“Route 66”

After the outbreak of World War II, civilian traffic decreased, while military traffic increased. Thousands of soldiers and recruits traveled on it to California, where ships awaited to take them to fight in the Pacific. Military training bases were being built in the southwestern states. The government also invested in the development of industry in California, which created thousands of jobs, encouraging people from the eastern part of the country to settle in the state. The natural choice was either the railroad or Route 66. After the war, soldiers returning home from the Pacific rushed back via the same road, America’s main highway. One of them was Robert William Troup from Pennsylvania, a pianist who, together with Tommy Dorsey, created the famous song Get Your Kicks on Route 66. The song can now be seen on countless promotional items and buildings along Route 66. Nat King Cole was the first to record and release it, followed by over a hundred other famous artists, including the Rolling Stones in 1964, Depeche Mode in 1987, and John Mayer in the animated children’s film Cars in 2006.

The 1950s brought Americans unprecedented prosperity, including a rapid development of the automobile industry. The car became an attainable dream, and traveling by car became a popular pastime. Automobile tourism began, and many Americans chose Route 66 as their destination. It became a cult travel destination in itself. People traveled along it in their large vehicles toward famous tourist attractions like the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Petrified Forest National Park. Dining spots and gas stations sprang up like mushrooms after the rain. Motels were built, where you could park your car right by the door of your room, and some even had a garage attached to the room for your beloved vehicle. There was a rapid development of dining options—various types of restaurants and food points with special windows so drivers wouldn’t have to leave their cars (like drive-ins). Thousands of cinemas for motorists were built. At characteristic gas stations, vehicle repair workshops and tire change services were set up. Two fuel dispensers in front of the station, a coffee and souvenir shop, and a workshop in the back. This kind of infrastructure can still be visited today, though unfortunately it now only serves as a museum of Route 66 history.

In 1960, CBS decided to produce and broadcast a television series titled Route 66. It told the adventures of people traveling on the “Mother Road.” It aired for four years. Around the same time, the hippie movement began in the United States, developing in California, with Venice Beach in Los Angeles becoming a true Mecca. It was there that bands like The Doors emerged. Music festivals in San Francisco and the warm climate conducive to commune life attracted thousands of young people from across America. Once again, Route 66 became a path for young people, but this time not in search of work, but in pursuit of a spiritual journey.

The Grapes of Wrath, the Route 66 series, and the song Get Your Kicks on Route 66—sung over the decades by the greatest music artists of their times, along with the nostalgia of tens of millions of Americans for whom the Route 66 journey marked the beginning of a new life—made the road a part of public consciousness, not only in America but also worldwide. For many years, it has been synonymous with a romantic journey toward the unknown, and today it is also a way to experience local America, far from the large hotel chains and tourist resorts. Over the years, Route 66 has changed its path. Like a river that changes its course and chooses an easier way to reach the sea, Route 66 also shifted its position as it moved toward the Pacific. There is no such thing as “the one” Route 66 you can drive from Chicago to LA. You must remember that in many places, the Mother Road no longer exists. In others, there is a choice: whether to drive along stretches from the 1920s or those built in later decades due to increasing traffic.

Over the years, the significance of the route diminished, and in 1984, the last section of Route 66 was replaced by the I-40 highway in Williams, Arizona. Most of the old signs on Route 66 disappeared, and in many places, the road itself also vanished. The most famous road in America ceased to exist, but as often happens, the end of one story marks the beginning of another. The renaissance of the Mother Road began in the 1980s. During this time, enthusiasts in many states established Route 66 Associations aimed at preserving and maintaining the memory of the famous route. Local communities marked the road themselves, placing signs with the Route 66 logo and painting the characteristic shields on the asphalt. Enthusiasts continue to preserve historic motel and gas station advertisements. Route 66 serves as the setting for international events, such as the world-famous American Solar Challenge races, where teams from around the world drive self-constructed solar-powered vehicles from Chicago to Claremont, California.

