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Route 66: A Brief History of a Legendary Road
February 11, 2022 / Filippo Nardelli
Warning: Due to COVID 19 some information in this article (e.g. operating hours) may not be up-to-date.
Route 66 is certainly the most famous American road ever; famous writers, singers and Hollywood movies have contributed to its fame and to celebrate it. Its legend has continued to grow and this has allowed it to resist the passing of the years, keeping all its charm intact.
Today, for the many people who travel there from all corners of the world, more than a simple road to reach a destination, it represents a real journey through time to rediscover the United States. We have already talked about the reasons why route 66 is famous, now let's discover the history of Route 66.
History of Route 66 and Timeline
Route 66: Origins of Fame
Progress and Decay
Route 66 Today
In the early years of the twentieth century, America was crisscrossed by a poorly maintained, disorganized road network that varied greatly from state to state. In 1924, the first thoughts were given to a system that could reorganize the existing roads, to make them more consistent with the growing needs of a nation more and more on the move.
At the same time that new roads were being built, a system for naming them had to be found, and so on November 11, 1926, the name Route 66 was officially approved by the Bureau of Public Roads.
It is during the years of the Great Depression that the road began to become famous, as it became one of the most used communication routes by those who moved west in search of fortune. Along Route 66 there were many stories and experiences that were told and made immortal by John Steinbeck in his novel The Grapes of Wrath, one of his greatest successes. It is to Steinbeck that we owe the best-known nickname of Route 66, the Mother Road, a name that for many represented what they were looking for while traveling along it: safety and hope.
During World War II, the road became increasingly used due to the United States' military needs and the traffic intensified so much that for the first time in Washington, they began to think of a solution that would make it easier to move across the States.
These were the years of the immediate post-war period, which definitively sanctioned the fame of the Mother Road. The song (Get your Kicks) ok Route 66, initially interpreted by Bobby Troup and then taken up by numerous artists including Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones and Nat King Cole was even dedicated to it.
Many businesses such as motels, gas stations, drive-ins and tourist traps were also founded and developed along the route in this period. They made neon lighting their trademark, making them immediately recognizable, even today. Route 66's fame was also confirmed and increased by a television series of the same name that began airing in the early 1960s.
Although the legend continued to grow in popular culture in the mid-1950s, Route 66 began to experience a decline, culminating in the late 1960s, when the construction of multi-lane Interstates, which in many cases ran parallel to the "old" road, was completed. These major communication arteries became necessary, as mentioned, to facilitate the movement of a nation that was discovering itself to be increasingly in a flurry of movement and, above all, increasingly motorized.
Just when Route 66 was about to become only a pale memory of years gone by, many people worked hard to try to preserve it through initiatives of all kinds and thanks to their work, today anyone can be part of its history.
Even though there are still large stretches of the original route, at least officially Route 66 no longer exists. In fact, on some road maps, you won't even see it indicated as a new numbering system has replaced the old one. What was Route 66 is now essentially a discontinuous mix of original roads, later modifications, overlaps with Interstates, and sections that are now no more than trails or even abandoned altogether.
Don't let this discourage you, however, because locating the route of the Mother Road is not at all impossible. It is within everyone's reach and we guarantee that it will give you immense satisfaction. More than eighty percent of the original route can still easily be driven on and using the guides that we will publish, we will try to give you as much information as possible to help you plan your trip.
Route 66 Itinerary Planner
Route 66 Best Attractions
Our Tip:
Looking for accommodations for your trip from California to other parts of the Southwest? Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Where to Stay: Our Tips for the SouthWest Area
Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.
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Filippo Nardelli
I have a degree in History of North America and have always been fascinated by the United States.
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