Since its inception, Route 66 has been a favorite route to travel in the United States. It represents life in an era forgotten by many and unexperienced by many more. As you travel through this section of Americana, you’ll pass vintage signs and shops, drive small town roads and big city streets, see tall prairie grasses, and meet many people who are happy to share their stories of the open road.
In fact, since its inception in 1926, thousands have traveled this “superhighway,” or the Mother Highway, as it was dubbed in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. The trail’s popularity grew thanks to Steinbeck’s book, the movie that followed, and later events like World War II, and continued to do so until the mid-1950s. However, in the 1960s and the passage of the Interstate Highway Act, Route 66 began to be rerouted to more modern four-lane highways.
When traveling on Route 66, you should expect to take a wrong turn or two, as the ride can be a bit confusing. This is because there are no current maps that include the old Route 66, as the last leg of the route was removed from “official” maps in 1984. But, if you’re planning a trip along the historic route, Here are some facts that you may find interesting.
• Route 66 was the brainchild of Cyrus Stevens of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Route actually went through his gas station and restaurant.
• Route 66 is approximately 2,448 miles long; although depending on where you track your route this can vary as there are at least 6 different alignments to choose from.
• Route 66 crosses 8 states (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California) and 3 time zones. It starts in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica.
• In 1926 only 800 miles of highway was paved before the Depression halted paving; It wasn’t until 1937 that Route 66 was paved from end to end.
• The most famous and most frequently photographed location along Route 66 is the old round barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma.
• Route 66 is also called “America’s Main Street” and the “Will Rogers Highway.”
• In 1928, a publicity stunt by the promoters of Route 66, had a race where 199 participants ran from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to New York. The race lasted 84 days. The prize was $25,000. To find out more about the entrants and who won the prize, read CC Pyle’s Amazing Foot Race by Geoff Williams.
• Elvis, Presley liked to stay at the Best Western Trade Winds Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma.
• The last original traffic sign for Route 66 was removed in 1977 in Chicago.
Route 66 has been the inspiration for songs, books, movies, and many vacations. It is seen as a link to the past, a call to freedom from the open road, and an opportunity for adventure. Today it is considered the ultimate road trip and those who travel it are sure to find many interesting places along the way.
