Route 66, which links Chicago and Los Angeles, is one of the most legendary roads in the world. The "Main Street of America" or "The mother road"It is a dream for many lovers of road trips, among which we are. And we were lucky to be able to ride it in a motorhome in 11 days!
Now sit down that we have a dodgy news to give you: Route 66 no longer exists. Officially at least ... it was discontinued in 1985 and today only parts that have remained intact can be traversed, others that circulate on interstate highways and some marked as a historical route. But we will be organized, first of all put on the song "Get your kicks on Route 66", the anthem that carries the spirit of the Route in the blood.
With the engine on and the radio on full we are going to take you on a journey through the history of Route 66:
Route 66 as we told you, links Chicago with Los Angeles and was created in 1926 for several reasons:
- In the 1930s several southern states suffered largedroughts So cultivating and maintaining cattle was impossible. As if this were not enough, droughts resulted in dust storms (Dust bowl): The ground, deprived of any kind of humidity, was torn off by the wind forming clouds of dust so intense that they hid the sun.
- We have to remember that we are in full Great Depression: There are thousands of people who want to migrate to the west with final destination California, sunny land, fertile and full of opportunities.
- The constant car rise You required better roads.
- They also needed better roads to be able to move products and increase commercial routes (the era of the American Dream and the consumer society begins).
Have you ever heard the phrase "it's not the trip, it's the way"? Well, it's perfect for Route 66! Crossing the United States to the West Coast will allow you to travel through time, get to know lost villages and realities that are very different from everything you expect from the country. The Mother Road runs along these state: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. In total, the kilometers you will travel will be 3,939.
Route 66 was the best of our trip in the US.
The original route had these stops: Chicago (Illinois), St Louis (Missouri), Tulsa and Oklahoma City (Oklahoma), Amarillo (Texas), Tucumcari and Albuquerque (New Mexico), Holbrook and Flagstaff (Arizona), Barstow and Los Angeles (California).
As a curiosity to say that from Chicago to Los Angeles there are 3 time changes.
It meant first of all a opportunity to start a new life. Both for migrants, those who traveled from east to west looking for a new beginning, and for those who stayed on the route ... Service stations, motels, restaurants, and all kinds of shops began to emerge as mushrooms: they were necessary to to be able to provide everything necessary to those who ventured into the trip. Gradually the kilometers came alive, not only on the sides of the road but also in the small towns where Mother Road passed, who lived their Golden season.
If you have seen the movie "Cars" you know what we are talking about (and if you have not seen it, you are already taking it!)
In the 1970s the route began to be the artery of another large group: the hippies traveling to Colorado, New Mexico or California (If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair). So do not be surprised to see on the route a few Volswagen 😉
In 1956 President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Law. This signature marked the beginning of the end of Route 66.
Eisenhower, who before being president was a general assigned to Europe during World War II, had watched with admiration the German highways and wanted, once back to his homeland, to import this model of efficiency and modernity. The objective was to create a motorway network that would allow a rapid transfer, without stops, to the different parts of the country.
Route 66 lost its fame and began to fall into disuse until, in 1985, it was discontinued.
Do not be sad, I see you coming ... not all is bad news: in 1990 the first began to emerge Route 66 Associations, it was declared as a historic route (State Historic Route) and gradually resurfaced from its ashes. Many of the gas stations, motels, cafes and restaurants on the route were restored and something curious happened: the route came back to life.
And is that traveling this road means relive a past golden age, a little piece of history of this immense nation, eat a cake where Will Rogers did it, or make a filling at a gas station that could have been assaulted by Bonnie and Clyde
The best thing about the route is that while driving on it you are not simply traveling thousands of kilometers, are you experiencing the trip, in all its beauty and intensity.
Today in day you can go almost 80% of the original route, yes, it is not easy to do it without getting lost again and again. There are tricks to be able to travel on Route 66 without too many problems although ... we will tell you in another post.
We hope you enjoyed learning a little more about history of Route 66 🙂 As always, if you have questions, leave us a comment!
