Route 66 Marks Centennial as Travelers and YouTubers Retrace the Mother Road
On November 11th, Route 66, famously referred to as the “Mother Road” by John Steinbeck, marks its 100th anniversary, drawing visitors to its 2,448-mile stretch from Grant Park in Chicago to Santa Monica Pier. This milestone follows the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. YouTuber Chris Attrell documented his journey, observing numerous closures along the way, while travel vlogger Josh McNair and his father traversed the iconic route over two weeks, passing through seven states. Although it was decommissioned in 1985, approximately 85 percent of the original highway remains accessible, showcasing various cities, historic sites, and attractions. Ghost towns like Tucumcari, New Mexico, are popular among photographers. The piece concludes with hopes for Route 66's longevity until the U.S. quincentennial.
Key facts
- Route 66’s official birthday is November 11th, marking its 100th anniversary.
- The highway runs 2,448 miles from Grant Park in Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier.
- John Steinbeck dubbed Route 66 the “Mother Road.”
- Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985, nearly three decades after construction of the U.S. Interstate Highway System began making it obsolete.
- About 85 percent of the original highway remains drivable today.
- YouTuber Chris Attrell drove the entire route and made a video, with more than 100 stops.
- Travel vlogger Josh McNair and his father drove inland from the coast for the channel Through My Lens, crossing seven states—or eight counting southeastern Kansas—in two weeks.
- Tucumcari, New Mexico, known for its strip of mostly hollowed-out lodgings, has long been a photographer’s subject.
Entities
Artists
- John Steinbeck
- Chris Attrell
- Josh McNair
- Colin Marshall
Institutions
- Open Culture
- YouTube
- Through My Lens
- The New York Times
Locations
- United States
- Chicago
- Illinois
- Santa Monica
- California
- Kansas
- Tucumcari
- New Mexico
- Seoul
- South Korea