Route 66 Centennial: 1926-2026

In 2026, the nation will be celebrating the Route 66 Centennial ... the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road serving the traveling public!

We are highlighting on this page resources and news related to the Route 66 Centennial and the 100th Anniversary of the Mother Road. Also, we have published a list of Route 66 Centennial Events in 2026.

The numerical designation of "U.S. Route 66" was assigned on April 30, 1926. "The Mother Road" was then commissioned on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles (3,940 km) from Chicago to Los Angeles. Route 66 would become one of the United States' first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated west.

Many states,cities and organizations are planning special parades, festivals and other events to celebrate the Centennial.

In addition, the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in 2020. The Act creates a commission, with representatives from each of the eight Route 66 states, to recommend activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary in 2026. Read more at the Official Route 66 Centennial Commission website.

Road Trip Travel Guides for States on Route 66

Planning a road trip on Route 66 during the Centennial in 2026? Here are our latest travel guides and reviews by state ...

Official Route 66 Centennial Website This website presents a wide variety of Official Route 66 Centennial Programs, Events, Projects, and Activities recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. Springfield, Missouri has been selected as the Official Host City of the Route 66 Centennial National Kick-Off, which will anchor locations across Route 66, providing an unprecendented special event to commence the Route 66 Centennial scheduled for April 30, 2026. Visit the Route 66 Centennial website for more events and Route 66 Centennial on Facebook

Popular Gifts for You, Your Family and Friends!
Route 66 12"x18" Wall Calendar for 2026	Route 66 Centennial License Plate Magnet
Route 66 The First 100 Years, by Jim Ross and Shellee Graham	Route 66 Centennial Cap
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Route 66 Centennial, Historical & Preservation Resources
Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission
Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission
Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission
New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Commission
Official Route 66 Centennial Commission
National Historic Route 66 Federation
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
State and City Route 66 Centennial Websites
Grants, New Mexico Official Route 66 Centennial Website

Route 66 Centennial Monuments The Route 66 Centennial Monument Project is offically recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. Standing 16' in height, the monuments are double-sided with raised lettering and internally lit with LED lighting. Every monument features a unique QR code that links to its own dedicated webpage, showcasing rich historical insights and stunning monument photos. Shown below are some of the early monuments along Route 66. For more information and photos, visit www.Route66Monuments.com
Route 66 Centennial monument J.M. Davis Museum Claremore, Oklahoma	Route 66 Centennial monument Petree Plaza El Reno, Oklahoma
Threatt Station Centennial monument, Luther, Oklahoma	Sapulpa, Oklahoma Centennial monument

State Route 66 Associations in the USA
Route 66 Association of Illinois
Route 66 Association of Missouri
Kansas Historic Route 66 Association
Oklahoma Route 66 Association
Old Route 66 Association of Texas
New Mexico Route 66 Association
Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona
California Historic Route 66 Association

Route 66 State Travel & Tourism Offices	Route 66 12"x18" Wall Calendar for 2026
Illinois: Route 66
Missouri: Route 66
Kansas: Route 66
Travel Oklahoma: Route 66
Travel Texas: Route 66
New Mexico: Route 66
Visit Arizona: Route 66
Visit California: Route 66

Our Relationship with Route 66

We love America, and travel to the many exciting places and destinations that the country offers. We also enjoy being out on the open roads of America, like cross-country trips on Route 66, The Mother Road.

We have driven Route 66 in all eight states which the historic road traversed, and have accumulated a significant archive of photos and travel experiences.

There have seen fun days in Catoosa, Cuba, Glenrio, Gallup, Oatman, Pontiac, Barstow, Tucumcari and Seligman. We remember those road trips to Holbrook, Winslow, Amboy, Joplin, Shamrock, Elk City, Galena and Springfield ... and so many more!

As we look forward to the Centennial in 2026, we are grabbing a cup of coffee and heading back out for another Historic Route 66 road trip in 2025!