When we first drove the Mother Road in 2023, the centennial was already in the air.
In diners, museums, and old filling stations, locals spoke with excitement about 2026. Some had already stocked shelves with “100 Years of Route 66” mugs and T-shirts; others were planning festivals or restoring their neon signs for the big anniversary.
The Road to 2026
That sense of anticipation never left us. And now, as the world prepares to celebrate a full century of Route 66, we’re planning to return — to relive the road, reconnect with the people who keep it alive, and once again feel part of the story.
This page is both a celebration and a guide: a place where travelers can understand why the centennial matters, discover upcoming events, and plan their own journey through history.
Why 2026 Matters
On November 11, 1926 , U.S. Route 66 was officially designated as part of the first federal highway system. Stretching from Chicago , Illinois, to Santa Monica , California, it became more than asphalt and milestones — it became a symbol of freedom, resilience, and the promise of the open road.
For generations, Route 66 connected small towns and big dreams. It carried farmers west during the Dust Bowl, soldiers toward training camps in World War II, and post-war families toward adventure in the age of the automobile. It inspired songs, books, and films that defined the idea of the American road trip .
A hundred years later, Route 66 still inspires travelers from every corner of the world. Its centennial isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about preserving a living piece of culture and ensuring that future generations can drive, photograph, and dream along the same road.
A Century of Route 66 — From 1926 to 2026
Beginnings and Legacy
The number “66” first appeared on planning maps in 1926, assigned to a highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles. Within a few years, it earned its nickname: The Main Street of America . It crossed eight states and more than 2,400 miles, connecting rural communities to major cities in a way no other road had before.
By the 1940s and 50s, Route 66 had become a lifeline of American mobility and a showcase of roadside creativity — from motels shaped like teepees to diners glowing with neon.
Decline and Rediscovery
When the Interstate Highway System expanded after 1956, many sections of Route 66 were bypassed. By 1985, it was officially decommissioned. Yet, instead of disappearing, it was reborn through the dedication of local associations, volunteers, and travelers who refused to let it fade.
Today, Historic Route 66 is recognized as a National Scenic Byway, with dozens of landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The centennial marks not an ending, but a renewal of its enduring spirit.
Then and Now: The Evolving Alignments of Route 66
Over the course of a century, Route 66 has never been a single, unchanging line on a map. Like the country it crosses, the road itself evolved — rerouted, improved, and sometimes left behind.
As the years went by, engineers straightened dangerous curves, built bypasses to ease traffic, and replaced gravel with asphalt. New alignments appeared every few decades, while older ones became quiet side roads, fading into the landscape but never truly disappearing.
Today, travelers can still see these layers of history through the different Route 66 signs marking each era. In some stretches, you’ll find shields for “Historic Route 66”, but in others, especially across Illinois, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, you’ll notice smaller signs indicating the 1926–1928, 1926–1930, or pre-1937 alignments — each representing a chapter in the road’s evolution.
Following these older paths reveals more than history — it shows how Route 66 shaped (and was shaped by) the communities around it. When the new bypasses were built, many towns were left behind. Some reinvented themselves, others faded into silence. It’s along these forgotten stretches that you can still find ghost towns, old motels, and crumbling bridges that tell their own stories of survival and change.
Exploring the different alignments means driving not just through space, but through time. Each curve, each abandoned signpost, and each piece of cracked pavement is a reminder of how the Mother Road has changed — yet still carries the same spirit that started in 1926. That’s part of the magic of the centennial: one hundred years later, Route 66 continues to evolve, proving that a living legend never stops moving forward.
The Route 66 Centennial Commission
To coordinate and celebrate this milestone, the United States Congress established the Route 66 Centennial Commission through the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act , signed into law in 2020.
The Commission includes representatives from each of the eight Route 66 states — Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California — alongside historians, preservationists, and tourism experts.
Its mission is to:
- Encourage preservation and restoration of historic Route 66 landmarks
- Promote national and international awareness of the road’s heritage
- Coordinate centennial celebrations across the United States
- Support economic and cultural initiatives in communities along the route
Official information, ongoing projects, and commemorative programs can be found through the Route 66 Centennial Commission website.
