Home / Lifestyle / Route 66: A Century of Kicks
Route 66: A Century of Kicks
27 Apr
Summary
- Iconic Route 66, spanning 2,400 miles, celebrates its 100th anniversary.
- The highway transformed from a Dust Bowl escape to a quintessential road trip.
- Vintage diners, neon signs, and roadside attractions remain its enduring appeal.
Route 66, affectionately dubbed "The Mother Road" by John Steinbeck, celebrates its centenary this year. This legendary 2,400-mile highway traverses eight states and three time zones, stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles. Initially a vital escape route for farmers during the 1930s dust storms, it has transformed into a quintessential American road trip experience.
Today, the highway remains a vibrant attraction, drawing travelers with its restored motor lodges, classic diners, and unique roadside stops. Cyrus Avery, the "father of Route 66," envisioned the 2,400-mile route starting in Chicago in the 1920s, selecting the memorable "66" for marketing appeal.