“[Route] 66 is the mother road, the road of flight.”
JOHN STEINBECK
The Grapes of Wrath
Route 66
US Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 and became the first all-weather highway connecting the major cities of Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California. The shortest year-round route linking the Midwest and the Pacific Coast, Route 66 was a bustling artery that gave small towns access to cross-country highway.
Read more about the history of Route 66 in our Archives.
Read more about the history of Route 66 in our Archives.
Celebrating the Legacy of the Mother Road
2026 New Mexico Route 66 Association Centennial Calendar:
Bold Dates are dates someone from the Association will be there.
For more information about these events, visit the US Route 66 Centennial website: route66centennial.org
April 11: Los Lunas Route 66 Centennial Kickoff. Los Lunas Museum & Luna Avenue, 251 Main St NE, Los Lunas, NM 87031
April 18, 1–2 p.m.: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. Gallup Cultural Center, 201 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM
April 18 - 19: Roads & Rails. Wheels Museum, Albuquerque NM
April 24: NMPTA Annual Convention. Albuquerque Pyramid, Albuquerque NM
April 25, 11:00-12:30: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. Fred Luna Multi-Generational Center, 197 Don Pasqual, Los Lunas
April 25 - 26 - 27: Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit. Cibola Arts Council, Grants NM
May 02: Route 66 Centennial Kickoff, NM Route 66 Association 2nd Edition Coin Release, meet Centennial Logo artist, Darryl Willison and enter drawing for original centennial artwork. Willison West, Santa Fe.
May 06 - 07: Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit. Wheels Museum, Albuquerque, NM
May 09 - Dec 31: Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit. Rex Museum, Gallup, NM
May 16: Santa Fe Loop Billboard Ceremony. Dilia, NM (Highway 84) Billboard on cover of 2026 Spring Magazine. POSTPONED. Check back later for an updated date and time.
May 16, 1–2 p.m.: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. Gallup Cultural Center, 201 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM
May 17: New Mexico Council of Car Clubs (NMCC) Albuquerque Museum Car Show. Albuquerque NM
May 20: Route 66 Photo Exhibit. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM POSTPONED. Check back later for an updated date and time.
May 23, 11:00- 12:30 pm: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. Special Collections Library, 423 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM
June 06: Spokes on 66. Grants, NM
June 05 - 25: Main Street of America Caravan. National Caravan of all eight state Route 66 Associations from Santa Monica, CA Pier – Chicago, IL Navy Pier. The New Mexico Route 66 Association is proud to be driving the vehicle representing New Mexico in this event. We will be arriving at the Arizona/New Mexico border at 4:45pm on June 11th where the torch will be handed to us and we will lead the caravan through the Land of Enchantment for the following four days. For details and times, visit: www.route66caravan.com/schedule. PLEASE NOTE: Final details of the schedule are in the works. This schedule will change over the next couple of weeks. Be sure to check the schedule before departing to join us.
Caravan will be in New Mexico:
- June 11: Flagstaff - Gallup
- June 12: Gallup - Grants - Cubero - Laguna Pueblo - Los Lunas - Isleta Pueblo - South Valley - Albuquerque
- June 13: Albuquerque - Los Ranchos - Bernalillo - Algodones - Santa Fe
- June 14: Santa Fe - Pecos - Las Vegas - Santa Rosa
- June 15: Santa Rosa - Tucumcari - Amarillo
June 25, 1–2 p.m.: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. Gallup Cultural Center, 201 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM
June 27, 11:00- 12:30 pm: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. East Mountain Library, 487 NM 333, Tijeras NM
June 27 - 28: Route 66 Road Fest. Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 25, 11:00- 12:30 pm: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. Central & Unser - Patrick J Baca Library, 8081 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque NM
August 14 - 15: Tucumcari Route 66 Festival. Tucumcari Convention Center, Tucumcari NM
August 22, 11:00- 12:30 pm: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. International District Library, 7601 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque NM
September 8 - 13: NM Route 66 Association MOTOR TOUR! 6 days this year to celebrate this special year of Route 66!
