Thinking about planning a trip and getting your kicks on Rte. 66 for the 100th Anniversary? You’ve come to the right place. This article has interesting and fun things to do to celebrate the Mother Road. There are several ways to take a 100th Anniversary of Route 66 Trip. You could do it in about 10 days (or even squeeze it into a week) if you just want to say you did it. Maybe you don’t have much time but you think it sounds fun. We have a short trip mapped out for you at the end of this article.

And we even have fun tee shirts and hats you can get for your trip! The hat comes in several colors CLICK HERE.

The hat shown below to the right, combines the America’s 250th Birthday theme with the Route 66 100th. CLICK HERE.

WHERE’S ROUTE 66 AND HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO DRIVE TO THE END?

Springfield, Missouri, likes to call itself the “Birthplace of Route 66” because as you will read, the highway officially got it’s famous numerical name “Route 66” there on April 30, 1926, but actually the start of the highway is Chicago, Illinois. 

Route 66 spans approximately 2,448 miles from its official beginning in Chicago (at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Adams Street) to its end in Santa Monica, California (at the Santa Monica Pier.) The time to drive it depends entirely on how long you like to drive each day and how much time you have.

As you read this article you will see a graphic that the Drury Hotels  produced that gives you a good idea of where Route 66 goes. It does not go to the Grand Canyon or Wall Drugs but it does go to Los Angeles. In fact its original western endpoint was in downtown Los Angeles at 7th Street and Broadway, but in 1936, the highway was extended to its official endpoint in Santa Monica, California, at the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic boulevards.

There is a very specific way to get there and your final destination would be that official California State Route 66 “End”  sign  that is  located exactly at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard in Santa Monica. Since we are in Missouri as we write this it is an “End” sign– but those who live in California think they are at the start so there is also a “Start” sign.

Throughout the article you will see merch you can click on to view the various sizes and colors. Wearing a Route 66 shirt or hat will look great in your photos as you stop at the historic markers along the way. And a drink bottle adds to the fun.

The more preferred way to take the trip would be for three weeks or even pair it down to two weeks. America is a beautiful country and driving from Missouri to Santa Monica, which is the end of Route 66 you will come upon some breathtaking and historic scenery. You will also be “close” to other places you might not otherwise get to see so side trips could be included. The area  of Route 66 running through the American Southwest to the West Coast is full of nostalgia from the “Wild, Wild, West.”

DISCLAIMER: Though we have driven to California and back, we have NOT taken this particular “Route 66” trail. This is merely set up for the fun of reading and planning. We are not guaranteeing anything , to be sure the events listed are happening you should check the websites provided. A lot of effort was put into this so even though we are not guaranteeing anything, we are saying it would be fun to try some of these things. You are on your own as to any decisions you make

As you read this article, keep in mind it is intended to get you started. We’ve included a few helpful websites and information we have looked up to make your trip planning more fun. If you take a Route 66 Trip we would love to hear from you about it. We’d love a photo of you at the end of Route 66 after you’ve made it to Santa Monica to use in our STL Sports Page Newsletter.

We’ve even mapped out a sample trip in case you get that crazy idea and decide to drive the Mother Road to it’s end. Read on.

BACKGROUND:

Route 66 crosses eight states and covers more than 2,400 miles. It officially opened on November 11, 1926.

Route 66 passes right through St. Louis and those who live there know that well, as for years Watson Road near where the old Crestwood Plaza was, was called “Highway 66.”

Route 66 got its nickname “The Mother Road” from John Steinbeck in his 1939 novel, “The Grapes of Wrath.”

Route 66 goes across eight states, running from Illinois to California. It begins in Chicago, Illinois, and travels through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and ends in Santa Monica ,California.

The old thoroughfare is celebrating 100 years in 2026, and that’s why the Missouri History Museum is sponsoring a special kick-off event this weekend and other St. Louis venues like the National Museum of Transport have things planned.

