Quote Originally Posted by Serra View Post
Anyone have any recommendations for a good comprehensive map/guide to contemporary travels along Historic Route 66?
I'll probably never understand the interest is this route -- there are far more interesting and historic roads than Route 66 -- for my money the Lincoln Highway is far more appealing -- here is an excellent guide book for that. The best online virtual guide is this one. Several of our members have driven Route 66 several times -- here is one field report by one of our RoadTrip Advisors. And here are some other good links. Guidebooks to Route 66 -- I've reviewed a couple -- here are three to look at:
Drew Knowles has sort of made Route 66 his career.
I actually think Sara's book is one of the best (and the smallest).
This is Drew's latest --

We are hiring a solo roadtripper expert columnist and her first article will be published here in September with a bunch of tips. Here is review of one her books, "Solo Traveler: Tales and Tips for Great Trips" Also, you might fine this article I wrote about the art of solo travel useful and this one about safety on the road.
traveling the roads in west Kansas (Dodge City) or rural New Mexico (Old Fort Sumner) - how is cellular coverage in those areas?
Pretty good on the major highways and Interstates.
Anybody have any input on using broadband aircards for Internet access while on the road? What is their coverage and service like in the mid- and southwest?
Verizon and Sprint have excellent coverage in the cities -- less so in the rural areas.
Lastly, the case of water, cooler, and these things are all in addition to three suitcases I will be packing for the trip
There are hundreds of posts about packing tips on this forum -- here is a good place to start reading.

Mark