Plan now to celebrate the Route  66 Centennial

The Mother Road turns 100 next year. It’s time to get ready to celebrate Route 66 with an RV trip down memory lane.

Each of the eight states along the 2,448‑mile corridor is rolling out special events, road improvements, and memorial installations.

Personal interest

I’ll admit that I have a personal interest in the upcoming Route 66 Centennial celebration. You see, the Mother Road passes through my hometown in Missouri. Already, our small blip on the map shows evidence of the upcoming festivities.

Recently, my husband and I noticed several new “Point of Interest” signs. Here we are posing in the new Route 66 sign.

Missouri: Where it all began

Missouri will officially launch the national centennial celebration in Springfield, the city that sent the original 1926 telegram naming “Route 66.”

The Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission has secured more than $3 million in grants to fund road repairs and interactive signage—think photo‑ready “66” structures in each of the eight counties the highway traverses.

In addition, the Missouri Humanities Council recently awarded a $25,000 grant to the Route 66 Association of Missouri to develop a traveling exhibit that will display historic artifacts and stories from along the Mother Road.

Illinois: Legislative cheers and scenic celebrations

Illinois lawmakers are marking 2026 as the official Route 66 Centennial Year. State Senator Chris Balkema filed a resolution to honor the highway’s century‑old legacy and galvanize community events in towns like Dwight, Odell, and Pontiac.

Meanwhile, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Alliance is planning a statewide conference and “Epic Route 66 Centennial Celebration” in November 2026. Initial plans include historic vehicle parades and storytelling panels.

Kansas: Rainbow Bridge makeover and collector coins

In Kansas, the iconic Rainbow Bridge near Riverton will be repainted with high‑durability coatings. This is made possible because of more than $100,000 in grants secured by the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association. (Work already started in March 2025, ensuring the span shines for centennial travelers.)

Don’t forget to pick up one of the association’s 2‑inch, double‑sided Route 66 Centennial Collector Coins—available online and at local shops—to commemorate your journey.

Oklahoma: Federal byways funding and signature events

Oklahoma is investing $1 million from the National Scenic Byways program to restore high‑traffic segments, like the Historic Round Barn in Arcadia. Plans also include enhancing roadside pull‑offs.

Tulsa, long host of the AAA Route 66 Road Fest, will once again anchor marquee centennial events featuring car shows, live music, and tours of Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza. This year’s event is coming up this weekend, June 21-22, 2025.

Texas: Amarillo’s annual festival gears up

In Amarillo, the Texas Route 66 Festival—launched in 2023—will return each June leading up to the centennial. The festival spotlights neon‑lit diners, panoramic Cadillac Ranch artwork, and local brewery takeovers of historic signage. Keep an eye out for city‑sponsored neon restorations and “selfie stations” along the Panhandle stretch, as well.

New Mexico: Digital hub and community grants

New Mexico’s Route 66 Centennial Commission recently unveiled an official website. Here you’ll find programs, event calendars, and educational resources to help towns prepare for 2026. From Gallup’s mural revitalizations to Santa Rosa’s historic theater screenings, there’s plenty on the digital hub to inspire your itinerary.

Arizona: Flagstaff’s historic downtown countdown

Flagstaff is already counting down to the centennial with pop‑up exhibits in Lowell Observatory’s visitor center and guided walks through downtown neon districts. The city’s “Neon Nights” photo tour—highlighting restored signs at the Weatherford Hotel and Orpheum Theater—is a must-see.

California: Santa Monica at the finish line

At the western terminus in Santa Monica, city officials are partnering with Visit California and the California Historic Route 66 Association. Together they plan to develop beach‑side festivals on the Santa Monica Pier. Expect beachfront block parties, artisan markets, and commemorative pier‑to‑pier marathon relays to begin on April 30, 2026.

Plan now!

• Plan your dates: Many state events fall between April and November 2026—book campgrounds early!

• Collect keepsakes: From Missouri’s interactive signage to Kansas coins, souvenirs are plentiful, and the memories will last forever.

• Join community grants: If you’re hosting an RV rally or local meetup, check each state’s grant programs.

• Download navigation apps: Use specialized Route 66 trip planners to find historic alignments, bypasses, and off‑beat attractions.

• Share your journey: Tag your posts with #Route66100 and connect with fellow RVers celebrating the Mother Road’s Centennial.

The Route 66 Centennial just may be the RV adventure of a lifetime. Start your engines—and your travel plans—today!

RELATED

• Take an RV mini trip to Seligman, Arizona, for the best of Route 66
• Take a tour on Route 66 in Texas, including 7 ghost towns!

Get your kicks on, well, you know how it goes… 
“The Best Hits on Route 66: 100 Essential Stops on the Mother Road” is the perfect companion for anyone traveling down Route 66 or who has ever wanted to. Amy Bizzarri, a Route 66 expert, takes you on an inspiring and entertaining journey down America’s most famous favorite road. Along with fascinating history and travel inspiration, the book also includes itineraries so trip planning is a breeze. Learn more or order.

RVT1214b