Route 66 Centennial (1926-2026): Plan the Ultimate Road Trip

Where it all begins: Adams Street and Grant Park

Everything begins at the « Route 66 Begin » sign located at the corner of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue, facing Grant Park. Here, in the heart of the Windy City, millions of travelers have started their westward journey over the past century. Before hitting the road, take time to explore Chicago: Millennium Park, the Art Institute, the Willis Tower, and the Lake Michigan shoreline each deserve a visit.

Tradition dictates that the first stop of the road trip should be at Lou Mitchell’s, a restaurant that opened in 1923 — three years before Route 66 itself. According to Honeytrek, this legendary diner welcomes travelers with a complimentary donut and unlimited coffee, maintaining the same hospitality for over a century.

Must-see stops before leaving Illinois

• Gemini Giant (Wilmington): 30-foot-tall giant statue, an icon of American kitsch typical of Route 66. Mandatory photo stop 62 miles south of Chicago.
• Joliet: the prison made famous by the movie Blues Brothers (Old Joliet Prison), now partially open to visitors for guided tours.
• Pontiac: the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, a treasure trove for Mother Road history enthusiasts.
• Springfield: Illinois state capital and Abraham Lincoln’s hometown. The Cozy Dog Drive-In, birthplace of the corn dog, has been a Route 66 classic since 1949.

Where Route 66 received its name on April 30, 1926

It all began in Springfield, Missouri. On April 30, 1926, during a meeting of officials at the Colonial Hotel, the designation « Route 66 » was officially adopted to name this new transcontinental highway. A century later, the city celebrates this anniversary with a major national event.

According to Springfield CVB, the National Kickoff Celebration will be held from April 30 to May 3, 2026. The event will be broadcast live by NBC TODAY Show from Springfield. Actor John Goodman, a Missouri native, will host an exceptional concert with country band Little Big Town.

National Kickoff Program

• Dedication ceremonies: official tributes at the Colonial Hotel site, birthplace of the name « Route 66 ». Free admission.
• Artwalk: art installations and exhibitions in downtown Springfield, evoking a century of highway history. Free admission.
• Car Show: exhibition of classic American cars from the 1920s to 1960s, the golden age of Route 66. Free admission.
• Parade and concerts: parade through historic streets, followed by the Little Big Town concert hosted by John Goodman. Limited seats for the concert.

According to PR Newswire and KY3, this event is the most ambitious ever organized for Route 66 and is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors from around the world.

Oklahoma, the state with the most driveable miles of Route 66

Oklahoma holds the record for the longest continuous stretch of driveable Route 66. From Quapaw to Texola, over 370 miles of the original road winds through the plains, offering one of the most authentic experiences along the entire route. According to Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the state has invested heavily in preserving its historic segments for the centennial.

In Tulsa, the Mother Road Market has become one of the most dynamic food halls along the route, bringing together a dozen local restaurants in a former Art Deco warehouse. Tulsa also hosts the majority of centennial events in Oklahoma.

Centennial events in Oklahoma

• Capital Cruise (May 30, 2026): classic car parade through Oklahoma City, the state capital. According to Oklahoma Tourism, thousands of classic vehicles are expected.
• Bristow Neon Relight (April 11, 2026): ceremonial relighting of Bristow’s historic neon signs, a small town that was once a major Route 66 crossroads.
• AAA Road Fest (June 27-28, 2026): festival organized by AAA in Tulsa with live music, car show, and family activities. According to Route 66 Road Fest, it’s the most anticipated automotive event of the year.
• Birthday Bash (November 11, 2026): celebration of Route 66’s exact birthday, with festivities throughout the state.

Must-see stops in Oklahoma

• Blue Whale of Catoosa: giant concrete blue whale built in 1972, now one of the most photographed attractions on Route 66. Free admission.
• Totem Pole Park (Foyil): collection of colorful totem poles erected by Ed Galloway between 1937 and 1961, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• POPS (Arcadia): retro gas station from 2007 with a 66-foot giant soda bottle and over 700 varieties of sodas.