This article will be a collection of information and events based on the 100th Anniversary of Route 66.

There’s also information on special products designed to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime anniversary. If you like the special commemorative tee-shirts, CLICK HERE.

If you have anything to add, please email us at: Rains@STLSportsPage.com

Scroll down for information on the Missouri History Museum’s event this weekend. You still have time to catch Sunday’s activities.

HOW MISSOURI PLAYS INTO IT

Missouri is the Birthplace of Route 66

“Route 66 has become a symbol of the heritage of travel and the legacy of seeking a better life shared by the people of the United States, and because Route 66 has been enshrined in the popular culture of the United States”

MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS, IT’S GOING TO GET CROWDED THIS YEAR

Most of the small, “Mom & Pop” motels that seem nostalgic are filled by now. You are not going to be able to just “set sail” and see what happens. You are not the only one who has the idea of taking Route 66 this year, so if you want to go, you better start planning.

Lodging on Historic Route 66– There are Drury Hotels all along the way.

Here’s the link to the Drury Hotel discount so you can stay there as you travel on Route 66: CLICK HERE

If you stay at a Drury Hotel, don’t forget to use our special promo code: SPORTS or for the link, CLICK HERE.

KEEP READING FOR THE SAMPLE TRIP…

The Missouri History Museum had kick-off events and will be having others. For Miissouri History Museum website page: CLICK HERE..

Other Exhibits and Happenings in St. Louis

Explore St. Louis has lots of suggestions for celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Route 66. Check out their website: CLICK HERE.

From the iconic neon glow of Crestwood Bowl to the gravity-defying “concretes” at Ted Drewes, Route 66 unfolds as a living gallery of Americana through the Gateway City. Plan a journey that carries you across the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, along the tracks of the National Museum of Transportation and into the subterranean wonders of Meramec Caverns.

Special Exhibit at the National Museum of Transportation

Celebrates 100 Years of Route 66 with New Exhibit:
“Roads, River, Rooms, and Reels” 

St. Louis, MO – The National Museum of Transportation is proud to announce a special exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66. Titled “Roads, River, Rooms, and Reels,” the exhibit will open to the public on March 14, 2026, and will explore the stories, memories, and modes of travel that shaped America’s most iconic highway and the communities connected to it.

Two iconic features anchor the exhibit. Visitors will experience a stunning 26-foot model of the S.S. Admiral, beautifully restored by the skilled craftsmen of Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 36, honoring the legendary riverboat that once defined river travel and entertainment in the Midwest. The exhibit will also spotlight the beloved ’66’ Park-In Theatre on Watson Road, owned by the Wehrenberg Family of St. Louis, Missouri, a treasured symbol of drive-in movie culture and shared community memories along Route 66.

As part of the exhibition, the Museum invites the public to participate in a special storytelling initiative titled, “I Remember…” Community members are encouraged to share personal memories of the S.S. Admiral, the ’66’ Park-In Theatre, or any drive-in theater “back in the day.”

Submissions of 600 words or less may be emailed to museum@tnmot.org with the subject line “I Remember.” Essays must be received by January 25, 2026, and selected submissions may become part of the exhibition.

The National Museum of Transportation, 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, MO, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives no governmental funding. The Museum relies solely on the generosity of the community to continue its mission of preserving the past for future generations.

The Museum boasts “one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the country,” according to representatives from the Smithsonian Institution, and has been voted one of the top open-air museums in the nation for the past two years by a USA Today Readers’ Choice poll. For more CLICK HERE.

Other Route 66 Events worth checking out around St. Louis

JULY 17 Route 66: Cruise, Tunes & Taste (Wildwood, MO):

Taking place July 17–19, 2026, this large local event will transform the historic Route 66 corridor in nearby Wildwood, MO into a three-day festival. The weekend will feature classic car cruises, restaurant tents, food trucks, and themed musical acts

Get Your Licks on Route 66: Clementine’s Ice Cream Unveils New Flavors to Commemorate 100^th Anniversary of the Mother Road

Available in All Parlors May 5

ST. LOUIS, MO / April 27, 2026 – As Route 66 turns 100, the summer ice cream collection from Clementine’s Ice Cream honors the Mother Road and the way it shaped American road trips and vacation culture.

