Of the original 2,448 miles that made up Route 66, about 80-85% is still drivable.
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In Arizona remains the longest stretch of the original Route 66 in the U.S., where you'll find a wigwam-shaped motel, a petrified forest, kitschy shops, a street corner dedicated to an Eagles song, and so much more.
Virtually all roads, including Route 66, were functionally obsolete because of narrow pavements and antiquated structural features that reduced carrying capacity. Emergency road building measures developed during wartime left bridges and culverts woefully inadequate for postwar needs.
Route 66 crosses eight states and three time zones. Some of the best-preserved sections include the stretch between Springfield, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma; the road west of Seligman, Arizona; and the Oatman Highway through the Black Hills of Arizona.
Route 66 originally stretched 178 miles through Texas; today, about 150 miles are actually drivable. Most of Route 66 lies under the I-40 Frontage Road. A Route 66 road trip through Texas will follow I-40 between Jericho and Alanreed as well as the last 18 miles as you exit the state from Adrian to Glenrio.
While the Grand Canyon isn't technically on Route 66, it's worth a detour. The South Rim is the most accessible from the route and has the best viewpoints; although that does make it the most popular with visitors.
Interstate 40 subsequently replaced a large segment of Route 66 and the roadway was decommissioned in 1985. However, in the aftermath, a variety of non-profit groups were formed to help preserve the historic highway and much of Route 66 remains drivable today.
Visiting Both Destinations In One DayHoover Dam is located strategically between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon South and West Rim. Therefore, it is easy to find day tours from Vegas where travelers can do both attractions in one day.
Traveling from Los Angeles to Las Vegas by car is a great way to see some fantastic scenery. The spots mentioned between these two cities are definitely worth stopping at. The journey can be more rewarding than last-minute flights, especially when you can explore around and not rush between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
And it's a prime example of a rebirth of Route 66 that's occurring in various parts of the country. Town leaders here decided to use the history of the famous road to their advantage, 20 large murals, a museum of Route 66 collectibles, and much more, all bringing in tourists from around the world.
Portions of the road have now been designated as National Scenic Byways or as “Historic Route 66” in several states including Arizona, New Mexico, Illinois, and Missouri. Vintage Shell gas station (left) built in 1926 on Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois (photo taken between 1980 and 2006).
Migration and tourism shaped towns along Route 66 even before the road was officially established in 1926. But the Interstate Highway System decimated many of these communities when it circumvented Route 66 in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Today, many sections of Route 66 are completely gone.