Two thousand four hundred and forty-eight miles. That was the stretch of Route 66 when highway officials stitched it together to link Chicago, Los Angeles and countless cities and towns in between. But as an enduring American symbol, this highway goes far beyond that, inspiring books, songs, movies, and countless road trips.
It's 100 years old this year, so with the arrival of summer, we drove it all out.
Across eight states, we explore vintage motels, new businesses, neon signs, friendly Silencer Men, roadside food, vivid characters, and 20th-century ruins. We also kept our eyes open for signs of the highway's evolution, from the Dust Bowl years, segregation, and postwar boom to the crisis of the freeway era and the resurgence of Route 66 as a long, winding, living historical landmark.
Now we'll take you for a ride. If you've ever daydreamed about covering any part of the famous highway, hop on and let's have some fun, shall we?
