Route 66 may be a highway, but its enduring story is written by those who dedicate their lives to preserving its places, sharing its history, and imagining what comes next.
That human story is at the heart of ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA, a feature-length documentary from award-winning filmmaker John Paget that celebrates the people behind the Mother Road and its 100th anniversary.
Traveling more than 2,400 miles through all eight Route 66 states interviewing more than 100 people, the Mother Road’s long-time chronicler John meets business owners, preservationists, historians, artists, community leaders, and others whose personal connections to the highway have become part of its larger story.
Among them is Joel Baker, who has spent nearly 15 years preserving the history of America’s iconic Muffler Men—towering roadside figures that have become recognizable symbols of Route 66.
“For nearly 15 years, I’ve dedicated my heart and soul to finding, preserving, and sharing the history of America’s iconic Muffler Men,” said Joel. “What began as a passion has grown into preserving these roadside giants and creating a museum on Route 66 where travelers can stand in their shadows, discover their stories, and experience a unique piece of American history.”
Joel’s story reflects a broader theme of the documentary: Route 66 endures because people care enough to preserve its history and create new experiences along the way.
“Today, these giants are once again appearing along Route 66, inspiring new generations of travelers, and that gives me tremendous hope for the future of the Mother Road,” Joel said. “I’m deeply grateful to John Paget for telling this remarkable story and honored to play a small part in preserving and celebrating the Route 66 experience for its next hundred years.”
Joel is one of many people featured in ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA whose individual stories reveal the larger story of the Mother Road. He will attend the September 6 screening in Normal, Illinois, and join John on stage for a Q&A with the audience afterward.
The documentary introduces audiences to those restoring historic buildings, revitalizing businesses, preserving roadside attractions, documenting local history, and creating new experiences along the route. Some inherited their connection to Route 66; others discovered it later in life. Some are working to preserve what remains, while others are creating something entirely new.
Together, their stories demonstrate that the future of Route 66 is not simply dependent on preserving the past. It depends on those willing to invest their time, creativity, resources, and passion into what comes next.
“Everywhere we traveled along Route 66, we met people who have made Route 66 part of their lives,” said John, director of ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA. “The stories are funny, inspiring, surprising, and sometimes deeply personal. They reminded us that the Mother Road isn’t just a historic highway. It’s a living community that continues to evolve.”
The film explores the people and places that make Route 66 unique, from historic motels and diners to unusual roadside attractions, restored theaters, family businesses, museums, and hidden gems.
As the highway celebrates its centennial, John believes those featured in the documentary offer the clearest picture of where Route 66 is headed.
“The people we met aren’t simply preserving Route 66 for the sake of nostalgia,” said John. “They’re finding new ways to make these places relevant, welcoming, and meaningful for today’s travelers. In doing so, they’re creating the next chapter of Route 66.”
Centennial Roadshow
ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA will travel the Mother Road this fall as part of a 40-plus-city Centennial Roadshow.
Beginning September 1 in Chicago and concluding November 7 in Los Angeles, the Roadshow will travel through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
Each screening will offer audiences the opportunity to experience the documentary alongside the communities and individuals who helped bring its stories to life. Many events will feature live conversations with John and people featured in the film, giving audiences an opportunity to hear directly from those carrying Route 66 into its next century.
The Roadshow is designed not simply as a series of film screenings, but as a celebration of the people who make the Mother Road what it is.
“Route 66 has never belonged to just one person, one business, or one community,” John said. “Its story belongs to everyone who has traveled it, lived along it, worked on it, cared for it, or simply believed that it was worth saving. Those are the people we wanted to celebrate.”
Below is a complete Roadshow schedule. Further information about screening locations and ticket information can be found at: www.MainStreetofAmerica.com.
ILLINOIS
September 1 — Chicago | World Premiere | The Art Institute of Chicago
September 4 — Joliet | Old Joliet Prison Historic Site
September 5 — Pontiac | Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center
September 6 — Normal | Normal Theater
September 8 — Springfield | Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill
September 9 — Litchfield | Sky View Drive-In
September 10 — Edwardsville | Wildey Theatre
MISSOURI
September 11 — St. Louis | Missouri State Premiere | Hi-Pointe Theatre
September 12 — Springfield | Gillioz Theatre
September 14 — Lebanon | Cowan Civic Center
September 15 — Webb City | Route 66 Theater
OKLAHOMA
September 18 — Tulsa | Oklahoma State Premiere | Circle Cinema
September 19 — Miami | Coleman Theatre
September 20 — Claremore | Will Rogers Memorial Museum
September 21 — Chandler | H&S Theatre
September 22 — Sapulpa | TeePee Drive-In
September 23 — Oklahoma City | Stockyards Rodeo Cinema
September 24 — El Reno | Center Theater
TEXAS
September 25 — Amarillo | Texas State Premiere | Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts
September 28 — Austin
NEW MEXICO
October 1 — Albuquerque | New Mexico State Premiere | KiMo Theater
October 2 — Albuquerque | KiMo Theater
October 2 — Santa Rosa | Pecos Theater
October 3 — Tucumcari | Odeon Theatre
October 7 — Santa Fe | The Lensic Performing Arts Center
October 8 — Gallup | El Morro Theater
ARIZONA
October 10 — Flagstaff | Arizona State Premiere | The Orpheum Theater
October 11 — Flagstaff | The Orpheum Theater
October 12 — Holbrook | Roxy Theater
October 13 — Winslow | Winslow Theater
October 15 — Kingman | Beale St. Theater
CALIFORNIA
October 23 — San Bernardino | California State Premiere | California Theatre
October 25 — Escondido | The Grand Ritz Theater
November 7 — Los Angeles | Los Angeles Theatre
About the Film
ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA is a feature-length documentary directed by John Paget celebrating the centennial of America’s most legendary highway. Through the stories of entrepreneurs, preservationists, community leaders, artists, historians, and everyday heroes, the film captures the resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit of the people and places carrying Route 66 forward.
Website: www.MainStreetofAmerica.com
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