Legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail was introduced by Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Grace R. Napolitano (D-CA) on September 16, 2020. This new legislation, H.R. 8240, is similar to legislation that was introduced and unanimously supported by the House of Representatives in 2018.

“Historic Route 66 is internationally recognized as an iconic symbol representing America’s love of the open road. Its rich history as a Dustbowl migration route, World War II strategic military route, and a vacation travel route has been celebrated in music, literature, television, movies, and popular lore,” said Pam Bowman, pirector of public lands policy at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We enthusiastically endorse the bipartisan approach of H.R. 8240 that would designate Route 66 as a national historic trail and appreciate Representatives Darin LaHood and Grace Napolitano for their years of leadership supporting preservation of this nationally significant route.”