One of the world´s most celebrated travel routes - a highway stretching approximately 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) across eight Midwestern and Western states of the USA which became an enduring symbol of freedom, adventure, and the open road - marks its centennial on November 11. It´s being marked by festivals, classic-car rallies, exhibitions, preservation projects, and community celebrations throughout all eight states. The National Route 66 Centennial Commission has coordinated a year-long program of events, while individual communities have hosted their own commemorations of the highway that helped shape modern travel in the United States.
Every Route 66 journey begins in Chicago. Near downtown, travelers can find the famous "Begin Route 66" sign (top) before setting out westward. The city itself is of course a trove of renowned architecture, museums, music scene, and culinary traditions. At the other end, the famous Santa Monica Pier offers amusement rides, restaurants, street performers, and gorgeous nearby beaches (not to mention proximity to to the wider Los Angeles region, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Malibu, and countless other attractions). In between, there are dozens of big cities, small towns, and other destinations of all types well worth your time to visit. But here´s what I think are the "big five":
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