State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66

Last week, the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission announced the launch of a Route 66 commemorative map for the Sooner State. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also leads the state's tourism agency and is a big proponent of Route 66, attended a news conference at the state Capitol to promote the 2025-2026 map. The maps … Continue reading State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66

Route 66 Postcard Road Trip named as finalist in StoryMaps competition

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Route 66 Postcard Road Trip has been selected as one of 11 finalists in the Humanities category for the 2024 ArcGIS StoryMaps competition. The Route 66 Postcard Road Trip was selected from over 570 submissions from student and professional storytellers invited to “build stories about the world they want to see.” … Continue reading Route 66 Postcard Road Trip named as finalist in StoryMaps competition

National Trust announces latest round of Preserve Route 66 grant recipients

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced its latest grants from its Preserve Route 66 program totaling $135,835. Among the grants awarded are preservation work on an Albuquerque building where Microsoft started, funds to pursue a National Register of Historic Places listing for the Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, and an educational program about … Continue reading National Trust announces latest round of Preserve Route 66 grant recipients

Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants

The restoration of the neon sign for the closed West Winds Motel in Erick, Oklahoma, is among the $6 million in grants recently awarded by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. A list of the funds given from the state's Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program was posted in a document on the commission's website. Several grant … Continue reading Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants

Route 66 Navigation app adds several new features

The developers of the Route 66 Navigation app announced they have added some new features with the new year. Route 66 Navigation, offered by Touch Media since 2018, is available for both iPhones and Android operating systems. A news release detailed the improvements: A key update introduced early in 2024 is the enhancement of HERE's … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation app adds several new features

New edition of Oklahoma Route 66 Trip Guide now is available

The new edition of the free Oklahoma Route 66 Trip Guide, published annually by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, now is available via mail order or from varying businesses that advertise in the guide. The association stated this on its website: For over 20 years, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association has produced an annual Trip … Continue reading New edition of Oklahoma Route 66 Trip Guide now is available

Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

Updated fifth edition of “EZ 66 Guide for Travelers” published

Jerry McClanahan, author of the "EZ 66 Guide for Travelers," announced last week an updated fifth edition of the guidebook has been published. The guide, which contains turn-by-turn directions on how to navigate Route 66 both eastbound and westbound, is published by the National Historic Route 66 Federation. McClanahan said in a Facebook post the … Continue reading Updated fifth edition of “EZ 66 Guide for Travelers” published

Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

The restoration of the Hi-Way Cafe neon sign near Vinita, Oklahoma, was among the newest cost-share grants announced this week by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Four of the grants involved neon signs. In addition to the Hi-Way, grants went to the Henning Motel sign in Newberry Springs, California; the Road Runner's Retreat sign … Continue reading Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

Route 66 Navigation app now compatible with Apple CarPlay systems

Touch Media, developer of Route 66 Navigation, announced this week its app has been updated to be used with Apple CarPlay systems. CarPlay software, introduced in 2014, allows a user's iPhone to interface with their car's built-in entertainment and information system, minimizing the need to handle the iPhone while driving. More information from the news … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation app now compatible with Apple CarPlay systems