Route 66

Not to be confused with the song.
:"Get Your Kicks on Route 66" --Robert William Troup Jr.
The Route 66 (also known as The Mother Road and U.S. Route 66) is a historic route, having an always-booming population of travelers and residents, which diagonally crosses the United States. Also considered as the "Main Street of America", it gave rise to new cultures and ways of life, and got its own unique spirit that is reflected in its towns and residents. In Radiator Springs, the speed limit is 25 mph and near the town the speed limit is 45 mph including the curvy areas near the town. It is unknown what the speed limits are in other locations likely being 55 mph or 65 mph in Arizona as most rural areas in Arizona on undivided highways are signed as such. It is usually illegal to speed in Radiator Springs and near it but during the Radiator Springs Grand Prix it wasn’t. Unlike Interstate 40, the route had many curves in certain areas and has many curves in Talfin Pass near Radiator Springs. 
==History==
The Route 66 was one of the first paved roads designed to facilitate the transit of the many motor vehicles, and it was built with the purpose of connecting cities across the United States from east to west, making it a true icon of American culture. Originally spanning 3,940 km, it started in Chicago and ended in Santa Monica (LA), traversing 8 American states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
This road was designed to have two lanes in each direction, with an average width of about 9 meters, sufficient to allow the passage of two vehicles simultaneously. At the time, roads were mostly unpaved and unsuitable for cars. Asphalt pavement was an innovation for its time, as it was more weather-resistant and durable compared to old gravel and dirt surfaces. The road featured a lighting system that ensured drivers' safety during nighttime, and most notably, it was one of the first roads marked with a series of signs, including the famous "66" number, making it easily recognizable for travelers.
The first stretch of Route 66 was inaugurated in 1926, but its construction continued until 1938 when the road was fully paved and opened to traffic. The construction began as a response to the growing demand for a road that would make travel safer and faster. This highway represented a true innovation, connecting rural communities (e.g., Stanley's Oasis) and small urban centers, playing a significant role in the economic development of the United States by enabling merchants like Stanley to export their products nationwide.
The highway quickly became one of the busiest roads in the United States, attracting thousands of adventurous travelers and those seeking new opportunities. It also served as an escape route for many vehicles trying to flee the Great Depression of the 1930s and the drought of the "Dust Bowl," a series of sandstorms caused by decades of inappropriate agricultural techniques and the lack of crop rotation.
During World War II, it also served as an important supply route for American troops, and after the war, the road became even more popular among travelers, experiencing a surge in tourism and leisure travel between the 1950s and 1960s. During this time, Route 66 became famous for its attractions along the route, including restaurants, service stations, all adorned with bizarre and colorful signs to catch the attention of drivers and generate income.
From 1956 (as per the film, 1966), Route 66 was gradually replaced by the Interstate Highway System, a new national freeway network that spanned the entire country. The Route 66 was gradually abandoned, and many segments of the road were removed from the map, such as "Radiator Springs," in an effort to save a mere 10 minutes of driving.
=== Cars===
It was the road where McQueen got lost while supposed to be traveling to California. Sheriff, who was on a stakeout at the time, sees McQueen driving down the route at full speed and chases after him.
In Cars, Route 66 is the route that Radiator Springs is on, somewhere in western Arizona or eastern New Mexico. Back in 1965, the town was popular. However, when Interstate 40 was built, Radiator Springs and Route 66 lost its population, and was even taken off the map.
40 years later, Lightning got lost in Radiator Springs and wrecked the road. He was sentenced to fix the road before he could leave. During his stay, he learned about the history of Radiator Springs and Route 66, and realizes that he's been missing a lot. Finally, he fixes the road, but decides to stay a little longer to make a few purchases and get a new paint job. However, his stay didn't last very long when Mack and hundreds of reporters came and took him to the tie-breaker race.
After the California race, Lightning McQueen decides to settle in Radiator Springs, living there with Sally and his new family. This choice not only puts the town back on the maps but also attracts numerous visitors, reviving the golden days of Radiator Springs and renewing interest in the historic road, which reopens under the name "Historic Route 66."
Currently, most of the original road is still navigable, although some sections have been replaced by highways or turned into secondary roads. On average, it takes about a week to travel the entire Route 66. Many travelers choose to extend their journey to fully enjoy the landscapes and attractions along the road, such as the rocky mountains of the Cadillac Range and the Ornament Valley desert.
==Trivia==
* Route 66 is actually the real U.S. Route 66, as it caught the interest of John Lasseter and the production makers of the film.
*Not mentioned in the film, Route 66 is also known as "The Main Street of America".
==Gallery==
Route 66.jpg|Route 66 sign
US_66.png
==See also ==
* 
nl:Route 66
pl:Szosa 66
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ru:Шоссе 66
Category:Locations
Category:Real world locations
Category:Local Services
Category:Route 66