Millions Are Still Taking A Trip Down Memory Lane On Route 66
I came across this article by chance the other day, and found it particularly relevant because my wife and I did this a few years ago.
In my opinion, people over 50 will get the most out of it, as it evokes memories of simpler times when things were less complicated and not politicized.
We visited many of the spots covered in the Epoch Times article, which is enhanced with a few photos we took in the mining town of Oatman, famous for its roaming burro population, which was a big hit with us.
Millions Still Taking It Easy on the Highway Mecca That Is Route 66
By Allan Stein
Cities and towns along the historic 2,228-mile highway from Chicago to Los Angeles are staging multiple events while anticipating a surge in tourism.
WINSLOW, Ariz.—Rebecca Houston and Deb Good drove 1,600 miles from Chicago to stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, along the historic Route 66.
It was the ride of a lifetime—a chance for the sisters from Missoula, Montana, to take selfies and make memories in front of a bronze statue of Glenn Frey, co-founder of the Eagles.
The band made Winslow famous with its 1972 hit song “Take It Easy,” but the popularity of Route 66 had preceded them by decades.
At first, Houston wasn’t so sure about hitting the road for a cross-country trip after losing her husband three years ago.
But now that she’s 60, she realizes that time is precious. The road ahead isn’t going to get any easier, and the chances to travel won’t come around as often.
“Why don’t we take a road trip together?” Good, 57, suggested to her older sister one day—like two ride-or-die siblings embarking on a journey of discovery out West.
They sat down to make plans, and in May, loaded their car and set off to traverse the full length of Route 66—America’s “Mother Road.”
Taking it slow and easy was the way to roll.
As they traveled through each town, Good pointed out “little nugget” attractions along the way.
“Let’s see if we can find another little Route 66 nugget. We’re just going to make this massive scrapbook in the end,” Good told The Epoch Times.
For both siblings, Route 66 is not just a 2,448-mile road trip. It is a piece of history. Next year, this famous route will celebrate its 100th anniversary across eight states.
The route passes through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
“Route 66 is an indelible symbol of American freedom and adventure that has shaped the history and culture of the United States. The eight states it passes through have committed to preserving, protecting, and commemorating this national treasure.”
Cities and towns along the route have begun preparing for a 100th anniversary celebration showcasing Americana at its finest. Festivities started this year and will reach their peak in November 2026.
“[Route 66 is] the American identity. It’s a symbol of freedom and how America was built,” said Casey Claypool, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
“Here, in Illinois, we say the Mother Road begins. It’s the first paved highway from east to west. When you’re the first with anything, that sticks with you,” Claypool said.
Journey Begins
On Nov. 11, 1926, the Bureau of Public Roads established Route 66 as part of the first federal highway system, beginning in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, California.
The highway gained fame through John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath” and Bobby Troup’s 1946 song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.”
In the 1950s and 1960s, it was a popular vacation destination, fostering small businesses and novelty stores along its path and a generation of young California-bound travelers.
Over time, the glamour and glory of Route 66 began to diminish with the advent of the interstate highway system, leading to its decommissioning in 1985.
Some sections in Arizona, Illinois, Missouri, and New Mexico are now designated as National Scenic Byways, known as the Old Historic 66.
A notable landmark is the “Arizona US 66” symbol painted at the four-way intersection in “Standin’ on the Corner Park” in Winslow.
Each year, thousands of tourists flock to that spot as part of their Route 66 experience.
“It’s a nostalgia thing,” said Bob Hall, CEO of Winslow’s Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, who anticipates a significant rise in tourism in the coming months.
At 67, Hall identifies as a member of the Baby Boomer generation.
As a child, his family would pack their station wagon every summer and drive to his grandmother’s house in Alabama along Route 66.
On their journeys, his father always stopped to visit scenic attractions and stay at motor courts. The family shared meals in railroad car diners and explored quirky shops.
“My father would stop in every town. It drove my mother crazy,“ Hall said. ”But there was always something for the kids to see and do.
