Route 66 Turns 100 as Road Trip Interest Surges

Route 66 reaches its 100th anniversary this year, and the legendary highway that ends in Santa Monica is getting a major celebration with art installations and augmented reality features along its 2,448-mile span from Chicago.

Albuquerque will host the centerpiece celebration with Route 66 Remix, transforming Central Avenue’s 18-mile stretch into an interactive art experience. The project, created with New Mexico-based Meow Wolf and local artists, will feature 18 large-scale installations and augmented reality activations highlighting the stories and traditions that shaped the city.

The installations will remain as permanent landmarks beyond the centennial year, according to the city’s dedicated website, which also features historical images and a comprehensive events calendar for anniversary celebrations.

For Bay Area residents, the most accessible piece of the Mother Road sits just down Highway 101 in Santa Monica, where the famous route meets the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Monica Pier.

California’s coastal highways continue drawing road trip enthusiasm, particularly the scenic drive from Santa Monica north through Hearst Castle, Carmel, and into San Francisco. The state tourism board has expanded its road trip offerings to include specialized itineraries covering surf spots, taco tours, and desert oddities.

The renewed interest in road trips extends beyond California’s borders. Colorado has launched an interactive microsite featuring 24 scenic and historic byways with more than 150 itineraries covering multiday adventures. The flexible routes include suggestions for historic attractions, outdoor activities, and cultural opportunities.

Montana and Wyoming’s Beartooth Highway offers another option for ambitious travelers. The 68-mile stretch connects Montana, Wyoming, and Yellowstone National Park, reaching the highest elevation of any highway in the Northern Rockies. The route features alpine plateaus, glacial lakes, and wildlife viewing opportunities, though access is limited to the warmest months of the year.

Alaska’s Seward Highway provides the most remote option, connecting Anchorage to Seward across 127 miles of wilderness. The route has earned recognition as a Forest Service Scenic Byway, an Alaskan Scenic Byway, and an All-American Road, passing through the Chugach Mountains and historic mining towns.

The surge in road trip planning comes as travelers seek domestic alternatives to international destinations, with California’s coastal routes offering familiar territory for Bay Area residents looking to explore beyond their usual weekend destinations in Napa or Monterey.