Route 66
Complete your ESTA application and nothing stands between you and Route 66
Utah Route 66
Once your ESTA application is complete, there is nothing stopping you. Do it! Head out there and have fun. As the main highway in the United States – and arguably one of the most popular in the world – the Route 66 stretches from the outskirts of Chicago to Los Angeles, tapping into 8 states and various landscapes, through what is known as the heart of the country. Moreover, driving on Route 66 is the ideal way of catching a glimpse of some authentic bits and pieces that make America, America.
On top of the actual driving experience and interaction with the people, the road also has an interesting history. A history, that dates back more than 100 years – an adventure in itself. Prior to 1926, when it was still unpaved and bore a different name, Route 66 was crossed by the National Old Trails Highway. That was one of the first transcontinental roads opened in the US. From the mid to late 1900s, Route 66 gradually lost its fame and importance. Other, high-speed highways began to connect neighboring states. By 1984, the last stretch of freeway was completed and the old road became the Historic Route 66.
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However, despite losing its official purpose, the route still holds the charm and mystery that brought it to life in the past, and which continue to lure people from all over the world onto its asphalt. From East to West, the original route begins in Chicago, Illinois and cuts through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, until finally reaching sunny California. Hence, when taking a look at the map to have an idea of its grandness, you will know that you are in for a trip of a lifetime.
If you really want to travel back in time, you should hire a classic car or motorcycle. There are a number of shops where you can hire one.
Below are some of the most iconic (and perhaps strangely interesting) motels, diners, and gas stations. They will add a great touch of Americana to your journey:
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Soulsby’s Service Station, Mt. Olive, Illinois
Back in 1926, the Soulsby family opened a Shell gas station on the outskirts of the U.S. 66. Once the highway was realigned in 1930, the new route happened to pass right in front of it their business. This was, of course, enough reason for them to expand the building. The service station was running until 1991 under the same family, after which time it was restored by a local NGO.
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Bob’s Gasoline Alley, Cuba, Missouri on Route 66
As the largest collection of the 1950s and 60s memorabilia found on Route 66, Bob’s Gasoline Alley is the place. Bob’s place is home to things like vintage signs and advertising from popular petroleum, alcohol, and soft drink brands. Only a couple of hours southwest of St. Louis, nearby Fanning, this is a great stop for those who relish places with character.
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Bush Creek Bridge (the Rainbow bridge), Riverton, Kansas
James Barney Marsh, a renowned American engineer, was a bridge specialist (famous for his Marsh Arch Bridge design) who successfully completed more than 70 projects in the Midwest, with about half still being used.
A new concrete road was eventually created in the 1920s as a way to link the mining towns of Baxter Springs, Galena, and Riverton. For the connection to happen, in 1923 a 130-feet (40m) bridge with concrete arches was constructed. When it was done. it was the only one of its kind in Kansas. It was repaired in 2005 but nowadays all you can do is walk across it.
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Charles C. “Cash and Carry” Pyle, Oklahoma
As a sports agent and theater owner, Charles Pyle had the idea of creating a footrace that would take runners from Los Angeles, California all the way to New York, passing through Chicago, Illinois.
In order to make the race work, Pyle recruited a group of interesting characters. That group consisted of professional runners like Arthur Newton and Juri Lossman, a Hindu philosopher and an Italian singer. Moreover, he tried to officialize and profit from the event by making the towns along the route pay a fee. There was even a “punishment” of being skipped if they didn’t. There also was a very peculiar funfair prior to the arrival of the racers, marking their passage through each town.
The first race was organized in 1928 but wasn’t as successful as expected. A year later, Pyle came up with the “return” version of the race. However, that was again met with failure, eventually leading to a temporary bankruptcy.
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Buggy Ranch, Conway Texas
At first, they established a service station and souvenir shop in 1967 by the crossing of the I-40 with TX 207 in Conway. However, the Crutchfields saw their business turn upside down when a truck stop opened right across from them. This truck stop drew most of their potential customers away. As a comeback, to get back on their feet, they created an attraction on their side of the Interstate. They ingenuously buried five Volkswagen Beetles (Bugs) with only the rear sticking out from the ground.
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Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico on Route 66
Are you a fan of the 50s and 60s paraphernalia, or do you simply enjoy the feeling of stepping back in time for a while? Then, a stop at the Blue Swallow is a must. The motel has been operating since 1939 – a trait that has awarded it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Its interior is decorated with old-fashioned furniture and objects and art deco touches; while outside the classic car parked by the lawn and its impressive neon sign stand out to attention. blueswallowmotel.com
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Dollar Bill Bar, Oatman, Arizona on Route 66
The town of Oatman is known for the vestiges left by gold miners in the 1800s. Among them was the habit of starting bar tabs by sticking a dollar bill on the wall with their name on it. This tradition is still alive at the Dollar Bill Bar. Tourists stick their signed bills on any bit of wall they can find between the more than 100,000 others that cover the place. It makes for rather expensive wallpaper.
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Emma Jean’s Holland Burger, Victorville, California on Route 66
One of the best places to get an authentic feel for the dinner experience on Route 66 is Emma Jean’s Holland Burger. If you are looking for thick milkshakes, crispy chicken-fried steak, and mouth-watering burgers, Emma Jeans is your spot. Also for the impressive size of the portions they serve. You may recognize Emma Jeans from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill 2. It is the place where Uma Thurman walks into after digging herself so eloquently out of the ground. But once you try their Brian Burger, all you will be associating the place with are Swiss cheese and parmesan-crusted garlic bread.
See also: Travelling with your ESTA : practical tips for the proper conduct