Route 66: The Mother Road

This series explores every mile of America’s most famous highway – the stories, iconic landscapes, unusual roadside attractions, kitsch and history.

Season 1

Episodes

Episode 1
The Mother Road
America’s Historic Route 66 -- The Mother Road – she’s almost more legend than anything else. But, what IS The Mother Road exactly? In this episode, we start our journey in Chicago, Illinois and begin to unravel the history of how she came to be, hitting up a pupu platter of classic Route 66 roadside attractions along the way: Lou Mitchell’s, The Route 66 Hall of Fame, The Route 66 Experience and culminating at Springfield, Illinois’ International Route 66 Mother Road Festival.
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Episode 2
The Giants of Route 66
Among the many roadside attractions you’ll find on your Route 66 journey, the “Muffler Men” or “Giants” of the Route are among its most beloved. As the Route grew to become a commercial highway, so did the creativity of how businesses enticed travelers to visit. Enter “3D Advertising” and the birth of Route 66’s iconic sentinels selling everything from tires to hot dogs. In this episode we explore a number of famous Giants in Illinois including the largest collection along the Route at the American Giants Museum.
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Episode 3
Quirk & Kitsch on 66
As the saying goes, “get your kicks on Route 66” but we believe it should be “get your kitsch on Route 66.” Quirky roadside attractions add a whimsical twist to any road trip and America’s Historic Route 66 is a treasure trove of these beloved pit stops. In this episode in Illinois, we’ll explore an old prison built by its prisoners, a classic road side drive in serving up corn dogs (that aren’t really corn dogs) and load up on souvenirs at an antiques mall before we make our way into Missouri.
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Episode 4
It’s Electric
On this episode of Route 66 - The Mother Road, we cross the state line from Illinois into Missouri along Route 66 where we discover the charm of the Show-Me State. For the next 300 miles we’ll be crossing Missouri east-to-west. As we’ll soon discover, Missouri might just be the reason why Route 66 is also known as the “Electric Highway.”
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Episode 5
Arts & Craftsmen of the Route
Route 66 has served as the unlikely muse for many. She’s inspired countless songs, provided an audience for artworks large and small, served as the backdrop for films and spun a number of tales over the years. On this episode of Route 66 - The Mother Road, we’ll spend some time appreciating these, in some cases, very unusual creative endeavors as we drive through Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas!
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Episode 6
New Mexico’s Retribution Road
Route 66 is filled with the stories and lore of many different cultures along its 2000-plus miles. As we cross into New Mexico on this episode of Route 66 - The Mother Road, it’s clear she’s got one heck of a ride in store for us as we drive the original alignment of Route 66 up to Sante Fe and then down to Albuquerque. The original alignment was changed in 1937 and became known as The Retribution Road. Join us to hear more about this tall tale!
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Episode 7
Cultural Crossroads in New Mexico
New Mexico is home to 23 indigenous tribes. Relics of the Old West dot the landscape. Spanish and Mexican traditions live on in places like Albuquerque. New Mexico’s rich cultural heritage is unlike anywhere else along Historic Route 66. In this episode of Route 66 - The Mother Road, we’ll dig into some of those experiences as we make our way West from Albuquerque.
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Episode 8
Arizona & The Whimsical West
Arizona’s coming in hot with a collection of unique, unusual and downright funky iconic Route 66 attractions. We’ll uncover the truth behind the mysterious black and yellow jackrabbit signs; drive thru the Jurassic past and even get inspired by a big green tiki head. If your motto is “for the plot!” join us as we begin our journey in Arizona on this episode of Route 66: The Mother Road.
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Episode 9
Stay to Play
Accommodations are an important part of any road trip and Route 66 has some of the most iconic roadside motels and unique stays in America. From “getting away from it all” in a retro camper to staying in a palatial historic hotel, if you’re looking for memorable getaways that add a little extra spice to your epic American adventure, this is the episode for you as we journey through Arizona on Route 66 - the Mother Road.
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Episode 10
Relics of the Wild West
Bandits, cowboys and a general sense of lawlessness was romanticized in post-Civil War era America and enticed many to chart their course for the notorious Wild West. At the center of this expanse was Arizona Territory, known for its ruthlessness but also as a path out of the aftermath of the Civil War. The American Western Frontier’s enduring allure of freedom, opportunity and discovery is much like the lasting mystique of Historic Route 66. In this episode of Route 66 - the Mother Road, we’re fixin’ to saddle-up and explore some of the sites where these two eras crossover as we continue our journey in Arizona where Route 66 meets the relics of the Wild West.
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Episode 11
The Nature of Route 66
As we’ve seen along this journey on Route 66 human ambition follows the shape of the land, and history follows close behind. Mother Nature, while not the central hero per se of the story of the Mother Road, has always been a supporting character. We’ve spent so much time talking about the kitsch, the neon, the giants, the quirk, the history, the culture, the arts, the eats on this adventure... we haven’t had a chance to pay hommage to how nature plays a role in shaping landmarks along Historic Route 66. Admittedly, we’re going to take that theme and be somewhat liberal in how we define “influenced by nature” but, hey, it’s route 66, baby. And we’re truckin’ along on our last few hundred miles in California on this episode of Route 66 The Mother Road.
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Episode 12
Old West Meets Old Hollywood
Throughout our journey on Historic Route 66, you may have noticed another mode of transportation running parallel to us – yep, that’s right, the railroad. That might seem like a coincidence but the symbolism is hard to miss. Two modes of transportation running side-by-side, one representing the past and one representing the future. In this episode, as we cross into California in our last few hundred miles on Route 66, the Old West meets Old Hollywood; the intersection of the former Western Frontier and a Glamorous Free Future.
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Episode 13
The End of the Route
This is it gang. The end of the road. The final stretch. We may be nearing the end of our adventures on historic Route 66 but there’s still more to explore as we roll into our final destination. In this episode we’ll make a pit stop in Rancho Cucamonga, get our game on in Pasadena before exploring our final destination – Los Angeles. Let’s go!
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