This Classic American Road Trip Was Jut Named the Most Scenic Drive in the U.S.

""Route 66, with its legendary pop culture status and rich history, tops the ranking with over two million Instagram posts, demonstrating how reputation can contribute to a drive's social media popularity," Emir Bacic, the owner of 0-60 Specs, said in a statement shared with T+L, adding "Uploading a scenic picture to Instagram can now capture the imagination of thousands of travelers, which is why some of these iconic drives have amassed a staggering number of social media uploads.""

""More often than not, top drives are set along picturesque coasts or around mountains. But while it doesn't boast pine-scented forests or salty aromas lifting off the ocean, Route 66 is nonetheless the most scenic drive in America. The journey, spanning 2,400 miles and traveling through eight states, earned the ranking from Tripadvisor, which looked at Instagram hashtag data. To determine its results, which the booking company shared with Travel + Leisure, Tripadvisor partnered with vehicle performance data site 0-60specs.com.""

Route 66 ranks highest among U.S. scenic drives by Instagram hashtag volume, totaling about 2.3 million posts. The historic route runs roughly 2,400 miles through eight states and will mark its 100th anniversary next year. The Bureau of Public Roads established the route in 1926, and it served as a Dust Bowl migration corridor. Cultural recognition grew through John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and the song "Route 66," recorded by artists including Nat King Cole, The Rolling Stones, Bing Crosby, and Depeche Mode. Tripadvisor used Instagram hashtag data in partnership with 0-60specs.com. Blue Ridge Parkway and Willamette Valley placed second and third.

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