, ending up on Fremont Street. Not to mention going in a NASCAR!

Dale, what a fitting and wonderful end to the most amazing trip, and we hope to join you again before we get too much older. Many thanks Phil and Margaret Middleton, Brisbane, Australia. (Group Tour Spring 2011)

Hi Dale, I have discovered there's no normal life after riding Route 66. The ride was if not the best thing I have done, it's certainly up there. Both Sandra & I had a great time thanks to you, Daniel & Anthony. I would be more than pleased to talk with anyone regarding bike choice and trip. Thanks for a great trip, keep in touch. Regards Neil & Sandra Spriggs (Group Tour on a Bike Spring 2011)

Driving Route 66 has been my dad’s dream, for as long as I can remember. He had always talked about it, and due to certain events occurring during the last two years for both of us, it seemed like now was the time to go.......... so we booked to go on Dale’s Route 66 Spring Tour. I was a bit apprehensive, as I have never been on a ‘tour’ before in my life, and really had no idea what to expect. I found Dale to be extremely helpful during the planning stage with ideas and tips – he was always prompt to get back to me, and no question seemed too hard, or too trivial. Now that the trip is over, I can only say that it was one of the best trips I have been on, and there are many reasons for this: 1. The fact that we were on the old Route 66 road for most of the trip, and that we really had a chance to see so many different aspects of the route – it really gave me a feel for the history and emotion of Route 66. 2. Dale’s extensive knowledge of Route 66, and the many interesting stories he had to tell, as well as all the ‘characters’ he introduced to us along the way. 3. The flexibility to do as we wished independently or the opportunity to join the group and travel in convoy. 4. The amount of support we were given with maps, equipment (GPS, phone, CB), suggestions of places to see, and ideas of what we could do at various stops. 5. The way Dale, Anthony and Daniel fostered the group spirit by organising events like the pizza night, dinners out, group photos, talks with people along the way. I think these events helped to bring the group together, and gave us more opportunities to meet and mix with each other, and share our experiences. 6. There were several ‘extras’ paid for by Dale that I didn’t expect – e.g. meals, drinks, entry fees. 7. The accommodation was excellent, varied, and where possible was linked to Route 66 in decor, style, location, history and memorabilia. 8. I always found Dale, Anthony and Daniel friendly, willing to help and answer questions, and offering to do their best to solve any problems that occurred along the way. Although there were some aspects of the trip that didn’t go according to plan, the positive points have far outweighed any other aspects, for me. I am left feeling very fortunate that I have shared my dad’s dream with him while we both were fit and able, I met many new friends, and that I really learned a great deal about old Route 66. I like to remember what I gained, rather than anything I may have missed. The great memories of the Route 66 Spring Tour 2011 will stay with me forever. It was a unique journey. Thanks Dale. Peta Diercke (Group Tour Spring 2011)

My family and I really enjoyed our tour of the Mother road with Route 66 Tours in Summer 2010. We travelled in 2 cars, a Mustang Convertible and an SUV, giving us extra room and comfort. Dale really looked after the group and introduced us all to his passion, Route 66. The tour is flexible enough to allow time on the road alone and even a side trip to a parts dealer we wanted to visit. But it is great to have a guide for the difficult parts of the old road, and to introduce us to the people living and breathing 66. I have no hesitation in recommending this tour to anyone interested in a fantastic road trip vacation, and can be contacted on 0419135511 for more details. Alan McCormack, Victoria (Group Tour Summer 2010)

Thank-you Dale for such a well organised comprehensive run along the Great Mother Road. The historic sites blow us away. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of Route 66 and most importantly thanks for a really great time. Cant wait to go with you again.
Clinton Adams, Emerald Central Queensland – 0428 875 875 - (Summer 2008 Group Tour)

If you have a sense of adventure, a passion for Route 66, the cars that travelled along it or simply a fondness for classic Americana I highly recommend this tour. Dale will take you to places you won't find on maps, places long forgotten and you'll meet the characters of Route 66 who open their doors and come out specifically to greet him and those on his tour.

Dale has constructed this tour extremely well taking you on a historical, cultural and geographically stunning journey across the USA. We started with a guided tour of Chicago, drove to many Route 66 sights, museums, auto-shops & galleries. We visited a Native American village on a mountain top, stayed overnight at the Grand Canyon, drove through the Mojave Desert, visited Hoover Dam and finished with a sightseeing tour under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

If you do the research you can also tailor the tour to your liking. Myself, after each day's driving I ventured out into the cities to view the landmarks, went to the clubs and watched so many live bands that may never make it to Australia.

