ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL — MEDIA RESOURCES
Resource Overview
ABOUT THESE RESOURCES
We invite media outlets, influencers, bloggers, podcasters, documentary filmmakers, and reporters to help tell the story of Route 66’s 100th anniversary—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to document and celebrate a highway that helped define a nation.
Here you will find information and media resources for press and social media purposes in support of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration.
Route 66 Centennial Assets
Website:
Social Media:
- Instagram: @USRoute66Centennial
- Facebook: facebook.com/USRoute66centennial
- Twitter/X: @Rt66Centennial
- TikTok: @Route66_100
- Hashtags: #Route66Centennial #100YearsOf66 #MotherRoad100
Route 66 Centennial Logo
For media to access or use the trademarked Route 66 Centennial Logo, please download, complete & submit the Non-Commercial Use Licensing Agreement via the link below and submit to
Bill Thomas, Chair,
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
Email: wthomas@teleologic.net.
Credentialing
For each major Route 66 Centennial event, official media credentials will be issued by
individual organizers. Credentialing information will be announced ahead of each event
through official press releases. Media wishing to cover events are encouraged to
contact organizers early to request credentials.
Inquiries
For Media Inquiries email: Gemma Long: Gem PR & Media gemma@gemprmedia.com
...
Press Releases
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership Launches 2026 Preservation and Economic
Development Grant Program for Small Businesses and Attractions
In The News
Backgrounders
Centennial Mission:
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 by honoring its rich history, promoting tourism, and revitalizing the communities that keep its spirit alive.
Centennial Vision:
A united celebration preserving Route 66’s cultural heritage while embracing innovation, ensuring its legacy for generations to come.
Summary:
The Route 66 Centennial marks the 100th anniversary of the designation of U.S. Route 66, America’s most iconic highway. Spanning from Chicago to Santa Monica and crossing eight states, Route 66 is a cultural and historical treasure. The Centennial year (2026) includes nationwide celebrations, cultural events, exhibitions, road tours, and restoration initiatives. This celebration honors not only the past but the future of heritage, small-town America, road travel, and cultural diversity.
About Route 66:
- Established: November 11, 1926
- Length: Approx. 2,448 miles (3,940 km)
- States Traversed: IL, MO, KS, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA
Nicknames/Significance/Impact:
- “The Mother Road” (John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath)
- Main Street of America
- Will Rogers Highway
- Symbol of freedom, migration, economic development, and pop culture.
- Featured in music, literature, film, and art (e.g., “Route 66” song, Cars movie).
- Decommissioned in 1985. Many sections are now designated “Historic Route 66.”
Primary Promotional Partners
- Only In Your State – Official Publishing Partner
- Rand McNally – Official Map Provider
- Harley Davidson – Official motorcycle
- Booking.com - Official Travel Partner
- Cruise America - Official RV rental partner
Key Partners
- Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership – Lead organizing body for the Centennial
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Historic Route 66 Associations
- National Park Service
- World Monuments Fund
Stock Image Resources
Overview
Route 66 Centennial Stock Image Library
These resources are available for news stories, Centennial promotion, social media and other directly non-commercial applications. The images have been provided by various Route 66 aligned Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) to help promote stories and media about the Centennial. They are not intended for direct commercial applicaiton, and may not ne used to create products, in entertainment productions, and other non-informational and non-promotional applications.
They are provided with the requirement to attribute the source of the images. The attribution language is shown with each image. Non-compliant usage is cause for action against the user.
If you would like to use the images for commercial or entertainment purposes, simply contact the CVB or DMO listed in the attribution information.
State of Illinois resources
Springfield Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau
Instructions
Review the images to find selections. Hit the play button, or use the thumbnails on the right to browse.
If you find an image of interest, click on it and it will open in a new browser tab allowing you to right-click to save. Be sure to note the specific attribution you need to use, which for this collection is:
Photo courtesy of Visit Springfield, Illinois
Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois
Instructions
Review the images to find selections. Hit the play button, or use the thumbnails on the right to browse.
If you find an image of interest, click on it and it will open in a new browser tab allowing you to right-click to save. Be sure to note the specific attribution you need to use which for this collection is:
Photo courtesy of Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois
State of Missouri resources
City of Springfield, MO
Instructions
Review the images to find selections. Hit the play button, or use the thumbnails on the right to browse.
If you find an image of interest, click on it and it will open in a new browser tab allowing you to right-click to save. Be sure to note the specific attribution you need to use, which for this collection is:
Photo courtesy of the City of Springfield, MO
Cruise America Centennial Road Trip Images
Cruise America — Albuquerque Balloon Festival
Instructions
Review the images to find selections. Hit the play button, or use the thumbnails on the right to browse.
If you find an image of interest, click on it and it will open in a new browser tab allowing you to right-click to save. Be sure to note the specific attribution you need to use, which for this collection is:
Attribution | Courtesy of: Cruise America | Right click to download
Cruise America — Camper on the Road
Instructions
Review the images to find selections. Hit the play button, or use the thumbnails on the right to browse.
If you find an image of interest, click on it and it will open in a new browser tab allowing you to right-click to save. Be sure to note the specific attribution you need to use, which for this collection is:
Attribution | Courtesy of: Cruise America | Right click to download
Cruise America — Daniel-Hug.com
Instructions
Review the images to find selections. Hit the play button, or use the thumbnails on the right to browse.
If you find an image of interest, click on it and it will open in a new browser tab allowing you to right-click to save. Be sure to note the specific attribution you need to use, which for this collection is:
Attribution | Courtesy of: Cruise America | Right click to download
Cruise America — Hackberry
Instructions
Review the images to find selections. Hit the play button, or use the thumbnails on the right to browse.
If you find an image of interest, click on it and it will open in a new browser tab allowing you to right-click to save. Be sure to note the specific attribution you need to use, which for this collection is:
Attribution | Courtesy of: Cruise America | Right click to download
Cruise America — Kingman
Instructions
Review the images to find selections. Hit the play button, or use the thumbnails on the right to browse.
If you find an image of interest, click on it and it will open in a new browser tab allowing you to right-click to save. Be sure to note the specific attribution you need to use, which for this collection is:
Attribution | Courtesy of: Cruise America | Right click to download
Centennial Events Highlights
Event highlights of the 2026 Route 66 Centennial year currently include:
January – December: The Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
(Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership & Research Route 66 Consortium)
January 3: The Drive Home VII Caravan (Santa Monica → Chicago → Detroit)
January 14–25: Detroit Auto Show Route 66 Centennial Exhibition
April 2: Rediscover Route 66 – One Miniature Mile at a Time
April 30: Route 66 Centennial National Kick-Off (2-hour simulcast)
Hosted in Springfield, MO, with satellite cities: Joliet, IL; St. Louis, MO; Amarillo, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Santa Monica, CA
June 5–24: Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan (Santa Monica → Chicago)
June 27–28: AAA Route 66 Road Fest – Tulsa, OK
June 20–28: Route 66 Centennial Great Race (Chicago → Santa Monica)
September – December: Rolling film premiere of The Main Street of America documentary (screenings in 7 states)
November 11: Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Centennial Celebration & Conference