Introduction to the adventure of a lifetime
Travel Guide to Route 66
Route 66 was among the earliest continuous paved highways in the United States, serving as a significant route for those migrating westward. Established on November 11, 1926, "The Mother Road" extended a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) from Chicago to Los Angeles. It provided the shortest year-round connection between the Midwest and the Pacific Coast, earning the nicknames
"The Main Street of America" and "The Will Rogers Highway."
At the time of its establishment, only 800 miles of Route 66 were paved, while the remainder consisted of graded dirt, gravel, bricks, or wooden planks. It took an additional 11 years for the entire highway to be fully paved. Beginning in Chicago, Route 66 traveled southwest through Illinois and Missouri, with a brief segment in southeast Kansas. Subsequently, it shifted to a more westerly path through Oklahoma and Texas, culminating in New Mexico and Arizona before reaching its endpoint in Los Angeles.
During the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s, the diagonal trajectory of Route 66 served as the primary route for farm workers migrating from the Midwest to California. This migration persisted during World War II due to job opportunities in California. The highway connected small rural communities to larger cities and markets. Its predominantly flat terrain and moderate year-round climate made it an appealing route for travelers and truck drivers alike. During this period, it also became a crucial route for transporting military equipment across the nation. Thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Highway 66 Association, Route 66 was the first highway to be entirely paved by 1938. In the 1950s, it emerged as the primary highway for vacationers traveling to Los Angeles. The increased traffic along Route 66 resulted in the establishment of numerous "mom and pop" restaurants, motels, and service stations along the route to cater to the needs of traveling motorists.
Route 66 turned into one of the most iconic highways in the U.S., surpassing others like the Lincoln Highway. It's a staple in movies, songs, and books such as "The Grapes of Wrath," as well as TV shows. This legendary road is famous for its charming "mom and pop" motels, bright neon signs, drive-ins, quirky roadside attractions, flat tires, cars without air conditioning, tricky curves, steep hills, and narrow roads.
Nowadays, over 250 buildings, bridges, road alignments, and other landmarks along Route 66 are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. The film "Easy Rider" was shot at various spots along Route 66, and "Thelma and Louise" also included references and scenes from this iconic route. The fame of Route 66 has endured and keeps growing! So ... make sure to get your kicks on Historic U.S. Route 66 in 2025!
State - Miles
Illinois - 301
Missouri - 317
Kansas - 13
Oklahoma - 432
Texas - 186
New Mexico - 487
Arizona - 401
California - 314
TOTAL - 2,448 Miles
About Route 66 Association
The End of Route 66
Route 66 saw a lot of upgrades and changes throughout its existence. The Federal Highway Act of 1956 marked the beginning of the end for the classic road, as sections were slowly replaced by newer, safer, and faster highways. Its ultimate end came with the completion of the Interstate Highway System. The last town to be bypassed by this system was Williams, Arizona, on October 13, 1984. After that, U.S. Route 66 was officially taken off the United States Highway System on June 27, 1985. Route 66 was substituted by five Interstates: I-55 heading south from Chicago, I-44 through Missouri and Oklahoma, I-40 in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, I-15, and finally I-10 leading into Los Angeles. Route 66 Now Fast forward to 2025, and several states acknowledge the historical importance of this road, marking it with "66" in their state highway numbers. "Historic Route 66 Associations" are active in multiple states. The road has become a significant tourist draw, with many states promoting attractions and accommodations along the historic route. The old highway still runs through numerous small towns featuring vintage gas stations, quirky attractions, diners, "Mop & Pop" motels, historic sites and museums, breathtaking views, and gift shops.
Route 66 Now
Fast forward to 2025, and several states acknowledge the historical importance of this road, marking it with "66" in their state highway numbers. "Historic Route 66 Associations" are active in multiple states. The road has become a significant tourist draw, with many states promoting attractions and accommodations along the historic route. The old highway still runs through numerous small towns featuring vintage gas stations, quirky attractions, diners, "Mop & Pop" motels, historic sites and museums, breathtaking views, and gift sho
Exploring Route 66 on a Motorcycle
A lot of adventurers on Route 66 opt to rent motorcycles for some fresh air fun during their road trip across the USA! There are plenty of motorcycle rental options out there, and we can help you book a tour directly with Eaglerider Motorcycles.
Just shoot us an email or come see us at one of our events.
Out West, you can pick up your motorcycle at various rental spots in Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. If you're kicking off your Route 66 journey further up north, there are motorcycle pickup locations in Illinois too. You’ll find a wide range of models to choose from, including bikes from brands like Harley-Davidson and Indian. You can even rent trikes if that’s your style. If you prefer not to ride solo, there are tons of guided motorcycle tours available. Self-drive tours usually come with the motorcycle rental, hotel bookings, and detailed route info. Some rental companies even provide one-way rentals, hotel pickups, luggage storage, helmets, and other cool perks
.