Route 66 turns 100. Here's our mega-guide to America's Mother Road.

"Two-thousand, four-hundred and forty-eight miles. That was the span of Route 66 when highway officials stitched it together to link Chicago, Los Angeles and countless cities and towns in between. But as an enduring American symbol, this highway reaches much further than that, inspiring books, songs, movies and countless road trips."

"It turns 100 this year, so with summer coming, we drove it all. Across eight states, we scouted out vintage motels, new businesses, neon signs, friendly Muffler Men, road food, vivid characters and 20th century ruins. We also kept our eyes open for hints of the road's evolution, from the Dust Bowl years, segregation and the postwar boom to the freeway-era slump and the reemergence of Route 66 as a long, winding and living historic landmark."

"Now we're taking you along for the ride. If you've ever daydreamed about covering some part of the famous roadway, hop on in and let's get our kicks, shall we?"

Route 66 was stitched together to connect Chicago and Los Angeles across eight states, linking countless cities and towns along the way. The highway has become an enduring American symbol that inspires books, songs, movies, and road trips. A 100-year milestone frames a summer journey across the route, scouting vintage motels, new businesses, neon signs, friendly Muffler Men, road food, vivid characters, and 20th century ruins. The journey also tracks the road’s evolution from Dust Bowl years, segregation, and the postwar boom to a freeway-era slump and a later reemergence as a long, winding, living historic landmark.

Read at Los Angeles Times