Illustrated map of Route 66 by Megan McKean
I’ve been singing ‘get your kicks… on Route 66’ for the last week, while working on this illustrated map… It’s a hard one to shake when deep in research! I drove Route 66 back in 2014, and to this day it remains one of my favourite holidays, and the most incredible road trip. While I technically did it backwards (starting in Los Angeles, then heading east through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma - then a slight detour further out to Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky - before coming back into Missouri and Illinois!) It was the most wonderful time, soaking in the (remaining) novelty-shaped buildings and landmarks, neon signs, and perfect mid-century kitsch Americana!
2026 marks the centenary of Route 66, formally commissioned in November 1926. What better time than a special birthday to make a new illustration celebrating the Mother Road?! I loved going through my holiday photos from Route 66 (many of them very heavily Instagram-filtered) and researching other iconic inclusions - and a few spots that I’ll just have to save for next time I make it Stateside for another all-American vacation!
Icons of Route 66, by Megan McKean
