America’s Automotive Trust, the Detroit Auto Show, and the National Route 66 Centennial Commission are proud to announce The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure, 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 commemorative event will begin on January 3, 2026, in Santa Monica, California, and span the full length of Route 66, arriving nine days later in Chicago, Illinois on January 12. The vehicles will then be on display at the world-class Detroit Auto Show beginning on January 14.
In collaboration with the Detroit Auto Show and the National Route 66 Centennial Commission, AAT’s seventh rendition of The Drive Home will spotlight vintage, Route 66-inspired vehicles making the historic 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.
“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, in making the announcement.
“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 continued.
“The Drive Home sets the tone for the entire Centennial year,” said Bill Thomas, Chair of the Road Ahead Partnership and Commissioner of the Route 66 Commission. “As the very first official Route 66 Centennial event of 2026, it symbolizes the spirit of adventure, preservation, and community that has defined the Mother Road for nearly a century. This journey honors the legacy of those who traveled before us while inspiring a new generation to experience the magic of Route 66.”
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 Road Ahead Partnership.
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership manages and promotes the grant program, ensuring that it effectively supports the preservation and economic development of Route 66.
“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” Thomas continued.
Following the final stop at Jackson Boulevard and Adams Street in downtown Chicago— recognized as the official terminus of Route 66—the vehicles will continue “home” to Detroit for a final celebration and ten-day exhibition at the Detroit Auto Show opening January 14th. The exhibit, with films and images from the journey, showcased with the cars of today and tomorrow will vividly 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.”
The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure is more than a road trip—it’s a rolling tribute to the cars, culture, and communities that shaped America’s love affair with the highway.
After an extraordinary 10-day road trip from Santa Monica, departing January 3 and traveling the iconic Route 66, The Drive Home will arrive in Chicago on January 12, celebrating American automotive heritage and honoring the upcoming Route 66 Centennial in 2026. The caravan of vintage and modern vehicles—representing America’s deep history of innovation, mobility, and car culture—will conclude its Route 66 leg in Chicago before heading on to the Detroit Auto Show, where the vehicles will be featured throughout the event.
This year’s Drive Home is an annual partnership of America’s Automotive Trust and The Detroit Auto Show and an Official Route 66 Centennial Project and is proudly presented in collaboration with the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, the national nonprofit leading preparation efforts for the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary.
During their 2,400-mile journey, participants will make stops in communities across Route 66, engaging with residents, classic car clubs, museums, and historic sites that form the backbone of America’s most famous highway.
“The Drive Home captures the passion, history, and spirit that make Route 66 an enduring American treasure,” said Bill Thomas, Chair of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and Commissioner for the Route 66 Centennial Commission. “As we prepare for the Centennial in 2026, collaborations like this help bring national visibility to the people, communities, and heritage of the Mother Road. We’re thrilled to have The Drive Home as an Official Centennial Project and excited to welcome them to Chicago.”
Cory Jobe, Chair of the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission, said, “As we look toward the Route 66 Centennial in 2026, Illinois is proud to welcome The Drive Home to Illinois and to help shine a spotlight on the communities, businesses, and stories that make the Mother Road so special. This journey honors more than a century of American innovation and adventure, and it reminds us why Route 66 continues to inspire travelers from around the world. We’re grateful for this partnership and excited to see the momentum building as we approach this historic milestone.”
“Route 66 picking up in downtown Chicago is proof that Illinois truly is the Middle of Everything,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Illinois is a place of incredible diversity and resilience; our communities vary in size and shape, each with their own unique story. Welcome to Illinois!”
“There could be no more fitting place than Chicago to celebrate the completion of our journey across Route 66. Chicago is the heartland of American industry and where those of from the Eastern United States began our family road trips across the vast plains and the mountains to California to experience America,” said David Madeira CEO and Vice Chair, America’s Automotive Trust. “We are grateful to help kick off the year of celebration of Route 66 and grateful to the Commission and to the Lieutenant Governor for your support and for welcoming us to The Windy City.”
Following the Chicago arrival, the caravan will continue to Detroit on January 13, where the vehicles and drivers will participate in media events and public displays leading into the Detroit Auto Show, further highlighting the importance of automotive preservation and the legacy of American road travel.
About the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
Established in 2016 with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments Fund, the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership’s mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research, education, and economic development. Only In Your State is the official Publishing Partner to the Route 66 Centennial. Founding Sponsors of the Route 66 Centennial include the Illinois Route 66 Centennial, Travel Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, American Express, Route 66 Road Fest, Rand McNally Publishing, and Cruise America. For more information, visit route66centennial.org.
