Known as “The Mother Road”, Route 66 is far more than a highway. It is a symbol of freedom, exploration, and the enduring appeal of the open road. For drivers around the world, it represents the ultimate road trip and remains one of the most famous driving routes ever created.
The Origins of Route 66
Route 66 was officially established in 1926 as part of America’s new national highway system.
Stretching approximately 2,448 miles (3,940 km), it connected Chicago, Illinois, with Santa Monica, California, linking small towns, farming communities, and major cities across eight states:
- Illinois
- Missouri
- Kansas
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- California
At a time when car ownership was rapidly increasing, Route 66 became one of the country’s most important roads, allowing people and goods to travel across the United States more easily than ever before.
Why Was Route 66 Important?
During the 1930s, thousands of families travelled west along Route 66 in search of work and opportunity during the Great Depression.
The road later played a crucial role during World War II, helping move military personnel and equipment across the country.
After the war, America experienced a boom in car ownership. Route 66 became the ultimate family road trip route, lined with diners, motels, petrol stations, and roadside attractions that created a unique driving culture unlike anywhere else in the world.
Many of the classic American motoring images we recognise today were born along Route 66.
The Rise and Fall of the Mother Road
For decades, Route 66 was America’s main street.
However, beginning in the 1950s, the construction of the Interstate Highway System created faster and more direct routes between major cities. Gradually, sections of Route 66 were bypassed.
In 1985, Route 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System.
Yet something remarkable happened.
Rather than disappearing, Route 66 became a legend.
Communities, historians, and motoring enthusiasts worked to preserve sections of the road, restoring classic diners, vintage motels, and historic landmarks.
Today, Route 66 remains one of the world’s most celebrated driving experiences.
Driving Route 66 Today
Although the original route is no longer continuous, much of it can still be driven.
Travelling along Route 66 offers a unique glimpse into America’s past. The road passes through deserts, mountains, small towns, Native American lands, and some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes.
Every mile tells a story.
From the beaches of California to the wide-open plains of Oklahoma and Texas, drivers experience a side of America that modern motorways often bypass.
My Own Route 66 Journey
One of the reasons Route 66 fascinates me is that I have had the opportunity to drive sections of it myself.
So far, I have explored Route 66 through California and Arizona, experiencing first-hand the historic towns, desert scenery, and unique roadside culture that made the route famous.
In September, I will continue the journey through New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, following more of the original Mother Road and discovering how each state adds its own chapter to the Route 66 story.
What strikes me most is how the route reflects the universal appeal of driving itself—the freedom to travel, explore new places, and connect with different communities along the way.
What Route 66 Teaches Us About Driving
For a driver trainer, Route 66 offers an interesting lesson.
The road was built around independence and mobility. It demonstrates how driving can connect people to opportunities, experiences, and adventures that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Whether learning to drive in the UK or embarking on a road trip across America, the principles remain the same:
- Confidence
- Planning
- Awareness
- Independence
- Respect for the journey
Route 66 reminds us that driving is not simply about getting from one place to another. Sometimes the journey itself becomes the destination.
The Legacy Lives On
Nearly a century after its creation, Route 66 continues to inspire travellers from around the world.
Its story is woven into American history, motoring culture, and the spirit of adventure that first put people behind the wheel.
For anyone who loves driving, Route 66 remains the ultimate reminder that every great journey begins with a single road.
