Route 66: The Mother Road
Take a visual road trip through the varied landscapes of Route 66.
Route 66 mural, Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum, Pontiac, Illinois, USA (2011-02-24) by Bruce Leighty Getty Images
The allure of Route 66
Embark on an immersive journey down Route 66, the "Mother Road." This iconic 2,400-mile highway is a symbol of freedom and adventure. See its diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures, revealing the shifting American vista.
Arizona, Kingman, Route 66, Route 66 Motel (2010-11-11) by Alan Copson Getty Images
The Mother Road's embrace
This visual "road trip" is organized geographically. Experience the highway as if you're behind the wheel, with each stop highlighting a unique region to evoke the freedom, adventure, and contemplation Route 66 inspires.
Frank Hovecar, Coast To Coast In Model "T" (1947-07) by George Skadding LIFE Photo Collection
Beginnings in Chicago
Our journey starts in Chicago, a city full of dynamic energy and architectural grandeur, a stark contrast to the open road ahead reflecting the anticipation of the journey before the highway unfurls into the vast American expanse.
By Wallace Kirkland LIFE Photo Collection
Illinois farmlands
Leaving Chicago, the road winds through Illinois farmlands, where endless fields and quiet towns exist under vast skies. Explore the tranquility of rural life and witness a peaceful prelude to the dramatic landscapes ahead.
Missouri Farm (1945-05) by Wallace Kirkland LIFE Photo Collection
Missouri's rolling hills
In Missouri, the plains become rolling hills and verdant forests. Focus on the lush greenery and charming small towns. These views convey a sense of gentle movement and a gradual immersion into the heartland.
Fall in Oklahoma (1954) by Oscar Brousse Jacobson Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Oklahoma's vast plains
Route 66 cuts through Oklahoma's vast plains, showcasing the raw beauty of golden grasses under endless skies. The dramatic cloudscapes capture a sense of solitude and freedom on the open road.
Second Texas Take-Out (1939) by Carl Mydans LIFE Photo Collection
Texas panhandle's open road
The Texas Panhandle is an endless expanse of flat, arid land filled with stark beauty, intense sunsets, and iconic stops like Cadillac Ranch, evoking a sense of limitless possibility and freedom on the open road.
Road to Las Vegas at Twilight (1967) by Nan Sheets Oklahoma City Museum of Art
New Mexico's enchantment
Discover New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment. See how the striking colors, adobe architecture, and blended Native American and Hispanic cultures inspire artists to capture the mystical allure of this captivating landscape.
Grand Canyon (20th century) by Frederick W. Becker Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Arizona's grandeur
Arizona's landscapes are breathtaking. The monumental scale of the canyons and the vibrant striations of rock convey a sense of timelessness and the majesty of the natural world, shaped by ancient forces.
Drifting Sand, near Amboy, California (ca. 1930) by George Elbert Burr Oklahoma City Museum of Art
California's deserts
Route 66 enters California through the Mojave Desert. The stark beauty and Joshua trees create a quiet, minimalist landscape, a stark contrast to what lies ahead, marking a transition before reaching the Pacific.
The Pacific (1952) by Oscar Brousse Jacobson Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Towards the Pacific
The final leg of Route 66 culminates at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. Experience the vibrant beach culture and feel the energy of city life, a triumphant conclusion to the cross-country adventure.
USA, Arizona, Route 66 from Sitgreaves Pass (2010-11-10) by Alan Copson Getty Images
The journey continues
The road also inspires contemplation. Its enduring legacy and the memories it holds for multiple generations elicit a sense of nostalgia, the beauty of impermanence, and the profound impact Route 66 has had on the American psyche.
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