In 1926, the Bureau of Roads created the Federal Highway System and Route 66 was created from existing local, state and federal roadways hobbled together to create what the Route 66 Highway Association touted as the “the shortest, best and most scenic route from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles."
Businesses popped up along the route to serve travelers, but it hit its heyday after World War II when rationing ended, car ownership increased and the family roadtrip became wildly popular. After serving as the "main street of America," Route 66 was de-comissioned after 59 years and replaced by Interstate 40 — it gradually fell out of use and into disrepair — drivers instead opting for the newer, faster highway.
Route 66 may have represented the past, but 100 years later the Mother Road is a quintessential part of American history and culture. Thanks to the preservation efforts of Angel Delgadillo, the main founder of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, Arizona can claim the longest stretch of the original Route 66 in the U.S.
Whether heading west to east or east to west on the Mother Road, there's no shortage of quirky landmarks and iconic destinations to explore and discover along Arizona’s Route 66.
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