Route 66 Turns 100: The Ultimate American Road Trip in 2026

On November 11, 1926, a telegram sent from Springfield, Missouri officially gave Route 66 its name. One hundred years later, America's most famous highway is throwing the party of the century.

For generations, this stretch of pavement represented something bigger than transportation. It was the escape route during the Dust Bowl, the road families took to see the Grand Canyon, the birthplace of roadside motels and drive-through restaurants. It's where American car culture grew up.

The Road That Built American Car Culture

When the highway was commissioned in 1926, car ownership in America had exploded from 78,000 vehicles in 1905 to 23 million by 1920. People wanted to drive, but the roads couldn't keep up.

Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, the new route gave small towns access to the rest of the country and became the shortest all-weather path to the West Coast. It wasn't fully paved until 1938, but once it was, everything changed.

After World War II, the automobile stopped being just transportation and became freedom itself. Families loaded up station wagons and headed west to see the Grand Canyon or Disneyland. Motels popped up where you could park right outside your door. Diners served burgers to travelers who'd been driving since dawn.

The Chevrolet Bel Air, Ford Fairlane, and Chevy Nomad became the cars families chose for cross-country trips. Hot rodders treated the highway as a testing ground. And pop culture made it legendary-Nat King Cole's "Get Your Kicks on Route 66," the 1960s TV series with two guys in a Corvette, and decades of films about the open road.

Even after the highway was decommissioned in 1985, it never really went away. The feeling didn't either.

Centennial Events Worth the Drive

The celebration kicks off with actor John Goodman-he will host a concert featuring Little Big Town, Chris Janson, and Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox. The TODAY Show broadcasts live, and the city dedicates a new birthplace plaza.

But that's just the start. Every state along the route is planning something:

Arizona: The Route 66 Fun Run (May 1-3) is the oldest celebration of its kind, with participants driving 140 miles through Seligman, Kingman, and Topock. Flagstaff hosts its big party on June 6 with classic car shows and street chalk art. Kingman closes the year in October with street drags billed as the largest legal drags on earth.

Oklahoma: Tulsa's throwing the Route 66 Capital Cruise on May 30the largest classic car parade ever attempted. Oklahoma City hosts its own bash the same day. The state wraps everything November 11 with a Veterans Day parade and concert at Tulsa's legendary Cain's Ballroom.

New Mexico: Albuquerque's "Route 66 Remixed" transforms 18 miles of highway into an art project, with murals, sculptures, and augmented reality installations created with Meow Wolf.

California: The route ends where it always did-Santa Monica Pier. Throughout the year, car enthusiasts gather for shows and cruises celebrating the vehicles that made the journey famous.

Planning Your Trip

The full drive typically takes about two weeks if you're actually stopping to see things. You can do it faster, but that misses the point. This was never about speed. It's about neon-lit motels, roadside diners with good pie, and small towns where nobody's in a hurry.

Most of the route is still drivable with some planning. The stretch between Springfield, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma is exceptionally well preserved. Other sections require detours or have been absorbed into modern highways.

What matters most is having a reliable car. The route cuts through deserts, mountains, and long stretches where gas stations are sparse. You don't need a vintage Corvette, though it doesn't hurt. You just need something that won't leave you stranded.

If you're thinking about going this year and need to finance a vehicle, myAutoloan lets you compare offers from multiple lenders. Get pre-approved before you shop, and you're ready when you find the right car.

Why This Year Matters

A centennial only happens once. Towns along the highway have been preparing for years-commissioning murals, unveiling monuments, organizing car rallies. Travelers from around the world are booking hotels months out.

If you've ever thought about making the drive, this is the year. The Mother Road turns 100, and everyone's invited to the party.