A Route 66 road trip is one of the great road trips in America. Known as The Mother Road and the Main Street of America, Route 66 was the main thoroughfare through the United States for decades. This historic route runs from downtown Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, covering a total distance of about 2,400 miles (3,900 km). The Mother Road was one of the original highways within the U.S. Highway System and became an iconic symbol of American culture and cross-country road trips.
ultimate route 66 Road Trip Guide
Built in 1926, Route 66 was a road of dreams passing through eight states all the way to the west coast. John Steinbeck gave Route 66 its name “The Mother Road” in the Grapes of Wrath following the Joad family as they traveled west along Route 66 after being driven from their home. Along the way, they discovered that The Mother Road was crowded with other migrants. Read more about road trips at 25 Best Road Trips in the World
Dust Bowl, Depression, and War
During the Great Depression, Route 66 was filled with people dreaming of a better life in the West as they escaped the drought-stricken southern plains known as the Dust Bowl. Route 66 was a road of lost dreams but also hope as people drove to Santa Monica taking the shortest distance between Chicago and Los Angeles looking for a better future.
During World War II soldiers and military vehicles used this road extensively as it was the most direct route through the country from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Route 66 Hey Day
As the depression faded away, families flocked to Route 66 to take their summer vacations to see the Grand Canyon and other iconic sites in California and Arizona from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Soon the Mother Road became known as the Main Street of America filled with neon signs, gift shops, gas stations and fun memorabilia. Route 66 was a rip-roaring good time through the 50s to the 70s. In 1984 the last segment of the highway was decommissioned and the old route of Route 66 was no longer. People were now in a hurry driving the Interstates to their destinations.
Businesses along Route 66 closed and the historic buildings,
Where does Route 66 Start?
Starting in Chicago, Route 66 passes through eight states. The states of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and ending California. There are plenty of things to see along the driving route as each section passes through several major…
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