Route 66 100th Anniversary

31 July

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!