The Road Ahead Partnership
Working closely with the Commission, the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership — a non-profit organization — leads efforts to strengthen and sustain the Route 66 corridor.
Their centennial initiatives focus on:
- Preserving iconic architecture and neon signage
- Supporting small businesses along the route
- Promoting inclusive tourism and accessibility
- Developing interpretive programs and educational resources
- Funding local restoration and economic-development grants
You can learn more about these ongoing efforts on the Route 66 Centennial Road Ahead Partnership website, where projects and stories from every state are featured.
Centennial Monuments and Projects
As part of the centennial celebration, new Route 66 Centennial Monuments are being installed across the eight states. These large, double-sided markers — each around 16 feet tall — will be illuminated and include digital links to local history, connecting visitors to stories from nearby communities.
Other projects include:
- Restoration of historic motels, gas stations, and bridges
- Preservation of classic neon signs and murals
- Development of interactive maps and QR-coded markers
- Artistic initiatives such as the I Am Route 66 photo exhibition, celebrating the people who embody the road’s spirit
State Route 66 Associations — such as the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway , the Arizona Route 66 Association , and others — are actively organizing events, parades, and heritage projects leading up to 2026.
Route 66 Centennial Key Dates
| Date | Significance |
|---|---|
| April 30, 1926 | Number “66” first proposed for the Chicago-Los Angeles highway. The name “Route 66” officially proposed in Springfield, Missouri |
| November 11, 1926 | Official designation of U.S. Route 66 |
| 1956 | Federal Aid Highway Act begins the Interstate era |
| 1985 | Official decommissioning of Route 66 |
| December 23, 2020 | Route 66 Centennial Commission Act signed into law |
| November 11, 2026 | 100th Anniversary of Route 66 |
Throughout 2026, celebrations will unfold in every Route 66 state — from car shows and parades to concerts, film festivals, and commemorative drives. State associations like IllinoisRoute66.org and Historic66AZ.com already feature centennial calendars and local restoration programs.
Cities such as Kingman , AZ ( ExploreKingman.com ) are preparing major summer festivals to welcome travelers from around the world.
Planning Your Centennial Road Trip
When to Go
Most centennial activities will take place between spring and late autumn 2026 , with peak events expected around June and November . If you’re planning the full cross-country drive, allow at least three weeks to experience each region properly.
For more preparation resources, visit our Before You Go section — where you’ll also find guides on
- How long does it take to drive Route 66 ,
- When to Travel ,
- How to Travel Route 66? East to West or West to East? ,
- Packing for the Route 66 Adventure , and more.
What to Expect
- Higher visitor numbers — book lodging early, especially near major events
- Restoration projects and new interpretive signs along many sections
- Special-edition souvenirs and centennial memorabilia
- Pop-up museums, exhibitions, and guided tours in historic sites
- Opportunities to join caravans and classic-car rallies commemorating the route
Travel Tips
- Combine official centennial events with your personal bucket-list stops — classic diners, bridges, murals, and museums
- Follow local associations for event updates and road conditions
- Take time to talk with locals — many small-town stories are the real heart of the centennial
- Bring a camera, a journal, and an open schedule: serendipity is part of Route 66’s magic
Our Plan for the Centennial
For us, 2026 is not only a celebration but a homecoming. We’ll be back on the Mother Road, traveling once again between Chicago and Santa Monica — though this time, we might even drive it the other way around. Experiencing Route 66 from west to east offers a completely different perspective: the changing landscapes, the light, even the rhythm of the towns feel new when you reverse direction.
We haven’t decided yet which way we’ll go. It may depend on where the main centennial events take place and how we can experience the road at its best. Whether we begin in Chicago and head west, or start from the Pacific Coast and drive toward Illinois, one thing is certain — we’ll once again be part of the living story of the Mother Road.
We’ll document the experience, share it with fellow travelers, and meet people who, like us, feel that Route 66 is more than a road — it’s a part of who we are.
Join the Journey
The centennial belongs to everyone who loves the road — from those who live along it to those who dream of driving it one day. Follow our updates as we prepare for the adventure, share your own memories, and be part of the living story of the 100 Years of Route 66 .
Together, we’ll celebrate not just where Route 66 has been — but where it’s going next.
