Route 66 at 100: The Mother Road's Legacy of Migration, Commerce, and Nostalgia
Route 66, the iconic highway connecting Chicago to Santa Monica, turns 100 in November 2026. Conceived by Oklahoma businessman Cyrus Avery in the 1920s, the road was officially designated in 1926. It served as a vital artery during the Great Depression for westward migration, as depicted in John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath,' and later facilitated military transport during World War II. Post-war, it became a symbol of American road trips, lined with neon-lit motels, gas stations, and attractions like the Roy's Motel and Cafe in Amboy, California. The rise of the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s led to its decline, but preservation efforts have revived stretches. The town of Amboy, purchased in 2005 by Albert Okura (founder of Juan Pollo), now operates a vintage gas station with mechanical pumps. His son Kyle Okura continues restoration, facing challenges like extreme heat, water salinity, and infrastructure decay. The road's cultural impact persists through songs, films like Pixar's 'Cars,' and international tourism. Celebrations for the centennial include car shows, club drives, and events across Oklahoma, Texas, and Chicago.
Key facts
- Route 66 turns 100 in November 2026.
- Cyrus Avery, an Oklahoma oil businessman, championed the highway's creation.
- Route 66 was officially designated in 1926.
- The road facilitated Dust Bowl migration during the Great Depression.
- John Steinbeck called it 'The Mother Road' in 'The Grapes of Wrath'.
- During WWII, Route 66 transported troops and equipment to the Pacific theater.
- Post-war, it became a popular road trip route with motels, neon signs, and attractions.
- The Interstate Highway System, starting in the 1950s, led to Route 66's decline.
- The town of Amboy, California, was purchased by Albert Okura in 2005.
- Amboy's Roy's Motel and Cafe features a 50-foot neon sign visible from miles away.
- Kyle Okura now runs Amboy's vintage gas station with mechanical pumps.
- Amboy faces challenges including 125°F heat, water salinity, and locust swarms.
- Route 66 attracts international tourists from Germany, France, Japan, and Brazil.
- The 1928 Bunion Derby, a transcontinental foot race, promoted the highway.
- Oklahoma City's former Route 66 strip is now a Vietnamese community called Little Saigon.
- The Green Book guided Black travelers to safe accommodations along Route 66.
- Sundown towns along the route were dangerous for Black travelers after dark.
- Pixar's 'Cars' (2006) features imagery inspired by Route 66 landmarks.
- Nat King Cole's song '(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66' popularized the road.
- The TV show 'Route 66' (1960-1964) featured two men traveling in a Corvette.
Entities
Artists
- Cyrus Avery
- Elana Scherr
- Ari Daniel
- Kyle Okura
- Albert Okura
- John Steinbeck
- Nat King Cole
- Andy Payne
- Dennis Hopper
- Monte Hellman
- Barry Levinson
- John Lasseter
- James Taylor
- Dennis Wilson
- Tom Cruise
- Dustin Hoffman
Institutions
- Smithsonian magazine
- Car & Driver
- PRX Productions
- Juan Pollo
- McDonald's
- Cherokee Nation
- American Association of State Highway Officials
- New Mexico Department of Transportation
- 20th Century Fox
- Walt Disney
Locations
- Route 66
- Chicago
- Santa Monica
- Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City
- Amboy
- California
- Los Angeles
- Texas
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- Grand Canyon
- Palm Springs
- Las Vegas
- San Bernardino
- Little Saigon
- United States
- Tijeras
- Tucumcari
- Luther
- Mojave Desert