U.S. Route 66 turns 100 years old this year, and communities along the historic highway are preparing for a year of centennial events. The road was established in 1926 and eventually stretched about 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California.
Although Route 66 was officially removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985, large portions of the original roadway still exist. Many of those segments remain drivable today, passing through hundreds of small towns and historic roadside stops.
Because of the anniversary, cities and towns across the route are organizing festivals, car shows, exhibits, and other events throughout the year. For those who love a good road trip, the centennial is drawing renewed attention to one of the most recognizable highways in the United States.
Celebrations Planned Across the Route
Route 66 passes through eight states, and communities across the entire corridor are preparing events tied to the centennial.
The states include:
- Illinois
- Missouri
- Kansas
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- California
Many celebrations will center around classic car culture, which has long been tied to Route 66. Several towns are planning events such as:
- classic car shows and parades
- organized group drives along historic sections of the highway
- community festivals celebrating Route 66 history
- museum exhibits and special programs about the road
Some well-known events are expected to take part in the anniversary year. Arizona’s Route 66 Fun Run, for example, regularly draws large crowds and will likely be one of the more visible celebrations.
Rather than concentrating events into one week, many communities plan to spread activities throughout the year.
Perfect for RV Travelers
Route 66 has long been associated with cross-country travel, and that connection still makes the highway appealing to RVers.
Most RV travelers experience Route 66 in sections. Historic stretches of the highway often sit near national parks, scenic drives, and small towns, making it easy to include part of the route during longer RV trips.
Along the route, travelers will find a wide range of overnight options, including:
- privately owned RV parks
- state park campgrounds
- public campgrounds near historic towns
- small roadside parks that cater to travelers exploring Route 66
In some places, historic sections of Route 66 still run directly through towns that preserved the roadside culture that once defined the highway.
Classic Route 66 Stops Travelers Still Visit
Many roadside attractions along Route 66 have become destinations in their own right. Some date back to the highway’s busiest decades, while others were built later as tributes to the road.
A few stops that continue to attract travelers include:
- Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
A public art installation featuring ten Cadillacs buried nose down in the ground. - Blue Whale of Catoosa – Catoosa, Oklahoma
A large blue whale sculpture beside a small pond has become one of the route’s most recognizable landmarks. - Wigwam Motel – Arizona and California
Motel rooms shaped like concrete teepees where travelers can still stay overnight. - Santa Monica Pier – Santa Monica, California
Widely recognized as the traditional western endpoint of Route 66.
These stops represent the kind of roadside attractions that helped define long-distance road travel in the United States.
Resources to Find Route 66 Centennial Events
Travelers interested in attending centennial celebrations can find event calendars and planning information on several Route 66 websites. Because events are being organized by local communities across eight states, no single list contains everything.
A few resources that track many of the announced celebrations include:
- Route 66 Centennial Commission Event Calendar
The official centennial website maintains a searchable calendar of activities happening along the route. Events range from car shows and community festivals to historic restoration projects and educational programs. - Route66RoadTrip.com Event Listings
This site tracks major celebrations planned along the highway, including multi-day festivals such as the Texas Route 66 Festival scheduled for June 2026. - State Route 66 Associations
Several states maintain their own event pages. Arizona, for example, lists local celebrations and annual gatherings such as the Route 66 Fun Run that incorporate the centennial into their schedules.
Travelers should expect additional events to appear throughout the year. Many communities are adding centennial activities to existing local festivals rather than creating entirely new events.
For RV travelers planning a Route 66 trip in 2026, checking these calendars before hitting the road can help identify celebrations happening along specific sections of the highway.
A Rare Road Trip Milestone
Route 66 has gone through several phases since its creation in 1926. The highway played a major role in cross-country travel during the mid-twentieth century before declining after the interstate system expanded.
Over time, parts of the route were preserved as a historic tourism corridor.
The 100th anniversary is bringing renewed attention to the highway and the towns that grew along it. With events scheduled throughout 2026, travelers may see more activity along Route 66 than in a typical year.
For RV travelers who enjoy long road trips and roadside history, the centennial offers a reason to revisit sections of the route or see parts of it for the first time.
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