I can assure that you'll take with you many fond memories of your times with those you meet on the tour and gain a full understanding, appreciation and respect for the early travellers that embarked on a quest along the Mother Road to seek a better life.
Stephen Mikulic, guitarist of Lycanthia. (Group Tour Summer 2010) 

Hi Dale, Just a short note to say thank you for a great trip along Route 66. For me it was a great value for money trip. I was very happy with the whole deal, from my first enquiry it has been a positive experience. You have answered all my emails very promptly and with the info I requested.  You’d be surprised how many times I send emails and get answers to only half the questions asked. It was too easy to book the tour and make payments. Everything was organized with a single email to say count me in. For me I think this was the ideal way to be a part of a tour group.  You had the advantages of group bookings and the experience of a guide, and you had the flexibility to stay a little longer or move on if you wish with the independence of your own car. I will have no hesitation in recommending you or your Route 66 Tour to anyone. For me the trip was made by the people you introduced us to, and the places you took us that you would not see if one was doing the trip on their own. I do hope to do another trip with you in the future, I will start saving the pennies!! Again thanks for a great 3 weeks,
Cheers Gary Thirlwell – WA. (Group Tour Summer 2010)

After a 3 year wait, we finally got to go on the Route 66 Tour! It was everything we expected and more (and we had high expectations)!J We were off the beaten track and seeing some of the 'real' America outside the cities and tourist traps. The trip was made that much better because Dale knows the road and its history so well (he may as well be a local!). Also getting to meet some of his friends (who are Route 66 legends in their own right) and getting to hear their stories was something that wouldn't be possible without Dale. Our Accommodation ranged from old classics to the latest and greatest, all very comfortable. It is definitely safe to say that Dale didn't let us down once. We strongly recommend this tour to EVERYONE!! Sell the car, sell the house, even sell the dog if you have to, but get the cash, and get your Kicks on a Route 66 Tour with Dale!! Not only did we have a Fantastic holiday that we will remember forever, we made some fantastic friends as well. PS: if you have some money left over after paying for your R66 trip, and a few extra days, we highly recommend doing the drive from Santa Monica to San Francisco along US Pacific Hwy 1! Dale organised this for us also, and it was planned just as well as the R66 Tour. A great way to top off a Fabulous Holiday!! Thanks again Dale and Route 66 Tours for a holiday that we will never forget. We look forward to planning all our future holidays with you.
Nigel Rieck and Nikki Bayliss, Mount Isa Qld, (Spring 2010 Group Tour)

After travelling Route 66 on a Harley, I have to say, it was a great trip. Accommodation was top notch and I came away with many new found friends, including Dale, who knows everything there is to know about Route 66. Do yourself a favour and do the trip.
Ted Marsh, Nerang Ulysses Member, (Spring 2010 Group Tour)

My cousin and I travelled Route 66 with Dale in April 2010,the reason for the trip was that we are both in our 66th year. The trip was excellent and we saw more of the" Mother Road" than what we expected. The accommodation was a mix of modern and classic early American style motels and hotels. Dale is a very knowledgeable bloke and what he doesn't know about Route 66 is not worth knowing. We met some interesting people along the way and had a great time.
Maggie Thomson & Carol Montgomery, Port Albert, Vic & Dee Why, NSW, (Spring 2010 Group Tour)

On top of the GREAT 66 trip with Route 66 Tours, we had a top drive from Vegas, via Santa Monica, through to SFO in the Mustang Convertible. Accommodation was first class. Thanks again Dale for the fantastic Route 66 road trip, your thorough knowledge of the route and it's history, plus meeting your friends who live and breathe 66 made it the best. 
Regards, Kathy & Rod Madden - Jan Juc, Victoria - (Spring 2010 Group Tour)

Dek and I had a really lovely time on our trip across the US on Route 66. The people we met were lovely and the places we stayed was a nice mixture of new places vs classics. We took lots of pictures at the Blue Swallow and Bill was an interesting character to meet! Thank you so much for organising the itinerary for us, it was certainly a great trip!
Cheers Janet - Sydney, NSW– March 2010 Custom Tour

My wife & I had a wonderful time on this well organized tour of route 66 with like minded people & have formed some life long friends.
Cheers, David & Yvonne, Brisbane - (Summer 2008 Group Tour)

