Many famous artists, musicians, and filmmakers have found inspiration along the historic US Route 66, which is also a landmark and a social transformation engine. In the past, the route stretched for almost 2,500 miles, winding its way from Chicago to the City of Inspiration. Several landmarks once lined the path before it became an eerie reminder of America’s history. For instance, colorful desert landscapes, charming roadside attractions, and glowing motels. Thanks to the lightning-fast advertising, the highway shot to superstardom. Some say it’s the prettiest and quickest route from Illinois to Los Angeles via St. Louis.
Subsequently, Route 66 was officially recognized by the US Congress as a representation of the rich travel heritage of the United States. We have addressed the road preservation program. Long stretches of the Will Rogers Highway were transformed into nationally and state-renowned scenic roadways. Along the road, businesses started serving tourists who came to find the fabled Mother Road once again.
Delving into US-66 By Automobile
The ideal road trip for locals and visitors alike is cruising through the center of America, taking in the freedom spirit and a little Route 66 history along the way. The historic US-66 is still the primary commercial strip in the vibrant Texas city of Amarillo. You can dive headfirst into the Highway saga with Rental24.co.uk. No matter if you’re going on a solo adventure, a romantic getaway, or a family vacation, Rental24h has a wide variety of rental cars to suit your needs. Consider the airport as an alternate location if you are looking for car rental services close to Amarillo. Go ahead and get gas, crank up the tunes, and hit the road in pursuit of the most iconic pop culture illustrations along the way!
An Iconic Highway Musical Era
The beauty of America’s Main Street was immortalized in hundreds of songs written by imaginative composers. Among the most famous and well-known road songs of all time, “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” was a major factor in Route 66’s meteoric rise to fame on a global scale. Jazz artist Bobby Troup composed it while commuting from Pennsylvania to California in the 1940s.
Many great songs capture the spirit of cruising along Will Rogers Highway, but here are just a few:
“Route 66,” performed by the legendary rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry, “Small Town Saturday Night,” evokes feelings of longing for the legendary highway’s deserted towns, and “Life is a Highway,” a breathtaking driving song from the Pixar animated film.
Top-Notch Creative Works
No wonder hundreds of filmmakers have utilized it—it’s a massive wagon of inspiration, after all. They used the famous highway as a setting for their Route 66 films. “Rain Man,” the iconic film that won an Oscar, features a pivotal scene set in the Sooner State’s Big 8 Motel. Also included in the list of the most watched films featuring scenes shot along Mother Road are:
Cafe Baghdad (1987)
Set in the sleepy little town of Bagdad, El Dorado, the action unfolds at a truck stop bar. Since Interstate 40 was constructed in the 1970s, this highway town has expanded.
Bringing Joy to the World (2006)
A family boards a yellow bus and sets out for Redondo Beach, El Dorado, in this comedic tale. The town of Flagstaff, located on US-66, is the setting for several scenes in this epic journey.
The Vacation of National Lampoon (1983)
An entertaining comedy featuring the legendary Chevy Chase takes place here, and it becomes a box-office smash. Filming takes place in and around the historic American highway system, as well as in Flagstaff, Arizona’s central district.
Adorable Roadside Gems
The vibrant colors and fascinating history of the highway also captivated artists and craftspeople. Some of the other remarkable sights along Route 66 include:
The famous Cadillac Ranch art installation in Amarillo, Texas, which features ten colorful vehicles nose-driven into the ground. Every tourist has the opportunity to leave their imprint on the vehicle by tagging it.
Situated close to Chelsea, Oklahoma, the Totem Pole Park boasts the world’s tallest wooden totem, an aesthetically pleasing attraction in and of itself.
The most varied assortment of shoes abandoned by passing passengers hung from branches of shoe trees.