Buzz
Few things evoke as much nostalgia for the golden age of road trips like Route 66. This iconic highway, stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, opened in 1926 and was designed with practicality in mind, linking small towns to major highways across its 2448 miles. By the 1950s, America's 'Mother Road'—famous for its quirky roadside attractions, classic drive-ins, and nostalgic motels—had turned into a major tourist destination on its own.
Route 66 inspired John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, was the foundation for a popular television series, and fueled many small businesses that catered to travelers along the route. So, what led to the decline of this cherished 'Main Street of America' in less than 30 years after its peak?
Three words: the Eisenhower Interstate.
During WWII, General Eisenhower recognized the efficiency of the German Autobahn. In 1956, President Eisenhower passed the Federal Interstate Act, which called for the creation of four-lane highways to streamline travel across the U.S., reduce traffic jams, and provide a faster evacuation route in case of a nuclear emergency.
Unfortunately for Route 66 and its communities, the Federal Interstate Act meant that segments of the iconic road had to be upgraded, replaced, or bypassed. By the 1970s, much of the original highway had been nearly scrapped; on June 27, 1985, the legendary route was officially decommissioned.
A large portion of the original Route remains intact—around 85 percent, in fact. Landmarks like the Wigwam Motel and other attractions still stand, aided by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which began in 1999. More of the route may also see revitalization in the future. In 2015, multiple preservation groups united to form the U.S. 66 Highway Association, an organization dedicated to maintaining the roadway, its architecture, and historical sites.
By its centennial in 2026, perhaps the Mother Road will once again be the path millions of Americans travel westward in search of adventure.
