Back in 1965, ( I was 15 years old) My parents and I drove nearly the entire length of Rt 66 from LA to Springfield, Ill where we turned East toward Ohio, W. Va, Pa and eventually, NJ.
We were in my father's white 1959 Buick Invicta. My father drove all the way. We actually drove from La Puente, California, to Newark NJ. We did some sight seeing on the way. Nearly all of the drive between California and Ohio was 2 lane road, but, it opened up coming through many of the cities, and parts of 66 back then were 4 lane divided highway.
Remembering back 50 years, I recall the Will Rogers Turnpike being part of 66. It was a new road back then and was 4 lanes. So was the PA Pike.
The first night out we spend in Flagstaff, AZ. The second night was in Albuquerque, then Amarillo, then Oklahoma City, Then St. Louis ( the arch was still under construction then), Columbus Ohio, and then finally home in Newark.
I've made a number of trips out west, since, but mostly on the interstates. Last time was about 4 years ago. I-40 to Albuquerque, N.M. We jumped off a few times to visit some of the old places on Rt. 66 in Amarillo, and visited "Old Town" in Albuquerque. Spent Christmas Eve there, in fact. It was a wonderful celebration. Also took advantage of the Hot air balloons there.
Needless to say, traveling across the country on the Interstates is quicker,, more direct, but also far more 'antiseptic", than traveling the US highways. Many of those old roads don't even exist any longer. Some, like 66 still remain in bits and pieces between towns, and are essentially tourist traps within the towns themselves, and that's a piece of Americana that will never return.
In today's world, being at your destination quickly is what counts, only just 50 years ago, getting there was the adventure.
My wife and I still take road trips, Texas, Ohio, NJ, NM, KY. Ca, presently we're planning on a cross country drive. Heading north out of Ga. up through the the Mid Atlantic states, and into New England and into Canada. Skirting along the boarder between the two countries, and up into Alaska. From there down to the US west coast, of Washington State and Oregon and heading back into Utah, Ks, Mo, and then turning south and heading home.
Presently looking at 10 weeks. to do it. Probably in the summer of 2016.
