The iconic highway known as Route 66 is probably the best-known road in the United States. Many songs, TV shows and movies have immortalised it and added to its lore. There are even clubs specifically for travelling its length.
The U.S. Route 66 is known as the Main Street of America as it traverses much of its length. It starts in Santa Monica, California, stretches 2,451 miles and ends in Chicago, Illinois. Through its route are some of the major states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Along its route flourished towns and businesses, most of which have been preserved or restored to its former glory.
Route 66 was the brainchild of entrepreneurs Cyrus Avery and John Woodruff.
They envisioned a road that stretches from Los Angeles to Chicago. In 1925, they successfully lobbied the American Association of State Highway Officials to build the iconic highway based on their plans. The main objective of the highway was to connect towns and communities along the route with a major thoroughfare which they did not have access to before.
Officially designated U.S. Route 66, it was recognised by a law creating the highway in 1927 and is known as one of the original highways in the United States. The highway was completed in 1938. The number 66 was chosen by Cyrus Avery as it was easy to remember.
The Main Street of America experienced a decline with the rise of the interstate system. Parts of the route in rural communities were in decay. Other parts were threatened by urban development. In 1999, then-President Bill Clinton signed into law a bill for the preservation of the historic route and the iconic stops along its stretch. In 2008, the World Monuments Fund also added Route 66 to its list.
The route itself is a unique experience of American life.
From the diners to the motels, the highway is riddled with establishments that have existed as long as the road itself. The scenery along the route is also diverse. The route features a drive along the Grand Canyon, some Native American communities and the small Mid-Western Towns. It also features the beaches of California on one end and the Great Lakes on the other.
The drive will take several days to complete assuming that you want to take stops along the route to have the complete route 66 experience. There are a number of motels along the route for you to spend the night. Historic cafes, diners and truck stops are also plentiful for your dining pleasure. There are a lot of iconic tourist attractions to look out for. There are numerous guides on the internet available if you want to experience the route.
It would be safe to say that U.S. Route 66 is the most loved highway in America. While the interstate is much more efficient as a means of travelling, the historic route still has its classic American appeal. It is best to plan the journey and know where to stop beforehand. The American experience will not be complete without a drive even through a part of the highway. It will surely be an unforgettable driving experience.
Happy driving!
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