In 2026, car enthusiasts and passionate road-trippers will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, a legendary thoroughfare that has traced a colorful journey through American history.
When Route 66 first opened on Nov. 11, 1926—connecting eight states and stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica—only about a third of its 2,400 miles were paved. The rest was dirt, gravel, or even wooden planks.
Over the course of the next century, the iconic road developed into a modern highway but also worked its way into the American psyche. Dubbed the “Mother Road” in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, it inspired a 1946 hit song, “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” and came to symbolize the American dream, beckoning travelers to head out on their own adventures.
Although the highway was officially decommissioned in the 1980s, you can still trace much of Route 66 today, including this EV-friendly itinerary and a classic Route 66 road trip. Here are some ways you can get your kicks and join the party for the centennial:
When Is the Route 66 centennial?
While Route 66 turns 100 on Nov. 11, 2026, the official national festivities will begin on April 30, 2026—100 years after the road got its name. But some towns along Route 66’s path in California began celebrating in 2025.
Events and Celebrations
Many towns along Route 66’s path through California are celebrating:
April 21–27, 2026: Route 66 Bike Week, various locations
This motorcycle appreciation event invites riders to send in a photo of themselves on their bike anywhere along Route 66 and in return can receive fun swag such as t-shirts, patches, and stickers.
May 1–2, 2026: LitFest in the Dena, Pasadena
The annual (and free) literary festival staged at a church along Pasadena’s Colorado Blvd. consists of panels, talks, and readings. In 2026, the theme will be the American Dream, as seen in Route 66 mythology.
May 1–9: Santa Monica Jazz Festival, Santa Monica
For its inaugural run, this new jazz fest in Santa Monica is celebrating three icons that were born in 1926: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Route 66. Headliners at the music festival, held at the Third Street Promenade, include Kamasi Washington, Isaiah Collier, and Hiromi’s Sonicwonder.
May 22–25: L.A. Fleet Week, San Pedro
Greet veterans who have spent 10 days driving the entire stretch of Route 66, starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, with a detour to celebrate at Battleship USS Iowa docked in San Pedro. You can tour the battleship during Fleet Week, and support the veterans by chipping in on their fundraising page.
June 6: 30th Annual Gilmore Heritage Auto Show, Los Angeles
Check out classic cars in front of a timeless L.A. location: the Original Los Angeles Farmers’ Market at Third and Fairfax, just down the street from Route 66. This annual event celebrates the Mother Road this year, welcoming cars that would have been seen on the road in its heyday.
June 6–25, 2026: The Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan, various locations
This event celebrates not only the 100th anniversary of the highway but also the many Route 66 preservation success stories from all along the highway. Anyone can join, but the core group of cars traveling from Santa Monica to Chicago will have one representative from all 50 states, and one representing the international community.
June 20–21: Pasadena Chalk Festival, Pasadena
Route 66 runs along Pasadena’s main thoroughfare, Colorado Blvd., which turns 150 in 2026. This year’s annual chalk art festival, held at the open-air shopping area The Paseo, celebrates both Route 66 and Colorado Blvd.
June 20–28: The Great Race
Watch 130 vintage cars—having model years between 1911 and 1974—race from Chicago to Santa Monica over the course of nine days. They’ll make 17 stops along the way; check its site for updates.
July 12: America on the Move: A Route 66 Parade, Los Angeles
Watch this curated collection of 50 cars traveling during one day from L.A.’s acclaimed Petersen Museum to the Santa Monica Pier, with a break for photo ops in Beverly Hills. The 50 cars will represent distinct moments in automotive history, from race cars to pop culture icons. At the Pier, visitors can get more up-close looks and photo ops with the cars.
Sept. 12: Route 66 Car Show and Street Party, Victorville
Head to the high desert for this classic car show, historical art displays, and live music paired with local cuisine on a closed street in downtown Victorville.
Oct. 9–10: Main Street USA Festival, Barstow
See vintage cars and enjoy live music and local cuisine in this classic Route 66 town. Stop by the local California Welcome Center for tips on more ways to explore the area too.
Oct. 23, 24, and Nov. 7: See a Screening of Route 66: The Main Street of America
Don’t miss the moving feature-length documentary Route 66: The Main Street of America, which meets the people keeping the Mother Road alive. Screenings will start in September in Chicago, then move west through the fall.
California screenings include an outdoor showing in Amboy, the California Theater in San Bernardino, and the Los Angeles Theater in L.A. After that, the film is scheduled to become a series on PBS.
November 22, 2026: Pasadena Doo Dah Parade, Pasadena
Known locally as Pasadena’s “other” parade, this quirky event will salute the Mother Road in 2026. The all-are-welcome parade (just register online ahead of time) is typically filled with funny costumes and eclectic music groups.
More Ways to Commemorate the Route 66 Centennial
See a new exhibit in Monrovia
As one of the oldest communities in Los Angeles County, Monrovia has strong ties to the original Route 66 era, with more than 170 landmarked homes and four buildings on the National Registry, including the Upton Sinclair House and the Aztec Hotel. Starting April 30, the Monrovia Historical Museum will debut a new permanent exhibit about Route 66 and its impact on the town.
Golf your way across Route 66
The Route 66 Golf Trail boasts of being the longest golf trail in the world—a whopping 66 courses that either sit along, or are located a short drive from, the Mother Road. Create your own profile, then start booking tee times on the site. The 10 courses in the Golden State include Rivers Edge in Needles, Oak Quarry Golf Club in Riverside, and Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Write a song
Everyone knows the classic song about getting your kicks on Route 66. The city of Santa Monica, the western end of the highway, is inviting musical types to add another song to the Mother Road lore.
To enter the 2026 Route 66 Centennial and Song Contest, start by filling out the interest form. Dates are still in the works, but the grand prize will be $10,000.
Take Your Pic in Santa Monica
Year-round, you can always take a pic by the “End of the Trail” sign at the legendary Santa Monica Pier, or by the Route 66 plaque in Palisades Park next to Santa Monica Travel & Tourism’s Visitor Information Kiosk. While you’re there, pick up a special Certificate of Completion from the Visitor Information Center, which also offers a Route 66 Three-Day Itinerary containing hotel recommendations near the route.