In 1926, the United States officially commissioned US Route 66 — a highway that would become the most iconic road in America. One hundred years later, the Mother Road is celebrating its centennial, and there has never been a better time to drive it.

Route 66 stretches 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, passing through eight states and some of the most diverse landscapes in America — the flat farmlands of Illinois, the rolling hills of Missouri, the red rock country of Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, the high desert of New Mexico and Arizona, and the Mojave Desert of California. It's a journey through the heart of America, past the diners and drive-ins and neon signs that defined mid-century American culture.

The centennial year brings special events, new exhibits, and renewed attention to the towns and landmarks that make Route 66 one of the great travel experiences in the world.

Route 66 begins at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Adams Street in Chicago — a plaque in the sidewalk marks the official starting point. From Chicago, the route heads southwest through the Illinois heartland, passing through small towns that have preserved their Route 66 heritage with pride.

Springfield, Illinois is the most significant stop in the Illinois section — the state capital, Abraham Lincoln's hometown, and a city with deep Route 66 roots. The Cozy Dog Drive In — birthplace of the corn dog on a stick — has been serving Route 66 travelers since 1949. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is one of the finest presidential museums in the country.

For the complete Springfield guide, see our Springfield Illinois: Route 66 & Lincoln History article.

2026 Centennial Events in Illinois: Springfield is planning a full calendar of Route 66 centennial events throughout 2026, including a major exhibition at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and a Route 66 festival in September.

Missouri's Route 66 passes through St. Louis — where the Gateway Arch marks the symbolic gateway to the West — and then winds through the Ozark Mountains, with their dramatic scenery and charming small towns.

St. Louis offers the Gateway Arch National Park, the City Museum (one of the most creative museums in America), and a food scene that has been drawing national attention. The Ted Drewes Frozen Custard stand on Route 66 has been a St. Louis institution since 1929.

Cuba, Missouri — the "Mural City of Route 66" — has decorated its buildings with large-scale murals that tell the story of the town and the highway. It's one of the most photogenic stops on the Missouri section.

Oklahoma has more miles of original Route 66 than any other state, and the Oklahoma section is where the highway's character is most authentic. The small towns along the Oklahoma route have preserved their Route 66 heritage with genuine enthusiasm.

Miami, Oklahoma is celebrating the Route 66 Centennial and USA250 with a full calendar of events throughout 2026. The historic Coleman Theatre — a stunning Spanish Mission Revival building from 1929 — anchors the downtown and continues to host performances and events. For the complete guide, see our Miami Oklahoma: Route 66 Centennial Celebrations 2026 article.

Sapulpa, Oklahoma is one of the most authentic Route 66 towns in the state — historic neon signs, vintage storefronts, and classic diners line the original alignment of the highway. The Sapulpa Historical Museum tells the story of the city's development alongside the highway. For the complete guide, see our Sapulpa Oklahoma: Route 66 History & Charm article.

Tulsa — the "Oil Capital of the World" — offers excellent Art Deco architecture, a thriving arts scene, and several Route 66 landmarks including the Blue Dome District and the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza.

Oklahoma City offers the Oklahoma City National Memorial (one of the most moving memorials in America), the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and excellent restaurants in the Bricktown entertainment district.

The Texas section of Route 66 is short — just 178 miles across the Texas Panhandle — but it's one of the most dramatic sections of the highway. The flat, treeless landscape of the Panhandle creates a sense of vast, open space that is unlike anything else on the route.

Amarillo is the major city on the Texas section, home to the famous Big Texan Steak Ranch (where a 72-ounce steak is free if you can eat it in an hour) and the Cadillac Ranch — an art installation of 10 Cadillacs buried nose-first in a field that has become one of the most photographed landmarks on Route 66.

The Texas Panhandle offers the Palo Duro Canyon State Park — the "Grand Canyon of Texas" — just south of Amarillo. The canyon is 120 miles long and up to 800 feet deep, with spectacular red rock scenery.

