Route 66. The most famous highway in America. America’s longest small town. The Mother Road. The Main Street of America. And an international community of passionate fans that have transformed an American icon into a destination.

Route 66

Officially it doesn’t exist. It hasn’t since the highway was decertified on June 27, 1985. And yet communities from Chicago to Santa Monica are making expansive plans to capitalize on the highways centennial in 2026. Route 66 associations in Europe and Japan, and companies based in at least a dozen coutnries, are planning events and tours.

Touch Media based in Bratislava, Slovakia, in partnership with Dries Bessels of the Dutch Route 66 Association, acclaimed artist Joyce Cole, and Jim HInckley of Jim HInckley’s America, is working on a special edition Mother Road Route 66 centennial passport. This is the company that developed the innovative Route 66 Navigation app as well as a free travel planning guide in eight languages.

All along this storied highway old motels, restaurants and attractions are being renovated by passionate enthusiasts from Israel and the Netherlands, South Africa and Pakistan, Germany and England. International contributions to preserving the history of a highway that has come to symbolize the essence of the American experience seems quite appropriate as we prepare to celebrate the highways centennial.

A Fitting Tribute

After all, many chapters of the highways history were written by immigrants. And some of its most revered landmarks and gems are the American melting pot made manifest.

The Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois was established by a Greek immigrant. Likewise with the Falcon Restaurant in Winslow, Arizona. The Berghoff Restaurant in Chicago was established by Herman Berghoff who emigrated from Germany to America in 1870.

Without the automobile there would have been no need for the U S highway system, including U S 66. Here too is found an international connection. Chevrolet, a brand that has, like Route 66, come to symbolize America actually began as an import. Louis Chevrolet was born in Switzerland and came to America via Canada as a mechanic employed by a fellow Swiss immigrant, William Walter.

Where Reality Meets Romanticism

In the era of renaissance this highway is often viewed in the context of the American small town enshrined in Norman Rockwell prints. Purists obsess over keeping Route 66 in the I Like Ike buttons, tail fins, and neon bubble. But this is not what Route 66 was, or is.

This highway that cuts through the heartland of the country was, and is, a microcosm of the American experience. The U S 66 of 1930 was quite different from the Route 66 of 1950, or 1960. Traveling this highway today is nothing like what the mythical Joad family experienced in the 1930s. And a road trip on this legendary highway in 2024 is quite different from the road trip made famous by Desi and Lucy, or Todd and Buzz.

Romanticism is an integral part of the U S 66 experience and allure. But so is history and diversity. Did you know that one of the largest Czech cultural festivals in the world outside the Czech Republic takes place in Yukon, Oklahoma?

The Main Street of America

From its inception this amazing highway was billed as the Main Street of America. Even though that branding was borrowed from Judge Lowe that used the phrase to market the National Old Trails Road in 1913, it perfectly illustrates what makes this highway special.

After all, this adventure is not only the all American road trip. It is the blending of cultures that is America made manifest.

And if you want to really experience the international nature of Route 66, you will have a unique opportunty this year. People from throughout the world will come together to celebrate iconic Route 66. In August the third annual European Route 66 Festival is being held in Prague, Czech Republic.

As it is being held in conjunction with the largest Harley Davidson festival in Europe, it will be an all encompassing American event.