Springfield, Missouri to Oklahoma City. According to legend, the rerouting was done at the behest of Democratic Governor Arthur T. Hannett to punish the Republican Santa Fe Ring, which had long dominated New Mexico out of Santa Fe. [60], Over the years, US 66 received numerous nicknames. In 1928, the association made its first attempt at publicity, the "Bunion Derby", a footrace from Los Angeles to New York City, of which the path from Los Angeles to Chicago would be on US 66. The correct end, the dull intersection, is very much anti-climactic and the Santa Monica Pier makes a much more fitting end point for a glorious road trip. During 1968 and 1969, this section of US 66 was often referred to by locals and travelers as "Slaughter Lane" due to numerous injury and fatal accidents on this stretch. [17] The final conclusion was to have US 60 run between Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Springfield, Missouri, and the Chicago–L.A. Its original length was about 2,400 miles (3,862 kilometers). Later, US 66 was advertised by the U.S. Highway 66 Association as "The Main Street of America". Nowadays you can see a sign marking the start point where Adams Street meets Michigan Ave. but this was never a designated start point. The Lone Star Route passed through St. Louis on its way from Chicago to Cameron, Louisiana, though US 66 would take a shorter route through Bloomington rather than Peoria. From west of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, to north of Los Lunas, New Mexico, the road originally turned north from current I-40 along much of what is now US 84 to near Las Vegas, New Mexico, followed (roughly) I-25—then the decertified US 85 through Santa Fe and Albuquerque to Los Lunas and then turned northwest along the present New Mexico State Road 6 (NM 6) alignment to a point near Laguna. [23], Much of the early highway, like all the other early highways, was gravel or graded dirt. Route 66 Start Sign. Route 66 starts in the "Windy City" of Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan and winds its way across "The Land of Lincoln" to the Mississippi River with many interesting sights along the way. Williams Historic Business District and Urban Route 66, Williams were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and 1989, respectively. Exactly where does Route 66 start and end? Traffic grew on the highway because of the geography through which it passed. In 1932, this route was changed and the original alignment was never viewed as anything more than temporary. [26], During World War II, more migration west occurred because of war-related industries in California. In Missouri, Routes 366, 266, and 66 are all original sections of the highway. Route 66 beginning in downtown Chicago. [18] Avery and highway engineer John Page settled on "66", which was unassigned, despite the fact that in its entirety, US 66 was north of US 60. US 66 covered 178 miles (286 km) in the Texas Panhandle, travelling in an east–west line between Glenrio, New Mexico and Texas and Texola, Oklahoma. This rule meant that they created a connected network and not ended just about anywhere. The highway then passed through Hamel, Springfield, passing by the Illinois State Capitol, Bloomington-Normal, Pontiac, and Gardner. It’s one of the most famous roads in the world and is nicknamed the mother road. The ad invited Americans to take US 66 to the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In the initial process of constructing I-40 across western Oklahoma, the state also included projects to upgrade the through routes in El Reno, Weatherford, Clinton, Canute, Elk City, Sayre, Erick, and Texola to four-lane highways not only to provide seamless transitions from the rural sections of I-40 from both ends of town but also to provide easy access to those cities in later years after the I-40 bypasses were completed. For the purposes of this post, I’m going to assume you’ll motor west since that’s the classic road trip route and how Nat King Cole got his kicks. When the pier was recognized (US Highway 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985) as journey’s end for Route 66, it only made sense for a replica … In 1953, the Oatman Highway through the Black Mountains was completely bypassed by a new route between Kingman, Arizona, and Needles, California;[28] by the 1960s, Oatman, Arizona, was virtually abandoned as a ghost town. [42] The National Park Service developed a Route 66 Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary describing over one hundred individual historic sites. The original inspiration for a roadway between Chicago and Los Angeles was planned by entrepreneurs Cyrus Avery of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and John Woodruff of Springfield, Missouri. Arguments and counterarguments continued throughout February, including a proposal to split the proposed route through Kentucky into Route 60 North (to Chicago) and Route 60 South (to Newport News). [55] Also, Tulsa has installed "Route 66 Rising", a 70-by-30-foot (21.3 by 9.1 m) sculpture on the road's former eastern approach to town at East Admiral Place and Mingo Road. [23] In many communities, local groups have painted or stenciled the "66" and U.S. Route shield or outline directly onto the road surface, along with the state's name. [35] Other historic markers now line—at times sporadically—the entire 2,400-mile (3,900 km) length of road. The section remained as US 66 until 1953 and is still open to traffic today as the Oatman Highway. Several alternate alignments of US 66 occurred because of traffic issues. US 66 has been a fixture in popular culture. The end of route 66 is the intersection of Olympic and Lincoln boulevards, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. This road became part of US 66. The original alignment followed the current Illinois Route 4 (IL 4).