Editing U.S. Route 66 (section)

==Route description==
Over the years, US&nbsp;66 received numerous nicknames. Right after US&nbsp;66 was commissioned, it was known as "The Great Diagonal Way" because the Chicago-to-Oklahoma City stretch ran northeast to southwest. Later, US&nbsp;66 was advertised by the [[U.S. Highway&nbsp;66 Association]] as "The Main Street of America". The title had also been claimed by supporters of [[U.S. Route 40|US&nbsp;40]], but the US&nbsp;66 group was more successful.{{citation needed|date=April 2022|reason=Both articles are listed as The Main Street of America, but the sentence claims that 66 was more successful without a source}} In the [[John Steinbeck]] novel ''[[The Grapes of Wrath]]'', the highway is called "The Mother Road", its prevailing title today.<ref name="mother road">{{Cite news |last=McClure |first=Rosemary |date=November 29, 2010 |title=Get Your Kicks on Route&nbsp;66—and 499&nbsp;Other Great Highways |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-nov-29-la-trb-drives-20101124-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206073258/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/29/news/la-trb-drives-20101124 |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=December 7, 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Lastly, US&nbsp;66 was unofficially named "The Will Rogers Highway" by the [[U.S. Highway&nbsp;66 Association]] in 1952, although a sign along the road with that name appeared in the [[John Ford]] film, ''[[The Grapes of Wrath (film)|The Grapes of Wrath]],'' which was released in 1940, twelve years before the association gave the road that name. A plaque dedicating the highway to [[Will Rogers]] is still located in [[Santa Monica, California]]. There are more plaques like this; one can be found in [[Galena, Kansas]]. It was originally located on the Kansas-Missouri state line, but moved to the Howard Litch Memorial Park in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stokes |first=Keith |title=Historic Route 66: Galena, Kansas |url=http://www.kansastravel.org/route66b.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614031722/http://www.kansastravel.org/route66b.htm |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |access-date=June 12, 2012 |website=KansasTravel.org}}</ref>

===California===
{{Main|U.S. Route&nbsp;66 in California}}
[[File:End of Route 66.jpg|thumb|The replica of a movie prop sign found on the [[Santa Monica Pier]]. The western terminus of US&nbsp;66 is nine blocks east of this sign. ]]

US&nbsp;66 had its western terminus in California, and covered {{convert|315|mi|km}} in the state.<ref name="66-California">{{Cite web |title=Route 66 California |url=http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/route66/california/california.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408064004/http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/route66/california/california.html |archive-date=April 8, 2015 |access-date=November 12, 2014 |website=Road Trip USA |publisher=Avalon Travel}}</ref> The terminus was located at the Pacific Coast Highway, then US&nbsp;101 Alternate and now [[State Route 1 (California)|SR&nbsp;1]], at Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards in [[Santa Monica, California]]. The highway ran through major cities such as Santa Monica, [[Los Angeles]], Pasadena, and [[San Bernardino, California|San Bernardino]]. San Bernardino also contains one of the two surviving [[Wigwam Motel]]s along US&nbsp;66. The highway had major intersections with [[U.S. Route 101 in California|US&nbsp;101]] in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], [[Interstate 5 in California|I-5]] in Los Angeles, [[Interstate 15 in California|I-15]], and [[Interstate 40 in California|I-40]] in [[Barstow, California|Barstow]], and [[U.S. Route 95 in California|US&nbsp;95]] in [[Needles, California|Needles]]. It also ran concurrent to I-40 at California's very eastern end.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiser |first=Kathy |year=2010 |title=About California Route 66 – Info & History |url=http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-californiaroad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129065359/http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-californiaroad.html |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=Legends of America}}</ref>

===Arizona===
{{Main|U.S. Route&nbsp;66 in Arizona}}
[[File:Route 66 in Holbrook.JPG|thumb|upright|US&nbsp;66 marker on the corner of Navajo Boulevard and Hopi Drive in [[Holbrook, Arizona]]|left]]
In Arizona, the highway originally covered {{convert|401|mi|km}} in the state. Along much of the way, US&nbsp;66 paralleled [[Interstate 40 in Arizona|I-40]]. It entered across the [[Topock Gorge]], passing through [[Oatman, Arizona|Oatman]] along the way to [[Kingman, Arizona|Kingman]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Old Route 66: Oatman |url=http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/route66/arizona/r66_oldroute66.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512174824/http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/route66/arizona/r66_oldroute66.html |archive-date=May 12, 2015 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=Road Trip USA |publisher=Avalon Travel}}</ref> Between Kingman and [[Seligman, Arizona|Seligman]], the route is still signed as [[Arizona State Route 66|SR&nbsp;66]]. Notably, just between Seligman and [[Flagstaff, Arizona|Flagstaff]], [[Williams, Arizona|Williams]] was the last point on US&nbsp;66 to be bypassed by an Interstate. The route also passed through the once-incorporated community of [[Winona, Arizona|Winona]]. [[Holbrook, Arizona|Holbrook]] contains one of the two surviving [[Wigwam Motel]]s on the route.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holbrook: Wigwam Village |url=http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/route66/arizona/r66_holbrook.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522194903/http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/route66/arizona/r66_holbrook.html |archive-date=May 22, 2006 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=Road Trip USA |publisher=Avalon Travel}}</ref>