I'm a Route 66 convert! Never in a million years did I think a tour like this was for me until a mate dragged me along. Our guide brought this bit of American History to life and transformed a roadtrip across America into an experience to be embraced and now re-lived over a beer or two with mates.
Mark Murray, Emerald QLD - (Summer 2008 Group Tour)

Dear Dale, Just a short note to thank you for the fantastic time Jeanette & I had on our Route 66 Tour organised by your company  in August just gone. We were extremely impressed with the attention you attributed to every little detail to make our trip such a memorable experience.
Ron (Tiny) & Jeanette Harrison, Shepparton Vic. - Summer 2008 Group Tour)

You wouldn't want to miss this opportunity, a must do tour! I can't think of a better way to experience the US, more so if its your first time! Get a crew together and get on it! Dominic Leo, Melbourne Vic - (Summer 2008 Group Tour)

We had a great time and it was very well organised, we had no dramas with any of our accommodation and you customised our trip to suit us very well. We have no reservations in recommending you to anyone who enquires about our trip to the states. You did a sensational job and we plan to go back next year and will look to you for guidance once again. The itinerary you organised and your recommendations of what to see were all great and worthy of the stops. Once again thankyou for all your efforts in organising our trip for us and we are very excited about getting back there. Ian & Raylene Trewartha, Mackay, QLD - March 2009 Customised Tour

Thanks again for all of the direction on where to go. You knew your stuff cold! We had an amazing time... stopped at most all of the places you listed. It was definitely an experience. We had an amazing journey. Thanks again! Nick J. Shelton, Chicago, IL - May 2009 Custom Tour

For 1st timers to the USA, we knew the route 66 was going to be quite a journey. The mother road was a road trip through the heart of America. We saw it all. It was the history, the people we met on the way and the people we travelled with that made is so much fun. Dale and his tour, professional & friendly made all the difference. A road trip physically, and a journey spiritually. What a Blast.. Giddyup!!! Mark Callaghan (Marko) Cromwell, NZ/ Port Hedland, WA - (Fall 2009 Group Tour)

DRIVING ‘ROUTE 66’ with DALE BUTEL!!!!
A wonderful experience with a great group of fellow road trippers, ably led by; “ Dale Butel” who has a very vast and in depth knowledge, not only of “Route 66” but of all the towns, cities, and historical sites along the way. This knowledge coupled with his cheerful outgoing personality quickly relieved any apprehension that we may have had about driving the eight states and cities across America. Driving “Route 66” was something that we had looked forward to doing for a number of years, this has now been achieved in a way that we can sincerely recommend to anyone. “Thanks Dale”; 
Murray and June Baird, Cable Bay, Northland N.Z. - (Fall 2009 Group Tour)

My wife and I had previously done many of the tourist things in the USA. We had also found the best part of the USA is getting out of the cities and experiencing the ever changing landscapes and the hospitality of the locals towards us Aussies. After much planning and researching we decided to do Route 66 as this would allow us a broad experience of the countryside, its history and the “real” locals.
While searching internets sites we came across Dale’s travel site. After reading his Route 66 Itineraries and feedback we decided to contact him regards what we wanted from a Route 66 experience. From first contact we were won over with Dale’s passion and knowledge of the Mother Road. It was clear to us that here was the right person to arrange and lead our Route 66 adventure. Dale worked hard prior and during the trip to tailor the options to allow us maximum daily activity choices. This trip was even better than we expected and Dale’s knowledge took us to places and parts of Route 66 that I believe we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. Every day was a different adventure that was very well organized however gave us the option of a flexible itinerary. This road trip, the places we discovered and the people we met have left us with unforgettable memories and a desire to do it all again. Thanks Dale. Jeff & Jackie Allen, Canberra - (Fall 2009 Group Tour)

The Route 66 was just amazing and I don't believe it could have been experienced by travelling solo. The convoy we had enhanced the trip through friendships made, the locals we stumbled across and the debriefs over a drink on our days adventure each night. Everyday brought a new town/city to explore which made each day exciting and unknown. The Mustangs were brilliant and if you want to work on your tan this is definitely the way to go. Our tour guide was great, friendly, helpful and always keen to hit the night life with us. American people are extremely friendly and hospitable and we loved the diverse cultures and interesting people we met. I would do it all again tomorrow. Thanks Dale us mad Kiwi's had a ball. Corinne Clark (Sparkie) Port Hedland WA  - (Fall 2009 Group Tour)