What is Route 66?
The Route 66 represented by neon signs, wholesome small town America and kitschy roadside attractions is pretty well-established in the common psyche. Over the years numerous pop-culture references have ensured that the romantic notion of the American open road - complete with fifties-era diners, vintage convertibles and a classic rock soundtrack - has endured long after the asphalt has cracked.
As far back as 1946 Bobby Troup was encouraging people to get their "kicks on Route 66" in a rhythm and blues track that's since been covered hundreds of times by artists including The Rolling Stones, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Chuck Berry, Eva Cassidy, Glenn Frey and John Mayer.
On the big screen Route 66 has served as a significant backdrop to classic films such as 'Easy Rider', 'Rain Man', 'Grapes of Wrath' and 'Thelma and Louise', whereas in more recent years it was pretty much integral to the entire plot of the (rather excellent) Pixar movie 'Cars'.
Despite this rather nebulous understanding, how many people could accurately answer the question "what is Route 66?". Hopefully this article will provide a little background on the history and resurgence of the "Mother Road"...
Origins of Route 66
Established in 1926, Route 66 was actually founded on a pre-existing network of roads, passing through both rural and urban areas, that connected Chicago, Illinois with Los Angeles, California. A common misconception is that Route 66 was a single road constructed with intention whereas in fact it was very much true to its name – it was a route, not an Interstate.
Route 66 was the 2448 mile stretch of continuous road linking Chicago, Illinois with Los Angeles, California via Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
Often referred to as “the main street of America”, Will Rogers Highway, and “the mother road” (based on a quotation from the John Steinbeck novel “The Grapes of Wrath”), Route 66 underwent many changes to the original 1926 alignment before being officially removed from the US highway system in 1985.
During the 1930’s Route 66 was a major path for migrants seeking a better life, heading west to escape the hardships of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. It came to be seen as the pathway to opportunity and prosperity, with small-town businesses thriving on the passing trade. It was around this time that the romance and myth of US Route 66 began to form. This was given an even greater boost during World War II due to further westward migration to the war-related industries of California.
Over the following decades, as Route 66 was celebrated and mythologised in popular culture, it became embedded in the public consciousness as a symbol of free spirit, independence and adventure. The Route became lined with neon-signed motels, giant statues and an array of iconic roadside attractions.
End of an Era
Beginning in the late 1950’s, large portions of US Route 66 were bypassed by completed sections of what was to be the new Interstate Highway system. This was to be the beginning of the end for Route 66 as it once was.
In 1985 Route 66, considered no longer necessary in light of the new Interstate network, was eventually decommissioned, with no single interstate highway designated to replace it. This led to a huge reduction in traffic, which in turn led ultimately to the demise of many businesses that had relied on the continuous traffic of previous decades. This economic hit was catastrophic for some communities and whole towns of people were forced to move elsewhere forming the many “ghost towns” now seen along Route 66.
Fortunately, in recognition of Route 66’s cultural significance and the negative economic impact it's decommisioning had on many communities, a number of non-profit Route 66 Associations were founded and continue to fight for the preservation of the old road. Parts of the old road are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and some are even considered National Scenic Byways.
These days, for many people, driving Route 66 is an opportunity to pull off the interstate, take the foot off the gas and embrace an endangered American experience.
It’s an opportunity to meet like-minded travelers, share experiences, sample new food and drink and embrace new experiences; a chance to be immersed in the nostalgia and kitschy Americana so prevalent along the Route in its heyday.
These days, route 66 road trippers take great pleasure in immersing themselves in the romanticism of what the road once stood for: lodging at vintage motels, eating at original diners, marvelling at the numerous roadside oddities, and filling up at restored gas stations in towns that have been preserved in time.
For these people, route 66 is all about the journey, not the destination.