As Route 66 turns 100, what is it that we’re actually celebrating?

The ‘Mother Road’ has long symbolized freedom and reinvention. But its history reveals a more complicated story shaped by migration, segregation and the highways that eventually circumvented it.

By: Daniel Milowski, Arizona State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 29, 2026

Words: 1,314

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

Body Text Preview

By Daniel Milowski, Arizona State University

Working in concert, the American Association of State Highway Officials and the Bureau of Public Roads adopted a uniform highway numbering system and corresponding map on November 11, 1926. The numbering system and map replaced the confusing patchwork of highways and trails, like the Lincoln Highway or the Old Trails Road, with an official network of numbered highways sanctioned by federal and state highway authorities.

Since then, a …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us