From spinning gas station slush machines to diner milkshakes and sweet-and-salty snack runs, Clementine’s has taken the classics found along the way and reimagined them under true micro-creamery standards. Fizzy sodas become creamy float-inspired scoops. Chocolate shakes collide with salty chips. Bright cherry slush transforms into vibrant sorbet. These four nostalgic flavors, which launch in all parlors on May 5, capture the glow of neon signs, chrome counters, and the simple thrill of setting out on the open road.

Dr. Dirty Soda folds in the bold spice of a classic soda fountain favorite into velvety sweet cream. Silky, lightly spiced, and lifted with that signature fizz-inspired bite!

Pretzel Cookie Dough is a creamy malted ice cream layered with salty pretzel crunch and tender cookie dough bites striking the perfect balance of sweet and salty!

Milkshake Fries features a luscious chocolate base packed with chocolate-covered potato chips. It’s the ultimate throwback to squeezing into a diner booth and dipping crispy, salty fries into your milkshake.

Cherry Slush is electric cherry in frozen form. Inspired by those whirling red-and-blue slush machines, this sorbet delivers juicy sweetness with a crisp, cooling finish. It’s pure nostalgia in a cup, brain freeze included!

Guests are invited to visit any of the eleven ice cream shops located at 1637 S. 18^th Street in historic Lafayette Square, 730 DeMun in Clayton, 4715 Macklind in the Southampton neighborhood, 140 W. Argonne Drive in Kirkwood, 13426 Clayton Road in Town & Country, The Meadows Shopping Center in Lake St. Louis, 308 N. Euclid in the Central West End, Trace on the Parkway in Edwardsville, IL, inside Chicken-n-Pickle in St. Charles, and our newest parlors at 6966 Mission Road in Prairie Village, KS and 1410 SE 8^th Street in Bentonville, AR.

As Missouri’s only micro-creamery, all of the dairy used in Clementine’s creations is from local, grass-fed, pasture-raised, hormone and RBST-free cows. Clementine’s combines their all-natural proprietary dairy base with the finest handpicked ingredients to churn up a decadent 16-18% butterfat ice cream. Visit Clementine’s for more information or to order pints online.

Other Route 66 notable must-see stops in St. Louis:

• Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

  A legendary custard stand on Chippewa Street (historic Route 66).

• Donut Drive-In

  A classic, old-fashioned donut shop on the Chippewa Route 66 corridor.

• Crown Candy Kitchen

  While predating the route, it is a 1913 soda fountain deemed a “Route 66 adjacent” treasure by enthusiasts.

• Eat-Rite Diner

  A very small, historic diner formerly considered the last stop on 66 in the city.

• Get Your Picks on Route 66

There is an antique mall in St. Louis right in the heart of the old “Highway 66” now called Watson Rd, called “Get Your Picks on Route 66.” It is a great little antique mall with a nostalgic logo.

This  vintage mall has more than 90 vendors. It’s an old-fashioned  the brick & mortar store which  offers a large variety of collectibles and treasures waiting for their new home.

If you are in search of nostalgia for the 100th Anniversary a stop at this family-owned shop that opened in 2022 in the former General Grant Antiques Mall would be a good additoin. The address is: 8400 Watson Rd. St. Louis, Missouri 63119

Check back for more Route 66 suggestions

As the year progresses there will be more celebrations popping up in honor of Route 66. Don’t forget, if you hear of any you think we should add, let us know.

Springfield, Missouri Played a Big Part in the Start of Route 66

Show Me 66: Mother Road through Missouri

For CelebrateMo66: CLICK HERE

“Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit”

Five Stops, One Iconic Road: Route 66 Exhibit Travels Across Missouri,

In celebration of both the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America’s 250th birthday, the “Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” (“Exhibit”) will bring the stories and images of the Mother Road to life across Missouri.

