How Route 66’ s Centennial Will Reshape Travel in 2026 and Beyond

By Cory M.Jobe, President/CEO-Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau and Chair of the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission.

In 2026, America will celebrate three extraordinary milestones: the FIFA World Cup, the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 100th birthday of the iconic Route 66. For tour operators, travel advisors, and group planners, this convergence is more than a marketing opportunity; it’s a cultural moment that can redefine how people move, connect and experience the country.

Among these celebrations, the Route 66 Centennial stands apart. It’s not just the anniversary of a road; it’s the celebration of an American journey. Nicknamed the “Mother Road” by John Steinbeck, Route 66 symbolizes adventure, resilience, and reinvention—qualities travelers crave today. As interest grows in domestic travel, townsized experiences, heritage tourism and nostalgia-driven itineraries, the Centennial offers a once-in-a-generation chance to elevate Route 66 from a scenic byway into a centerpiece of American travel.

Opportunities for Destinations and Group Travel in Illinois

From Chicago to Santa Monica, communities along Route 66 are preparing for travelers eager to reconnect with this legendary corridor. For Illinois, which hosts the first 301 miles of the road, stretching from Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge at the Mississippi River, the Centennial is a powerful platform to highlight historical assets, roadside attractions, and the local businesses that bring the route to life. Towns such as Joliet, Wilmington, Pontiac, Bloomington, Atlanta, Springfield, Carlinville, Litchfield, Collinsville, Edwardsville and Granite City all offer distinctive experiences that showcase the charm and authenticity visitors expect along Route 66.

For group travel planners, the Centennial is an invitation to think beyond traditional bus tours. Curated, thematic experiences can blend past and future in compelling ways. Culinary itineraries featuring regional specialties, music-themed journeys tracing the sounds of the road, and art-focused tours celebrating murals and neon revival projects can appeal to travelers across generations. There is also strong potential to link Route 66 with the broader narrative of America 250. Storytelling will be essential; how we frame Route 66 as a symbol of freedom, migration, innovation, and resilience will shape how audiences engage with it.

Planning Ahead: Timing Is Everything

The planning cycle for 2026 is already underway. Group planners should secure accommodations, venues and attractions now, especially in smaller markets with limited inventory. Flexibility and creativity will be critical. In Illinois, communities are embracing public-private partnerships, pop-up activations, and legacy events designed specifically for the Centennial. This is also the right moment to invest in frontline staff training. Welcoming groups with knowledgeable guides, strong storytelling, and personalized touches can turn a routine stop into a signature moment.

Illinois will celebrate the Route 66 Centennial with a yearlong lineup of festivals, premieres, and community events across the state. Highlights include Joliet’s national kickoff event on April 30, the Red Carpet Corridor Festival in early May, the Progressive Decades Party in McLean County, June 6-7, and the world premiere of John Paget’s-Main Street of America documentary film at seven locations in Illinois, September 3-10. Additional milestones include Springfield’s 25th Mother Road Festival September 25-27, the Last 100 Miles Festival October 10-11, a statewide conference and epic celebration in Springfield hosted by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Association, November 10-11, and four large-scale drone shows illuminating the sky along the Mother Road.

With Chicago as a global gateway and a rich mix of communities along its stretch of the route, the state can serve as both the starting point and the emotional anchor of the Centennial experience. Group planners should consider how their Illinois-based programming can set the tone—introducing travelers not only to Route 66 but to the values it represents.

A Roadmap to the Future

The Route 66 Centennial will draw both domestic and international travelers in 2026 and influence American travel well beyond it. It offers a chance for new generations to rediscover the open road, the charm of small towns, and the power of shared stories. For group planners, it’s more than a single season of opportunity, with new bookable products and value-added experiences, destinations in Illinois are ready to work with you.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of Route 66, we can do more than commemorate history. We can build the future ,mile by mile, story by story, group by group.Welcome to the start of the MotherRoad.