![]() If you're traversing the entirety of the route, don't forget a stop for a soda at the Midpoint Cafe in New Mexico, exactly 1,139 miles between the beginning and end of this iconic road. You can also choose to travel route 66 based on the attractions that appeal to you most, like the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, Illinois, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, or the Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri. You can choose to go state by state, starting on an Oklahoma route or an Illinois route and seeing every nook and cranny of that state's iconic path. ![]() Talking to those with experience along the route is a great way to learn more about the best places to visit, what to do, and what to avoid. You can find enthusiasts all over the internet and across the route itself. Įven though the official road is gone, the communities and roadside attractions around Route 66 ensure its life and influence never go away. Thankfully, many parts of the old Route 66 are still connected as a National Scenic Byway called “Historic Route 66.” You can also find “State Route 66” designations in different states along the way, and there's even an " End of the Trail " sign at the end of California 's Santa Monica Pier. Since Route 66 has officially been disbanded and replaced by interstates, you’ll need to trace your personal journey along different portions of this former highway. Unlike a typical road trip along an interstate, your path may not be as straightforward - but it will have plenty of treasures to discover. Most importantly, it means your journey will take a fair amount of road trip planning. So, what does that mean for your Route 66 road trip ? However, the rich history and culture of Route 66 live on and inspire thousands of people from around the world to make their way out west to experience it. In the 1980s, the highway was replaced by interstates which offer an even faster way to get around. Of course, this was the central path traveled by the Joad family in John Steinbeck 's Grapes of Wrath, and you can still follow their same journey down Route 66 today. Before then, Route 66 was used in the '30s by people trying to escape the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. Primarily, it was the shortest path from the midwest to the West Coast, connecting the major cities of Chicago and Los Angeles along with other cities on the way like Springfield in Missouri, Baxter Springs in Kansas, and Tulsa in Oklahoma.Īfter World War II, it became the primary path traveled by those looking to shift from the Rust Belt to the West Coast's Sun Belt. At that time, Route 66 was a crucial center of commute, commerce, and culture. While Route 66 was once an official highway - and at one time arguably the United State’s most important - it has since been disbanded.Īlso called the " Main Street of America ," Route 66 was originally built in the 1920s and 1930s. We’re covering some of the most popular ways to drive Route 66, plus a few tips ranging from the practical to pure fun. There are many ways to tackle this exciting but challenging trek. Today, our focus isn’t so much around the stops along the way, but your actual journey through Route 66. Stretching from its origin in Chicago nearly two and a half thousand miles to its curtain call in Los Angeles, Route 66 offers a plethora of gorgeous scenery and historic points of interest, but it's also a meaningful path in and of itself. Still, the remnants of Route 66 offer one of the best journeys to be found across the US even today. Once the greatest highway in the USA, the mother road is no longer officially recognized by the Federal Highway Administration. When thinking of American road trips and travel, there is perhaps nothing more iconic than Route 66.
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