Route 66 Turns 100: An Epic Road Trip Through 8 States and 3 Time Zones

From Chicago to Santa Monica, the historic Mother Road offers a century of Americana, quirky roadside attractions, and timeless Americana.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

As the iconic Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary, travelers are flocking to experience the legendary highway that stretches across eight states and three time zones. From the Windy City to the Pacific Coast, the Mother Road offers a journey through a century of American history, culture, and car culture, with restored motor lodges, classic diners, and quirky roadside attractions beckoning visitors to stop and soak in the nostalgia.

Why it matters

Route 66 has evolved from a practical escape route for Dust Bowl farmers to perhaps the quintessential American road trip, capturing the nation's car-centric culture and the changing landscape of small-town America over the past century. As many sections of the historic highway have fallen into disrepair, the 100th anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate and preserve this iconic piece of Americana.

The details

The 2,448-mile Route 66 winds through eight states, from Illinois to California, offering travelers a glimpse into the country's past. In Illinois, the journey begins in Chicago, where the highway's founder, Cyrus Avery, envisioned the road as a way to connect the nation's second- and third-largest cities. Along the way, travelers can stop at classic diners like the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, known for its secret-recipe breaded hot dogs. In Missouri, the highway crosses the Mississippi River on the unique Chain of Rocks Bridge, while in Kansas, the Kan-O-Tex Service Station in Galena served as inspiration for the Pixar film 'Cars.' Oklahoma was home to the Threatt Filling Station, a safe haven for Black motorists during the Jim Crow era, and the restored Tee Pee Drive-In Theater in Sapulpa. In Texas, the iconic Cadillac Ranch art installation in Amarillo and the Midway Cafe in Adrian, where travelers can stop for 'ugly pies,' are must-see stops. New Mexico showcases the longest intact urban stretch of Route 66 in Albuquerque, while Arizona offers musical landmarks like the corner in Winslow that inspired the Eagles' hit 'Take it Easy.' The journey ends at the Santa Monica Pier in California, where the Pacific Ocean provides a breathtaking backdrop to the road's century-long legacy.

  • Route 66 was commissioned in 1926.
  • The Tee Pee Drive-In Theater in Sapulpa, Oklahoma officially reopened in 2023 after being shuttered for more than 20 years.

The players

Cyrus Avery

An Oklahoma businessman known as the 'Father of Route 66' who was a member of the federal highway board and helped map the U.S. highway system, choosing the number 66 for its marketing potential.

Ed Waldmire

The grandfather of Josh Waldmire, the third-generation owner of the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, who developed a system for frying hot dogs vertically as convenient road food.

Victor Hugo Green

The publisher of 'The Green Book,' a guide that listed hotels, restaurants, and gas stations that would serve Black customers during the Jim Crow era.

Ant Farm

The art and architecture collective that created the Cadillac Ranch public art installation in Amarillo, Texas in 1974.

Jackson Browne

The musician whose car broke down in Winslow, Arizona, inspiring the lyrics to the Eagles' hit song 'Take it Easy.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If you've ever planned to motor west and take the highway that's the best, this might be the time: Route 66 turns 100 this year.”

— Susan Montoya Bryan, Author

“The Mother Road, as author John Steinbeck dubbed it, has evolved over the years from an escape for poor farmers fleeing the devastating dust storms of the 1930s to perhaps the quintessential American road trip that's still delivering kicks.”

— Susan Montoya Bryan, Author

What’s next

As Route 66 celebrates its centennial, communities along the historic highway are planning a variety of events and initiatives to commemorate the occasion, including festivals, museum exhibits, and restoration projects to preserve the iconic landmarks and roadside attractions that have defined the Mother Road for the past 100 years.

The takeaway

Route 66 has endured as a symbol of American freedom, adventure, and the open road for a century, evolving from a practical escape route to a quintessential road trip that captures the nation's car culture and the changing landscape of small-town America. The 100th anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate this iconic piece of Americana and ensure its legacy continues for generations to come.