Chicago (December 11, 2025) — The Great American Road Trip (GART) has been formally designated as an Official Route 66 Centennial Project.
This recognition underscores the project’s alignment with the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission’s mission to honor, preserve, and promote the legacy of the Mother Road through meaningful and impactful activities nationwide.
Launched in September 2025 in Philadelphia, The Great American Road Trip showcases America, American modes of transportation, destinations, and brands to create a legacy for decades to come. Highlighting exciting itineraries across the country leading up to and through America’s 250th birthday, GART’s mission is to unite friends and families, encourage exploration, and celebrate all that makes America the greatest country in the world.
“We are thrilled that the Great American Road Trip has been designated as an Official Route 66 Centennial Project,” said Tori Barnes, Executive Director of Great American Road Trip Inc. “As we seek to honor America’s history, promote travel and tourism and recognize transportation and infrastructure that showcase the past 250 years of innovation in America, there is no other highway in America as iconic and historic as Route 66 and it is a privilege to celebrate its centennial.”
As part of its 10-stop national series and related Road Trip Roundtable engagements, GART will include one to four featured stops along Route 66, highlighting the road’s unique history and cultural importance. These activations will blend local storytelling, heritage interpretation, and co-marketing with Centennial partners. Through digital storytelling and broad distribution, these experiences will extend Route 66’s impact well beyond on-site audiences to inspire travelers worldwide.
“Our goal is to rekindle the spirit of Route 66 — the sense of wonder, discovery, and connection that has defined this road for a century,” said Bill Thomas, Chair of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and Commissioner of the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. “With The Great American Road Trip officially designated, we’re inviting Americans and global travelers alike to rediscover the heart of America’s open road.”
This designation provides several benefits, including inclusion on the official Centennial website, cross-promotional opportunities with the Centennial and its partners, and authorization to display the official trademarked Centennial mark as a recognized activity aligned with the Route 66 Centennial strategy.
As the centennial year approaches, now is the time to plan, promote, and realize the promise of Route 66’s next chapter.
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.
