A painted road sign along Route 66. Originally written for RootsRated
Route 66, or “the Mother Road” as John Steinbeck called it, is one of the founding members of the U.S. highway system. Spanning just under 2,500 miles, this historic roadway cuts across the U.S. from Chicago to Santa Monica and, needless to say, passes through an almost unbelievable amount of iconic sights and sites along the way.
This infamous road has been the catalyst for many things in her day, but she’s perhaps best known for her role in the classic American road trip. Alongside the boom of the automobile industry, Americans fell in love with the freedom and joy that can be found on the road and, while there are now several iconic trips to take across the U.S., Route 66 consistently claims the top spot, no doubt because of her historic links to American culture.
As if you needed another reason to hop on Route 66, this beauty is celebrating her 90th birthday this year. So if you’ve been looking for an excuse to take a road trip, consider it found. Even if you’re not already looking for a way to get outta dodge, after soaking up all the Route 66 glory that follows, we dare you not to end up planning a drive along the Mother Road sometime soon.
History lovers rejoice
Before its formal establishment in 1926, Route 66 was once a testing route for the feasibility of camels as pack animals in the southwestern desert and, later, a conglomeration of privately marked “auto trails.” It wasn’t until the early 1900s that Congress passed an act that established public highways that included Route 66.
Eventually the route became a popular truck route in its own right and even more so during the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s. Route 66 became a central pathway west for those seeking a new shot at life; thus, it quickly became a lifeline for the towns along the way. While crops were suffering across most of the country, folks along the roadway could make a living by running gas stations or working in restaurants frequented by travelers. Route 66 was massively influential in the rise of mom-and-pop shops of all kinds, many of which are still around today and have earned spots on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1938, Route 66 became the first fully-paved road. It grew in popularity through the 1950s as vacationers hit the road for LA. History followed closely behind—Route 66 lays claim to the first McDonald’s, and caverns that supposedly housed Jesse James when he was on the run.
Later in the 1950s came the Interstate Highway Act, which marked the start of a decline for the roadway. In the following years, Route 66 was re-routed and by-passed and even converted to four-lane highways in some places. However, despite the massive change and development the route has seen, several stretches of it remain in their original forms and are now official members of the National Scenic Byway system.
Get your kicks
As if the incredible amount of history to be encountered along the road isn’t enough in its own right, Route 66 has so much to offer when it comes to pit stops and sightseeing as well. The road has a practically endless amount of kitschy gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more to enjoy.
As far as snooze time goes, quirky hotels reign supreme. The Belvidere Motel in Illinois, the Blue Swallow Motel in New Mexico, and the New Corral Motel in California are all great representations of the art deco-inspired digs that dot the road. If you’re still looking to get a fix of the outdoors at night, there are plenty of places to camp along the way, but Enchanted Trails and Cactus (especially if you need a wifi fix) are two of the best.
When it comes to filling up your tank, Route 66 gas stations aren't simply fill spots—they’re full blown attractions themselves. These vintage beauties deserve their own consideration along the way: Ambler’s Texaco Station, the Magnolia Service Station, and Provine Service Station (known to many as “The Mother of the Mother Road”).
As meditative as road trips can be, sometimes breaks are necessary. Luckily, there are lots of options for entertainment throughout, like the 66 Drive-In (you don’t even have to get out of your car!), the McLain Rogers Amphitheatre, and the Rialto Theatre.
And last, but certainly not least, are the one-of-a-kind roadside sights you’ll see along the way. From water towers disguised as giant ketchup bottles to a milk bottle atop a grocery store and a ton of old school bridges, the unique sights along Route 66 will have you swooning with delight.
All that’s left is a plan
If Route 66 has suddenly jumped to the top of your travel list (and no one will blame you if it has), there are so many places to get all the extended info you need: Check out the route’s site itself, Road Trip USA’s take on it, and national66.org to kick things off and you can’t go wrong.
Originally written by RootsRated for Craghoppers.
Featured image provided by Vincente Villamon