Route 66 Centennial: East Coast Celebration
May 9, 2026—Oct 18, 2026
Location: Throughout the Museum
Get ready to celebrate a major motoring milestone. Throughout 2026, America is marking the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The legendary highway, stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, was officially established in 1926. Fully paved by 1938, it became the premier diagonal artery for commerce and tourism, providing the way for unforgettable road trips across the American West. Known as the “Mother Road,” it fueled mid-century car culture and dreams of open road freedom far beyond its blacktop.
The celebration of Route 66 heritage and cultural significance isn’t confined to the western states. America’s Transportation Experience brings the history closer to home in our Antonia W. Rothman Route 66 Gallery (Hershey, PA). Aligned with the national Route 66 centennial events, the gallery displays vehicles that represent the heyday of Route 66 travel. In addition, special interactives, messaging, and displays are included to express the rich multicultural heritage of Route 66 motoring. Among these are:
- The National Route 66 Centennial Celebration event/activity schedule is displayed in the gallery.
- Vintage photos and stories from the era are displayed.
- Authentic Native American artifact display donated by David S. Cammack
- Audio interactive display featuring excerpts from Driving While Black author Gretchen Sorin, highlighting the advent of minority highway travel.
- Videocast highlights from The Great Race, which competes on Route 66 this year. The Great Race is not a test of top speed, but a test of precision “time-speed-distance” competition. in the Main Gallery’s drive-in movie-style setting.
In addition, Route 66-themed webcasts in conjunction with the Road Map Collectors Association and The Great Race are planned. More information is coming soon.
Route 66 Gallery
