Route 66, one of the most iconic highways in the United States, will celebrate its centenary in 2026. Its fame dates back to the song 'Get Your Kicks on Route 66,' composed by Bobby Troup in 1946 and popularized by the King Cole Trio, which references this important route.
Officially inaugurated in 1926, the route connects downtown Chicago, Illinois, near Lake Michigan, to the coast of Los Angeles, specifically the Santa Monica pier in California, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean.
With a length exceeding 2,400 miles (approximately 4,000 kilometers), Route 66 winds through eight American states. The landscape varies drastically, ranging from the agricultural areas of Illinois and the Ozark hills in Missouri, through the old mining areas of Kansas and the forests of Oklahoma, to the ranches of Texas, the arid plateaus of New Mexico and Arizona, culminating in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the route solidified itself as a symbol of freedom and a highly desired tourist destination for travelers seeking to experience the cross-country journey across the United States, echoing the atmosphere of films like 'Easy Rider,' released in 1969, which was filmed at various points along the route.
Founded in 1926 during the implementation of the first federal highway system in the U.S., Route 66 carries a history intrinsically linked to the socioeconomic changes of the country throughout the 20th century. The U.S. 66 Highway Association promoted the route as the fastest and most economical way to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles, which spurred the commercial development of many rural communities thanks to the drivers passing through.
During the 1930s, the Great Depression and severe sandstorms in the central region (known as the Dust Bowl) forced thousands of families to migrate along Route 66 toward California, seeking better living conditions and employment.
It wasn't until the 1950s, after the end of World War II, that Route 66 took its current form. With the sharp growth in automobile sales, the route became an icon of tourism and, primarily, freedom. At that time, trips often aimed for the Grand Canyon and the newly opened Disneyland, which stimulated the emergence of roadside attractions, such as themed hotels.
However, starting in 1956, a new system of interstate highways began to replace the original route, which was eventually superseded by five major expressways. In 1985, the road gained notoriety as the most famous in the U.S., but it became obsolete for its initial purposes and ceased to be a unified federal highway. Despite this, much of its path remains accessible, preserved as state roads, local routes, or historical routes under the name Historic Route 66.
Route 66 spans eight distinct states and offers numerous attractions. One point of interest is the Route 66 Hall of Fame, located in Pontiac, south of Chicago, where historical artifacts and rare items from the era are displayed, including the van of artist Bob Waldmire, known for artistically mapping the entire route.
In Clinton, Oklahoma, there is the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, dedicated to preserving the memory of the road. This museum exhibits 1950s vehicles and replicas of classic scenes, notably characterized by Googie architecture, a futuristic style that flourished in the Atomic Age and influenced American diners and drive-ins.
Following the Googie aesthetic, the Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios store, also visitable, sells creative souvenirs based on a retro aesthetic, blending futuristic elements with American heartland culture.
In Tucumcari, New Mexico, there are several vintage hotels, such as the Blue Swallow Motel and the Motel Safari, famous for their bright neon signs, offering overnight stays to visitors before they continue along the road. Fans of the television series Breaking Bad can drive down Central Avenue in Albuquerque, where several scenes from the production were filmed.
In Adrian, Texas, the Midpoint Café stands out, a restaurant marking the halfway point of Route 66. Additionally, the Texas region inspired iconic scenes from the Pixar animated film Cars (released in 2006). The U-Drop Inn station in Shamrock served as a visual reference for Ramone's garage design, while the character Fillmore pays homage to Bob Waldmire's psychedelic van.