A staple of United States history is the famous Route 66 going through eight states. This year, 2026, Route 66 is turning 100 years old.
The Route
Route 66 goes through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The highway starts in Chicago, Illinois, and ends in Santa Monica, California. Various cities along the route include Springfield, Illinois; St. Louis; Springfield, Missouri; Joplin; Oklahoma City; Amarillo; Tucumcari; Santa Fe; Albuquerque; Flagstaff; Winslow; Kingman; Barstow; Los Angeles; and Santa Monica. [1]
It’s Beginning
In 1926, the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads created the first federal highway system as Route 66. [2] In the beginning, Route 66 was made up of small roads, often going through small towns. Over time, Route 66 became a main highway stretching 2,400 miles across the United States; due to it’s traffic, Route 66 has often been called the Mother Road. [3]
Decommissioned
In 1956, President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act which, in turn, created the interstates. [4] When I-40 bypassed the last section of Route 66 in 1984, Route 66 was decommissioned the following year. [5]
100 Years Old
This year, 2026, Route 66 is turning 100 years old. Although it was decommissioned in 1985, certain groups, and later on, the government, took care of the highway as it is an important part of United States history.
