Get Your Kicks on Route 66

By David Knudson
Executive Director, National Historic Route 66 Federation

     Ever since Bobby Troup penned the lyrics to his 1946 hit song, “Get your Kicks On Route 66”, people have been doing just that.

     Actually, the Route 66 mystique began a decade earlier with John Steinbeck’s epic novel, Grapes of Wrath. The book and movie were anything but enticing but it launched the Route 66 fascination that continues today.

     Then in 1960, the television series, “Route 66” hit the airways and became an  immediate success as Todd and Buz tooled down the Route in their  snazzy Corvette thrashing villains along the way. How much more enticement would America need to hit the Route?

     Flash forward to 1994. My wife, Mary Lou and I went looking for the fabled Route around Chicago and could not find it, but thanks to a clerk at a truck stop, we were able to get a map. This took us on a journey that would change our lives forever. Here is what we found.

     Route 66 was rapidly disappearing. It had already disappeared from standard maps. Building after building was boarded up and abandoned — in fact, entire towns were shuttered. Stretches of the legendary road had been removed and replaced with cornfields. What had happened?

     US Hwy 66 had been bypassed by a series of high-speed highways that carried motorists at 70 mph down 10 lanes instead of 50 mph along two. Of course, everyone wanted to get to wherever they were going as quickly as possible, so onto the turnpikes they went. All of a sudden, there were no customers along the “Main Street Of America”.

     Mary Lou and I took nearly a month to drive the entire Route and when we got to our home in Los Angeles, I sold my business and we went to work to rescue it.

     We worked with the Federal government to issue grants to Route 66 business owners so they could get going again, and we began publicizing it in an effort to make it a tourist destination. We succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.

     Today, it is a wonderful way to experience early roadside Americana.  Many of the businesses and all of the towns are up and running again, and welcoming travelers.

     I am often asked what areas of the Route, I think are the best, and all I can say is it is what interests you. Here is a “mini-tour” to acquaint you with our country’s most famous road.  Route 66 (John Steinbeck called it the, “Mother Road”) starts in Chicago. That is because most travelers, in bygone days, left the East and traveled west. So let us begin our tour in the Windy City.

Illinois 

     Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant has been a Chicago institution since 1923, and it is a great way to start your trip—not only because it is near the beginning of the Route but also it has one of the best breakfasts you will find anywhere.

     Get a look at the beautifully restored service station when you get to Odell. Then it is on to Pontiac where you notice the exceptional murals throughout the community.

    Next comes Springfield—an exceptionally restored Route 66 city that is full of Lincoln era stuff—not the least of which is the recently- opened Lincoln Library and Museum. Do not miss having a corn dog at the iconic Cozy Dog Drive In.

     From Springfield, you will be traveling through the heartland of America complete with bucolic barns and amber waves of grain.

Chain of Rocks Bridge
Illinois over the Missisippi River to Missouri
Today, this restoration project is open only to foot and bike traffic. 
Built to serve Route 66 traffic in 1929, it has a dangerous, narrow 22° bend

Missouri
Across the Mississippi is St. Louis. Of course, you can not miss the arch but the city is chock full of restored Route 66 properties, too. You will want to sample the very best frozen custard there is at Ted Drewes. The country west of St. Louis is a nice mix of scenery and vintage Route 66 establishments. Make a point to stop and look around Lebanon and Carthage.

 
Trail of Tears Memorial
- WArlington, MO
Built by hand by one man, this stone memorial commemorates
the Tragic Trail of Tears march of 1838-39 that claimed over 4,000 Cherokee lives.

Kansas/Oklahoma/Texas
 Route 66 cuts through a brief 12 miles of Kansas then moves into Oklahoma, the best state to see original Route 66 places.

     Towns like Tulsa, Stroud and Clinton are the high points. Do not miss POPS in Arcadia and the Route 66 Museum in Clinton. 

     In Texas, the Route traverses the panhandle; which offers you the art deco U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, and the Big Texan Steak Ranch and Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. While here, I suggest you take a side trip to Palo Duro Canyon, often called the second Grand Canyon.

Afton, OK
Rare 9 foot wide stretch of road.

New Mexico/Arizona
There is no better Route 66 city than Albuquerque for restored Route 66 buildings and neon. Tucumcari is the home of the famous Blue Swallow Motel—beautifully restored in every detail - another exceptional photo op.

               Driving through Arizona, you will not want to miss four things: The La Posada Hotel in  Winslow; the wonderfully restored town of Williams; The Powerhouse Museum in Kingman: and the mules wandering freely through Oatman.

Traffic Jam in Oatman AZ.

If you intend to drive the Routem I highly recommend you get the EZ66 
GUIDE For Travelers, the Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide and the Route 
66 Adventure Handbook. They are available at  www.national66.org.