Ten Cadillacs buried in the ground and a 72 oz steak

Texas represents the shortest stretch of Route 66 — about 186 miles — but it concentrates some of the most iconic attractions along the route. According to Visit Amarillo, the city is preparing to host the Texas Route 66 Festival, a 10-day event from June 4-13, 2026, the longest centennial festival along the entire route.

Cadillac Ranch remains the most iconic stop. Ten Cadillacs from 1949 to 1963, half-buried nose-down in the ground by art collective Ant Farm in 1974, have become the ultimate symbol of Route 66. Tradition dictates: every visitor leaves their mark by spray-painting the cars (spray paint available at nearby gas stations).

Don’t miss in Texas

• Palo Duro Canyon: nicknamed the « Grand Canyon of Texas », this 120-mile long, 800-foot deep canyon is the second largest in the United States. According to Outside, it’s an absolutely essential detour. Hiking, mountain biking, and camping available.
• Big Texan Steak Ranch: the famous 72 oz (4.5 lb) steak challenge is free if you finish it in 1 hour. The restaurant, with its bright yellow facade, has been a Route 66 monument since 1960.
• Midpoint Café (Adrian): at exactly the midpoint between Chicago and Los Angeles (1,139 miles from each), this café is the geographic center of Route 66. According to Route 66 News, the Midpoint’s homemade pies are legendary.
• U-Drop Inn (Shamrock): Art Deco gas station built in 1936, one of the most photographed buildings on Route 66, which inspired Pixar’s Cars animated film.

500 miles through the Land of Enchantment

New Mexico offers the longest Route 66 crossing with approximately 500 miles through the Land of Enchantment. From east to west, landscapes shift from arid plains to volcanic mesas in a striking visual crescendo. Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, preserves one of the longest intact urban stretches of Route 66: 18 miles along Central Avenue.

For the centennial, Albuquerque is embracing innovation. According to KRQE, the city will unveil Route 66 Remixed, a series of augmented reality (AR) installations along Central Avenue, allowing visitors to see the avenue as it looked in the 1950s via their smartphones.

Centennial events and experiences

• Route 66 Summerfest: summer festival with live music, food trucks, and artisan market on Central Avenue. Full program at Visit Albuquerque.
• Speakeasy Tour: walking tour of speakeasies along Central Avenue, evoking the Prohibition era that coincided with Route 66’s early years.
• KiMo Theatre: this magnificent Art Deco theater from 1927 will host special screenings of films related to Route 66 and American road trip culture.
• Vortex Immersion: immersive dome experience projecting Route 66 history in 360 degrees. A unique sound and light show.

Must-see stops in New Mexico

• Santa Fe: a 62-mile detour north of Albuquerque that’s worth every minute. Adobe architecture, world-renowned art galleries, and exceptional Tex-Mex cuisine. According to Only In Your State, Santa Fe is one of the route’s hidden gems.
• Blue Hole of Santa Rosa: a natural sinkhole 80 feet deep with crystal-clear water at 62°F year-round, popular for diving.
• Tucumcari: the city of 1,200 neon signs, self-proclaimed « neon capital » of Route 66. The Blue Swallow Motel (1939) is a designated historic landmark.

The birthplace of the Route 66 preservation movement

Arizona is the beating heart of Route 66. It was here, in Seligman, that the Mother Road preservation movement was born in the 1980s. When Interstate 40 bypassed the small town, barber Angel Delgadillo led the campaign that resulted in the official « Historic Route 66 » designation, saving the road from oblivion. Now over 90 years old, he still welcomes visitors to his historic barbershop.

According to Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the Fun Run is the oldest Route 66 celebration. The centennial edition, scheduled for May 1-3, 2026, promises to be the most spectacular ever organized, with a classic car parade from Seligman to Topock.

Centennial events in Arizona

• Fun Run (May 1-3, 2026): the oldest and most festive car rally on Route 66. Hundreds of classic cars travel the Arizona stretch, with festive stops in every town.
• Walk This Talk (Flagstaff): audio tour narrated by actor Ted Danson, guiding visitors through Route 66 history in Flagstaff. According to Flagstaff CVB, this immersive tour is one of the centennial’s innovations.
• Oatman Bed Races: rolling bed races through the streets of this former mining town, famous for its wild burros roaming freely.

