2026 marks a century since America’s most legendary highway first beckoned travellers westward. For those who grew up with its mythology woven into music, film, and family stories, there has never been a better time to answer that call.
There’s something about Route 66 that transcends mere geography. It’s not simply 2,500 miles of asphalt stretching from Chicago to the Pacific. It’s a feeling, a promise, a soundtrack playing in the back of your mind. For baby boomers and Generation X, Route 66 represents something deeply personal: the America of their parents’ stories, the open road of Easy Rider, the dusty romance of Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, and the irresistible invitation of Bobby Troup’s iconic song urging us to “get our kicks.”
This year, as Route 66 celebrates its centenary, those childhood dreams can finally become reality.
The Road That Built a Nation’s Dreams
When Route 66 was officially commissioned on 11th November 1926, it did more than connect Chicago to Los Angeles. It stitched together the fabric of American ambition. During the Great Depression, it became the highway of hope for families fleeing the Dust Bowl, immortalised in Steinbeck’s literary masterpiece. In the post-war boom, it transformed into the ultimate symbol of freedom. A ribbon of possibility where a young family could pack the station wagon, point it west, and discover diners serving homemade pie, motels with flickering neon signs, and vast landscapes that seemed to promise a fresh start around every bend.
For those who grew up in Britain watching American television and films, Route 66 represented something tantalisingly exotic. The CBS television series of the same name, running from 1960 to 1964, brought the Mother Road into living rooms across the globe. Martin Milner and George Maharis, cruising in that Corvette convertible, became the embodiment of freedom. A sharp contrast to post-war austerity and the grey drizzle of British motorways.
Where Nostalgia Meets the Open Road
What makes Route 66 so compelling for today’s travellers isn’t just its history; it’s the way that history has been lovingly preserved. The roadside attractions that might have seemed kitschy to 1960s modernists are now treasured time capsules. The Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma, the half-buried Cadillacs rising from the Texas earth at Cadillac Ranch, the neon glow of Tucumcari’s vintage signs. These aren’t tourist traps; they’re portals to a simpler era.
Small towns along the route have embraced their heritage with genuine pride. In Seligman, Arizona, where the Route 66 preservation movement was born, you’ll find locals who’ve dedicated their lives to keeping the Mother Road’s spirit alive. Angel Delgadillo, the town’s beloved barber, spent decades championing the route’s restoration, and at nearly 100 years old himself, he still welcomes visitors to his shop.
This is America as it used to be: unhurried, welcoming, endlessly surprising.
Fourteen Years of Making Route 66 Dreams Come True
At ETW Travel, we’ve been helping clients experience the magic of Route 66 since our founding fourteen years ago. For Managing Director Nikki Findlay, it remains one of the most rewarding journeys the business creates.
“Route 66 attracts a very particular kind of traveller,” says Nikki. “These are people who’ve held this dream close for decades. Perhaps since watching that television series as a child, or hearing their parents talk about the American road trips they’d always wanted to take. When they finally book that journey, there’s real emotion involved. We’re not just planning a holiday; we’re helping them fulfil a lifelong ambition.”
Over the years, ETW Travel has crafted countless Route 66 adventures, each tailored to the individual. Some clients want the full Chicago-to-Santa-Monica experience, taking three weeks to absorb every mile. Others prefer to focus on the route’s most evocative sections. Perhaps the long Oklahoma stretches where the original alignment remains largely intact, or the dramatic Arizona landscapes leading to the Grand Canyon.
“Our most recent Route 66 booking was particularly special,” Nikki recalls. “A couple who’d dreamed of this trip for over thirty years finally made it happen. Driving a significant section of the route in a Mustang convertible. Wind in their hair, classic rock on the radio, stopping wherever took their fancy. They sent us photographs from every state, and you could see the joy on their faces. That’s exactly what Route 66 should feel like.”
The Centenary: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment
The 100th anniversary celebrations throughout 2026 make this an exceptional year to experience the Mother Road. Towns along the route are hosting festivals, classic car rallies, and special events. Historic motels and diners have been lovingly restored. Museums are mounting centenary exhibitions, and local communities are welcoming visitors with renewed enthusiasm.
For those who’ve always said “someday,” someday has arrived.
The beauty of Route 66 lies in its flexibility. You can drive it in a vintage convertible or a comfortable SUV. You can stay in meticulously restored motor courts or modern hotels. You can cover ground quickly or meander for weeks. The road accommodates all approaches; it simply asks that you bring an open heart and a willingness to be surprised.
Your Journey Awaits
Perhaps you remember watching Route 66 on television, the black-and-white images sparking wanderlust in your younger self. Perhaps you grew up on the music: Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones, Depeche Mode, all paying tribute to that legendary highway. Perhaps it was the films: Easy Rider’s counter-culture odyssey, the animated charm of Pixar’s Cars, or Thelma and Louise’s ultimately doomed but gloriously free road trip.
Whatever planted that seed, this is the year to let it bloom.
At ETW Travel, we understand that Route 66 isn’t just another destination; it’s a pilgrimage. Nikki and her team take genuine pleasure in crafting these journeys, handling the logistics so you can focus on the experience. From selecting the perfect vehicle to booking characterful accommodation, from mapping the must-see stops to ensuring flexibility for spontaneous detours, every detail is considered.
The Mother Road has been waiting a hundred years. Isn’t it time you answered the call?
To start planning your Route 66 centenary adventure
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