On September 18, Congress introduced bicameral, bipartisan legislation (H.R. 5470, S. 2887) that would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail ahead of the Mother Road’s centennial in 2026. The Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act was introduced by Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Terea Leger Fernández (D-NM) in the House and Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

Members of Congress emphasized the designation’s potential to boost tourism, create economic opportunities for communities along the 2,400-mile corridor, and preserve the rich legacy of this historic road. Designating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail will have a significant economic impact in the eight states along the iconic route and appropriately recognize the historic roadway ahead of its upcoming centennial celebration in 2026. This designation would help spur critical preservation efforts in the hundreds of communities that call it home, and most importantly, it will help preserve Route 66 as a vital, iconic, and evolving piece of Americana for generations to come.

The National Trust has long endorsed legislation that would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail and we urge you to join us in contacting your members of Congress and ask them to support the bill (H.R. 5470, S. 2887) and help ensure its passage this year.