The most iconic highway in the country reaches its centennial this year – and travelers are ready to celebrate with an epic road trip.
Also called The Mother Road, Route 66 stretches almost 2,500 miles and spans eight states, beginning in Chicago, Illinois, and ending in Santa Monica, California. Established in 1926 as a way to connect isolated, rural communities, Route 66 captures a nostalgic era of Americana, one filled with neon signs, diners and classic cars.
As the country also celebrates its own birthday this year – its 250th to be exact – many travelers are interested in taking their own Route 66 road trip, with interest in the famous highway on Tripadvisor surging by 20% year-over-year, according to the travel platform. Road trippers can make pitstops at historic sites and quirky landmarks, like the 66-foot-tall soda bottle at Pops 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia, Oklahoma.
EV road trips sound fun. Until your battery hits 20%
To help travelers create their own Route 66 road trip itinerary, Tripadvisor's in-house creative studio Wanderlab partnered with Choice Hotels International to recently launch an interactive guide to the best stops along the famous highway, called Century of Route 66.