Check out Cuba Missouri for Route 66 Kick-off:

1. Cuba, Missouri from May 3–Sept. 14. Then in the fall the exhibit will travel to Pacific, Carthage and St. Louis. All events are free and family-friendly.

Three stops later in the year:

1. Pacific, Mo
2. Carthage, Mo.
3. St. Louis, Mo.

The Exhibit features nearly two dozen large-scale interpretive panels, audiovisual mini-documentaries, and educational components highlighting the diverse stories of Missourians connected by Route 66.

The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit is made possible with support from the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission, Missouri Humanities, the Missouri Route 66 Association, the Gillioz, and many other institutions. The exhibit will continue to travel to communities along the Mother Road, highlighting local histories while connecting them to the broader national story.

Additional exhibit stops will be in Pacific, Missouri on Sept. 16 and 17, Carthage, Missouri on Sept. 18–20 and the St. Louis County Library.

For more information visit www.route66exhibit.com

Sample 10-Day  Trip on Route 66 

St. Louis to Santa Monica: 1,842 miles.

This itinerary is a suggestion to help you get you started with your planing—we have not taken it, we have just looked it up to help you get started. Now we’ve got it down to seven days to get there but then you have to come home. Depending on the time you have you may want to expand the trip to more days and make it more leisurely.

DISCLAIMER: This is just for fun, just as a starter, we have not taken the trip, you are on your own, we are merely suggesting how you can see Route 66 and visit the towns mentioned i the song, “Route 66.”

Driving Rte. 66 to the End and Back in 10 Days

Day 1: Springfield, MO (3 hours and 20 minutes from St. Louis) There’s a lot to do in Springfield so allow yourself Day1 and Most of Day 2, arriving late in Joplin)

Day 2: Joplin, MO. (68 miles from Springfield)

Day 3: Amarillo, TX (Almost 7 hours from Joplin)

Day 4: Santa Fe, NM (About 4 hours from Amarillo to Santa Fe)

Day 5: Flagstaff, AZ (383 miles, about 51/2  hours from Santa Fe)

Day 6: Lake Havasu, AZ (A little over 3 hours from Flagstaff to Lake Havasu)

Day 7: Santa Monica, CA (5 hour drive from Lake Havasu)

Days 8, 9, 10: two to three days of heavy driving to get home

Note: According to the internet, when most travelers take a Route 66 trip from St. Louis to Santa Monica they spend two to three weeks to enjoy the scenery and experience. It can be done in a shorter time if you want to take the trip,  just to say you did it– and that is the version we are suggesting here. To drive from St. Louis to Santa Monica, CA, on historic Route 66 non-stop drive takes roughly 32–40 hours.

TIME TO START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

First, decide how long it will be. We have mapped out a 10-day trip for those who just want the experience of driving Route 66 in its entirety. If you have the luxury of more time, look at our sample itinerary and you might be able to use it as a skeleton schedule, adding in days and events along the way.

Sample trip, to get you started with your planning.

Check out the Route 66 Centennial website: : https://route66centennial.org/calendar/upcoming-events-all

We have added a few stops along the way but if you check the website above you can find out about what is going on the days you plan to be in a particular place.

Leaving from St. Louis 

On the way to Springfield– Lebanon, MO

July 16- Lebanon Laclede County Route 66 Society presents Lebanon Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
Hosted by the Lebanon Laclede County Library & Route 66 MuseumJul 16 – Candacy Taylor, Author of The Roots of Route 66 discusses her books and the history of the Green Book on Route 66. FREE! 6pmVarious Route 66 dignitaries, speakers, authors, teachers, and guides to celebrate the Centennial of Route 66!
7 events each with various dates and times throughout 2026
Visit www.lebanonroute66.com for more details or find us on Facebook!

