Route 66, a quintessential American road trip heavy on kitsch and history, turns 100
A car is driven along Oatman Highway, historic Route 66, near Oatman, Ariz., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — There are faster ways to get from Chicago to Los Angeles, but none have the allure or cultural cachet of Route 66.
To John Steinbeck, it was the Mother Road that led poor farmers from Dust Bowl desperation to sunny California. To Native Americans along the route, it was an economic boon that also left scars. To Black travelers, it offered sanctuary during segregation. And to music fans, it was the place to get their kicks.
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