Gallup, Grants, Los Lunas - Albuquerque, Edgewood - Moriarty - Santa Rosa, Las Vegas, Tucumcari
September 26, 11:00- 12:30 pm: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. South Valley Library, 3904 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque NM
October: Route 66: The MainStreet Of America Documentary - 6 SCREENINGS
- Thursday, Oct 1, 2026 — Albuquerque, NM — KIMO Theater (State Film Premiere, evening screening)
- Friday, Oct 2, 2026 — Albuquerque, NM — KIMO Theater (Matinee Screening)
- Friday, Oct 2, 2026 — Santa Rosa, NM — Pecos Theater
- Saturday, Oct 3, 2026 — Tucumcari, NM — Odeon Theatre
- Wednesday, Oct 7, 2026 — Santa Fe, NM — The Lensic Performing Arts Center
- Thursday, Oct 8, 2026 — Gallup, NM — El Morro Theater
October 24: Gallup Fly-In. Gallup, NM
October 24, 11:00- 12:30 pm: New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. Route 66 Connected: A photo-ethnographic exploration of the contemporary Route 66 in New Mexico - Speaker: Donatella Davanzo. Martha Liebert Public Library, 124 W. Malinche St, Bernalillo NM
November 11: Official 100th Birthday of Route 66!!
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Centennial Planning Organizations
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Route 66 Centennial CommissionThe Commission exists because:
“Route 66 has become a symbol of the heritage of travel and the legacy of seeking a better life shared by the people of the United States, and because Route 66 has been enshrined in the popular culture of the United States” - Public Law No: 116-256 Therefore, Congress enacted the “Route 66 Centennial Commission Act” in late 2020. This established an official body responsible for studying and recommending activities that are fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on its 100th anniversary in 2026. Public Law No: 116-256 of the 116th congress stipulates that the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission includes 15 members appointed by the President, based upon recommendations from the Secretary of Transportation, the Governors of the eight Route 66 states, and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate and House. Hit the road on a Route 66 Centennial Journey for a once-in-a-100-year trip! Along the way:
Official website: route66centennial.org |
Route 66 Road Ahead PartnershipEstablished in 2016, with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments’ Fund, The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is a coalition of organizations representing the entire Route 66 corridor whose mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research and education, and economic development.
Since the first meeting in 2017, the Road Ahead Partnerships board members, representing each of the eight states that Route 66 runs through, has gathered annually for in-person meetings, as well as additional periodic virtual meetings each year while assisting Route 66 communities in preparation for this prestigious celebration of the Mother Road. The New Mexico Route 66 Association is proud to be a part of this group since its inception. Association president, Melissa Beasley-Lee, has been the dedicated board member representative for New Mexico since that first meeting in 2017. New Mexico proudly hosted that first meeting in Albuquerque’s Old Town. Official websites: route66roadahead.org roadahead.route66centennial.org. PARTNERSHIP UPDATES
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New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Coordination GroupThe Route national 66 Centennial Coordination Group was created in September 2023 to assist the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission by identifying activities, projects and events that will properly honor and celebrate U.S. Route 66 for its centennial anniversary in 2026.
Official Website GROUP UPDATES
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U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission (Federal)The U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission was established by Congress to study and recommend in a report to Congress activities that would be fitting and proper to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Mother Road of the United States, Route 66, in 2026. The Commission shall study activities that may be carried out by the Federal Government to honor Route 66, including potential ceremonies and celebrations, the production and publication of media or other materials, and the issuance of commemorative items.
Official Website COMMISSION UPDATES |
Plan Your Trip
Stops Along the Route in New Mexico
Here are some of the major cities and towns along the route in New Mexico.Photo: Sunset and clouds over Albuquerque, photo by Brandon Stephensen
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Resources for Your Route 66 Trip Through New Mexico
We have collected information to help you get started. Whether you're planning a quick trip or a longer, more leisurely journey, we suggest you build in a little time to visit with the locals and get to know the real Route 66.
Visit Plan Your Trip |
