These 17 Photos Show Why Route 66 Is America’s Most Famous Road

Written by Alina Wang on
A Route 66 "End of the Trail" sign stands in front of a red Pier Burger restaurant building in Santa Monica, California, under a clear blue sky.

Stretching from Chicago’s steely skyscrapers to Santa Monica’s sun-soaked shores, Route 66 is undeniably iconic. Built in 1926, this nearly 2,500-mile stretch of asphalt has witnessed countless adventures across the American West, winding through small towns and miles of tumbleweeds. Lined with roadside diners, quirky attractions, and the occasional questionable motel with a flickering sign, every pit stop exudes its own charm. If you’re craving freedom and a taste of the open road, these vintage Route 66 photos capture the promise and spirit of what may be America’s most beloved highway.

1. Cruisin’ Down Route 66 to Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1969

A busy city street at dusk, lined with neon signs, motels, gas stations, and cars from the 1960s, with wet pavement reflecting lights and a tall building visible in the background.
St0rmStrider/Reddit.com

2. Quick Pit Stop at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, One of Route 66’s Most Famous Landmarks

A vintage white car parked under the retro Blue Swallow Motel sign at sunset, with neon lights and “VACANCY” displayed; the motel office is to the right, and a sunburst shines from the left.
Burbada/Reddit.com

3. Nothing But Miles of Desert and the Promise of an Open Road

A long, straight road stretches into the distance through a barren desert landscape, with mountains rising in the background under a clear sky. Sparse vegetation lines the roadside.
z-y-z/Reddit.com

4. A Rusty, Old Sign Pointing the Way to Clanton’s Café in Oklahoma

A small, weathered white building with peeling paint and a faded sign reading "Clanton's Cafe EAT" stands in a rural area beside a gravel lot, surrounded by trees and a utility pole.
Klondike307/Reddit.com

5. A Quiet Moment Along the Tracks of Route 66

A sunflower grows in a dry field in the foreground. Behind it, a graffiti-covered bus and a car are parked. In the background, colorful freight train containers are passing by under a partly cloudy sky.
Klondike307/Reddit.com

6. A Weathered Route 66 Sign Marking a Dead End in New Mexico

A rusted, sticker-covered "Dead End" sign sits below a Historic Route 66 sign in rural New Mexico, with an open green field, distant mesas, and a cloudy sky in the background.
Klondike307/Reddit.com

7. Not Exactly Screaming Five-Star Resort, But It’s Certainly Got Character

A weathered, vintage motel sign with faded yellow and white letters stands on a rusty pole against a blue sky with scattered clouds. The sign appears old and partially damaged.
Klondike307/Reddit.com

8. A Nighttime View of the Blue Swallow Hotel

Vintage neon sign for the Blue Swallow Motel glows at night, with a retro car parked in front. A truck passes by on the road, and the motel’s office and vacancy sign are visible.
victoriannna/Reddit.com

9. A Mural Tribute to One of the First McDonald’s on Route 66

A mural depicting an old-fashioned McDonald's drive-in, with a large "15¢ Hamburgers" sign and crowds of people, vintage cars, and palm trees in a festive, busy scene.
SilverFoxAndHound/Reddit.com

10. Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, Another Popular Stop Along Route 66

Colorful bottle trees made from glass bottles and metal pipes stand in a sandy outdoor area with tall trees, creating a whimsical, artistic scene under a clear blue sky.
SilverFoxAndHound/Reddit.com

11. Rusty Cars and a Red Barn? Doesn’t Get More Americana Than This

A rusty old truck and a vintage red car are parked outside a red A-frame building with a white door. A Route 66 sign is painted on the building, and the sky is blue with scattered clouds.
Woko_O/Reddit.com

12. Nature’s Cathedral, Another Popular Roadside Attraction

A rugged sandstone formation rises sharply against a blue sky with scattered clouds, featuring layered hues of yellow, pink, and red, with green shrubs at its base.
Klondike307/Reddit.com

13. Welcome Station in Shamrock, Texas

An Art Deco-style Conoco gas station with tall white and green spires, large windows, and vintage architecture, located on a sunny day with a clear blue sky.
Klondike307/Reddit.com

14. Quick Stop for Some Souvenirs and Coffee in Seligman, Arizona

A rusty red vintage tow truck and a faded blue car sit in front of colorful Route 66 shops, including a turquoise cafe and a yellow building, under a bright sky with clouds. A small plane is displayed above the cafe.
Woko_O/Reddit.com

15. Just Getting a Quick Splash In at the Motel

A person dives into a motel swimming pool with a large retro "Sage Motel" sign and parked cars visible in the background on a cloudy day.
chabanais/Reddit.com

16. Get In, We’re Going on a Roadtrip

A rusty vintage car with whitewall tires sits on sandy ground between a wooden cabin and a building decorated with Route 66 signs, under a clear blue sky in a desert setting.
Woko_O/Reddit.com

17. El Rancho Hotel Lights Up the Night

A brightly lit hotel at night with neon signs reading “HOTEL el Rancho” and “CHARM OF YESTERDAY—CONVENIENCE OF TOMORROW.” The building has a white porch, railings, and an American flag.
Klondike307/Reddit.com

Want more open road content?

Before your next road trip, read 10 Nostalgic Photos of Road Trips Before the Dawn of Social Media and The 15 Biggest Surprises on ‘Antiques Roadshow’. Worried about gas prices? Save money by reading 10 Easy Ways To Cut Your Gas Costs.