Route 66 Road Trip Guide Updated
An updated Route 66 road trip guide maps out can't-miss attractions and retro stops along America's classic cross-country drive from Chicago to Santa Monica. The guide highlights the enduring appeal of this nostalgic journey through the heart of the country.
- U.S. Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926, and originally stretched over 2,448 miles. It was not completely paved until 1938, a project completed with the help of New Deal programs during the Great Depression. - The highway gained the nickname "The Mother Road" from John Steinbeck's 1939 novel, "The Grapes of Wrath," as it was a major migration path for families fleeing the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. - Cyrus Avery, a Tulsa businessman, is considered the "Father of Route 66" for his efforts in promoting the creation of a direct route between Chicago and Los Angeles. - During World War II, the route served as a key military transport corridor for moving troops and supplies. - The rise of the Interstate Highway System, championed by President Eisenhower after being inspired by Germany's Autobahn, led to the decline of Route 66. The highway was officially decommissioned in 1985. - While it's no longer an official U.S. Highway, about 85% of the original route is still drivable. Preservation efforts led to the creation of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program by Congress in 1999. - For Black travelers during the Jim Crow era, the "The Negro Motorist Green Book" was an essential guide for finding safe lodging, restaurants, and service stations along the route. - The year 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of Route 66, and many towns along the historic path are planning centennial celebrations.
