The U.S. Postal Service released a commemorative stamp series marking Route 66's centennial. The highway, which stretches 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, opened a century ago and remains a cultural icon in American automotive history.
The stamp set features imagery tied to Route 66's legacy. These designs celebrate the road's role in shaping American car culture and leisure travel during the mid-20th century. Route 66 became synonymous with the freedom of the open road, attracting drivers seeking adventure across the Southwest and Great Plains.
From an automotive perspective, Route 66 represents a pivotal moment when personal vehicle ownership and cross-country road trips became accessible to middle-class Americans. The highway enabled the rise of motor tourism, spurring development of motels, diners, and gas stations. Classic cars like the Chevrolet Bel Air and Cadillac became symbols of the era, with families loading up for vacations along the historic route.
Today, Route 66 remains partially intact, attracting automotive enthusiasts and nostalgic travelers. Several segments still exist in their original form, preserved as two-lane roads through small towns in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. The National Historic Route 66 Federation works to maintain these sections for future generations.
The stamp release underscores Route 66's continued relevance to American identity and automotive culture. While Interstate 40 bypassed much of the original route in the 1970s, the highway endures as a symbol of independence and cross-country mobility. For car enthusiasts, Route 66 represents a golden age of automotive design and the romance of long-distance driving before highway systems prioritized speed over experience.