Route 66 turns 100. Here's our mega-guide to America's Mother Road.

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May 12, 2026 3 AM PT

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Two-thousand, four-hundred and forty-eight miles. That was the span of Route 66 erstwhile road officials stitched it unneurotic to nexus Chicago, Los Angeles and countless cities and towns successful between. But arsenic an enduring American symbol, this road reaches overmuch further than that, inspiring books, songs, movies and countless roadworthy trips.

It turns 100 this year, truthful with summertime coming, we drove it all.

Across 8 states, we scouted retired vintage motels, caller businesses, neon signs, affable Muffler Men, roadworthy food, vivid characters and 20th period ruins. We besides kept our eyes unfastened for hints of the road’s evolution, from the Dust Bowl years, segregation and the postwar roar to the freeway-era slump and the reemergence of Route 66 arsenic a long, winding and surviving historical landmark.

Now we’re taking you on for the ride. If you’ve ever daydreamed astir covering immoderate portion of the celebrated roadway, hop connected successful and let’s get our kicks, shall we?

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Born and raised successful California, Christopher Reynolds has written astir travel, the outdoors, arts and civilization for the Los Angeles Times since 1990.

Kay Scanlon is an creation manager astatine the Los Angeles Times who works connected the Sunday Calendar and Weekend sections. Prior to joining The Times successful 2021, she art-directed MovieMaker mag and contributed award-winning plan astatine the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News and Newsday. Scanlon graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s grade successful English and is certified successful graphic plan from Otis College of Art and Design.

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