The Mother Road: America on Wheels
Explore the impact that the automobile and Route 66 had on American society.
View out front windshield of a car showing steering wheel (1952) by Unidentified artistOklahoma City Museum of Art
Ready to hit the road?
Take a journey into how Route 66 and the automobile became forever linked, shaping American culture, design, and a new sense of freedom.
American Buildings (1947-09) by Andreas FeiningerLIFE Photo Collection
A symbiotic journey
Route 66 was a road built for cars. The U.S. Highway 66 Association promoted the route, and the burgeoning auto industry found its perfect partner in the "Main Street of America."
The car as a symbol
The automobile was more than transportation; it was a symbol of freedom, mobility, and the American Dream. It democratized travel, opening up the country to everyday families.
"Canoe Trip Pictures" (1933) by Unidentified ArtistOklahoma City Museum of Art
The rise of the road trip
With widespread car ownership, the American road trip was born. Families hit the open road, creating a new leisure culture centered around exploration and adventure.
Automotive art
From the sleek lines of a 1930s Ford to the flamboyant fins of a 1950s Cadillac, the car became a canvas. This design evolution mirrored America's optimism and changing tastes.
Arizona, Holbrook, Route 66, Wigwam Motel (2010-11-05) by Alan CopsonGetty Images
Architecture for the road
Unique architecture catered to the motorist. Programmatic buildings shaped like tepees, whales, or dinosaurs and futuristic Googie designs lured travelers with their eye-catching appeal.
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Roadside wonders
To capture the attention of passing motorists, new businesses popped up: diners, motels, and quirky attractions like the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma.
Dust Bowl refugees Reach a "Promised Land" - California / "A Family Unit in the Flight From Drought" (1936) by Dorothea LangeThe J. Paul Getty Museum
The Dust Bowl migration
During the Great Depression, Route 66 became a lifeline for thousands of families fleeing the Dust Bowl. They followed the "Mother Road" west in search of a better life.
A cultural highway
Route 66's spirit lives on in art. From Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath to the song (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66, the road became immortalized through music, literature, film, photography, and merchandise.
Amer(Usa) Highways-GeneralLIFE Photo Collection
The interstates arrive
The Interstate Highway System of the 1950s offered faster, more direct travel, bypassing the small towns of Route 66. The Mother Road began to fade from prominence.
A storied past
Many of the small towns that boomed with Route 66's popularity fell into decline. But the road's legacy as a cultural icon and a symbol of a bygone era endured.
Route 66 sign, roadside Americana, Oklahoma, USA (2006-04-06) by Tom BrakefieldGetty Images
A return to the road
In 2026, The Mother Road celebrates 100 years. Today, segments of the historic highway are preserved as a scenic byway. Route 66 is no longer the fastest way west, but it remains a nostalgic journey into America's past.
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