Over the weekend, the Chicago Tribune announced it is sending two reporters on Route 66 from west to east before the highway's centennial in 2026. In an initial story titled "One Century, One Road," Jonathan Bullington and E. Jason Wambsgans said they will depart from the West Coast and head east on the Mother Road. … Continue reading Chicago Tribune reporters will travel Route 66, want your thoughts on the highway
Category: Road trips
Route 66 named fifth-best scenic drive in America by USA Today readers
The readers of USA Today recently voted Route 66 as No. 5 of the 10 best scenic drives in the United States in 2025. The newspaper stated it assembled a panel of travel experts to nominate the routes. Readers then voted to decide the winners, all of which were designated scenic byways on a state … Continue reading Route 66 named fifth-best scenic drive in America by USA Today readers
Oklahoma Route 66 Association issues its free trip guide
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced it has published its free trip guide for 2025 and 2026. The guide, which has been published for almost 30 years, contains maps of Route 66 alignments and listings of businesses and attractions. The association stated in its weekly newsletter that the 120-page guides will be distributed to … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association issues its free trip guide
The Drive Home VII will travel all of Route 66 in January
A cross-country trip sponsored by America's Automotive Trust, Detroit Auto Show and National Route 66 Centennial Commission apparently will be the first significant event of the highway's centennial in 2026. The three entities recently announced "The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure," which they dubbed as "a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country drive celebrating … Continue reading The Drive Home VII will travel all of Route 66 in January
Will Route 66 see a downturn of foreign travelers?
Less than two weeks ago, Dutch Route 66 enthusiast Dries Bessels announced on Facebook he would forego travel to the United States because of the policies of President Donald Trump's administration. Bessels is not a Johnny-come-lately. He's made 15 full-length trips on Route 66 since 2009, and he wrote a Dutch-language guidebook to the Mother … Continue reading Will Route 66 see a downturn of foreign travelers?
“Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” goes on Route 66 from Tulsa through Texas
The latest episode of "Samantha Brown's Places to Love" aired on PBS, where she travels on Route 66 west from Tulsa through the Texas Panhandle to the New Mexico border. Over 25 minutes, she visits Threatt Filling Station in Luther, Oklahoma; First Americans Museum and a neon artist in Oklahoma City; Sid's Diner in El … Continue reading “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” goes on Route 66 from Tulsa through Texas
Fast TV Network’s “Legends of Route 66” lands “Official Route 66 Centennial Project” designation
The seventh season of Fast TV Network’s "Legends of Route 66" has been recommended as an "Official Route 66 Centennial Project." Commission member Bill Thomas stated in the letter to the network: “Congratulations, Fast TV Network's Legends of Route 66 Centennial Season Seven project has been recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission as … Continue reading Fast TV Network’s “Legends of Route 66” lands “Official Route 66 Centennial Project” designation
Roy’s in Amboy makes an appearance in California tourism ad
Visit California recently released a one-minute advertisement, and it includes Roy's Motel and Cafe along Route 66 in Amboy. https://youtu.be/q_F4PmMizRo?si=6a45Y1RhLX1amjp9 The ad is a clever way of incorporating the lyrics from Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Up Around the Bend" -- a classic road song if there ever was one. ---
TV travel host Samantha Brown travels Route 66 from St. Louis to Tulsa
A few roadies have recommended this, and upon watching it, so do I. The "Samantha Brown's Places to Love" travel show on PBS-TV recently aired. This 25-minute episode features Route 66 from St. Louis to Tulsa. It includes Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Gearhead Curios, Uranus Missouri, a mural artist in Cuba, Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios … Continue reading TV travel host Samantha Brown travels Route 66 from St. Louis to Tulsa
State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66
Last week, the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission announced the launch of a Route 66 commemorative map for the Sooner State. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also leads the state's tourism agency and is a big proponent of Route 66, attended a news conference at the state Capitol to promote the 2025-2026 map. The maps … Continue reading State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66