history of route 66

Route 66 was established in 1926 and ran from Chicago to Los Angeles. It ran as a US highway until 1985 when it was decommissioned due to the advances in the US interstate system.

Route 66 really gained in popularity through the dust bowl period of the 1930's. Many of the farmers from Oklahoma and Texas migrated west along Route 66 to find work in California. The increase in traffic on the roads helped many of the smaller towns to struggle through the great depression. Throughout the 2nd world war, (and the 1950's) petrol stations and restaurants sprang up along the route. Many of them family owned. They became known as Mom and Pop restaurants. Some of the most famous restaurants still remain, including the big Texan (with it's eat it all and it is free 72 ounce steak) and the first McDonalds in San Bernardino.

The main focus of the road changed from migratory workers to tourism around this period. Attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Meramec Cavern and Barringer Crater became very popular and remain so to this day. Drive in movie theatres also sprang up along the route as did many motels and camping spots.

The development of the interstate led to many of the smaller towns along the route to close and it is possible to see ghost towns along the route. In recent times however Route 66 has begun a renaissance and many 50's style attractions have been refurbished. It is also the subject of the latest Disney / Pixar movie " cars ".

The Route itself has undergone route changes throughout the years but it is still possible to drive 90% of it on the original roads (new roads replace the missing sections).

Our Favourite Drive will attempt to show you a range of things to see on the route from major sites, to amazing scenery and quirky fun attractions. Route 66 really is what you the driver make of it. Choose your favourite car to drive it in from Cadillacs, convertibles or even RVs. Choose to see very little or choose to see everything. It is time to get your kicks on Route 66!
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Route 66 Attractions

Drive Day 1 - Route Chicago to Springfield	Drive Day 2 - Route Springfield (Illinois) to St Louis	Drive Day 3 - Route St Louis to Springfield (Missouri)
Distance: 201 Miles Nearest Airport:Chicago Famous Attractions: Sears Tower Navy Pier Adler Planetarium Field Museum The Dixie Wrigley Field The Spaghetti Shop Abraham Lincoln tomb The Pig Hip restaurant Funk's grove Polk-a-dot drive in The Olde keg	Distance: 101 miles Nearest Airport:St Louis Famous Attractions: Chain of rocks bridge Gateway to the West St Louis Arch Henry's Rabbit station Old Soulsby Station Gateway Arch Busch Stadium Land of Lincoln Motel Union Station Soldiers Museum Mississippi River Sportsman Park	Distance 217 miles Nearest Airport:St Louis Famous Attractions: Meramec Caves Missouri State Capitol St Louis Zoo 1904 Olympic Site Six flags Busch Stadium The Jewel Box Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Budweiser Brewery Springfield National Cemetery Missouri River Osage Beach
Drive Day 4 - Route Springfield to Oklahoma City	Drive Day 5 - Route Oklahoma City to Amarillo	Drive Day 6 - Route Amarillo to Albuquerque
Distance : 285 miles Nearest Airport:Kansas City Famous Attractions: Oklahoma State Capitol Six Flags Winchester Drive In Mini World Trade Centre Tulsa Golden Driller Davis Gun Museum Omnidome National Cowboy Hall of Fame Oklahoma City Zoo Remington Park Oklahoma State Cowboys Big Brutus	Distance : 259 miles Nearest Airport:Oklahoma Famous Attractions: U Drop Inn Oklahoma Sooners The Ball Park Arlington Jigg's Smokehouse Beans n Things Lucille's Gas Station Tascosa Drive In Country Dove Old Town Museum Fort Sill National Museum	Distance: 288 miles Nearest Airport:Dallas Famous Attractions: Cadillac Ranch Ponderosa Area 51 Old Air Force One Seton Castle The Pecos Tucumcari Mountain Dot's Mini Museum Sandia Mountains Fridgehenge
Drive Day 7 - Route Albuquerque to Flagstaff	Drive Day 8 - Route Flagstaff to Barstow	Drive Day 9 - Route Barstow to Santa Monica
Distance: 322 miles Nearest Airport:Phoenix Famous Attractions: Meteor City Dome Wigwam Motels Sunset Crater Turkey Park Suwannee park J Laurence Skydome Homolavi State Park The National Atomic Museum Two Guns Barringer meteor Crater	Distance: 353 miles Nearest Airport:Las Vegas Famous Attractions: The Grand Canyon Hoover Dam Las Vegas Strip Ceasers Palace Sacramento Springs Rogers Lake The Stratosphere Havasu National Wildlife Reserve Arizona Snowbowl	Distance: 130 miles Nearest Airport:Los Angeles Famous Attractions: Santa Monica Pier The Rose Bowl Beverly Hills Pasadena The Roy Rodgers Museum Universal Studios Disneyland Dodgers Stadium Walk of Fame Rodeo Drive Sunset Boulevard The Hollywood Sign

how to play the tour

Step One:: Click on a favourite drive and google earth will automatically open with your chosen route.

Step Two:: Once Google earth has loaded, go to the "places" menu on the left, then select the "green car icon", as in the image below.

Step Three:: Click the play button at the bottom of the "places" menu to play the tour.