The Volkswagen microbus belonging to late Route 66 icon Bob Waldmire, at the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, Illinois, June 21, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) ...

In 1985, however, Route 66 literally fell off the map when it was decommissioned and replaced with modern interstates. Its Americana-appeal has never ceased, though, with visitors still drawn to ...

Route 66 extends nearly 180 miles across the Texas Panhandle. About 20 miles east of the border, the town of Adrian advertises itself as the route’s midpoint, equidistant to Chicago and Los Angeles.