Route 66 Turns 100: Kicking Off a Yearlong Centennial Celebration

By Casey Claypool

In 2026, one of America’s most legendary roads reaches an extraordinary milestone: the Centennial of Route 66. For 100 years, the Mother Road has carried dreamers, families, entrepreneurs, soldiers, musicians, and travelers across the heart of the nation. This anniversary is far more than a birthday, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor the people, places, and stories that transformed a simple stretch of pavement into a global icon.

This article launches a 12-part series that will guide you through the year ahead, highlighting events, attractions, history, food, and experiences that make Illinois Route 66 what it is today.

Illinois holds a uniquely prominent place in Route 66 history. As the starting point of the original highway, Illinois is where the journey began, both literally and symbolically. From Chicago to the Mississippi River, Route 66 passes through more than 90 cities, towns, and villages, each with its own story to tell. These communities are the backbone of the route, and the Centennial offers a powerful opportunity to support them. When travelers stop to eat, shop, stay overnight, or attend an event along Illinois Route 66, they directly fuel small businesses, create jobs, and strengthen local economies that have preserved this road for generations.

The Route 66 Centennial is also about preservation and pride. It shines a spotlight on historic sites that have survived because communities refused to let them fade away. Visitors can step inside the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, a hauntingly powerful landmark that has become one of the most visited attractions on the route. In Wilmington, the beloved Gemini Giant now stands proudly at his new home, welcoming travelers once again. Dwight’s Ambler–Becker Texaco Station offers a beautifully restored glimpse into mid-century service station design, while the American Giants Museum in Atlanta celebrates the fiberglass icons that helped define roadside Americana.

Further south, Springfield anchors the route with the Illinois Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, an immersive attraction that tells the story of the road, both past and present. Travelers can also explore the Auburn Brick Road, one of the best-preserved original sections of Route 66 pavement. Further south, stands the towering Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower in Collinsville, and walk or bike across the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison, one of the most iconic river crossings on the entire route.

Of course, Route 66 has always been about more than landmarks, it’s about great food and memorable meals shared along the way. Illinois Route 66 is home to some of the most legendary dining stops in the country. From the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, birthplace of the corn dog, to Docs Just Off 66 with its classic soda fountain charm, the route continues to serve up nostalgia alongside unforgettable flavors. The Ariston Café in Litchfield, one of the oldest continuously operating Route 66 restaurants, remains a must-stop, while DeCamp Station in Staunton blends history, hospitality, and hearty meals in a restored roadhouse.

The Centennial also brings opportunities to take home a piece of the celebration. Official Centennial merchandise is already available, offering travelers and Route 66 enthusiasts a way to commemorate this historic moment while supporting ongoing economic development and promotion efforts. From collector-quality items to wearable keepsakes, these products help ensure that Route 66 remains vibrant for the next generation.

For those looking to plan their journey, learn more, or purchase merchandise, IllinoisRoute66Centennial.org serves as the central hub for all things Centennial. The site features updates on events and experiences planned throughout the anniversary year; and is an essential resource for travelers, educators, locals, and lifelong Route 66 fans alike.

This 12-part series will take you deeper into Illinois Route 66 over the coming months. We’ll explore hidden gems, spotlight communities, share stories from business owners, highlight upcoming Centennial events, and provide ideas for making the most of your journey in 2026. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or someone who has driven Route 66 your entire life, the Centennial is your invitation to rediscover the road, support the communities that keep it alive, and be part of history in the making.

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing the heritage and cultural tourism of the historic Route 66 corridor through over 90 Illinois communities, helping attractions, small businesses, and towns benefit from heritage travel. It supports economic development, educational initiatives, and community engagement by highlighting iconic roadside stops and local history along the “Mother Road.”

As part of the Route 66 Centennial in 2026, the Byway is organizing events like a statewide conference and celebration in Springfield, releasing commemorative collector coin sets, and launching centennial communications such as newsletters and the official Centennial website to raise awareness and participation. Through these efforts, it aims to honor the road’s legacy, promote tourism, and spotlight the people and places that have sustained Route 66’s cultural significance for a century.

Casey Claypool is the Executive Director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.