Must-see stops in Arizona

• Petrified Forest National Park: 225-million-year-old petrified forest with crystallized tree trunks in flamboyant colors. Route 66 runs directly through the park.
• Flagstaff: the world’s first International Dark Sky City. The starry nights are spectacular. The city is also the gateway to the Grand Canyon (81 miles north).
• Ghost towns: Two Guns and Cuervo, abandoned gas stations and motels, offer a fascinating dive into Route 66’s past. According to Islands, these ghost towns are among the most atmospheric along the route.
• Meteor Crater: meteor crater 0.75 miles in diameter, one of the best preserved in the world, 37 miles east of Flagstaff.

End of the Trail: the Pacific at last

After 2,448 miles and eight states crossed, Route 66 ends at the Santa Monica Pier, facing the Pacific Ocean. The « End of the Trail » sign, installed on the pier, is one of California’s most photographed landmarks. Here, generations of travelers have celebrated the completion of their journey — and in 2026, this moment will be even more emotionally charged.

For the centennial, California is preparing several major events. According to Visit California, a Centennial Song Contest will invite musicians and artists to compose the official centennial anthem. The Main Street of America Caravan, a convoy of classic vehicles departing from Chicago, is scheduled to arrive in Santa Monica in June 2026.

Events and experiences in California

• Main Street of America Caravan (June 2026): ceremonial convoy traveling the entire length of Route 66, east to west, with festive stops in each state. Triumphant arrival in Santa Monica.
• Pasadena — Colorado Blvd: the avenue celebrates Pasadena’s 150th anniversary alongside Route 66’s centennial, as the route follows Colorado Boulevard through the city.
• Centennial Song Contest: competition open to musicians worldwide to compose the official Route 66 centennial song.
• Santa Monica Pier: the historic pier with its Ferris wheel and carousel will host special exhibitions on Route 66 history.

Before arriving in Santa Monica

• Needles: first California town on Route 66, made famous by Snoopy in Peanuts. Roy’s Motel and Café in Amboy is a classic.
• Barstow: the Route 66 Mother Road Museum traces the history of the California stretch. Calico Ghost Town (reconstructed ghost town) is a few miles away.
• San Bernardino: birthplace of the very first McDonald’s (1940), whose original site now houses a museum.

According to Travelling with Nikki, parking at Santa Monica is easy to find at $1.50/hour in municipal lots near the pier.

Events you can’t miss

Here’s the calendar of major Route 66 centennial events in 2026. This list is regularly updated as official announcements are made.

Budget, logistics, and field tips

Budget estimate for 2 people (per day)

Best time to visit

The best time to travel Route 66 is May to October, with preference for May-June and September-October to avoid extreme heat in the Texas and Arizona plains during summer. In 2026, the months of May-June also concentrate the highest number of centennial events.

Essential tips

• Always carry cash: many small businesses, diners, and attractions on Route 66 don’t accept credit cards, especially in rural areas of New Mexico and Arizona.
• Refuel regularly: gas stations can be more than 93 miles apart in the desert. Never let your gauge drop below a quarter tank.
• Maintain a reasonable pace: Route 66 is not a highway. Limit yourself to 186-249 miles per day to enjoy stops and encounters. Maximum speed on historic stretches is often 55 mph.
• Book historic motels: the Wigwam Motel (Holbrook, AZ), Blue Swallow (Tucumcari, NM), and Munger Moss (Lebanon, MO) are unique experiences but have few rooms. Book months in advance, especially in 2026.
• America the Beautiful Pass ($80): this annual pass grants access to all U.S. national parks, including Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon (detour from Flagstaff), and other parks near Route 66.
• Car rental: rent in Chicago and return in Los Angeles (or vice versa). Most agencies offer one-way rentals for an additional $200-400. An SUV or comfortable vehicle is recommended for long distances.