The most iconic highway in the country reaches its centennial this year – and travelers are ready to celebrate with an epic road trip.
Also called The Mother Road, Route 66 stretches almost 2,500 miles and spans eight states, beginning in Chicago, Illinois, and ending in Santa Monica, California. Established in 1926 as a way to connect isolated, rural communities, Route 66 captures a nostalgic era of Americana, one filled with neon signs, diners and classic cars.
As the country also celebrates its own birthday this year – its 250th to be exact – many travelers are interested in taking their own Route 66 road trip, with interest in the famous highway on Tripadvisor surging by 20% year-over-year, according to the travel platform. Road trippers can make pitstops at historic sites and quirky landmarks, like the 66-foot-tall soda bottle at Pops 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia, Oklahoma.
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To help travelers create their own Route 66 road trip itinerary, Tripadvisor’s in-house creative studio Wanderlab partnered with Choice Hotels International to recently launch an interactive guide to the best stops along the famous highway, called Century of Route 66.
«Route 66 is one of the most iconic ways to experience America – its small towns, local businesses, classic diners and historic landmarks,» said Steve Paganelli, vice president of global media and partnerships at Tripadvisor, in a statement to USA TODAY.
Here’s how to plan your Route 66 road trip on Tripadvisor and Choice Hotels’ new map.
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Plan your Route 66 road trip
The Century of Route 66 map highlights the best pit stops in each of the eight states along the highway, plus nearby Choice Hotels for a seamless travel experience. Travelers can browse Tripadvisor maps, pick which attractions stand out to them, and find nearby accommodations.
«Our team selected points of interest that capture each state’s unique Route 66 character from its storied past to its vibrant present,» Paganelli said. «Every recommendation, from historic landmarks and those wonderfully quirky roadside stops to iconic diners and convenient stays, earned its place through exceptional Tripadvisor ratings from travelers who’ve made the journey.»