End of the beginning or beginning of the end? When it comes to the Route 66 centennial, an argument could easily be made for both statements. Put another way, is the centennial the end of the story or is it just the end of one chapter and the beginning of another?

From its inception in 1926, Route 66 has been in a state of evolution. The Route 66 experience in 1930 was quite different from what a traveler experienced in 1960. But in 1960 they drove over bridges built in 1930, ate at diners that opened in 1929, and stayed in motels built in the 1940s.

In the highways centennial year the vintage diner or motel is a revered treasure sought by travelers. So are a few of the gems that are a blending of past and present, almost magical places such as the Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

The Bicentennial

A recent study by AAA indicated that 40% of Americans plan on driving all or part of Route 66 in 2026. Route 66 has an international fan club. That adds another dimension to the centennial year. But for an array of reasons it is difficult to project what that segment of tourism will look like.

How will this tsunami of interest affect Route 66 after December 2026? Will there be enough momentum to ensure that Route 66 road trips and preservation remains popular through the end of the decade? Can it ensure that people are celebrating the highways bicentennial in 100 years?

For a century the cornerstone of Route 66 popularity has been a unique sense of community. That was made evident in the US Highway 66 Association conventions of the early 1930s. It was on full display at the 2014 International Route 66 Festival in Kingman, Arizona. And it is a key component of celebrations and preservation in the year of Route 66 centennial.

America’s Longest Small Town

Acclaimed author Michael Wallis, a pioneer in the Route 66 renaissance movement has often referred to Route 66 as a linear community. Expanding on that description Route 66 could easily be viewed as America’s longest small town.

That means there is a strong sense of community. Neighbors help neighbors. People pull together when there is a disaster. That bodes well for the future of Route 66, preservation initiatives, and the international Route 66 community.

It also means that there are self serving factions. There are also folks that never learned to play well with others. And that is in the top ten list of threats to the future of Route 66 and the Route 66 community.

Storm Clouds and Sunshine

The Route 66 centennial has brought out the best, and the worst, in the Route 66 community. A faction splintered the Route 66 Association of New Mexico, and then as with a messy divorce, launched a smear campaign and worked to have people in the Route 66 community take sides.

Battered but not defeated, the passionate volunteers that had worked tirelessly for years to serve the Route 66 community regrouped. The Route 66 New Mexico Alliance was the result.

All along Route 66 the power of cooperative partnerships is made manifest. You see it in Tulsa and Pontiac, Illinois, Kingman, Arizona and Joplin, Missouri. And that is one reason that I see a bright future for the Route 66 community.

The Crystal Ball

Shrouded by the mists of time, my view from the offices of Jim Hinckley’s America is filled with optimism. I base that on the simple fact that Route 66 is the American story made manifest. Officially the highway doesn’t exist and yet it is more popular than at any time in its history.

It is no mere highway, it is an expereince. And it is the ultimate road trip. But what really makes Route 66 special is the people. That is the magic that infuses a Route 66 adventure with infectious enthusiasm.

This year discover, or rediscover, America with a Route 66 adventure. Meet the passionate people that give tirelessly so that this storied highway will remain relevant for years to come.

See you on the road.