ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: Despite losing its status decades ago as one of the nation's main arteries, people from around the world still flock to Route 66 to take perhaps the quintessential American road trip.

Route 66 is a famous road about 2,400 miles long, running from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, passing through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It was created about 100 years ago by joining old Native American trading paths and dirt roads to connect the industrial Midwest to the Pacific coast.

To writer John Steinbeck, it was the "Mother Road" that helped poor farmers escape the Dust Bowl and travel to California.

For Native Americans, it brought business but also caused harm to their land and culture.

For Black travelers during segregation, it offered safer places to stop.

For music fans, Route 66 was a fun and exciting journey.

Each town along the road has its own story and charm, said Sebastiaan de Boorder, who restored a motel in Arizona. He described Route 66 as an important part of American culture and history.

Cyrus Avery, known as the "Father of Route 66," believed it would do more than connect places; it would boost business in rural areas. The number "66" became iconic and was featured in books like The Grapes of Wrath and On the Road, as well as songs like (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.

Since it officially opened in 1926, Route 66 became a symbol of hope and opportunity. During the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, it helped struggling families move west. In World War II, it was used to transport troops and supplies.

In the 1940s and 1950s, the road became very popular for travel. More people owned cars and had money to spend, leading to the growth of diners, motels, and roadside attractions. There were unique stops, such as rattlesnake pits and trading posts, and landmarks such as the Gateway Arch. Neon signs, billboards, and painted barns attracted travelers.

Food was also a big part of the experience. Places like Cozy Dog Drive-In became famous for simple meals like corn dogs.

While Route 66 helped Native American communities economically, it also caused damage to their land and spread stereotypes. Many businesses used cultural symbols inaccurately.

There were dangers, too, especially during segregation. Black travelers often depended on guides like the Green Book to find safe places. Some stops, like the Threatt Filling Station, provided safety between towns where non-white people were not allowed after dark.

Later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower created a modern highway system, and Route 66 was officially removed from the federal highway system in 1985.

Today, much of the road still exists. Parts have been restored, with murals, old motels, and attractions like Cadillac Ranch. Many sites along the route are protected as historic places, and the road remains a powerful symbol of American history and culture.