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It’s spooky how close we’re getting to 2026—the 100th anniversary of our favorite highway is right around the corner!
In this issue, we’ll be spotlighting “Legends of Route 66,” a new season set for release this November, packed with everything you need to know if you’re planning a road trip in 2026. We’ll also be spotlighting Harvest Hosts, perfect for RV travelers or anyone who owns property or runs a business along Route 66.
Also, don’t miss our interview with Alex Aguila, who has driven Route 66 eight times—his last trip with a toy VW bug riding shotgun.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to join the Birthday Party Club! Check out the flyer below and sign up here to join this once-in-a-century celebration.
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Preview of “26 Gas Stations” from the Route 66 Orchestral Suite now available on YouTube
Nolan Stolz, Professor of Music at the University of South Carolina, has released a special preview performance of his Route 66 orchestral suite.
Click on the YouTube link for a performance of the 2nd movement, “26 Gas Stations,” recorded live at the Oklahoma City University Symphony Orchestra.
The piece “sounds” like a 1950s service station, where you ring a bell and an attendant comes to fill up your tank and check your oil.
For more information on Nolan Stolz’s seven-year project, refer to the Centennial website.
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Every year, thousands of travelers drive legendary Route 66, stopping at landmarks that keep the road’s history and spirit alive.
One of those stops is the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield, Illinois, the oldest operating drive-in on Route 66. Open since 1950, Skyview is now celebrating its 75th year. “Because we’re located on Route 66, there’s such a diverse group of travelers who come through,” says owner Chelsea Semplowski, “we’ve had people visit from Asia, Canada…all over.”
The Skyview is part of Harvest Hosts, a membership network that connects RV travelers with local businesses across the country. Since 2010, more than 6,000 small businesses—including 183 along Route 66—have joined the network, giving travelers new ways to experience the road while helping local businesses and attractions reach a wider audience. “It’s a neat alternative to traditional camping,” says Chelsea.
By joining Harvest Hosts, your business can become a must-visit destination—at no cost to you.
Why Join Harvest Hosts?
✅ Generate additional revenue while sharing unique experiences
✅ Increase location exposure without extra costs
✅ Turn your parking space into profit with minimal time or effort
Joining is free, there’s no commitment, and you keep 100% of what you earn. We’ll create a custom profile to feature your business, making it easy for travelers to find and visit you.
Get Started Today
Visit HarvestHosts.com or reach out to the team at Listings@HarvestHosts.com. Let’s make your business a highlight of the Route 66 experience!
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“Where I grew up, the American influence was very strong. I watched American movies and ate American snacks,” says Alex Aguila, an engineer and Route 66 enthusiast from the Philippines. “My idea of a good time was shaped by American pop culture.”
From 2013 to 2017, Alex lived and worked in Southern California, an experience he describes as embodying the American dream. “What I love about California is that it’s ground zero for anything automotive and car culture in general,” he says. “My passion for Route 66 came from living in California. I saw it as a path west, an opportunity for dreams to come true.”
Alex’s most recent trip along Route 66 was with his son, helping him settle into a new job in San Carlos. They borrowed his sister’s car and hit the road. “I feel like Route 66 was made for me. My sister lives in Chicago, and now my son is in Southern California,” Alex says, “my sister’s 2003 Honda Civic has crossed the U.S. multiple times.” On his last trip, Alex drove the entirety of Route 66 in just three and a half days. He’s completed the full road eight times and never gets tired of it. “There’s always something new to explore,” he says.
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On his last trip, Alex carried a toy VW van with him. “The VW van is very significant in American culture, especially with its ties to the hippie movement of the 1970s. It’s iconic,” he explains, “my dream is to travel Route 66 in my latest VW van project. In the meantime, I brought along a smaller version to symbolize what I hope to achieve in the future.”
What elevated Alex’s passion for Route 66 was experiencing it firsthand. On past trips, he’s always been on the lookout for iconic roadside giants. “In Tulsa, there’s an oil miner giant standing by a tower. I stopped there on my last trip,” he says. Alex also visited the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, IL, where he met Road Ahead’s Chairman, Bill Thomas. A lover of old cars, Alex also enjoys pulling over at junkyards to hunt for used parts. His favorite stop along Route 66 is the midpoint in Adrian, Texas, marking 1,139 miles to both Santa Monica and Chicago.
“Route 66 is still relevant and very much alive,” says Alex, “I hope that this interview will inspire others in some way.” For people like Alex, every trip down Route 66 is more than a drive—it’s a reminder that the Mother Road brings people, stories, and dreams together. Whether it’s in a Honda Civic, a VW van, or just in spirit, Alex proves that the road is alive for anyone willing to travel it.
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Houston Gibson, Great Race Coordinator
It will follow the legendary “Mother Road” from Illinois all the way to California. "Now, with the centennial designation, our journey takes on even greater meaning. Together with racers, crews, and sponsors, we’ll be celebrating 100 years of America’s most iconic highway — one community at a time." note Houston Gibson the race coordinator.
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"I Tried Every Restaurant on Route 66"
Dylan Huynh, a YouTube content creator, embarked on a road trip along Route 66, a journey that merged his love of food and travel. This is from a story published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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Light Artist creator of Route 66 Centennial Light Capsules
Craig Winslow uses a technique called "Projection Mapping" to bring faded iconic ghost signs found along Route 66 "back to life." This vibrant, celebratory revival of the Road's glorious history is a fitting experiential celebration of the Route 66 Centennial.
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"Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road"
Katrina Parksis a director, writer, and executive producer of films about strong women who enrich our culture and environment. Her latest series, Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road, is being broadcast through American Public Television on PBS stations.
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"Aprons Away: Women's Work on Route 66”
Cheryl Eichar Jett is the author of the forthcoming book "Aprons Away: Women's Work on Route 66". Cheryl, also a playwright and award-winning writer, holds a graduate degree in history from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. In 2015, she founded the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference annual event in Illinois.
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