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Most roads simply take you from one place to another. A few become destinations worth experiencing in their own right. Such is definitely the case with Route 66, one of the most recognizable highways in the USA.

Route 66 undoubtedly captured the imaginations of generations. But what exactly made it so special? More importantly, how does a highway that’s no longer in use as such still manage to draw so many road trippers from around the world? Let’s take a trip through its past and present to find out!

Why visit Route 66?

Authenticity is the most compelling reason to visit America’s most iconic highway. Today, things are increasingly standardized, and travelers' attention is split mostly between the country’s major cities and natural attractions. Route 66 preserves a part of the nation’s history when the quirky adventure of traveling by car through small towns and along scenic routes was as memorable as the destination.

The highway shields, mid-century motels, unique roadside attractions, and restored neon signage that can still be found on preserved stretches of the highway are what generations think of first when the USA and its uniquely colorful culture come to mind. Route 66 also spans eight states, letting travelers experience everything from the wide-open Midwestern plains to the deserts of Arizona and southern California.

While Route 66 is experiencing a revival, it’s important to note that it’s not a single continuous highway anymore. Its modern version combines original sections with local roads and connecting highways. You’ll want to have access to maps and navigation tools at all times, especially if you’re from abroad and not used to American transportation idiosyncrasies. A USA eSIM lets you stay connected without having to wonder if the next stop provides free Wi-Fi.

A highway is born (1926-1945)

While the auto industry was booming by the 1920s, the US’s road infrastructure had serious catching up to do. Roads in major urban areas were reasonably well developed. Yet beyond the city limits, the USA was mostly connected by a patchwork of dirt, sand, and gravel trails built by automobile associations and manufacturers.

Route 66 was put into operation on November 11th, 1926, the same year the federal government formally established the US Numbered Highway System. Its eastern terminus was in Chicago, Illinois, while the western one was in Los Angeles, California. The highway was originally 2,448 miles (3,940 km) long and had two lanes. It crossed eight states in a rough diagonal, passing straight through – and breathing life into – several hundred towns and hamlets.

Early traffic consisted mostly of trucks hauling freight long-distance and adventurous middle-class tourists who could easily reach attractions like the Grand Canyon and Mojave Desert for the first time. The improved access it provided for local communities was equally, if not more, important.

Due to the Dust Bowl, Route 66 transformed into a lifeline for refugees and migrant workers headed west during the 1930s. Interestingly, it wasn’t until 1938 that Route 66 became fully paved.

The golden years (1946-1960s)

The end of WWII meant the USA could repurpose many of its wartime industries for domestic improvement. The resulting economic boom brought more jobs, a growing number of families with time and disposable income, and lots of new cars.

Ever entrepreneurial, the communities along Route 66 quickly capitalized on this. Older cottage-style gas stations, small auto camps, and lunch wagons were gradually overshadowed by more extravagant designs we associate with the Route today. Googie and mid-century modern-style motor courts and diners come to mind first. However, novelty architecture like the Wigwam Motel’s teepees or the Blue Whale of Catoosa are just as iconic.

John Steinbeck already paid homage to "the Mother Road" in the 1938 classic The Grapes of Wrath, but it wasn’t until after the war that Route 66 began building its pop culture momentum. It started with Bobby Troup’s 1946 oft-covered (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 and continued with Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. Hit TV shows and movies like Route 66 (1960 - 1964) and Easy Rider (1969) – the kind of classics you can hunt down with the best VPN for Netflix – cemented its status as an American cultural icon.

The decline (late 1960s-1985)

In a sense, Route 66 was a victim of its own success. It was part of an early crop of highways that proved cross-country road travel could rival and surpass railways. Popularity brought congestion, as traffic lights and city centers the route passed through could no longer accommodate the demand.

Technically, the beginning of the end happened in 1956 with President Eisenhower’s Federal-Aid Highway Act, which established the modern interstate system. Since the massive undertaking took decades to complete, Route 66 still had time to build up lasting cultural relevance.

Despite more than a third of it being expanded to four lanes, bypasses and partial replacement by newer Interstate highways eventually led to Route 66’s removal from the US Highway System in 1985.

A new lease on life (late 1990s-present)

The communities that depended on Route 66 saw a steep economic downturn in the years up to and after its decertification. Conservation efforts started as early as 1987, but truly ramped up after President Clinton provided federal funding and support by signing the National Route 66 Preservation Act in 1999.

The local museums, conservation initiatives, and tourism promotion efforts that have fueled Route 66’s revival in the 21st century are too numerous to mention here. Together, they’ve led to renewed interest in the route, helped protect and encourage local businesses, and made experiencing the route possible once again for current and future generations.

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