As the Mother Road celebrates its 100th anniversary, interest in Route 66 is on the rise, and a new interactive map shows travelers how to plan the perfect drive.
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The country’s most iconic highway turns 100 this year, and travelers are ready to celebrate with an epic road trip.
Route 66, also known as the Mother Road, is approximately 2,500 miles long and spans eight states, starting in Chicago, Illinois and ending in Santa Monica, California. Established in 1926 as a way to connect isolated rural communities, Route 66 recreates a nostalgic era of Americana, filled with neon signs, diners, and classic cars.
With the country also celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, many travelers are interested in taking a Route 66 road trip, with the travel platform reporting a 20% jump in interest in the famous highway on TripAdvisor compared to last year. Road trippers can stop at historic sites and quirky landmarks, such as the 66-foot-tall soda bottle at Pop’s 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia, Oklahoma.
To help travelers create their own Route 66 road trip itineraries, TripAdvisor’s in-house creative studio Wonderlab, in partnership with Choice Hotels International, recently launched Century of Route 66, an interactive guide to the best stops along the famous highway.
“Route 66 is one of the most iconic ways to experience America, with its small towns, local businesses, classic diners and historic landmarks,” Steve Paganelli, TripAdvisor’s vice president of global media and partnerships, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Learn how to plan your Route 66 road trip with new maps from TripAdvisor and Choice Hotels.
Plan your Route 66 Road Trip
The Route 66 map of the century highlights the best pit stops in each of the eight states along the highway, as well as nearby Choice hotels for a seamless travel experience. Travelers can browse TripAdvisor’s map, select the most notable attractions, and find nearby accommodations.
“Our team selected landmarks that capture each state’s unique Route 66 character, from its historic past to its vibrant present,” Paganelli said. “From historic buildings and wonderfully quirky roadside stations to iconic diners and convenient stays, all of our recommendations have earned their place with outstanding reviews on TripAdvisor from travelers who have traveled with us.”
Here’s a guide for each state:
- ILLINOIS – Huge roadside attractions like the world’s largest ketchup bottle and the space-themed Gemini Giant will liven up your road trip.
- Missouri – Travelers can cross the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River and explore underground cages.
- Kansas – This 13-mile stretch of Route 66 offers glimpses into history, including 1920s roadside stores and giant coal rigs that pay homage to the state’s mining history.
- Oklahoma – Home to the largest stretch of highway, Oklahoma is full of museums and attractions, including a round barn and a giant blue whale.
- Texas – Some of the most iconic Route 66 stops are in Texas, including the Cadillac Ranch, famous for its spray-painted cars.
- New Mexico – The neon lights, diners, and quaint small towns that characterize this southwestern state are almost the epitome of Route 66.
- Arizona – Vast natural landscapes of red rocks and pine forests make Arizona one of Route 66’s most beautiful regions.
- California – Travelers end their trip at the Santa Monica Pier, but before that they have to make some worthwhile pit stops in the Golden State.
“Our goal was to offer something for every type of road tripper, centered around the experiences that travelers always rave about,” Paganelli added.
