Route 66 was barely paved when it launched in 1926 and within a decade it had become the heartbeat of America
Published on Apr 05, 2026 at 5:22 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 01, 2026 at 9:50 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
Of all the roads in the world, Route 66 in America is probably the most well-known, and yet when it was launched in 1926, it had barely been paved.
While it may not serve quite the same purpose today, Route 66 remains an American icon, spanning over 2,000 miles from Chicago to California.
The route has since become a tourist attraction, with many parts of the route now run by various groups and associations, and some states have designated it an historic route.
Few roads around the world can claim to have this much prestige.
This is how Route 66 came into existence
Route 66 was first opened in November 1926, and road signs proclaiming its name were erected the following year.
The original route ran all the way from Chicago, Illinois, and terminated in Santa Monica, California.
Along the way, it passed through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
In total, Route 66 was 2,448 miles long.
While it was barely paved when it opened, it quickly became a popular route for Americans.
In fact, much of the highway was gravel or dirt, with it finally being paved in 1938.
As one of the first highways in the United States, it was a popular route, and that continued to rise.
In the 1950s, for example, it became the main highway for those going to Los Angeles on vacation.
Why the famous American road couldn’t last forever
The route would go through various changes over the years.
With the signing of the Interstate Highway Act in 1956, newer, faster routes would become available.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower had been impressed by the German Autobahn network and saw what it could do.
As the years went on, new interstates began to bypass Route 66, and many sections would slowly close.
Some stayed open as state roads, such as Interstate 55 Business.
Others were left abandoned, with whole towns in some cases closing and moving on as the road was shut.
As of 2026, some parts have been preserved, while others that remain in use bear signage marking the road’s original purpose.
Various associations have preserved parts of the route as well as towns that it originally passed through.
Route 66 remains a cultural icon and a core part of America’s history.
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
