Route 66 Celebrates 100 Years Amid Questions on Its Viability

A Historic Milestone for Route 66

In 2026, Route 66 will commemorate a century since its official designation on April 30, 1926. This iconic highway was part of a national effort by the American Association of State Highway Officials to create a major road network connecting the U.S. from north to south and east to west. This initiative is often regarded as a modern extension of the transportation revolution that began with the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869.

Originally spanning 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California, Route 66 has undergone significant changes over the decades. By the 1960s, its length had been reduced to approximately 2,238 miles due to various realignments and updates. When it first opened, only about 800 miles were paved, with the rest being dirt, gravel, or made of wood, until it became the first fully paved U.S. highway in 1938.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Despite being officially decommissioned as a federal highway on June 27, 1985, estimates indicate that around 85% of the original Route 66 remains drivable today. However, it is no longer a single continuous road but rather a patchwork of local roads, rural routes, and extensions alongside modern highways. The route traverses eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

New Mexico boasts the longest stretch of the highway at 487 miles, while Kansas has the shortest segment, measuring just 13 miles. Throughout its history, Route 66 has been integral to the American cultural and social narrative, especially during the 1930s when the Dust Bowl forced countless families to migrate westward to California in search of employment. This migration was famously chronicled in John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ which dubbed the highway ‘The Mother Road,’ a title that solidified its place in American culture.

Challenges and Preservation Efforts

The significance of Route 66 has diminished gradually since the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, which initiated the Interstate Highway System, leading to the replacement of large sections of Route 66 with major highways such as I-55, I-44, I-40, I-15, and I-10 over the subsequent three decades. Nonetheless, there have been concerted efforts to preserve and revitalize the route.

In 1999, former President Bill Clinton signed the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Act, which allocated $10 million in matching grants for the restoration of historic sites along the highway. Additionally, in 2008, Route 66 was included in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of ‘America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.’ In 2020, Congress passed the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, establishing a commission comprising representatives from the eight states the highway crosses, aimed at organizing celebratory events and developing tourism programs for its centennial.

Looking Ahead

While some sections of Route 66 remain directly drivable, others have transformed into local roads or rural paths, with some segments permanently closed. Nonetheless, Route 66 continues to stand as a prominent historical symbol in the United States and one of the most famous road trip routes globally, attracting thousands of visitors annually eager to experience the classic journey along ‘The Mother Road’.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Route 66?

Route 66 is a historic highway that symbolizes American culture and the migration west during the Dust Bowl.

How long is Route 66 today?

Today, Route 66 is approximately 2,238 miles long, with parts of it still drivable.

What efforts have been made to preserve Route 66?

Various initiatives have been launched, including the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Act and the Route 66 Centennial Commission.

Which states does Route 66 pass through?

Route 66 traverses Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Why is Route 66 called ‘The Mother Road’?

The term ‘The Mother Road’ was popularized by John Steinbeck in his novel ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ to describe the highway’s role in American migration.