The U.S. Postal Service is releasing eight new stamps to mark the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The stamps show important parts of the highway in each of the eight states it crosses. [1]
Centennial Designs
Photographer David J. Schwartz created the images for the new stamps. He made 42 trips along the highway over two decades. The pictures highlight vintage diners, motels, and gas stations.
“The pictures highlight vintage diners, motels, and gas stations.”
Schwartz said the road represents a major part of 20th-century America. He described the famous route as a symbol of “Road trips, big cars, neon signs.” [2]
The Mother Road
Route 66 officially opened in 1926. The road stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. It started as an escape route from the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
During World War II, the road served as a vital supply route. It evolved into a symbol of freedom before being decommissioned in 1985. Vast sections of the highway are still used by tourists today.
“Vast sections of the highway are still used by tourists today.”
Living History
U.S. Postal Service art director Greg Breeding said the photos give a fresh look at the road. He noted that the stamps do not include people to create a sense of attraction, instead of looking like a tourist trap.
Breeding explained that the highway is a time capsule of Americana. He said, “It’s like a sort of show, the idea that Route 66 is a living history of the United States, from the past to the present.
Schwartz hopes the stamps will inspire people to travel the open road. He wants travelers to support small businesses and keep Route 66 alive for another century.
Notes:
- ^AP News. (2026). Centennial road trip: New stamps commemorate the Mother Road – AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/route-66-potage-stamps-centennial-road-trip-84815c35b1f1536176d5040615c5e5c2 (go back ↩)
- ^Ibid. (go back ↩)
