A Year of Road Trips to Celebrate Route 66's Centennial

Route 66 is one of the most recognized highways in the world, celebrated in film, music, and literature. 

Opened in November 1926, the legendary roadway has always carried much more than just cars. From the Dust Bowl migrants who traveled it out of necessity to the postwar families who took joyrides down it, Route 66 is ingrained in American auto culture. To mark 100 years of Route 66, celebratory car shows, road trips, and rallies will be popping up throughout the year.

In honor of the Route 66 centennial and the road tripping spirit, we’re sharing all of our favorite drives and guides to exploring America on wheels.

Route 66 Centennial Road Trip Planning 

Are you in for the long haul? Road trip enthusiasts from across the country will be converging on the “Mother Road” in honor of the centennial celebrations. With over 2,400 miles of road taking you from Grant Park in Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier, Route 66 is dotted with iconic American landscapes and plenty of roadside culture.

You’ll want to stop at every neon-signed vintage diner and trading post along the way, so make sure to check out our guide to Route 66 for the absolute must-sees. The official centennial is in November, but celebrations are running all year long. 

Here are just a few of the events worth checking out:
 

• America on the Move (July 12): Vintage cars will break free from the Peterson Museum and join in a parade from Beverly Hills to the Santa Monica Pier. Each of the 50 cars represents moments in automotive history and pop culture, making this a must-see for auto enthusiasts.
   
• Birthplace of Route 66 Festival (August 7-9): Watch meticulously restored classic cars parade through Springfield, Missouri, and enjoy live music on every corner.
   
• International Route 66 Mother Road Festival (September 25-27): Teleport back to the heyday of Route 66, as Springfield, Illinois turns up the nostalgia with car shows, live music, and food trucks.
   
• Texas Motor Tour (October 1-3): Join in a massive caravan through the Texas panhandle in honor of the Route 66 centennial. Along the way, you’ll stop in some of the most iconic Texas towns, enjoy local cuisine, tune into live music, and make new friends.
   
• Route 66 Speaker Series (January - November): As you pass through New Mexico, visit Albuquerque and its environs to hear local histories and legends from the Mother Road. Hosted in small towns throughout the state, these intimate conversations connect you to the many personal stories tied to Route 66. 

Start planning your trip now! 

→ Read our guide to Route 66

Route 66 isn’t the only iconic drive in America worth tackling this year. Below are some of our favorite U.S. drives, from coast to coast.

The 17-Mile Drive: Monterey Peninsula

Not every great road trip requires a week off work — and this one only takes an afternoon! The 17-Mile Drive along California's Monterey Peninsula is one of the most visually rewarding drives in the country, winding through Pebble Beach between Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Our top highlights include the Lone Cypress, Seal Rock, dramatic Pacific coastline views, and if you time it right, a nightly bagpiper performance at Spanish Bay. Our 17-Mile Drive guide walks through the entry gates, the best stops along the route, average toll pricing, and how to build the drive into a longer Monterey weekend.
 

→ Details on the 17-Mile Drive

Spring Wildflowers Across America

For a few short weeks each spring, stretches of American highway transform into vibrant fields of wildflowers. Our wildflower road trip guide covers five regions worth chasing: the California poppy superbloom routes, Texas Hill Country bluebonnet trails, the Historic Columbia River Highway, and the tallgrass prairie routes of Kansas.

No matter where you’re chasing blooms, our guide includes timing windows, crowd tips, and a note on what your car needs before you go (trust us, you’re going to want more wiper fluid to clear off the pollen).

→ Explore wildflower road trip routes

Fall Foliage Road Trips 

Pumpkin spice, football, and fall foliage are the perfect recipe for a cozy Autumn weekend. Roadtrippers will be heading to the classic sites in New England for fiery leaf changes and picture-perfect drives, but you don’t have to be on the East Coast to join in the fun.

Check out our top fall foliage destinations in every region of the U.S., from the Deep South to the West, and see which routes to take on your journey, peak timing, and interactive foliage maps to help you plan your fall festivities. 

→ Start planning a fall foliage road trip 

Ride Through America’s National Parks 

Take in beautiful views with no hiking required. America’s national parks offer breathtaking scenery, even if you never get out of the car. See our list of the best national parks for road trippers, chosen for their drivable conditions and manageable summer weather conditions (so you don’t kill your AC).

Whether you’re visiting Yosemite or Acadia, we’ve got the best routes to take through the park, plus all the details on reservation requirements and how to avoid the crowds.

→ Roadtrip through America’s national parks

Drive-Ins Worth Driving To 

Drive-ins peaked in the 1950s — the same era that defined Route 66's cultural identity. Today, fewer than 200 remain across 25 states, and the ones still operating have earned their longevity. Our drive-in guide spotlights 10 worth the drive, including Shankweiler's in Pennsylvania (the oldest operating drive-in in the world, dating to 1934) and Bengies in Maryland (home to the largest outdoor movie screen in the country).

Several locations host themed events and movie marathons that go well beyond a standard double feature. Summer is prime time, and a drive-in makes for an easy add-on to any road trip itinerary,  especially if your route takes you through the heartland.

→ Add an iconic drive-in to your itinerary

Weekend Road Trips from Major U.S. Cities 

No need to plan a weeks-long trek across the country when there are sites to be seen in your own backyard. We put together a guide to road trip destinations within hours of several big cities across the country.

These weekend getaways offer a quick escape from the hustle and bustle, without the complicated logistics of extended travel. See our top road trip destinations from every region, as well as drive-time estimates and car preparations. 

→ Find a nearby weekend getaway

Before You Go: Ultimate Road Trip Checklist 

Whether you plan to traverse all of Route 66 or just want to get out of the city, start your trip off right by making sure your car (or RV) is ready to roll. Run through our Ultimate Road Trip Guide and Printable Checklist so you can hit the road without worrying about maintenance issues.

→ Print the checklist 

As we celebrate 100 years of Route 66, a road trip seems like a fitting tribute to America’s most iconic drive. Make sure your car is in road trip condition before hitting the highway with PEAK’s trusted products.