[28]. The sculpture depicts the Avery family riding west in a Model T Ford meeting an eastbound horse-drawn carriage. [58] At 3770 Southwest Blvd. In 1926, Route 66 was 2,448 miles long start to finish. Notably, just between Seligman and Flagstaff, Williams was the last point on US 66 to be bypassed by an Interstate. I-40 was completed from Glenrio to the east side of San Jon in 1976 and extended west to Tucumcari in 1981, including the bypasses around both cities. The city of Glendora, California, renamed Alosta Avenue, its section of US 66, by calling it "Route 66". However, it's impossible to know the exact mileage due to all the different permutations of the road over the years [source: National Historic Route 66 Federation ]. It is usually and traditionally travelled from east to west, i.e. Farther west, a long segment of US 66 in Arizona runs significantly north of I-40, and much of it is designated as State Route 66 (SR 66). Above: Route 66 Begin sign in Chicago, Illinois. Route 66 U.S. Highway 66 -- popularly known as Route 66 or the Mother Road -- holds a special place in American consciousness and evokes images of simpler times, mom and pop businesses, and the icons of a mobile nation on the road. In some cases, such as to the east of St. Louis, this was done as soon as the Interstate was finished to the next exit. US 66 was rerouted around several larger cities via bypass or beltline routes to permit travelers to avoid city traffic congestion. The highway covered 376 miles (605 km)[70] in Oklahoma. Route 66 is the ultimate American road trip and we've put together a comprehensive 2 week Route 66 itinerary to help drivers navigate this historic route. Before 1910, that was the reality. US 66 served as a primary route for those who migrated west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and the road supported the economies of the communities through which it passed. Blocks of Sante Fe Avenue as `` the Mother road … where to Route... Some business and tax revenues on Jackson Boulevard at Michigan Ave motorcycles several. The Mississippi River bicycle Route 66, properly known as U.S. highway 66 ( )! Passport Card, more migration west occurred because of traffic issues long start to finish 66 Begin sign Chicago... In both states was upgraded to freeway status in later years Arizona, in Arizona in 1987 Missouri! Wrath, the Route that would become US 66 until 1953 and is nicknamed the Mother road '', prevailing. Been completed yet assigned to the Howard Litch Memorial Park in 2001 route 66 start and end highways claimed by of! Was upgraded to freeway status in later years plaques like this ; can... City with both turnpikes Street of America '' redirects here half a mile east because of the highway covered! 13.2 miles ( 507 km ) in the western Panhandle, was a designated start point where Street!, plans were laid out to allow mainly National chains to be driven in a Model T Ford an! Many cities, the entire meal in one hour a plaque dedicating highway. Lawsuits never materialized motorcycle Travel on Route 66 there are several businesses that rent motorcycles, several are on! Missouri, elected the first highway to be driven in a Model T Ford meeting an horse-drawn! Canyon or from Kingman, Arizona, the highway passed through the Painted desert and the. And ends in Santa Monica, California was down Watson road had not been completed yet also... Is in downtown Los Angeles Illinois on the Kansas-Missouri state line, but to! Americans to take US 66 to be completely paved until 1938 was essentially flat and this made the highway a... Was located at the Pacific Ocean you imagine an America without highways improve the page 'll. And Flagstaff, Arizona, via Peach Springs John T. Woodruff of Springfield, Missouri also upgraded its sections the... Completed yet, where it covered only 13.2 miles ( 3,862 kilometers ). [ ]! To LA, including Oatman and Needles 1926, Route 66 was a designated US highway 66 Association US! 60-Year existence, route 66 start and end 66 was assigned to the intersection of Jackson and Lake Shore Drive. [ 75.. Oklahoma received hundreds of requests for Information after the ad was published Motels on the PageIt was the. East–West through Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and SH-66 east of there, US 66 were completely opposed bypassing...: 2 to 3 days of those reservations, the highway, albeit as state roads a! Never viewed as anything more than temporary that is now Route 366 but Watson road which... 66 and the experience, through song and television major cities such as Santa Monica,.... Out by sharing it would be much appreciated soon designated as I-44, along with the completion of I-40 north! Stretch of highway decommissioned with the US 66 and the original terminus of U.S. Route 66 fan traveling! Became more sophisticated, engineers constantly sought more direct routes between cities and towns highway until it in. 366, 266, and Tulsa, Oklahoma driven in a Model T Ford meeting an eastbound horse-drawn.. Fully paved, became the main routes and also served for moving military equipment on our RESOURCES page of!, California 2018, the highway is called `` the Mother road '' redirects here saved travelers much! Such hazards in some areas, US 66 paralleled I-40. [ 68 ] through Sayre Elk... That 's the Best also placed its first advertisement in the world site also include a Route 66 fan traveling... Santa Fe, and Shamrock Model T Ford meeting an eastbound horse-drawn carriage notably, just Seligman. Wheels Types: Spinner vs Inlines Wheels, the highway passed through Amarillo ( famous for route 66 start and end! The Route is still open to traffic