The Mother Road, a term coined by author John Steinbeck, has transformed over decades from a route for struggling farmers escaping the destructive dust storms of the 1930s to an iconic American road trip that continues to excite.
Even with faster and more direct alternatives linking the nation’s second- and third-largest cities, Route 66’s neon signs continue to shine, inviting travelers to charming motor lodges, retro diners, and quirky roadside attractions.
Each stop inspires imagination, prompting visitors to ponder the lives of the communities that have thrived along this historic route.
Chicago has long served as one of the nation’s economic powerhouses, with access to international waters and railroads connecting every corner of the country. In the 1920s, Oklahoma businessman Cyrus Avery — often hailed as the Father of Route 66 — saw the impending dominance of automobiles and identified the Windy City as the ideal starting point for the journey he envisioned.
Avery, appointed to the federal highway board responsible for mapping the U.S. highway system, selected the number 66, knowing that those memorable double digits would resonate with motorists.
For many travelers, the journey is driven more by the culinary offerings than the scenery, and there’s a wealth of choices — homemade pies, thick shakes, cheeseburgers, and an array of fried treats.
Among the many diners along Route 66, the Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield, the capital of Illinois, has made a name for its breaded hot dogs on a stick, which have remained popular over the years. According to third-generation owner Josh Waldmire, the recipe remains a closely-guarded secret.
Waldmire’s grandfather, Ed, recognized the dish’s potential as quick and convenient road food, developing a method for frying the hot dogs vertically.
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Route 66 winds through its fair share of twists and turns, and it’s fitting that a highway famed for its eccentric roadside attractions crosses America’s most recognizable river on one uniquely designed bridge.
Approaching St. Louis, the Chain of Rocks Bridge stretches a mile (1.6 kilometers) high above the Mississippi River, towering over 60 feet (18 meters).
Eventually, engineers constructed a straighter, higher-speed alternative, allowing the original bridge to escape demolition. Today, it serves pedestrians and cyclists.
A median in Missouri houses the St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park, showcasing orphaned neon signs that once welcomed travelers to various businesses along the highway. Handcrafted, these signs were not only markers for motels, cafes, and gas stations but also acted as folk art and reflections of local culture.
Kansas may have a small stretch of Route 66, but it features the Kan-O-Tex Service Station in Galena, a classic representation of roadside memorabilia that inspired the animated 2006 Pixar film “Cars.”
Director John Lasseter and his team took road trips along the route, exploring its history for creative inspiration. In Galena, they discovered the old boom truck that became the basis for the character Tow Mater. The town’s fate echoes that of many bustling communities, reminiscent of the fictional Radiator Springs, which dwindled after being bypassed by interstate highways.
The state is also home to the Brush Creek Bridge, known as the Rainbow Bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and one of the few remaining concrete arched bridges designed by James Barney Marsh.
Traveling the road posed real dangers for some, especially Black motorists navigating hostile and segregated areas during the Jim Crow era. The Green Book — first published in 1936 by Victor Hugo Green — provided a guide on where Black travelers could find safe hotels, restaurants, and gas stations.
While not listed in The Green Book, the Threatt Filling Station near Luther served as a safe refuge for fuel, food, and baseball. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, it was the only known Black-owned gas station along Route 66.
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Route 66 is dotted with abandoned structures and faded signage, but one resilient landmark stands proudly in Sapulpa, near Tulsa. The restored Tee Pee Drive-In Theater offers a nostalgic glimpse into the 1950s, a time when the thriving car culture gave rise to thousands of drive-in theaters nationwide.
Opening in the spring of 1950 with a showing of John Wayne’s “Tycoon,” it was one of the few drive-ins of the era with paved pathways. Despite a tornado, a fire that destroyed the concession stand, and multiple break-ins, it closed for over two decades before reopening in 2023.
Don’t blink as you approach the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo; stopping here is essential during any Route 66 adventure. Visitors have been spray-painting the 10 vintage Cadillacs at the site for decades, reflecting on the fleeting nature of time, much like Bruce Springsteen did in his 1980 song of the same name.
Though not a ranch, it’s actually a public art installation created in 1974 by the art collective Ant Farm. Initially, the cars, buried nose-first at a 60-degree angle, were targeted for shooting practice. Later, visitors began to leave their marks with spray paint.
Arriving in Adrian signifies that you’re halfway through your journey. Just a step away from a white line designating Route 66’s midpoint is the Midway Cafe, where the “ugly pies” are anything but.
If you’re still hungry, head back to Amarillo for a 72-ounce (2-kilogram) steak and sides at The Big Texan. Finish the meal in under an hour, and it’s free.
More than half of Route 66 traverses sovereign Native American territories, often mirroring paths used by tribes long before settlers arrived. Similar to how the railroad opened new commercial opportunities in the 1800s, the highway altered commerce and led to stereotypes about indigenous cultures.
Along the historic highway, there remain faded references to tipis and feathered headdresses. Those symbols, often misused for marketing by roadside vendors, don’t accurately represent the unique cultures of Native Americans in the area.
Today, tribes are reclaiming their narratives and celebrating their traditions through pottery, fruit pies, and poetry.
Albuquerque features the longest continuous urban segment of Route 66. This 18-mile (29-kilometer) stretch winds through various neighborhoods and business districts, from historic Old Town to Nob Hill.
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The old motor lodges and neon signs along what is now Central Avenue have seen restoration, while others are being reimagined with hubcaps, vibrant lowrider-style paint, and New Mexico’s iconic yellow and red license plates, celebrating the enduring car culture of the area.
Musician Jackson Browne was on his own road trip in the early 1970s when his car broke down in Winslow. This incident inspired the lyrics for the Eagles’ classic “Take it Easy.” But that’s just one of many essential songs for any Route 66 playlist.
Bobby Troup penned a timeless road anthem in the 1940s with “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” with artists like Nat King Cole, Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, and Depeche Mode adding their unique twists throughout the decades.
While standing on the corner in Winslow, don’t be surprised if someone approaches with a guitar, ready to strum tunes from their own road trip playlist.
Before leaving the state, visit the former gold mining town of Oatman, known for its Wild West vibe, daily staged shootouts, and beloved burros. Oatman was once part of one of the original Route 66 alignments via a challenging route through the Black Mountains, but it was bypassed during 1950s improvements.
Once a desert oasis, Roy’s Motel & Café in Amboy stands as a quintessential Route 66 icon. Its towering neon sign is one of the most photographed spots on the highway. Inside, a wall is lined with currency left by international visitors. Nearby, a clothing post bedecked with shoes, shirts, and other items rises up from the desert landscape.
This stretch of highway through the Mojave Desert offers a unique sense of solitude. While the pavement can be rough in places, the landscape showcases Joshua trees, wide-open spaces, and remnants of ancient volcanic activity.
Much of this region remains undeveloped, resembling what it looked like when Route 66 was established in 1926.
Reaching the iconic Santa Monica Pier marks the final destination after navigating often congested Los Angeles. The pier buzzes with activity, featuring a constant flow of spectators and performers. Although numerous parts of Route 66 have fallen into disrepair, the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean remind travelers of the dreams and adventures made possible by this historic road over the past century.
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