===New Mexico===
{{Main|U.S. Route&nbsp;66 in New Mexico}}

US&nbsp;66 covered {{convert|380|mi|km}} in the state and passed through many Indian reservations in the western half of New Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Route 66 |url=http://www.americansouthwest.net/new_mexico/route_66/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617025009/http://www.americansouthwest.net/new_mexico/route_66/ |archive-date=June 17, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=AmericanSouthwest.net |publisher=John Crossley}}</ref> East of those reservations, the highway passed through [[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]], [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]], and [[Las Vegas, New Mexico|Las Vegas]]. As in Arizona, in New Mexico, U.S.&nbsp;66 paralleled [[Interstate 40 in New Mexico|I-40]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Route 66 History |url=http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/albuquerque/route-66/history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629112509/http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/albuquerque/route-66/history/ |archive-date=June 29, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |publisher=Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau}}</ref>

===Texas===
{{Main|U.S. Route&nbsp;66 in Texas}}
[[File:US66 midpoint café Adrian TX.jpg|thumb|The [[Midpoint Café]] in [[Adrian, Texas]], at the midpoint of the route]]

US&nbsp;66 covered {{convert|178|mi|km}} in the Texas Panhandle, travelling in an east–west line between [[Glenrio, New Mexico and Texas]] and [[Texola, Oklahoma]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiser |first=Kathy |year=2011 |title=About Texas Route 66 – Info & History |url=http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-texasroad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702064803/http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-texasroad.html |archive-date=July 2, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=Legends of America}}</ref> [[Adrian, Texas|Adrian]], in the western Panhandle, was notable as the midpoint of the route. East of there, the highway passed through [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]] (famous for the [[Cadillac Ranch]]), [[Conway, Texas|Conway]], [[Groom, Texas|Groom]], and [[Shamrock, Texas|Shamrock]].

===Oklahoma and Kansas===
{{Main|U.S. Route&nbsp;66 in Oklahoma|U.S. Route&nbsp;66 in Kansas|l2=Kansas}}
{{See also|Oklahoma State Highway 66|K-66 (Kansas highway)}}
The highway covered {{convert|376|mi|km}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma: Route 66 |url=https://www.theroute-66.com/oklahoma.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501180104/https://www.theroute-66.com/oklahoma.html |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |access-date=November 22, 2019}}</ref> in Oklahoma. Today, it is marked by [[Interstate 40 in Oklahoma|I-40]] west of [[Oklahoma City]], and [[Oklahoma State Highway 66|SH-66]] east of there. After entering at [[Texola, Oklahoma|Texola]], US&nbsp;66 passed through [[Sayre, Oklahoma|Sayre]], [[Elk City, Oklahoma|Elk City]], and [[Clinton, Oklahoma|Clinton]] before entering Oklahoma City.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiser |first=Kathy |year=2013 |title=Route 66 Through Oklahoma |url=http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-oklahomaroad2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129065403/http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-oklahomaroad2.html |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=Legends of America |pages=2 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Beyond Oklahoma City, the highway passed through [[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]] on its way to [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]. Past there, US&nbsp;66 passed through [[Miami, Oklahoma|Miami]], [[North Miami, Oklahoma|North Miami]], [[Commerce, Oklahoma|Commerce]], and [[Quapaw, Oklahoma|Quapaw]] before entering Kansas where it covered only {{convert|13.2|mi|km}}.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2012 |title=Kansas Route 66 Main Page |url=http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-kansas.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715150325/http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-kansas.html |archive-date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=Legends of America}}</ref> Only three towns are located on the route in Kansas: [[Galena, Kansas|Galena]], [[Riverton, Kansas|Riverton]] and [[Baxter Springs, Kansas|Baxter Springs]].

===Missouri===
{{Main|U.S. Route&nbsp;66 in Missouri}}

US&nbsp;66 covered {{convert|292|mi|km}} in Missouri. Upon entering from [[Galena, Kansas]], the highway passed through [[Joplin, Missouri|Joplin]]. From there, it passed through [[Carthage, Missouri|Carthage]], [[Springfield, Missouri|Springfield]], where [[Red's Giant Hamburg]], the world's first drive-thru stands, [[Waynesville, Missouri|Waynesville]], [[Devils Elbow, Missouri|Devils Elbow]], [[Lebanon, Missouri|Lebanon]] and [[Rolla, Missouri|Rolla]] before passing through [[St. Louis]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiser |first=Kathy |date=2012 |title=About Missouri Route 66: Info & History |url=http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-missouriroad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629143447/http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-missouriroad.html |archive-date=June 29, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=Legends of America}}</ref>

===Illinois===
{{Main|U.S. Route&nbsp;66 in Illinois}}

US&nbsp;66 covered {{convert|301|mi|km}} in Illinois. It entered Illinois in [[East St. Louis, Illinois|East St. Louis]] after crossing the [[Mississippi River]]. Near there, it passed by [[Cahokia Mounds]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. The highway then passed through [[Hamel, Illinois|Hamel]], [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], passing by the [[Illinois State Capitol]], [[Normal, Illinois|Bloomington-Normal]], [[Pontiac, Illinois|Pontiac]], and [[Gardner, Illinois|Gardner]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Route 66: Illinois |url=http://www.historic66.com/illinois/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623184752/http://www.historic66.com/illinois/ |archive-date=June 23, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=Historic66.com}}</ref> It then entered the [[Chicagoland|Chicago area]], originally through [[Joliet, Illinois|Joliet]] and later through [[Plainfield, Illinois|Plainfield]]. After passing through the suburbs, U.S.&nbsp;66 entered [[Chicago]] itself, where it terminated at [[Lake Shore Drive]]<ref name="Ill1955">{{Cite map |last=Illinois Division of Highways |title=Illinois Official Highway Map |date=April 1, 1955 |publisher=Illinois Division of Highways |place=Springfield |via=Illinois Digital Collections |scale=1:805,000 |inset=Chicago and Vicinity |url=http://www.idaillinois.org/u?/isl9,84 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203210744/http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/isl9/id/84 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |url-status=live |oclc=713840599}}</ref> starting in 1938, having originally ended at [[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]].