Route 66 Celebrates 100 Years

In 1938, Route 66 became the first highway in the country to be completely paved.

Route 66 runs past the corner in Winslow, Arizona, made famous in a song by the Eagles. Photo courtesy of Michael Gordon/Dreamstime

In 1926, U.S. Route 66 was established as one of the original roads in the United States numbered highway system. It ran from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, traversing 2,448 miles. Much of the street was graded dirt or gravel.

During the decadelong Great Depression that began in 1929, traffic along the thoroughfare helped to support restaurants, motels, and other mom-and-pop businesses that catered to passing motorists. By 1938, it became the first highway in the country to be completely paved.