On June 27, 1985, Route 66, the famous 2,200-mile American highway that spanned from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, came to an end after 59 years. This decision was made by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) who decertified the road and voted to remove its highway signs. Route 66 traversed eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The origins of this historic road can be traced back to the 19th century when Congress commissioned explorer Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale to chart a wagon road along the 35th parallel from Fort Defiance to the Colorado River.
Beale’s Road, as it was initially known, served as a vital military transportation and communication link between Fort Smith and the southwestern frontier. Lieutenant Beale believed that this road would become the primary emigrant route to California. This vision prompted the federal government to allocate $200,000 to support the project, paving the way for the construction of Route 66. The idea of constructing a highway along this route was first proposed in Oklahoma in the mid-1920s, with Highway Commissioner Cyrus S. Avery advocating for a link from Oklahoma to major cities like Chicago and Los Angeles.
In 1926, Route 66 was officially designated as a highway, earning the nickname “The Mother Road” as immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novel “The Grapes of Wrath”. The highway spanned 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, traveling through the heart of America and linking rural communities in eight states. Route 66 played a crucial role in facilitating transportation for farmers and fueling the growth of the long-distance trucking industry in the 1930s.
As the years passed, new interstates were constructed alongside or replacing sections of the original Route 66 route. By October 1984, most of Route 66 had been superseded by these modern highways, ultimately leading to its decertification on June 27, 1985. Despite its formal end, Route 66 remains a beloved icon, designated as a scenic byway by the United States Department of Transportation in 2005.
Route 66 has left an indelible mark on American pop culture, inspiring songs, films, and references in various mediums over the years. The highway’s legacy continues to attract travelers from around the globe, with 85% of the road still accessible to drivers. Route 66 has become a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors eager to experience the nostalgia and history of this historic route.
In addition to its cultural significance, Route 66 is also known for several unique features. The highway was replaced by five interstates, and Route 66 passed through three different time zones. Notable landmarks along the route include the highest point at Continental Divide, New Mexico, and a section near Tijeras, New Mexico, where the song “America the Beautiful” can be heard through rumble strips if driven at the speed limit.
Looking ahead, 2026 will mark the centennial anniversary of Route 66, with special events and tours planned to celebrate 100 years of the Mother Road serving the traveling public. As we commemorate the legacy of Route 66, we honor its role in shaping American history and culture, and its enduring appeal as a symbol of the open road.