Day 1- Stay in Springfield, Missouri, Drury Hotel.

Some Springfield Route 66 attractions:

• Route 66 Car Museum. https://66carmuseum.com/ It has more than 70 classic, collector, and movie cars, including a Ghostbusters Ecto-1.
• Springfield 66: Centennial Sculpture Series: 16 public art sculptures hidden throughout the city (use a Route 66 Bingo Card to track them). https://www.springfieldmo.org/blog/post/where-to-see-springfields-route-66-centennial-sculptures-full-location-guide/
• History Museum on the Square- Has Route 66 exhibits. https://historymuseumonthesquare.org/birthplace-of-route-66/
• Musical Road: A special road installation on St. Louis Street that plays “America the Beautiful” when you drive at exactly 30 mph. For information: https://www.ky3.com/2026/04/29/route-66-springfield-introduces-musical-road-route-66-corridor-springfield/
• 66 Visitor Center: Located downtown, perfect for getting maps, souvenirs, and information.

Day 2- Joplin, Missouri, Drury Hotel.

• World Street Painting Festival (June 3–7, 2026): Schifferdecker
• Route 66 Mural Park: Located on Main Street, this site features oversized tile murals—including a 1964 Corvette replica—and a large 45-rpm record imprint of the song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”.
• Bonnie & Clyde Hideout: There is an apartmebt at 34th Street and Oak Ridge Drive, where the famous outlaws hid in 1933, and it remains a popular, along the route.
• Downtown Murals & Art: Joplin City Hall has a mural by the grandson of Thonas Hart Benton, Anthony Benton Gude depicting Route 66, along with other works detailing the city’s history
• Visitor Center: The Joplin Visitor’s Center offers Route 66 memorabilia, maps, and souvenirs, housed in a restored 1910s building.

Day 3- Kansas, Oklahoma,Texas- Drury Hotel in Amarillo,Texas

After driving only 1hour and 44 minutes from Joplin, you’ll get to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

You will pass through Kansas and then get to Tulsa, which has some things going on for the Anniversary.

Tulsa- July 24, 2026 Mustang Club of America National Car Show (Mustangs on the Mother Road) in Tulsa, Okla., on July 24-26, 2026.

Tulsa- July 24- Watch the musical Oklahoma! in Oklahoma: Celebrate the heart of America along the Mother Road with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! This Route 66 Centennial production blends iconic music, community spirit, and Oklahoma tradition into a Broadway-caliber event, complete with local flavors, live pre-show entertainment, and a shared sense of home. Live at the Tulsa PAC

The Kansas stretch is only  13.2-mile—the shortest in any state—with major events and restored landmarks in the southeast corner of the state.

From Joplin, it’s six hours and 53 minutes (475 mi) via I-40 W to get to Amarillo, TX

Oklahoma

July 17-19  2026- Annual Dust Bowl Days Farm & Ranch Festival- Sayre, OK

* July 15, 2026- AlbuquerqueWild West History Association Albuquerque Roundup

Day 4: Texas and New Mexico- Drury Hotel in Santa Fe, NM

The drive from Amarillo to Santa Fe is only about four hours(278 mi) via I-40 W, so it gives you time to stop in Tulsa and then Tucumcari.

A note about Santa Fe

Driving from Amarillo towards Albuquerque is the current route, but the original alignment from 1926 until 1937, Route 66 went to Santa Fe.

In 1937  the highway was realigned to bypass Santa Fe. The post-1937 alignment takes a much more direct route to Albuquerque, but if you have the time, it’s worth it to take “the loop” up to Santa Fe.

This adds roughly 107 miles to the trip with a detour of one to two hours of extra driving compared to the modern, direct interstate route from Santa Rosa to Albuquerque.