Today, Route 66 is the only business idea in many small towns. Once, they lived off millions of travelers; now, they focus on tourists coming from all over the world. Souvenirs made in China, from t-shirts with the “Route 66” inscription to refrigerator magnets and oven mitts, can be bought in many places. Restaurants are filled with Route 66 symbols, and old fuel dispensers, jukeboxes, flags, and various graphics are decorated with them. Along the road, vintage cars from the 1950s catch the eye. The attractions include local advertisements, old motels, and figures—characters from mass pop culture. Nowhere else in the world do tourist attractions include a fiberglass figure holding a rocket or a hot dog—such things can only be found in America.

The most famous road in America is associated with the open spaces of the Southwest, bearded motorcyclists, motels, and neon lights, which have largely become its trademarks. If you ask travelers why they drive along it, they usually say they want to feel the atmosphere of provincial America, the famous “westward trail.” They want to drive through the beautiful scenic sections that lead through southern states like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. In my opinion, there is another reason. When planning a visit to the USA, we ask ourselves which route to take and what to see. The country is very large, with many national parks and attractions. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough to see everything, so we need to choose a specific direction. Traveling along the highways doesn’t make sense because the kilometers pass quickly, we reach our destinations, and all we see are the landscapes and the cars driving beside us. We can cross the country quickly, but what’s the point? Therefore, local roads come into play. The question is—where, from where, and to where? Immediately, Route 66 comes to mind, with its history and route that passes through peaceful, sleepy provincial America. From Chicago to Oklahoma, there are no stunning views or scenic attractions like prairies or the Grand Canyon. There are towns and their people. Open-air museums full of mannequins, old cars, closed gas stations, souvenir shops, bridges, and overgrown sections of the road. Museums dedicated to the Mother Road and places important to American history, such as the Lincoln home in Springfield. The attractions themselves are also the motel and restaurant signs, which can be seen in countless photos in Route 66 albums. If any famous person stayed at a particular spot, it’s announced right at the entrance. Clint Eastwood slept here, some other famous actor stayed here, and Elvis Presley stopped there. So you can either drive on and ignore these “attractions” or immerse yourself in the spirit of history and pop culture and admire the old billboards and motels. Once you enter Texas, the landscape along Route 66 changes dramatically. There, the American West symbolically begins. The sweet and dry air announces the deserts of Arizona. The landscape changes beyond recognition. Flat grassy plains stretch to the horizon. The first small oil refineries and windmills on farms proudly rise up. The sun and wind, and above us, a beautiful, unnaturally blue sky. In my opinion, it’s bluer than anywhere else in the world. Maybe it’s the contrast with the prairie, or maybe an illusion. Ahead of us, the prairies, deserts, and lands of Native Americans await. The roads seem to run endlessly. Looking at these grasses and the landscape, it’s easy to understand why Texas is associated with cowboys and cattle ranching. It’s the perfect land for ranching, where herds have plenty of space and food. The prairie is also full of rocks and mountains visible from afar, and in between, the longest trains I’ve ever seen. Long trains, several kilometers long, stretching to the horizon. Several times I tried to count the cars but gave up after the first hundred. Pulled and pushed by several locomotives, they slowly move across the seemingly endless deserts and prairies, like monstrous snakes lazily crossing the desert sands.

The symbolic end of Route 66 is at the pier in Santa Monica, where, next to the famous “Santa Monica 66, End of the Trail” sign, there is usually a long line of tourists eager to take a souvenir photo. Most of the people taking photos there have not driven even a part, or even a kilometer, of Route 66. It doesn’t matter. The Mother Road ignites the imagination of people all over the world. It’s nostalgia, the need for travel, and the discovery of the unknown. A romantic dream with which people want to identify.

