Route 66 Marks 100 Years Across America

Route 66, the 2,400-mile “Mother Road” linking Chicago with Southern California, marks its centennial in 2026. Created to connect communities and encourage travel west, it became a symbol of migration and the open road, even as the interstate system later bypassed it and travelers today must piece together local roads to follow its route. Its legacy is also visible in engineering landmarks, including the Old Trails Bridge over the Colorado River, the Colorado Street Bridge and the Chain of Rocks Bridge near St. Louis. Springfield, Missouri—where officials in 1926 sent the telegram proposing the highway’s Route 66 name—was chosen to host the centennial’s national kickoff and has invested in lasting visitor attractions. The milestone highlights Route 66’s continuing draw for travelers and its economic importance to communities along the way.