Today, November 11, 2026, Route 66 turns 100! Celebrations are taking place in communities across the country, especially in the towns and cities along America’s most famous highway.
Why Does Route 66 Turn 100 on November 11?
November 11 isn’t an arbitrary date. On that day in 1926, the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) officially approved the new national highway numbering system. Among the routes included was U.S. Highway 66, which would later become known as Route 66.
During the 20th century, the road became much more than a simple link between different U.S. cities. During the Great Depression, thousands of families heading west in search of a better life traveled it, inspiring John Steinbeck to call it the Mother Road in his 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath. In the years that followed, it became a symbol of the American road trip, with its diners, motels, gas stations, and neon signs.
How Is Route 66’s Centennial Being Celebrated?
Celebrations began earlier in 2026, but November 11 marks the highlight of the anniversary. Here are the main events taking place that day:
- One of the main celebrations takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. An entire day of festivities is planned, including the traditional Veterans Day parade, museum activities, a big party along Main Street, and live concerts. At 5:00 p.m., the Centennial Moment will take place, the official ceremony marking Route 66’s 100th anniversary. The Main Street party is free, but you’ll need a wristband, available at no charge at any Centennial Crawl stop.
- In Springfield, Illinois, Route 66 Motorheads will host a conference on preservation, tourism, and the future of the road, while the evening will feature a concert by STARSHIP.
- In Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Route 66 Crossroads Information Station will host giveaways, photo opportunities, and other activities at the intersection of two historic Route 66 alignments. In the evening, the New Mexico Route 66 Association is organizing a dinner at 66 Diner and a party at ZEMA Vinyl Lounge.
- From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Flagstaff Visitor Center will host a vintage car display, local artisans, and short guided tours focused on Route 66. At 1:00 p.m., writer Roger Naylor will give a talk about the historic highway at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
- In El Reno, Oklahoma, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mother Road Plaza will host live music, tastings of local specialties, and a ceremony featuring the raising of the American flag and the flags of the eight states crossed by Route 66.
- In Vinita, Oklahoma, the historic Hi-Way Cafe will host a celebration from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with birthday cake and the sealing of a time capsule to commemorate the centennial.
And the celebrations won’t end on November 11. Several cities have more events planned for the following days:
- November 14–16 – Arizona: the Route 66 UltraRun will take place, a 140-mile (225-km) ultramarathon from Seligman to Topock, with an additional 100-mile distance for the centennial.
- November 14 – Needles (California): the Cruizin the Century Car Show will feature classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles at the El Garces train station from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- November 20 – Winslow (Arizona): the city’s community Christmas tree lighting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Route 66 Plaza.
- November 20–22 – Springfield (Illinois): the Route 66 Film Festival will celebrate its 25th edition at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, with film screenings, discussions with filmmakers, and awards.
- November 21 – Los Angeles (California): the Great Los Angeles Walk: Route 66 Edition will take participants from Echo Park Lake to Santa Monica Pier, following Santa Monica Boulevard. The walk starts at 9:00 a.m. near the Lady of the Lake statue, and participation is free. The finish line is the famous End of the Trail sign.
- November 21 – Winslow (Arizona): the annual Christmas parade will celebrate the centennial with the theme “100 Years on America’s Highway.”
Planning a Route 66 Road Trip?
If you’re thinking about planning a trip along Route 66, take a look at our dedicated Route 66 section. You’ll find information about the full route, the best places to visit across all eight states, and our tips for planning your own road trip along this historic highway.
