Legendary Road
U.S. Route 66 opened in 1926 and stretched roughly 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica before it was officially decommissioned in 1985. Once the primary cross-country artery, sections of it were replaced by the Interstate freeway system. But a lot of the old route is still drivable today, inviting travelers to step back into its throwback road trip culture.
Dietmar Rabich, Wikimedia Commons
Chicago: Where It All Starts
Route 66 officially began on Adams Street and Michigan Avenue in Chicago. This busy urban starting point features historic signage, classic diners, and museums that celebrate the early highway culture of the 20th century. From here, travelers can trace the so-called “Mother Road” from the streets of the Windy City out onto the wide open plains.
AlphaBeta135, Wikimedia Commons
Joliet And Wilmington Classics
Just southwest of Chicago, Joliet and Wilmington, Illinois still boast early Route 66 highlights. Murals, preserved downtowns, and the iconic Gemini Giant statue reflect roadside Americana. These towns are a great intro to travelers wanting to check out quirky roadside art, photography stops, and nostalgia that make up a lot of the Illinois stretch of the Route.
Gorup de Besanez, Wikimedia Commons
Springfield’s Presidential History
Springfield, Illinois blends its Route 66 heritage with Abraham Lincoln history. Travelers pass vintage diners, neon signs, and historic motels and detour to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
Boots Court Motel In Missouri
Further south, the Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri represents streamlined modernist lodging from the 1930s. Still in operation today, it gives travelers a chance to experience some genuine midcentury road trip accommodations and connect directly with the golden age of Route 66 travel.
Red Cedar Inn And Roadside Culture
The Red Cedar Inn in Pacific, Missouri opened in 1934 and became a beloved Route 66 stop. Serving travelers for generations, it symbolizes the importance of roadside diners and the social side of long distance travel along the Mother Road.
Original uploader was Kbh3rd (talk), Wikimedia Commons
The Kansas Stretch: Short But Scenic
Kansas hosts a brief but memorable section of Route 66 near Baxter Springs. Historic bridges, preserved road alignments, and classic signage mark the route. Though short, this stretch offers a more sedate glimpse into rural Route 66 life.
Gorup de Besanez, Wikimedia Commons
Oklahoma’s Heartland Highlights
Oklahoma features long drivable sections filled with neon signs, museums, and historic gas stations. Oklahoma City adds urban flair, while smaller towns showcase preserved garages and motels that highlight the heartland spirit of the route.
G. Edward Johnson, Wikimedia Commons
Texas Panhandle Dash
The Texas Panhandle includes the official midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian. Travelers often stop at the Midpoint Café and nearby Cadillac Ranch, where classic cars are buried nose down into the ground, another example of the eccentric people and places you can run into in the wide-open American landscape.
Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons
New Mexico’s Nostalgic Motels
New Mexico’s Route 66 corridor features neon-lit motels and roadside attractions in towns like Tucumcari. Scenic desert backdrops and preserved signage make this stretch one of the more visually memorable parts of the journey.
Pom' from France, European Union, Wikimedia Commons
Albuquerque’s Cultural Crossroads
Albuquerque blends Route 66 nostalgia with Southwestern culture. Old Town plazas, classic diners, and murals mark the route through the city, showing how Route 66 merged local character into the growing national travel culture.
John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons
Petrified Forest And Painted Desert
Near Holbrook, Arizona, Route 66 travelers can stop off and check out Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert. These striking natural landscapes are in stark contrast to the nearby neon signs and vintage motels of the town, but that’s the great thing about the Route: it makes natural wonders an essential part of the road trip experience.
dconvertini, Wikimedia Commons
Winslow’s Standin’ On The Corner Park
Winslow, Arizona celebrates Route 66 pop culture at Standin’ On The Corner Park. Inspired by the famous Eagles song lyric, the park also includes statues and murals, blending music history with small town roadside charm.
Flagstaff’s Mountain Serenity
Flagstaff offers high elevation scenery, pine forests, and historic Route 66 storefronts. Coffee shops, diners, and preserved signs create a calm mountain stop, while nearby attractions expand the cultural appeal. A great place to stop off and relax for a bit.
Derek Cashman at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
Kingman’s Old Time Route 66 Feel
Kingman, Arizona preserves its Route 66 identity through museums and restored facades. Exhibits go into great detail about early highway travel, making the town feel like a living snapshot of the golden age of Route 66.
JlsElsewhere, Wikimedia Commons
California’s Desert Roadscapes
Coming into California near Needles, travelers find themselves passing through wide desert stretches dotted here and there by picturesque roadside art. Isolated landscapes are reminders of how Route 66 used to connect a lot of remote desert communities across the American Southwest.
Doug Wertman, Wikimedia Commons
Cucamonga Service Station
The Cucamonga Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga is one of those rare surviving examples of early roadside service architecture. At one time it was a vital refueling stop, but now stands as a monument to the old infrastructure that supported early automobile travel.
Einbierbitte, Wikimedia Commons
Santa Monica Pier: Western Terminus
Route 66 officially ends at the Santa Monica Pier, where End of the Trail markers celebrate the journey’s conclusion. Ocean views take the place of dusty desert highways, marking a symbolic finish to America’s best known cross-country highway.
Christian Beiwinkel, Wikimedia Commons
Historic Bridges And Neon Signs
Bridges like the Chain of Rocks near St. Louis and preserved neon signs across multiple states are other great examples of Route 66’s visual identity. Neon parks restore and display historic signage, keeping midcentury roadside design alive.
Chris Yunker, Wikimedia Commons
Route 66 Museums And Exhibits
Museums along Route 66 showcase vehicles, signage, and personal stories. These exhibits trace how the road influenced migration, commerce, and culture, adding context and depth to the driving experience.
Classic Diners And Local Eateries
Route 66 diners and cafés are still central attractions. From small town counters to restored roadside restaurants, these restaurants provide both meals and a kind of living history, reflecting regional flavor and hospitality.
Domenico Convertini from Zurich, Schweiz, Wikimedia Commons
Ghost Towns And Abandoned Roadside Gems
Along old alignments, travelers can find ghost towns, abandoned motels, and shuttered gas stations. These remnants are a great way to look back on all the economic and population shifts after the interstates started bypassing Route 66. It all adds another haunting layer of fascination to the journey.
Renelibrary, Wikimedia Commons
Annual Events And Celebrations
Route 66 festivals, car cruises, and other heritage events celebrate the highway’s enduring appeal. These gatherings bring communities together and allow travelers to experience the culture of Route 66 in motion. This year will be the centennial of the Route’s opening, with a Kickoff Celebration scheduled for the end of April in Springfield, Missouri.
Tips For Driving Route 66
Planning is key when driving Route 66. The Route’s old historic path often diverges from interstates, and the signage varies from place to place. Use detailed maps and local guides to ensure that you get to experience the most important stops and preserved road segments.
The Lasting Allure Of Route 66
Although it was officially decommissioned in 1985, Route 66 is still going strong as a celebrated historic scenic byway. The rich mixture of history, landscapes, and roadside culture keeps the spirit of the Great American Road Trip alive.
Randy Heinitz, Wikimedia Commons
You May Also Like:
The Best States For Exploring Old Ghost Towns
Ranking American States With The Best Local Cuisine, According To Foodies
,_Hist._Route_66_--_2012_--_1.jpg#/media/File:Amboy_(California,_USA),_Hist._Route_66_--_2012_--_1.jpg){kind=link}