Route 66 in Arizona

Route 66 crosses 8 states and 3 time zones.  The states are Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.  The time zones are Central, Mountain and Pacific.

Only 800 miles of the road were paved when it was commissioned in 1926.  It took 11 years to get the road paved from end to end.

During its existence, Route 66 was constantly changing.  If a more direct or safer route from one town to the next was discovered, Route 66 was realigned and the old road was abandoned.

Kansas has the shortest section of Route 66.  Thirteen miles of the historic highway cross the southeastern corner of the state.  Three towns exist along this stretch – Riverton, Galena and Baxter Springs.

Route 66 was officially named US Highway 66.  The term “Route 66” came into existence with Bobby Troup’s 1946 song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66”.

A hamburger stand owned by Richard and Maurice McDonald opened up on Route 66 in San Bernardino, California in 1940. Fifteen years later, McDonald’s hamburger stands started appearing all over the country.  The original hamburger stand in San Bernardino is now a museum.

85% of Route 66 is still drivable today.