History of Route 66

Cadillac sculptures half-buried in a golden wheat field under a blue sky.

The year 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of US Highway Route 66, also known as the "Mother Road." This iconic highway stretched over 2,400 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan to the beaches of Los Angeles. Approximately 85% of this historic road is still drivable today, although under different names and highway numbers. Learn more about this highway's storied history.

Retro diner interior with red stools and checkered counter.

Courtesy of the National Archives Records of the Federal Highway Administration

An economic lifeline

Route 66 was created on November 11, 1926. While other routes were longer or older, Route 66 was the shortest highway that was usable year-round, and served as a physical and economic lifeline between the then sparsely populated West Coast, small towns along the interior, and the urban centers of the Midwest. Many businesses and services aimed at travelers sprang up along this highway.

Man, woman, and child standing by a roadside, with a suitcase and distant houses.

Courtesy of Dorothea Lange/ Farm Security Administration

The Dust Bowl

The road also played an important role during the Dust Bowl Migrations of the 1930s, where between half a million and 2.5 million migrants left the Midwest for California, after droughts, wind erosion, and topsoil deterioration resulted in several years of severe dust storms destroying their farmlands.

A complex history

With the increase in migrants, the rise of personal automobile use, and the economic boom that occurred after World War II, Route 66 was often referred to as “the highway of thrills.” But while the tourism and travel industry blossomed along this highway, these businesses did not serve the needs of all Americans, including African Americans and Native Americans.

Many cities along Route 66 were known as “sundown towns”, which forbid African-Americans from staying in the area after dark. This lead to the creation of The Negro Motorist Green-Book, a travel guide which listed safe towns, lodging, and recreation options for African-Americans along Route 66.

Today, more than half of Route 66, over 1,300 miles, passes through Tribal lands. During this centennial celebration, many Indigenous people and communities are sharing their distinct stories, including how their ways of life were impacted by the road and how they are resiliently sustaining their cultures today.

In addition, many of the national park sites found along Route 66 protect important cultural heritage sites, which have existed for thousands of years before the road was ever built. Visitors can learn about the storied histories of these lands and those who stewarded them by traveling along the highway.

White motorcycle parked with snowy mountains in the background.

Courtesy of the National Archives Records of the Federal Highway Administration

An ending and new beginning

Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, after the rise and dominance of the interstate system made the highway obsolete. However, Congress has since recognized Route 66 as “a symbol of the American people’s heritage of travel and their legacy of seeking a better life.

Today, the National Park Service operates the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which aims to protect important cultural and historic heritage sites along the original highway, while also raising awareness of the different ways the highways impacted American life.

If you are looking to “get your kicks on Route 66,” there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy, including many national parks. Get started planning your trip today.