Route 66 celebrates 100 years of travel

Start your engines, put the Nat King Cole Trio on the radio, and get ready to celebrate the centennial of Route 66! That’s right, we’re just days away from 100 years of the Mother Road, and while November 11 marks the official celebration date, we couldn’t resist getting a jump on the festivities.

Over the last few months, you may have noticed ADOT has been giving some special love to Route 66. We’ve covered everything from the MVD’s specialty license plate to roadside cleanups and postage stamps, all with the goal of igniting curiosity and passion for Route 66 in our readers.

As it turns out, ADOT isn’t the only one celebrating the centennial! Arizona Highways magazine, which celebrated its centennial last year, dedicated the November 2026 issue to Route 66. It features 20 pages of striking black-and-white photographs that offer glimpses of a thriving Route 66, from cars packed along Kingman’s Front Street (now Andy Devine Avenue), to neat rows of automobiles parked outside drugstores, cafes and mechanic shops. 

This issue captures a time when the highway was bustling with travelers. It’s a reminder that Route 66 isn’t just a road, it’s a century-long collection of communities and their stories that have shaped Arizona across generations. We invite you to take a look at the November 2026 issue of Arizona Highways online here.

If all this talk is getting you excited to explore Route 66 for yourself, Arizona has plenty of ways to mark this milestone, whether you're a lifelong fan or a first-time road-tripper.

If you’ve yet to get out on Route 66 and explore what it has to offer, we encourage folks to drive the route themselves to take in the sights, sounds and towns that have remained throughout the years. For those who prefer a more hands-on activity (or should we say feet-on), the Route 66 UltraRun offers a different way to experience the Mother Road. From November 14-16, runners will run along 140-miles of historic Route 66 from Seligman to Topock. The brave can register here.

Still not enough Route 66 for you? For inspiration, check out the Arizona Office of Tourism’s Route 66 centennial resources, which include trip ideas and opportunities to explore the historic highway. It’s easy to see the impact this piece of paved history has had on all of us. From songs and movies to television shows and countless family road trips, the Mother Road has become a symbol of adventure, discovery and the freedom of the open road.

At ADOT, we’re proud to help preserve and maintain the roadways that keep Arizonans and our economy moving, including segments of Route 66. It’s a beautiful part of Arizona’s history, and this year is the perfect time to commemorate old memories of the Mother Road while getting out there and making new ones.