The Remarkable, Amazing Stories of Route 66 Reflect the Twists and Turns of 100 Years of Americana
From There's More to That by Smithsonian Magazine
April 23, 2026 · 35 min · Season 2 · Episode 26
About this episode
This episode chronicles the history and significance of Route 66 over the past century in America.
The famed Route 66 has had many lives . It emerged in an era when cars were new but roads were dangerous and intended for horses. But there were those who imagined a highway that would connect the cities of the Midwest to the West Coast — and Route 66 was born. During the Great Depression, the roadway helped migrants find their way to new jobs in the West. During World War II, it facilitated the transportation of munitions and armaments en route to the Pacific theater. Later, it became a busy thoroughfare for Americans wanting to explore their country. Storefronts, towns, gas stations, cafes and much more grew up along its edges. Then, as major interstates became the main byways for traveling Americans, Route 66 fell into obsolescence, becoming more a time capsule than roadway. Today, some of those roadside stops still exist, catering to tourists seeking a dose of unvarnished Americana. This episode chronicles the origin of the federal interstate system and how Route 66 fits into that history — before the massive tangle of highways and roads we know today were paved and packed with traffic. To subscribe to “There’s More to That,” and to listen to past episodes about an…
Topics covered
- Route 66
- American history
- transportation
- migration
- interstate system
- tourism
Keywords
- Route 66
- American history
- Great Depression
- World War II
- interstate system
- tourism
- migration
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Smithsonian Magazine
Places: Route 66, Midwest, West Coast, Pacific theater
More episodes of There's More to That
- A Photographer's Glimpse Into the Dwindling World of the Cascade Red Fox · April 9, 2026 · 32 min
- The Real Story Behind Abigail Adams' 'Remember the Ladies' Letter · March 26, 2026 · 32 min
- Venomous Snakes Represent a Serious Public Health Problem. Scientists Are Biting Back With a Groundbreaking Antidote · March 12, 2026 · 28 min
- How to Fit 250 Years of American History and Culture Into One Map · February 26, 2026 · 30 min
- The Tragedy of the Alps’ Disappearing Glaciers for Those That Live, Visit and Ski There · February 12, 2026 · 28 min
- A Stunning Escape From Slavery Told on Tattered Pages · January 29, 2026 · 30 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the There's More to That podcast page.