Since there is a Drury Hotel in Santa Fe, if you have time there is a lot to do in Santa Fe.  SantaFe.org encourages visitors to “Exit the interstate and take the “Santa Fe Loop.” Cruise the 1926-1937 alignment through Santa Fe beginning on Old Santa Fe Trail, known as College Street back then. Soon you’ll pass the San Miguel Chapel, the oldest church in the U.S. and the Loretto Chapel before motoring on to explore the Santa Fe Plaza and beyond.”

Tucumcari, New Mexico is 1h 40m (112 mi) via I-40 W from Amarillo and is a premier stop for the 2026 Route 66 Centennial, offering a deep dive into mid-century “Mother Road” culture, particularly with its, “Tucumcari Tonight!” nostalgia. As of 2026, the city is celebrating the 100th anniversary with restored neon, numerous murals, and specific 100th-anniversary events. VisitTucumcari.com https://visittucumcarinm.com/

* Tee Pee Curios: This is a gift shop with a concrete teepee. It is circa 1940’s and a photo op. 924 E Route 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401-3146

* Route 66 Monument: A chrome-and-rock sculpture located in front of the Tucumcari Convention Center.

* Tucumcari Historical Museum: Housed in a 1903 school building, it features extensive Route 66 memorabilia.

You will pass Gallup, New Mexico on this leg. Gallup is known as the “Heart of Indian Country” and a historic hub for Indigenous trade.

• Gallup, New Mexico: (July 24-26) Route 66 Rides Festival (Gallup, NM)

  A massive festival slated for July 24–26, 2026, featuring a classic car show, fire dancers, and a balloon mass ascension featuring 66 hot air balloons over the Mother Road.

• Gallup, New Mexico is a great historic stop along the way. It is known as “The Gateway to Native America” and “The Heart of Indian Country.”

Day 5- Arizona- Flagstaff Arizona, Drury Hotel Flagstaff

Flagstaff is about 5 ½ hours from Santa Fe, New Mexico (383 mi) via I-40

When you leave Flagstaff, don’t forget Winona, which is a tiny town about 13 miles east of Flagstaff.

Winona, Arizona

Winona is a definite stop on the trip. It gained fame in the famous Nat King Cole song “Route 66” but beyond that, it is a very small town  but it does have a few phot ops. Key Photo Opportunities in Winona: Old Route 66 Bridge (built in the 1920s-1930s that carried travelers during the Dust Bowl and WWII eras); Winona Trading Post, Views of San Francisco Peaks. Desert in the front, mountains behind.

Day 6- Lake Havasu, Arizona, Drury Hotel Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu is 3 hours 13 minutes (207 miles) via 1-40W from Flagstaff.2

The Lake Havasu area is in interesting area, part desert, part lake.

There are a few interesting tourist attractions in Lake Havasu:

• London Bridge- The 1831 London Bridge was sold, taken apart, and transported to to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where it was put back together in 1971.
• English Village is at the base of London Bridge and is an outdoor shopping and dining area.
• Lighthouse Displays all around the lake: More than 25 functional, smaller-scale replicas of famous lighthouses decorate the perimeter of the lake. L

Day 7- Arrive in California—Santa Monica

Santa Monica will be your destination—the end of the trail for Route 66. It is 5h 5m (314 mi) via I-10 W from Lake Havasu.

**There is a sign in front of which you will want to get your photo. You have reached your destination—you drove Route 66!

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If you start from Chicago

• Days 1–3: Illinois & Missouri: Depart Chicago, stop at the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, the Illinois State Fair/Rock & Roll Museum, and cross the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge into St. Louis
• August 20, 2026—–Balloons Over 66 Weekend 5K (IL): A family-friendly run taking place on August 29, 2026, along the Illinois stretch of Route 66
• August 23, 2026- Lawndale Route 66 Festival (Chicago, IL): Taking place August 23, 2026, this signature community celebration includes a classic car show, live music, and cultural heritage programming.

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Jump on the Route 66 100th Anniversary Bandwagon! Commemorative tee shirts and souvenirs: CLICK HERE

(Maps: Google/AAA)