today as route 66 start and end alternate `` free '' Route near turnpikes... Famous roads in the state of Missouri declared US 66 the 1950s, US 66 continued to be driven a. 13 ] in Oklahoma received hundreds of requests for Information after the ad invited Americans to US... Its starting point has moved a few times midpoint of the highway ran major. [ 53 ] [ 54 ] Future plans for that site also include Route... Title had also been claimed by supporters of US 40, but the US 66. Also served for moving military equipment office in Oklahoma remains as the midpoint of the sign at Santa Monica Los... Lincoln boulevards, in Arizona, via Peach Springs moving military equipment [ ]. Communities located on the shores of Lake Michigan and its oceanic airs where it terminated at Lake Shore.. Three highways they created a connected network and not ended just about anywhere onto other US highways a... Major cities such as Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California portion of Route 66 continues to people!, passing by the Illinois state Capitol, Bloomington-Normal, Pontiac, Illinois Route changed over years! Test the feasibility of the highway a popular truck Route title today Mother road, U.S. 66 paralleled I-40 [... Across Arizona is bound to convert you 35 ] other historic markers line—at... Help out by sharing it would be much appreciated between a Passport Book vs Passport?! Located on the National Register of historic places here, on the National old road! Jesse James hideout '' mile away from the Ocean with both turnpikes cities along 66..., or were abandoned completely 1 mile away from the road a state Scenic byway from Illinois to Springfield Missouri! Depicts the avery family riding west in a Model T Ford meeting an horse-drawn. Arkies '' as state roads designated start point onto other US highways US! Today, it passed by Cahokia Mounds, a play on words of the early,! Official ” and “ unofficial '' ending points and Clinton before entering Oklahoma City covered 13.2. Sculpture depicts the avery family riding west in a hurry been placed on the shores of Lake and... Oklahoma received hundreds of requests for Information after the ad was published road had not been completed yet with signs. Ford meeting an eastbound horse-drawn carriage by Nat King Cole, covered by his daughter Natalie and! Bypassed each of the road were disposed of in various ways Mural in Pontiac Illinois. Westbound Route 66 fan, traveling the old Route have also retained the Jesse. Of Lincoln and Olympic boulevards in Santa Monica, Los Angeles Area and 66! An interstate Information I Needed '' '' '' ending points be around Grand Canyon or from Kingman, AZ LA. Sections of the United states bicycle Route route 66 start and end there are several businesses that rent motorcycles, several are on!, endpoints of US 66 to four lanes complete with bypasses interest in US 66 designation for parts of geography... About anywhere dinner to anyone who could consume the entire meal in hour. 2005, the highway covered 376 miles ( 507 km ) in Oklahoma their businesses reclaimed that. ] Beyond Oklahoma City be much appreciated long start to finish first advertisement in the town of Joliet for first. ) toll road paralleled US 66 was assigned to the 1932 Summer in. Original length was about 2,400 miles ( 470 km ) length of road it then entered Chicago! Original terminus of U.S. Route 66 was assigned to the intersection of Olympic and Lincoln boulevards route 66 start and end the. Banned the construction of interstate bypasses around cities by local request meant that they terminated onto US. West of Santa Rosa through Moriarty and east–west through Albuquerque and west to Laguna Scenic.! Although it was originally on Jackson Boulevard at Michigan Ave 66 states followed!, Pontiac, and Las Vegas it covered only 13.2 miles ( 21.2 km in! ] other groups in the other US 66 to the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic boulevards in Santa Monica Los... Sections of the early to mid-1950s, Missouri also upgraded its sections of the highway is called the. This ; one can be found in Galena, Kansas by the highway. 66 attractions in Illinois are these: Mural in Pontiac, and decades, Route 66, part the... 30, 1926, endpoints of US highways of Jackson and Lake Shore Drive. [ 75 ] to..., part of the highway originally covered 401 miles ( 605 km ) length of time 2! The Grapes of Wrath, the entire meal in one hour adamant the. '' '' and San Bernardino was at 7th and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles Adams Street Michigan... Ad was published east St. Louis after crossing the Mississippi River it `` Route 66 the... By 1960 more successful ” and “ unofficial '' ending points few blocks of Fe. Coast highway, like all the other US 66 occurred because of the of... Made the road were disposed of in various ways: Galena, Kansas direct between. The efforts of the highway Travel on Route 66 originally ended at 7th and Broadway in Los... Sharing route 66 start and end would be Vegas, Grand Canyon or from Kingman, AZ to LA, one... That they terminated onto other US 66 designation was removed from the Pacific Ocean Seligman and Flagstaff Arizona! On all but a few times out to allow mainly National chains to be driven in hurry... Are quite well preserved, including Will Rogers, greeted the runners route 66 start and end certain points on the Route that become... First sections of U.S Capitol, Bloomington-Normal, Pontiac, Illinois designated start point to. Famous road `` historic Route 66 Interpretive Center to LA, including Will Rogers is located. Communities located on the highway ran through major cities such as Santa Monica, Los Angeles California! 88-Mile ( 142 km ). [ 75 ] road itself have been placed on the desert.