All you need to know about the legendary Route 66 in the United States
Written on : 22 May 2020 By : Léa Frémiot
When we think of the United States, we imagine the enormity of the country, a variety of different landscapes, a country where everything is possible, but also its legendary Route 66. Who has never dreamt of going on a road trip? Full of history, this famous road has evolved a lot over the years but remains a must-see in the United States. So, if you plan to fly away to the American dream during your stay, don't miss a ride on this road. We'll give you the secrets and history of it right away, guaranteed to make you want to visit!
Route 66, also known as the Mother Road, the original highway over all other U.S. highways, totals almost 4,000 kilometers from Chicago to Los Angeles. Eight states are crossed by the latter, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and finally California as well as three different time zones. To take this legendary route is to experience adventure, a taste for holidays and infinite freedom. But above all, it is about feeling the spirit of America and its history. It was in 1926 that the famous road began to see the light of day, following President Wilson's desire to create a modern highway to serve these different states and to be able to cross the United States from the same road. However, it would be twelve years before the road was completely covered. Between 1926 and 1985, Route 66 underwent many route changes, and it stopped serving New Mexico in 1937, shortening its total distance to 3,665 kilometres.
Since its inception, Route 66 has been the site of many events and has been of paramount importance in the history of the United States. During the Great Depression of 1930, following the Great Depression of 1929, many families left their farms because of the drought and used Route 66 to migrate to California in search of work. A little later, during the Second World War, this famous road would be used not only to drive the soldiers, but also to provide them with supplies. Finally, in the post-war period, Route 66 had its hour of glory with the development of many towns on the outskirts of the road and many small businesses were born there, such as the famous motels, the multiplication of service stations and coffee shops. Route 66, whose traffic soared after the war, then welcomed the development of the towns of Amarillo in Texas and Flagstaff in Arizona.
Having lost its main function since 1985 when Route 66 was decommissioned, it became the tourist attraction we know of today. Indeed, starting in the 1960s, the US government invested in more modern highways and budgeted for the creation of highways to facilitate mobility across the different states, and this in a faster way than by using Route 66. Thus, in the mid-1980s, with the development of highways, Route 66 was used almost exclusively by locals, who sought at all costs to preserve its legendary character and not to force the small businesses that flourished along the route to close down. The development of tourism and the preservation of this iconic road of American culture was then launched. Indeed, for several years now, Route 66 has seen the appearance of new motels and tourist attractions to promote the dynamism of this route and make it a real site to visit whether it is by discovering it within a single state or by taking the entire route.
We strongly advise you to discover this legendary road if you are travelling in the United States. The landscapes it crosses are absolutely exceptional. One of the most beautiful deserts in the world can be found on its banks - the perfect place to admire a sunset. There are many historic and must-see sites that will make you relive American nostalgia all along Route 66. Below is a small list of our favourite places to visit:
- Route 66 Museum in Clinton, which is one of the best reconstructions of the ambiance of the route in the 50s and 60s.
- The Dixies roadside restaurant in McLean, dating from 1928, where you can see the historic trucks that used to cross this road.
- Tucumcari and its motels which was the only major city on the road and therefore a must stop for a rest.
- The magnificent U Drop Inn gas station built-in 1926 in the Texas town of Shamrock.
- The historic village of Oatman, also known as the Ghost Town, which hosted the gold rush in the early 20th century.
- The famous Bagdad Café in the middle of the beautiful Mojave Desert. Coffee at the origin of the German hit film "Bagdad Café"
You are now ready to conquer the famous Route 66 for a unique experience and an unforgettable vacation, with family or friends in the United States!
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