US 66 was a primary route for those who migrated west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and it supported the economies of the communities through which it passed.

Map showing the approximate route of U.S. Highway 66 across Illinois from Chicago to St. Louis, Missouri. Route 66 across Missouri features a variety of large cities and small towns, connected by …

Route 66 was one of the first national highways for motor vehicles in the United States and one that became an icon in American popular culture. It ran from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, and …

Jun 27, 2022 · U.S. Highway 66 — popularly known as Route 66 — embodies a complex, rich history that goes well beyond any chronicle of the road itself. An artery of transportation, an agent of social …

Jan 8, 2026 · Here we outline the rich history of Route 66, from its roots in ancient Indian trails (traces) and colonial tracks to the four-lane alignments of the 1940s and 50s, its demise in 1985, and its …

Jan 14, 2026 · From quiet desert towns to nostalgic roadside gems, these underrated Route 66 stops are the kind of places that turn a classic road trip into something unforgettable.

Aug 7, 2025 · Established in the 1920s as part of the first federal highway system, Route 66 connected the plains of Chicago to the Pacific Ocean in California. In its early days, it attracted Dust Bowl …

Sep 9, 2024 · Here’s what to know about the iconic road, and how the construction of the interstate highway forever changed Route 66.

5 days ago · Spanning nearly 2,500 miles across 8 states, Route 66 is among the most famous and well-travelled All-American Roads, making it the ultimate US road trip.

Route 66 symbolized the renewed spirit of optimism that pervaded the country after economic catastrophe and global war. Often called, “The Main Street of America”, it linked a remote and under …