‘America’s Highway’
In 2024, travelers across the United States and visitors from other countries took 2 billion road trips across America. About 5 million of these trips were on Route 66, according to RoadGenius.com.
When we were driving in, we had to go slow because of all the burrows begging for handouts along the way. When we got into town, it was even better.
Of note, one of the locals told me the town population is around 100, with only three Democrats.
“It’s amazing. People come in every day, whether they’re doing Route 66, stopping in here, or stopping for both,” said Ashley Scott, manager of The Arizona 66 Trading Co. in Winslow.
“It’s just a simple, iconic thing. It’s all ages. International tourism is huge.
“You can get out of the car; you can get something to eat; you can get something to drink; you can walk around; you can take pictures. There’s a lot right in the downtown area.”
Scott said the nostalgic charm of Route 66 attracts people because the simplest things from the past are often what they miss the most.
In the past, older generations found life in America more appealing and meaningful. They saw the country as a place full of endless opportunities and larger-than-life heroes.
People felt more connected then, without cell phones, she said. Life’s challenges seemed less important compared to the simple joys of traveling.
Route 66 has inspired artists, photographers, wanderers, and adventurers like a dream made of concrete, brick, asphalt, and hope, where everything feels possible and free.
The dream has become a global phenomenon, Scott said.
“I had a guy over from Switzerland not too long ago. He was like: ‘This has been the greatest thing. I know a lot is going on in your country right now. But our country has its issues going on, too. There’s stuff going on everywhere,” she told The Epoch Times.
On Route 66, “you can forget about all of that,” she said.
No Worries
In Illinois, roughly 300 miles of the old Route 66 now pass through the state, which boasts some of the major attractions, starting with the “Begin Route 66” sign in Chicago.
“And we have the most marketable miles,“ Claypool told The Epoch Times. ”We have the most per mile to see. We support over 90 communities in Illinois.
“Unlike some of the other states, you’ve got to drive for 100 miles sometimes to see something.”
Claypool estimates that 40 percent of Route 66 destination seekers in Illinois are foreign travelers from Australia, Germany, and other European Union countries.
“They want selfies. They want pictures. So Route 66 is perfect for that,“ she said. ”Most of our travelers are 50-plus.
“However, we’re trying to educate the younger kids. They no longer want to go to Disney World. They want an experience.”
From now until November 2026, organizers of the Route 66 centennial project expect a 40 percent increase in visitors and a significant boost in traveler spending, Claypool said.
“It’s going to be huge,” she said. “Route 66 is affordable—it’s not like going to the Bahamas or Hawaii, where you’d be dropping thousands and thousands of dollars.
“You can have some of the best quality time with friends and family on Route 66 and not spend an arm and a leg.”
Nearly 400 miles of Route 66 pass through New Mexico, including 18 miles through Albuquerque, which is gearing up for a centennial celebration filled with creative projects and roadside attractions, according to Art and Culture Deputy Director Diego Lucero.
The city has worked with artists, businesses, museums, and indigenous communities to enhance the historic charm and attraction of Route 66, he said.
“It’s the Americana ideal of travel and the way the country was built to get from east to west and all that comes with it,” Lucero told The Epoch Times.
“It is a big deal, worth celebrating. What’s really cool is we’ve had so many people—communities, neighborhood associations, reaching out to get involved.”
On July 19, the city officially started its Route 66 Centennial Celebration with the Route 66 Summerfest.
What’s the Hurry?
Hall believes that today, people often rush toward things that matter less in the big picture of life.
Just like savoring the bubbly, sweet flavor of Orange Crush soda as a child, one should take time to appreciate the little things, he said.
“Now, everyone just wants to get there. So they’ll take the I-40,” he said.
As Houston and Good get closer to the last leg of their summer road trip, every mile is a chance to create even more wonderful memories together.
“We’re loving the architecture in some of the older towns and businesses. And even if the motel is gone, the sign is still there,” Houston said.
If you drive far enough west, she said, you will eventually see the Route 66 “End of the Trail” sign at Santa Monica Pier.
Good plans to keep things simple when she arrives, watching the golden sunset from the famous landing—one more item to check off her bucket list.