NPS: Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

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Learn about Route 66

Explore the history of Route 66, check out news and events, and find research resources.

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Get Involved - Route 66

Check out the Route 66 Preservation Resource center, find information about cost-share grants and other resources.

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Plan Your Visit

Find everything you need to plan a visit along Route 66.

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Celebrating the Centennial of Route 66

The National Park Service joins the nation in commemorating the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66.

The National Park Service joins the nation in commemorating the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66. The centennial of the legendary road – popularly known as Route 66 – is occurring the same year as our nation’s 250th anniversary. As a powerful icon of the 20th century, the special places and stories of the road connect our nation’s past and present in meaningful ways. Join us in celebrating 100 years of Route 66!

  • NPS Route 66 Centennial Passport Stamp
  • Look for the NPS Route 66 Centennial rack card at sites along the road
  • Plan a visit to a Route 66 Centennial event
  • Find out how to include your Route 66 site in the fun!
    US Highway 66 History and Significance
    Historic US Highway 66 U.S. Highway 66 -- popularly known as Route 66 or the Mother Road -- holds an elevated place in American consciousness and tells diverse stories of a mobile nation on the road. Highly celebrated through literature, film, and song, Route 66 is of national significance as a symbol of America's transportation history and the impact of the automobile. In 1985, US Highway 66 was decommissioned as a federal highway, but continues to live on in the American consciousness as “Route 66.”

    The National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

    In recognition of the significance of Route 66 to America’s heritage, Congress passed an Act in 1999 to create the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Administered by the National Park Service, National Trails Intermountain Region, the program preserves the special places and stories of this historic highway. The program collaborates with private, nonprofit, and government partners to identify and prioritize Route 66 preservation needs. The program provides cost-share grants to help preserve the most significant and representative historic sites related to the route’s period of significance (1926-1985). It also assists preservation planning, research, and educational initiatives, and serves as a clearinghouse for preservation information and technical assistance. Since 2001, over 170 projects have received cost-share grant assistance across the route.

Last updated: March 27, 2026

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