Key Takeaways
- It was one of the first major highways in the U.S.
- The road grew more important after World War II
- No longer an official highway, it’s still important to American history
Route 66 was officially established on Nov. 11, 1926, meaning it’s 100 years old. Often called the Mother Road, it became one of the most famous highways in American history.
Route 66 was one of the first major highways in the United States and stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. It passed through eight states—Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California—and connected small towns with growing cities.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many families traveled west on the highway in search of work and a better life. Because of this, Route 66 became a symbol of hope, freedom, and opportunity.
The road grew even more important after World War II. Americans began taking family vacations by car, and Route 66 became filled with diners, gas stations, motels, and roadside attractions. Travelers could stop at unique places along the highway, making the journey as exciting as the destination itself. Businesses along the route depended heavily on tourists, and many small towns became popular because of the traffic Route 66 brought through them.
Route 66 also became part of American popular culture, appearing in songs, movies, television shows, and books. One famous example is the song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” by the King Cole Trio in 1946, which helped make the highway internationally famous.
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) featured the Griswold family driving down Route 66 on their way to Wally World, and the animated Disney/Pixar film Cars (2006) featured a fictional town called Radiator Springs.
It was in the 1950s and 1960s, however, when Route 66 began to decline in popularity. New highway systems were built, creating faster options for drivers that gradually replaced the older roads, and many towns along Route 66 lost business as travelers. In 1985, Route 66 was officially removed from the U.S. Highway System.
Even though it no longer exists as an official highway, Route 66 remains an important piece of American history. Many sections of the road are still preserved today, and tourists from around the world travel to experience its historic charm.
Museums, classic diners, and restored motels continue to celebrate the legacy of the Mother Road, and it remains a lasting symbol of American travel, culture, and adventure.
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About the Author
Jay Coffin has worked in journalism, digital media, television, communications, and the media fields for the last three decades. Most of that time has been spent in the sports and golf industry, helping to raise the profile of two prominent golf websites, appearing regularly on television, creating two successful podcasts, and boosting numerous social media accounts to record engagement metrics. He lives in Orlando, Fla.
