The route was simply a series of pre-existing roads and the Route 66 designation was meant to ensure adequate and consistent markings and signage for the route as it crossed state and regional boundaries. federal highway system designated the number 66 to the route that ran from Chicago to Santa Monica. The history of Route 66 spans almost 100 years, but here is a brief history. states have a Route 66 or Highway 66 however, the “famous” Route 66 refers only to this historic route that ran from the Midwest to California. Route 66 has become a symbol of early roadside America, and tourists drive it today for its history, sites, and nostalgia. The route is no longer officially designated or signed as Route 66 (as it was decommissioned in 1985) however, more than 80% of this original route can still be driven today with the help of Route 66 guidebooks and maps. For instance, one early Route 66 alignment in New Mexico went through Santa Fe, but in 1937 Route 66 was re-routed to bypass the state capital so today’s travelers can choose which alignment of Route 66 they would like to follow at such points. Over the years, the route was continually improved, repaved, changed, and re-routed so there is no one single “Route 66” but a number of alignments. From east to west, it runs through parts of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. What is Route 66?Įssentially, Route 66 is a historic highway in the United States that ran southwestwardly from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, crossing 8 states and covering over 2,400 miles (3,900 km). This first section covers the basics of Route 66 including the history of the route, the length of the Route, the current status of the route, the starting and ending points, and the main things you can see and do along Route 66. Helpful Route 66 Road Trip Planning Websites.Inspiration for your Route 66 Road Trip.How much money to budget for Route 66 road trip?. Are Escorted or Guided Route 66 Tours Available?.Choosing Transportation for a Route 66 Road Trip?.Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary Planning Tips.I Don’t Have Time for The Full Route, What Section Should I Drive?.How Much Time Does it Take to Drive Route 66?.Should I Drive Route 66 Westward or Eastward?.When is the Best Time of Year to Travel Route 66?.Laurence and I drove Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago and loved it! We’ll share information on how to plan your own Route 66 road trip, decide when and where to go, and share advice based on our own Route 66 road trip experiences. For some travelers, it is a trip back in time to revisit a road they once traveled on a family holiday, whereas for others a Route 66 road trip is the ultimate symbol of Americana. Even though Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, people from around the world come to drive this mythic highway, stay in vintage motels, gawk at odd roadside attractions, and eat American road food. Route 66 has inspired songs, films, TV shows, books, and even a clothing brand. Today it is that classic roadside culture and the appeal of the open road that continues to attract tourists. As more Americans took to the highway, a roadside culture would spring up along Route 66-motels, diners, gas stations, tourist attractions-to cater to a population that was increasingly mobile. Later it would support a countless number of vacationing families from the Midwest heading to the Grand Canyon or Disneyland. John Steinbeck would refer to Route 66 as “the mother road, the road of flight” for those trying to escape the Dust Bowl and ravages of the Great Depression in the 1930’s. Given its “66” designation in 1926, it became a well-traveled highway, bringing together people from all walks of life. Historic Route 66 spans over 2,400 miles and crosses 8 states, starting in Chicago, Illinois and terminating at the Pacific Coast in Santa Monica, California. A Route 66 road trip is a driving adventure along what is probably the most famous road in the world.
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