Why drive Route 66? To see sleepy, provincial America. To feel the desert wind and admire the stunning landscapes. On Route 66, there are no famous monuments. Apart from—and because of—the landscapes,

After the outbreak of World War II, civilian traffic decreased, while military traffic increased. Thousands of soldiers and recruits traveled west to California, where ships awaited to take them to the war in the Pacific. Military training bases were built in the southwestern states. The government also invested in developing California’s industry, creating thousands of jobs that encouraged people from the eastern part of the country to settle in this state. The natural choices for transportation were either the railroad or Route 66. After the war, soldiers returning from the Pacific rushed home along the same route, America’s main highway. One of them was Robert William Troup from Pennsylvania, a pianist who, together with Tommy Dorsey, co-wrote the famous song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” The song can now be seen on countless promotional gadgets and buildings scattered along Route 66. It was first recorded and released by Nat King Cole, and over a hundred other famous artists followed, including the Rolling Stones in 1964, Depeche Mode in 1987, and John Mayer in the 2006 animated film Cars.

The 1950s brought Americans unprecedented prosperity, including a boom in the automotive industry. The car became an attainable dream, and car travel became a popular way to spend free time. Automobile tourism began, and many Americans chose Route 66 as their travel destination. It became a cult route in itself. Travelers drove along it in their big vehicles, heading toward famous tourist attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Petrified Forest National Park. Gas stations and eateries popped up everywhere. Motels were built where you could park your car right by the room door, and some even had a garage attached to the room for your beloved vehicle. The gastronomic boom followed—various types of restaurants and food sales points with special windows were established so that drivers wouldn’t have to leave their cars (drive-in style). Thousands of drive-in theaters were created. Vehicle repair shops and tire-changing stations opened next to iconic gas stations. Two fuel pumps at the front of the station, a store with coffee and souvenirs, and a workshop at the back. Today, you can still visit this type of infrastructure, but it is now just a historical relic of Route 66.

In 1960, CBS decided to produce and air a series titled Route 66, which told the adventures of people traveling the “Mother Road.” It aired for four years. Around this time, the hippie movement began in the United States, developing in California, with Venice Beach in Los Angeles becoming its true Mecca. There, bands like The Doors were formed. Music festivals in San Francisco and the warm climate conducive to living in communes attracted thousands of young people from all over America. Once again, Route 66 became a route for the young, who were not traveling in search of work but out of spiritual need.

The novel The Grapes of Wrath, the TV series Route 66, and the song Get Your Kicks on Route 66—sung in subsequent decades by the greatest music artists of their time, along with the nostalgia of tens of millions of Americans for whom traveling Route 66 marked the beginning of a new life—made the road a part of public consciousness, not only American but also global. For many years, it has symbolized a romantic journey into the unknown, and today it is also a way to experience local America, away from big hotel chains and tourist resorts. Over the years, Route 66 has shifted its course. Like a river that changes its bed and finds a simpler route to the sea, Route 66 changed its path, always moving westward toward the Pacific. There is no such thing as a single “Route 66” from Chicago to LA. It’s important to remember that in many places the Mother Road no longer exists. In others, it’s up to you to decide whether to drive along sections from the 1920s or choose those built in subsequent decades to handle the growing traffic.

As time went on, the significance of the route diminished, and in 1984, the final stretch of Route 66 was replaced by the I-40 freeway in Williams, Arizona. Most of the old Route 66 signage disappeared, and in many places, the road itself vanished. America’s most famous highway ceased to exist, but as often happens, the end of one story marks the beginning of another. The renaissance of the Mother Road began in the 1980s. At this time, enthusiasts in many states formed Route 66 Associations to restore and preserve the memory of the famous route. Local communities took it upon themselves to mark the road, placing signs with the Route 66 logo and painting the iconic shields on the pavement. Enthusiasts continue to work on preserving historic advertisements for motels and gas stations. Route 66 also serves as the setting for international events, such as the famous American Solar Challenge races, where teams from around the world race their solar-powered vehicles from Chicago to Claremont, California.

