The momentum is building and USA’s ‘Mother Road’ the iconic Route 66 celebrates 100 years in 2026. Established in 1926 the highway runs from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California a total 2448 miles. It traverses 8 states and it connects isolated and rural communities as well as some major cities such as Oklahoma. Route 66 still captures the nostalgic era of America. Forgotten way points with neon signs, diners, small motels and classic cars rub alongside modern interstates.

Are you planning to commemorate Route 66 and also celebrate America’s 250 birthday in 2026? Later this month ‘Booking.com’ is putting on sale some Movie Inspired Route 66 Road Trips.

They are offering classic cars that features in some of Hollywood’s most famous films such as the DeLorean from ‘Back to the Future’ or the Thunderbird from Thelma and Louise, These short 3 night road trip itineraries can be reserved for only $1 and go on sale 20 May 2026 and the cars are offered on a first come first serve basis. These short road trips will be across New Mexico between Albuquerque and Sante Fe and will allow the road trippers to make pit-stops at historic sites and wacky landmarks such as the Arcadia Soda Bottle that stands 66ft tall.

Each of the 8 states are running special events culminating in the actual centenary of Route 66 being commissioned as a highway on 11 November 1926. Each of the states has a centenary logo and road side attractions have been spruced up and new ones added. 

The state with the longest stretch of Route 66 is Oklahoma and in the city of Tulsa a new musical highway attraction with rumble strips designed to driven over at exactly 35 miles an hour has been revealed. Oklahoma native Woody Guthrie who has a dedicated museum in Tulsa, wrote the tune ‘This land is your land’. The musical road is located just west of downtown along the Southwest Boulevard Bridge.

Other attractions across the Route 66 states include:

• Illinois: See roadside attractions like the world’s largest ketchup bottle and the space themed Gemini Giant.
• Missouri: Road trip across the historic Chain of Rocks bridge over the Mississippi River. 
• Kansas: The shortest mileage of any state on Route 66 at 13 miles is probably the most historical as well. Glimpse into history, including 1920’s roadside stores and a massive coal-shovelling machine that pays tribute to the state’s mining history.
• Oklahoma: Home to the largest stretch of the highway, Oklahoma has no shortage of museums and attractions, like a round-shaped barn and a giant blue whale or Tulsa’s Golden Driller Muffler man.
• Texas: Some of the most iconic Route 66 stops are located in Texas, like the famous Cadillac Ranch of spray-painted cars.
• New Mexico: The southwestern state’s iconic neon lights, diners and eccentric small towns are almost the epitome of Route 66. Discover the musical highway near Albuquerque.
• Arizona: Vast, natural landscapes of red rocks and pine forests make Arizona one of the most picturesque parts of Route 66. Visit Williams the town has many Route 66 attractions as well as being the gateway to the Grand Canyon.
• California: Start or end at the Santa Monica Pier, see the Wigwam Motel in San Bernadino, the McDonald’s Museum or the Cucamonga Service Station which is has been restored and now a museum.