Route 66 is one of the most famous highways in the U.S. It’s inspired books, songs, and even movies like Cars! This month is Route 66’s 100th anniversary.
The road was created in 1926 as part of the country’s first federal highway system. It originally connected Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. As more American families owned cars, cruising Route 66 became a popular vacation choice. Over the years, parts of it became interstates and Route 66 was decommissioned as an official highway in 1985. But many stretches are drivable today, and it remains a popular road trip route.
“Seeing people from so many different places come together for Route 66 makes me feel hopeful and proud,” says Bill Thomas, a Route 66 centennial commissioner. “Even when we’re different, we can share something we all love and celebrate it side by side.”