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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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  • Neon signs at night display "Motel St. Louis," "Motel," "Garage," and "Welcome to St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park" along a sidewalk.

    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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