The Drive Home VII will travel all of Route 66 in January

A cross-country trip sponsored by America’s Automotive Trust, Detroit Auto Show and National Route 66 Centennial Commission apparently will be the first significant event of the highway’s centennial in 2026.

The three entities recently announced “The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure,” which they dubbed as “a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country drive celebrating the 100th anniversary of the legendary Route 66, with a focus on Route 66 preservation success stories and spotlighting future needs.”

This event will begin on Jan. 3 in Santa Monica, California, and span the full length of Route 66, arriving in Chicago on Jan. 12. The vehicles then will be displayed at the Detroit Auto Show beginning on Jan. 14.

In collaboration with the auto show and the commission, the Automotive Trust’s seventh edition of The Drive Home will spotlight vintage, Route 66-inspired vehicles making the journey across America’s most iconic highway.

“From sun-drenched Pacific shores to the heart of the Midwest, the nine-day journey will bring automotive enthusiasts, cultural historians, and communities together to honor the road that connected a nation—and defined a century of travel, adventure, and Americana,” a news release stated.

“The Drive Home series is a partnership of America’s Automotive Trust and the Detroit Auto Show to celebrate America’s automotive history, honor Detroit as the home of the American car industry, and promote today’s automotive culture,” stated David Madeira, CEO of the trust.

“The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure will celebrate more than just the historic Route itself. The Drive will visit the small towns and frequent the motels, restaurants, and shops which continue to operate today in spite of the fact that the major highways bypass them. We are honored to be joined in this effort by the National Route 66 Centennial Commission and endorsed as an official event of this year-long celebration” Madeira added. 

“The National Route 66 Centennial Commission is proud to endorse The Drive Home event celebrating the rich tapestry of people and places that are the heart and soul of Route 66.
 We hope you’ll join with us in commemorating the “Mother Road” that now — even 100 years later — is still bringing people together,” stated Rod Reid, chairman of the National Route 66 Centennial Commission.

The Route 66 Centennial Preservation and Economic Development Grant program — an Official Route 66 Centennial activity recommended by the National Route 66 Centennial Commission — is a key initiative of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. 

The partnership manages and promotes the grant program, ensuring it supports the preservation and economic development of Route 66. 

Bill Thomas, chairman of the partnership and member of the US Route 66 Centennial Commission, said, “We are delighted that The Drive Home will celebrate Route 66 preservation success stories and recognize ongoing needs through support for the Route 66 Centennial Preservation and Economic Development Grant Program.”

After the final stop at Jackson Boulevard and Adams Street in downtown Chicago — recognized as the official eastern terminus of Route 66 — the vehicles will continue to Detroit for a final celebration and 10-day exhibition at the Detroit Auto Show that begins Jan. 14. The exhibit, with films and images from the journey, showcased with the cars of today and tomorrow will demonstrate the importance of the automobile in our culture.

“The Detroit Auto Show is proud to be the final destination for The Drive Home VII: Route 66 A Century of Adventure, a once-in-a-century journey honoring America’s most legendary highway,” said Sam Klemet, executive director of the Detroit Auto Show. “Arriving in Detroit to help kick off the Auto Show in January 2026, this drive is a powerful tribute to the past, present, and future of the automobile. Detroit is the Motor City — and it’s only fitting that The Drive Home ends where the story of American mobility continues to evolve.”

(A map of The Drive Home VII’s route in January via America’s Automotive Trust)

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