ITV - Billy Connolly's Route 66 (2011) Part 4 Monument Valley to Santa Monica

Billy Connolly fulfils a lifelong dream of travelling the world’s most famous highway – Route 66.

The 2488 mile long road from Chicago to Santa Monica is the embodiment of the American dream and, set to a soundtrack of some of the best American music of the 20th century, Billy will be taking in everything from the skyscrapers of Chicago and St Louis to the Wild West badlands of Oklahoma and Texas.

Astride his Boom motor-trike, Billy will see the Grand Canyon, the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, the beaches of the Pacific and the excesses of LA. Along the way he'll meet the disciples of Route 66, from seasoned “roadies” to first-timers living the dream. He’ll also learn about key figures and events that have shaped the richly diverse culture and character of the US past and present.

Billy says: “How many other roads do you know that people sing about? It’s just one of those places you long to see. Ever since I was a wee boy in Glasgow I have fantasised about getting my kicks on Route 66. “This will be a tale in tarmac of presidents and paupers, cowboys and Indians, diners and drive-thrus, framed in a landscape from 100 movies with a soundtrack of the greatest music in the world – rock n roll. We’re going to have lots of fun, meet lots of people and see lots of things.”

Part 4 Monument Valley to Santa Monica

Billy marvels at a massive meteorite crater in Arizona before heading to the Grand Canyon, which he reaches by a steam train fuelled with discarded vegetable oil. He meets an 84-year-old barber, dubbed the 'Godfather of Route 66', who tirelessly campaigns to keep the historic route alive. Entering LA, Billy checks out some of the city's coolest lo-rider cars, then soars over the gridlocked freeways in a helicopter. Reaching the end of the road overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica, Billy reflects on his extraordinary 3,000-mile journey.