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Travel Guide to Route 66: The Mother Road

Route 66 — known as The Mother Road and Main Street of America — is one of the most iconic highways in the world. Stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, it was established in 1926 and quickly became the great artery of American westward travel, fueling the growth of countless small towns along the way.

Whether you’re planning to drive the entire route or exploring a single state, this guide will help you uncover the history, find the must-see attractions, and hit the road with confidence.

Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica

Begin Route 66 Sign in Chicago — Begin Route 66 Sign

Route 66 begins in the heart of downtown Chicago, Illinois. Its official starting point has shifted slightly over the decades, but today travelers can find the brown “Begin Historic Route 66” sign at the intersection of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue, just across from the Art Institute of Chicago. From there, the road sweeps southwest through small towns and farmland, crossing eight states before reaching its western terminus at the Santa Monica Pier in California.

Chicago was a natural choice for the route’s eastern anchor. In 1926, it was a transportation powerhouse — a vital link between the industrial Midwest and the farmlands, oil fields, and open spaces of the Southwest. The highway that grew from this starting point would carry migrants fleeing the Dust Bowl, families on summer vacations, soldiers heading to military bases, and eventually millions of travelers simply chasing the romance of the American road.

Today, standing at that “Begin” sign is a rite of passage for Route 66 enthusiasts. From Chicago’s skyline, the Mother Road sets the stage for a journey through history, culture, and Americana that no interstate can replicate.

Route 66 End of the Trail Sign — A vintage metal sign made to commemorate our end of the route journey at the Santa Monica Pier.

Route 66 Today — The 2026 Centennial

Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, bypassed by the Interstate Highway System that the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 set in motion. As interstates absorbed its path, the mom-and-pop motels, diners, and service stations that had thrived along the route began to close. For rural towns whose entire economy depended on road traffic, the impact was devastating.

Yet the cultural legacy of Route 66 only grew stronger after its official retirement. Preservationists, local communities, and passionate travelers rallied to protect what remained — not as a transportation corridor, but as a living piece of American history. All eight states have designated surviving sections as official historic byways. The National Historic Route 66 Federation and state-level associations work continuously to restore landmarks, repaint murals, and keep the roadside icons intact for future generations.

2026 marks Route 66’s 100th anniversary. Centennial celebrations are planned across all eight states, from car shows and festivals to guided tours and special events. It’s the best year in a generation to hit the Mother Road. → Learn more about Route 66 Centennial events

Route 66 Map – The Mother Road

The Slow Decline of Route 66

The demise of Route 66 was not sudden — it was the result of a decades-long process. In its prime, from the 1930s to the early 1960s, Route 66 carried countless travelers, migrant workers, and vacationers across eight states. But by the mid-20th century, America’s transportation priorities had shifted.

The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 launched the Interstate Highway System — a network of high-speed, limited-access roads built for efficiency and defense. These new freeways often bypassed small towns entirely, strangling the traffic that roadside businesses depended on. By the 1960s and 1970s, once-thriving communities found themselves off the map almost overnight.

The final blow came in 1985, when AASHTO formally decommissioned Route 66. Interstates 55, 44, 40, 15, and 10 had absorbed nearly its entire path. The road lost its federal designation — and for many Americans, the announcement felt like the end of an era.

But Route 66 refused to disappear. The same small-town spirit that built the Mother Road eventually saved it.

States: Illinois • Missouri • Kansas • Oklahoma • Texas • New Mexico • Arizona • California