New Mexico's Route 66 passes through Albuquerque and Santa Fe — two of the most culturally rich cities in the Southwest — and through the high desert landscape that defines the region.

Albuquerque offers Old Town (the historic heart of the city), the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (the largest balloon festival in the world, held in October), and excellent New Mexican cuisine.

Santa Fe — the oldest state capital in the United States — offers world-class art galleries, exceptional restaurants, and the Palace of the Governors (the oldest public building in the United States).

Arizona's Route 66 passes through Flagstaff — the gateway to the Grand Canyon — and through the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park.

Williams, Arizona — the last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by I-40 (in 1984) — has preserved its Route 66 character with exceptional care. The town is also the southern terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway, which offers a historic train ride to the South Rim.

Seligman, Arizona — the "Birthplace of Historic Route 66" — is where the effort to preserve Route 66 began in 1987. The town's main street is a living museum of Route 66 culture, with vintage signs, classic cars, and the legendary Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In.

California's Route 66 passes through the Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains before descending to the Los Angeles Basin and the Pacific Ocean.

Barstow — the gateway to the California desert — offers the Route 66 Mother Road Museum and the Calico Ghost Town, a silver mining town from the 1880s.

San Bernardino is where Route 66 enters the Los Angeles Basin, passing through a landscape of suburban sprawl that was once orange groves and vineyards.

Santa Monica — the end of the road — offers the Santa Monica Pier, where a sign marks the western terminus of Route 66. The pier's Ferris wheel, the Pacific Ocean, and the sense of having completed one of the great American journeys make this a genuinely emotional destination.

The Route 66 Centennial is being celebrated with events throughout the year along the entire length of the highway:

• Route 66 International Festival (September 2026) — a major celebration in multiple cities along the route
• Centennial Commemorative Markers — new historical markers at significant locations along the route
• Museum Exhibitions — special exhibitions at museums along the route celebrating 100 years of Route 66 history
• Centennial Road Rally — an organized drive along the entire route, with events at major stops

The full Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica is 2,400 miles. Driving straight through would take about 40 hours — but that's not the point. Most travelers allow 2–3 weeks for the full route, with time to explore the towns and landmarks along the way.

A shorter version — focusing on the most iconic sections — can be done in 7–10 days.

Spring (April–May): Excellent weather throughout the route. Wildflowers in the desert sections. Fewer crowds than summer.

Fall (September–October): The best time for the full route — comfortable temperatures everywhere, excellent light for photography, and the Route 66 festival season.

Summer (June–August): Peak season. The desert sections (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California) can be extremely hot. The Oklahoma and Illinois sections are pleasant.

Winter (November–March): The desert sections are beautiful in winter, but the mountain sections (New Mexico, Arizona) can have snow. Not recommended for the full route.

• Route 66 Alliance (national66.org) — the official organization for Route 66 preservation and promotion
• EZ66 Guide — the most comprehensive turn-by-turn guide to the original Route 66 alignment
• Route 66 News (route66news.com) — current news and events along the route

Is Route 66 still drivable? Yes — most of the original Route 66 alignment is still drivable, though some sections have been replaced by I-40 or other highways. The EZ66 Guide provides turn-by-turn directions for the original alignment.

What is the best section of Route 66? The Oklahoma section has the most original Route 66 character. The Arizona section has the most dramatic scenery. The Illinois section has the most history. The best section depends on what you're looking for.

Do I need a special vehicle for Route 66? No — any standard vehicle can drive Route 66. Some sections of the original alignment are unpaved, but these can be bypassed.

How much does a Route 66 road trip cost? Budget about $150–$200 per day for two people, including gas, food, and accommodations. The full route costs $3,000–$5,000 for two people over 2–3 weeks.

For more information, visit national66.org. Also explore our guides to Springfield Illinois: Route 66 & Lincoln History, Miami Oklahoma: Route 66 Centennial 2026, and Sapulpa Oklahoma: Route 66 History & Charm.