Kansas is the shortest section of Route 66 with only 13.2 miles of the Mother Road cutting through the southern portion of the state. Old Route 66 sign in bronze with the phrase, The Mother Road. Stop at its murals for some great photo opportunities 3. Its historic buildings will take you back in time transporting you to the days of the Mother Road. It is officially designated Route 66 Mural City depicting scenes from the Route 66 heyday.Īnd finally, you’ll be passing through Joplin Missouri since route 66 goes directly through its downtown. There is another Route 66 Museum in Lebanon.ĭid you know there is a Cuba in the United States? Cuba Missouri was named after the Caribbean Island and is located in Missouri. In Springfield Missouri, there is a car museum where you can see vintage cars that drove this route faithfully. They are not only one of the popular roadside attractions along historic route 66, but they are also one of the most popular attractions in Missouri. The Meramec Caverns are limestone caves that you must stop at. The historic bridge connects Illinois and Missouri on route 66. In Missouri, you’ll be crossing the Chain Rocks Bridge as you cross the mighty Mississippi River. Missouri is the largest city on Route 66 between Chicago and downtown Los Angeles. Louis and it will welcome you with its gateway arch. So many abandoned roadside attractions along the route Route 66 was a road of lost dreams but also hope as people drove to Santa Monica taking the shortest distance between Chicago and Los Angeles looking for a better future.ĭuring World War II soldiers and military vehicles used this road extensively as it was the most direct route through the country from Chicago to Los Angeles. Read more about road trips at 25 Best Road Trips in the World Dust Bowl, Depression, and Warĭuring the Great Depression, Route 66 was filled with people dreaming of a better life in the West as they escaped the drought-stricken southern plains known as the Dust Bowl. Along the way, they discovered that The Mother Road was crowded with other migrants. John Steinbeck gave Route 66 its name “The Mother Road” in the Grapes of Wrath following the Joad family as they traveled west along Route 66 after being driven from their home. Route 66 Signs And Quriky Roadside Attractionsīuilt in 1926, Route 66 was a road of dreams passing through eight states all the way to the west coast.How to plan Your Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary.How long Does it Take to Drive Route 66?.

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