The most enduring highway in our public consciousness, Route 66 represents a unique moment in history that continues to define the nation’s identity: the rise of the automobile and its implications of freedom, mobility, and a quintessential American story. To celebrate the legacy of the Mother Road, the National Trust and our talented road team took to the streets—literally.
In 2018, we traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles, uncovering new stories and meeting the diverse people who live along the historic route. By the trip’s end, we had shared the spirit of Route 66 with tens of thousands of travelers old and new, real and virtual—anyone who dreams of the open road.
Our work continues and we need you! Check out opportunities on this page and stay tuned for more ways to celebrate and preserve the stories and places along Historic Route 66.