Travel addicts, it’s time to start planning your 2026 travel agenda! And luckily for us here in California, we don’t have to go very far to find one of the best places to go in 2026, according to Condé Nast Traveler. One of the beautiful things about traveling is how “our planet can feel both intimately small and incredibly vast at the same time.”
“100 Years of the Mother Road”
The Mother Road is officially a centenarian, and it’s celebrating in full neon. From Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66’s iconic diners, motels, and roadside attractions are getting a glow-up with fresh restorations and throwback festivals. Cruise through Albuquerque’s 18-mile stretch of shining signs, stop by Missouri’s new Route 66 Neon Park, or catch the centennial parties lighting up Springfield, Tulsa, and Amarillo all year long.
Honoring the Full Native History
Beyond the vintage vibes, Route 66’s 100th is also about reflection. For decades, the Indigenous cultures that shaped the land along the highway were overlooked or misrepresented. Now, spots like Albuquerque’s Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Oklahoma City’s First Americans Museum are reclaiming the narrative, inviting travelers to see the road’s legacy through a more authentic lens.
Route 66 Centennial Events Worth Hitting the Road For
🚗Route 66 Centennial National Kick-Off
The party starts here! Expect parades, live music, and vintage cars rolling down America’s most iconic highway.
📆 When: April 2026
📍 Where: Springfield, Missouri
🚗Capital Cruise
A record-breaking attempt for the largest classic-car parade in the world. Buckle up because this one’s massive.
📆 When: May 2026
📍 Where: Tulsa, Oklahoma
🚗Texas Route 66 Festival
Ten days of road-trip magic with car shows, concerts, and small-town charm in full swing.
📆 When: June 2026
📍 Where: Amarillo, Texas
🚗The Mother Road’s Grand Finale
End your cross-country cruise where it all meets the Pacific at the Santa Monica Pier. Expect beachside car meetups, live music, and plenty of neon nostalgia under the California sun.