Route 66 - "Mother Road"

Description: Route 66, referred to as the Mother Road by writer John Steinbeck, was once the country's artery. It ran 2451mi across the U.S., connecting Chicago with Los Angeles. Opened in 1926 it was one of the few continuous roads from west to east until the late 1960s. However, when the Interstates were built, Route 66 gradually lost its importance. Once prosperous restaurants, motels and stores were increasingly abandoned and the many small towns along the legendary road became ghost towns. In 1984, the name Route 66 was even erased from the USA's road directory.

But the myth of the road survived and so again and again places along the former route experience a revival. Last but not least, the more than 500,000 tourists who follow the footsteps of Route 66 every year ensure that more and more of the old buildings are being renovated again and shine in their former glory.

Our Rating: So far, we've only traveled along the historic Route 66 in bits and pieces. What we have seen so far has pleased us quite well. Whether we want to drive two full weeks along more or less dilapidated buildings, we do not know. But it is always fun to explore a piece of the legendary road. So we can also recommend everyone to take a look at the road, or what is left of it, if you are somewhere in the area.