Springfield Celebrates Route 66's 100th Birthday in Style

Springfield, Missouri, turned into a rolling car show this week as the city celebrated being the birthplace of one of America's most beloved highways on its 100th birthday.

Classic Mustangs lined the historic route while locals proudly wore their Route 66 gear, transforming the city into a living museum of American road culture. The celebration drew national attention as communities across the country prepare to honor the "Mother Road" throughout 2025.

Former Missouri Representative Billy Long shared the quirky origin story of how the highway got its famous number. A room full of highway commissioners in Springfield debated what to call the new transcontinental road when an auctioneer in the meeting literally counted through numbers until landing on 66.

"This is the birthplace of Route 66," Long said. "I was born here. Route 66 was born here."

The three-day celebration brought together car enthusiasts, history lovers, and proud locals who see the highway as more than just pavement. It represents a century of American adventure, connecting Chicago to Santa Monica and passing through the heart of eight states along the way.

The Ripple Effect

Springfield's celebration is just the beginning. Communities all along the 2,448-mile route are planning their own centennial events throughout the year, coinciding with America's 250th birthday celebration.

The highway that once defined American road trips in the mid-1900s continues to draw travelers today. Small towns that grew up along Route 66 have preserved diners, motels, and gas stations that tell the story of how Americans once explored their country.

Local businesses reported packed crowds as visitors came to be part of history. The turnout showed that nearly a century later, Route 66 still captures the imagination of people who love the open road and the small towns that make America unique.

The celebration proves that some roads are worth preserving, not just for where they take us, but for the stories they tell along the way.