Route 66

Route 66, officially designated U.S. Route 66, stands as one of the most iconic highways in American history. Established in 1926, this legendary roadway originally stretched approximately 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, passing through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Often called the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, Route 66 became a symbol of freedom, opportunity, and the American spirit during the twentieth century.

The highway served as a major path for westward migration, particularly during the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s when thousands of families traveled its length seeking better lives in California. Author John Steinbeck immortalized this journey in his novel The Grapes of Wrath, cementing Route 66's place in American literature and cultural memory. During World War II, the route became vital for transporting military equipment and personnel, further establishing its national importance.

Route 66 reached its peak popularity during the postwar boom of the 1950s and early 1960s. As automobile ownership surged and Americans embraced road trip culture, the highway became lined with motels, diners, gas stations, and roadside attractions. These establishments catered to travelers and created a distinctive roadside culture that remains nostalgic today. The route inspired countless songs, television shows, and films, with Bobby Troup's 1946 song Get Your Kicks on Route 66 becoming an enduring anthem.

The construction of the Interstate Highway System during the 1950s and 1960s gradually rendered Route 66 obsolete. The new interstates offered faster, more direct routes that bypassed the small towns along the old highway. As traffic declined, many businesses closed, and communities that had thrived on highway commerce faced economic challenges. Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, with its route largely replaced by Interstate 40 and other modern highways.

Despite its decommissioning, Route 66 has experienced a remarkable revival as a heritage tourism destination. Preservation efforts began in the late 1980s, and in 1999 Congress established the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Today, much of the original route remains accessible, though travelers must often navigate a patchwork of old alignments, frontage roads, and short surviving segments. Historic markers, preservation societies, and dedicated enthusiasts work to maintain the highway's character and historical sites.

Modern travelers can still experience Route 66 by following various alignments and visiting preserved landmarks. Notable attractions include the Chain of Rocks Bridge near St. Louis, the Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma, Cadillac Ranch in Texas, and the Wigwam Motels in Arizona and California. Many communities along the route have embraced their Route 66 heritage, restoring vintage signage and maintaining period-appropriate architecture. Museums dedicated to the highway exist in several states, offering exhibits about its history and cultural impact.

Route 66 continues to attract international visitors, photographers, historians, and road trip enthusiasts who seek to connect with a tangible piece of American history. The highway represents an era of cross-country travel before interstate highways, a testament to mid-century American optimism, and a reminder of how transportation shapes communities and culture. Its enduring appeal lies not just in nostalgia but in the authentic glimpse it provides into a transformative period of American life.