We've had the pleasure of driving in all eight states along Route 66, The Main Street of America!

Over time the route was formalized as a Federal Highway numbered as 'U.S.

In the early years many sections connected only one small town to the next, and had no official federal route number. The traffic along Route 66 led to the opening of many 'mom and pop' restaurants, motels, and service stations along the route to satisfy the needs of traveling motorists.Īlignments of the road changed often over the years, as improved sections of highway were constructed. In the 1950s, Route 66 became the main highway for vacationers heading to Los Angeles. Highway 66 Association, Route 66 became the first highway to be completely paved, in 1938. During this time, it also became one of the key routes for moving military equipment across the country.ĭue to the efforts of the U.S. The fact that it covered mainly flat areas and featured moderate year-round weather made it an attractive route for traverlers, and truckers. It linked small, rural towns to larger cities, and markets.

The migration continued during World War II due to job availability in California. It became the shortest, year-round route between the Midwest and the Pacific Coast, and was also known as ' The Main Street of America' and the ' Will Rogers Highway'.įrom its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed southwest through Illinois and Missouri, and a small section of southeast Kansas.įrom there it turned in a more westward direction through Oklahoma and Texas, with the final stretches in New Mexico and Arizona before its termination point in Los Angeles.ĭuring the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s, the diagonal course of the Route 66 was the primary route for migrating farm workers from the Midwest to California. 'The Mother Road' was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Route 66 was one of the United States' first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated to the West. We hope all our viewers and fellow Route 66 Roadies are having a joyous Christmas, and a happy new year coming up in 2024! The Route We have put up our 'Christmas Travel Tree' (see top banner) which has many fond memories of our road trips on Route 66. It's Christmas season, and we are enjoying some time at home and off the Mother Road. Travel Guide to Historic Route 66: The Mother Road Merry Christmas!

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