As the centennial of Route 66 approaches, communities along the ‘Mother Road’ are competing to offer a celebration worthy of 100 years.
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership chose Springfield, Missouri, to host the Route 66 Centennial National Kick-Off on April 30, 2026, as part of the Official Route 66 Centennial Project recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission.
However, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is ready to make history during this milestone year. Tulsa Regional Tourism recently announced that the Route 66 Capital Cruise: Classic Car Centennial Parade, scheduled for May 30, 2026, will be an official Guinness World Records attempt open to anyone to participate.
“I am thrilled to see Tulsa take a leading role in celebrating America’s highway for its 100th birthday, and the impact of this event will be felt around the city, state and region for years to come,” said Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell in an official statement.
Route 66 Turns 100 In 2026
U.S. Highway 66, established in 1926, stretches a little over 2,400 miles.
It starts at the intersection of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, a location marked by a sign that reads “Historic Route 66 Begins Here.
Initially, it ended at the intersection of 7th Street and Broadway in Los Angeles, California. However, later in 1936, the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, California, became the official endpoint.
The ‘Main Street of America’ links eight states and over 300 communities living in cities and small towns along the road.
Even after the interstate system replaced much of its function, the route retained its cultural pull as a road-trip rite of passage and a shorthand for Americana.
Many road-trippers also combine the drive with stops at natural attractions in Arizona, hot springs in California, or camping trips in Texas state parks.
In 1999, the National Park Service established a Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to provide financial and technical help in preserving key sites along the route.
In 2016, the nonprofit Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership formed to strengthen Route 66 communities through promotion, preservation, research and education, and economic development.
Tulsa Plans To Attempt a Guinness World Record
Since Route 66 runs directly through Tulsa, where neon signs, vintage motels, diners, and roadside landmarks enhance the Americana experience, the city has long leaned into that legacy and branded itself as the “Capital of Route 66®.”
According to Tulsa Regional Tourism, Route 66 represented nearly 23% of all visitor interests recorded at the Visitors Center in Tulsa during calendar year 2025.
For the centennial, Tulsa plans to organize the world’s largest classic car parade stretching 5.5 miles through the middle of the city.
The parade will start at the intersection of Yale and 11th and will follow 11th Street (Historic Route 66) almost all the way to the Arkansas River.
Organizers call all Route 66 enthusiasts to bring their own cars and become part of the Guinness World Record attempt.
Drivers can still join the lineup with vehicles from model year 1996 or older. Registration is open, with early registration (through April 30, 2026) priced at $15 and regular registration (May 1–30, 2026) at $25.
Mayor Monroe Nichols described the Guinness World Records attempt as another layer on top of what the city already planned as a “once-in-a-lifetime” celebration.
“This will be a true citywide celebration, from north to south and east to west, and we can’t wait to show the world how we’ll celebrate the Mother Road in Tulsa,” he said in the official statement released by Tulsa Regional Tourism.
