There are bucket-list road trips... and then there's Route 66. Winding through eight states and connecting America’s Midwest to California, this iconic road has earned its status as a defining symbol of American culture. This year marks its centennial anniversary, and with year-round celebrations all along the Route, there has never been a better time to visit.
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A cross-section of America
First commissioned in 1926, Route 66 originally stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Though parts of the Route are no longer in use, visitors can still drive 85 per cent of it, making it one of the best ways to see America.
“There are so many different aspects of America that you get to see as you travel along it”, said Karl Elliott, Route 66 specialist for Audley Travel. “You’ve got incredible cities on the route, and smaller, more rural towns. You get a real cross-section of America on just a single trip.”
Sam Furnell, branch manager at Holidays By Design in Brigg, has found that once their clients travel Route 66, they struggle to find a trip that compares. “Everybody I’ve sold Route 66 to has said, ‘You’ve ruined future holidays for us!’
“I end up booking them more road trips around Canada and the US because they’ve loved it.”
Route 66 in pop culture
Pop culture has also contributed to making the route a must-see destination for international travellers. Literary fans may know it from John Steinbeck’s, Grapes of Wrath, whilst the musically inclined have likely heard Nat King Cole singing 'Get your kicks on Route 66'.
The road has also become an iconic backdrop for many Hollywood films, such as Meet Me in St Louis and National Lampoon’s Vacation. Even Walt Disney Pictures found inspiration there.
“There’s only a tiny section of the route going through Kansas, but the town of Galena is where the Disney Pixar film, Cars, took its inspiration from”, revealed Elliott. “Scenes from The Blues Brothers were also filmed on the route up in Illinois and you’ve got the opportunity to visit some of the sets.”
A tour to suit every traveller
There are tours along Route 66 to accommodate every kind of traveller, with most following the traditional east to west route from Chicago to Los Angeles. A popular option for many is an escorted coach tour, offered by companies such as Titan Travel, Leger and Cosmos.
“It’s the perfect trip for fans of retro Americana”, said Rob Stapley, senior product manager of Titan Travel, “giving them the opportunity to tick off numerous ‘bucket list’ experiences, from the majesty of the Grand Canyon to the nostalgia of an authentic 60s diner.”
Titan Travel’s Historic Route 66 Tour also stops off in Vegas, where last year, two British travellers on a Titan tour tied the knot, inviting the whole tour group to celebrate with them.
For travellers seeking the independence of driving themselves but the security of a fully tailored itinerary, a self-guided tour strikes the perfect balance.
“I don’t think I’ve ever built the same [Route 66] itinerary twice”, said Elliott. “The first part of the Route is quite standard. From Chicago to Amarillo, you use most of the same stopping points, but the second half has lots of opportunities to detour and take in things that aren’t technically on the Route. That’s where you customise [the trip] to the right version of Route 66 for the client.”
The journey from Chicago to Los Angeles features many well-known and quirky attractions, like the world’s biggest rocking chair, the Gemini Giant and the Blue Whale of Catoosa, but clients may find themselves favouring somewhere they never expected to.
“Oklahoma is one that really surprises people”, explained Elliott. “It’s such a vibrant, friendly city with lots of contrast. You've got stock yards and cattle drives, fabulous museums and a really nice brewing and food culture.”
“There’s also a number of classic car museums along the route. The best one that I went to was Bill’s Backyard Classics outside of Amarillo. It’s owned and operated by a former racing driver. In Springfield, Illinois, there’s Ace Signs, a neon sign museum where they still make them and you can have a free tour. Everywhere you go, you’re just picking up on these incredible bits of memorabilia.”
Geopolitical impacts
Understandably, in light of the current geopolitical situation in America, clients are expressing concern when booking holidays to the country. “We’re not as busy for America at the moment”, explained Furnell, “I've just cancelled a booking as a customer didn’t want to travel because of everything that’s going on.”
“I think people are seeing things on the news and deciding that now isn’t the right time for them to go”, added Elliott, “But I was there only last year and what you actually experience is very unchanged.”
Simon Morgan, Personal Travel Consultant at PTC, has found that unlike other American destinations, his Route 66 enquiries have remained high, “It seems to be quite a resilient holiday, immune from political dispute and global affairs. It’s a big adventure, that open road experience that people see in movies and aspire to do.”
The centennial year
For those still keen to fly across the pond, 2026 is certainly a great year to make the trip. “The Centennial of Route 66 – coinciding as it does with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – will definitely put this tour and the USA in general on people's radar”, said Titan Travel's Stapley.
A star-studded concert will mark the official Centennial kick-off in Springfield, Illinois, on April 30. In the days that follow, Springfield will host parades, car shows, and even a 1920s themed ball. Across the year, a plethora of events will take place to mark the Route’s 100-year anniversary, including the Route 66 Bike Week in April and the Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan in June.
Travellers should also keep an eye out for smaller events they may stumble across, as Elliott explained, “I think everywhere along the route will look to history and pick out their part in Route 66 and highlight it.”
So, could Route 66 be your roadmap to US sales success this year? The sign are pointing to a year of reflection, celebration, and optimism across Route 66. With a vintage road trip looping in America's iconic sights to enjoy, there truly is no better way to explore the USA.
Resources: Brand USA's road trip planning tool has lots of information and ideas to help agents plan Route 66 itineraries; Visit USA also has dedicated road trip planning content around Route 66
Photo opportunities
Karl Elliott from Audley Travel has these tips for iconic Route 66 snaps
The Route 66 sign in Chicago
Whilst you’re in Chicago, it is almost obligatory to get a picture next to the official start of Historic Route 66. You then also need to get one at the finish line on Santa Monica Pier. It is easier to get these photos the day before you pick up the hire car to avoid having to negotiate Chicago traffic.
Try the original corn dog in Springfield, Illinois
Cozy Dog Diner is THE original maker of the Corn Dog – a stable fast food “delicacy” now available across the states. But right here in Springfield Illinois at this tiny diner is where it all began.
Look out for the Muffler Men
You can spot giant fiberglass statues like 30ft-tall Gemini Giant at regular intervals all the way along the route – they became popularised during the 1950’s and 1960’s when driving the mother road became a fabulous experience with the advent of the automobile across the USA. They have been nicknamed the muffler men because many held car mufflers to advertise auto repair shops.
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo
One of the unmissable places you simply have to visit is the iconic Cadillac Ranch. This is a series of old Cadillac cars planted into the ground in a row and people over the years have taken to spray painting these in bright colours, each person leaving their own mark on one or more of the cars. It is one of the most recognisable photos of any spot along Route 66.