Today, Route 66 is the only business opportunity for many small towns. Once reliant on millions of travelers, these towns now focus on the tourists who come from all over the world. Souvenirs made in China, from “Route 66” T-shirts to fridge magnets and oven mitts, can be bought at countless locations. Restaurants are full of Route 66 symbols, decorating old gas pumps, jukeboxes, flags, and all kinds of graphics. Along the road, classic cars from the 1950s catch the eye. Attractions include local advertisements, old motels, and statues—figures from mass pop culture. Nowhere else in the world can you find a tourist attraction in the form of a fiberglass character holding a rocket or a hot dog—only in America.

The most famous road in America is associated with the open spaces of the Southwest, bearded motorcyclists, motels, and neon signs, which have largely become its signature features. If you ask travelers why they are driving it, they will usually say they want to feel the atmosphere of provincial America, the famous “Trail to the West.” They drive through beautiful landscapes in southern states like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. In my opinion, there’s another reason. When planning a trip across the U.S., we ask ourselves which route to take and what to see. The country is vast, with countless national parks and attractions. There wouldn’t be enough time to see it all, so we must pick a direction. Taking the freeway makes little sense because the miles pass quickly, we reach our destinations, and all we see are landscapes and passing cars. We can travel across the country quickly, but what’s the point? Local roads are the alternative. The question is—where to go, where from, and where to? The first thought that comes to mind is Route 66, with its history and its path through quiet, sleepy, provincial America. The stretch from Chicago to Oklahoma offers no breathtaking views or landscapes like the prairie or the Grand Canyon. Instead, there are towns and their inhabitants. Living museums full of mannequins, old cars, closed gas stations, souvenir shops, bridges, and overgrown stretches of road. Museums dedicated to the Mother Road and places of historical importance, like the Lincoln home in Springfield. The signs of motels and eateries are attractions in themselves, and their countless photos can be found in Route 66 albums. If any famous person stayed at a particular place, it’s announced right by the entrance. Here, Clint Eastwood stayed; over there, some other famous actor passed through; and here, Elvis Presley stopped. You can either drive ahead and ignore these “attractions,” or immerse yourself in the spirit of history and pop culture, admiring the old billboards and motels. Once you reach Texas, the landscape along Route 66 changes dramatically. That’s where the American West symbolically begins. The dry, sweet air signals the deserts of Arizona. The landscape transforms beyond recognition—flat grassy plains stretching to the horizon, the first small oil refineries, and windmills proudly rising on farms. The sun, the wind, and the beautiful, unnaturally blue sky above. In my opinion, the sky here is bluer than anywhere else in the world. Maybe it’s the contrast with the prairie, or maybe an illusion. Before us lie prairies, deserts, and Indian lands. Roads that seem to go on forever. When you look at the grass and landscape, it’s easy to understand why Texas is associated with cowboys and cattle ranching. It’s a land made for herding, where the herds have enough space and food. The prairie is also full of rocks and distant mountains, and between them are the longest trains I’ve ever seen. Trains stretching several kilometers, disappearing into the horizon. A few times, I tried to count the carriages but gave up after the first hundred. Pulled and pushed by several locomotives, they slowly crawl through endless deserts and prairies, like monstrous snakes lazily crossing the desert sands.

The symbolic end of Route 66 is located at the Santa Monica Pier, where tourists typically queue for a commemorative photo next to the famous sign “Santa Monica 66, End of the Trail.” Most of the people taking photos there have not even driven a part or a single kilometer of Route 66. But it doesn’t matter. The Mother Road stirs the imagination of people all over the world. It’s nostalgia, the need to travel and discover the unknown—a romantic dream people want to identify with.

Why drive Route 66? To see sleepy, provincial America. To feel the desert wind and admire the stunning landscapes. There are no famous landmarks along Route 66. Aside from the landscapes, there are small treats to enjoy. You have to immerse yourself in the spirit of the route. Distinguish the kitsch, which takes on a different meaning during the journey, from historical gems—small, charming