2026 marks the 100 year anniversary of The Mother Road and communities from Navy Pier to Santa Monica Beach have spent the summer celebrating the Route 66 Centennial. Along the First Hundred Miles of Route 66, from Chicago through Joliet, Wilmington, Braidwood, Dwight, and Pontiac, the centennial has brought a swell of history, nostalgia, and fun events for travelers of all ages – but there’s still time to enjoy this momentous anniversary for yourself.
Route 66 officially opened in 1926, stretching more than 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. For decades it served as a vital corridor for migration, commerce and tourism, carrying families west during the Dust Bowl and later inspiring the neon-lit diners, motels and quirky roadside attractions that made it a cultural icon. While the highway was decommissioned in 1985, its legacy lives on in the communities, landmarks and stories that continue to capture the imagination of travelers from around the world.
Along the First Hundred Miles, visitors can dive into that history at several key stops. The Joliet Area Historical Museum houses the First Hundred Miles Welcome Center and Route 66 Experience, offering exhibits that explore the road’s influence on the region and the people who built businesses, attractions and communities along it. Farther south, the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac showcases artifacts, photographs and memorabilia celebrating the highway’s colorful past, providing a deeper connection to the culture and heritage of the Mother Road.
The Illinois Route 66 Centennial Passport is your guide to exploring the Mother Road during its historic centennial year. Covering The First Hundred Miles of Route 66, the passport highlights 17 designated stops, from visitors centers and museums to classic diners and quirky roadside attractions. It’s the perfect companion for travelers looking to celebrate 100 years of the iconic highway while discovering hidden gems along the way.
To get started, pick up an official passport at any of the participating locations. Stops include White Fence Farm, Lambert 1957 Mobil Station Rich & Creamy, Old Joliet Prison and the Joliet Area Historical Museum: The First Hundred Miles Welcome Center.
Other featured stops include the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum, Rialto Square Theatre, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, The Landing Pad, Polk-A-Dot Drive-In, The Shop on Route 66, Ambler Becker Texaco Station, Old Route 66 Family Restaurant, Old Log Cabin Restaurant, Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, Museum of Gilding Arts and the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum. Each location offers the chance to collect a special passport stamp and record your memories along the way.
The passport encourages travelers to snap photos at these iconic stops, from vintage diners to colorful murals, and share them online using #ILRoute66Passport while tagging @hcdestinations. The extra space in the passport lets you jot down thoughts, discoveries and favorite moments, creating a personal keepsake of your journey.
Produced by the Illinois Office of Tourism, this commemorative 2026 passport celebrates 100 years of Route 66 between Chicago and St. Louis. A total of 50,000 passports are being distributed through tourism offices across the state, offering travelers a free and unique way to explore the history, culture and charm of the Mother Road. With every stamp collected, you’re not just marking a stop – you’re celebrating a century of one of America’s most iconic highways.
