You know, the Historic Route 66 is getting older every day. Established in 1926, the road is now 92 and spans 2448 miles (3940 kilometres) meaning it's seen some things! Over the years there have been countless people travelling on it, building all kinds of cool attractions and setting up shop.
Let's learn a little bit about this famous road – here are some fun facts about the route that put the history in Historic Route 66.
Fun fact 1: Route 66 wasn't always 66
In fact, it's original number was 60! However, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia thought it was more appropriate that they get the number for their interstate. They got it, and Route 60 was renumbered as the Route 66 you know it as today!
Fun fact 2: It's an icon in pop culture
Route 66 has been featured in a ton of pop culture pieces over the years. You've no doubt heard Bobby Troup's original Get Your Kicks on Route 66, or at least the remixes by Nat King Cole, the Rolling Stones or Depeche Mode!
The road was also included in the Nobel Prize winning novel by John Steinbeck, "The Grapes of Wrath".
Fun fact 3: There are three time zones across the route
Feeling a bit sluggish as you drive farther west? Well that's probably because is made up of eight states and three time zones (getting earlier from Chicago to California).
Fun fact 4: It used to be a bumpy road
When the road was first established, only 800 of the 2448 miles were paved. That made for some bumpy road trips back in the day, but today it's nothing but smooth sailing for our tour vehicles!
Fun fact 5: The route crosses itself
Want to stand on the corner of Route 66 and Route 66? You can! If you park up on Central Avenue and 4th street in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you can be at the weird part of the road where it crosses itself!
Did you find these fun facts fun? We have to say, they're even more enjoyable when you experience them in person on one of our tours! Not only will you see these tidbits for yourself, but you'll be given even more cool information about the road – our tour guides are highly knowledgeable and you get to meet people who live on the road as well.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a trip with Route 66 Tours today.
