In the 1940s and ’50s, Route 66 was one of America’s most popular highways, driving business to small towns from Chicago to Santa Monica. But today, the road and its people have been largely forgotten. Ghost towns, empty motels, and abandoned gas stations line its path. Chief correspondent Abby Narishkin grew up along the road. In celebration of its 100th anniversary, she drove down the old route herself to visit the people and businesses still keeping this Americana legacy alive.
00:00 – Intro
01:44 – Ted Drewes
05:34 – Rise of Route 66
07:43 – The Blue Swallow Motel
10:17 – Tucumcari Car Show
12:33 – Fall of Route 66
14:23 – Glenrio Ghost Town
17:53 – The Big Texan Steakhouse
21:12 – 72-oz. Steak Challenge
25:49 – Midpoint Cafe
27:25 – Why Route 66 Matters
33:03 – Credits
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#route66 #americana #roadtrip #highways #usroadtrip #bigbusiness
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Also read “A day in the life: I live and work in Antarctica at 60 years old”: https://bit.ly/4z6GaaF
And “I’ve been to all 50 states. Everyone should visit these 10 at least once”: https://bit.ly/4zbykwH
Terrible job this time folks
What a nice piece of filmmaking. Good work Abby and crew, and kudos to whoever came up with the idea to do this for Business Insider.
It’s so heartening to see these business owners fighting to keep the history of the ‘Mother Road’ alive. The dedication at places like the Blue Swallow Motel and Midpoint Cafe really highlights what makes American road trips so special.
that old USA are the best
How old is this lady like 45 already 😮
Route 66 of white America only right
And not a hairnet in sight at the Big Texan 🤣
I will soon drive this route! Hopefully next summer! 😍
That Texas steakhouse owner seems like a genuine, good dude. Frankly, everyone in the video seems great. I hope all their businesses do well. It’s a shame that the govt defunded Route 66. I love the idea of each town being unique instead of filled strictly with cookie-cutter, chain restaurants and hotels.
“Get your kicks, on route, 66!”
What stayed with me is that Route 66 didn’t die because people stopped caring, it died because the highway moved and left whole towns behind. The Big Texan’s pivot to I-40, and then building an audience online so it no longer depends on any single road, is a masterclass in adapting. Happy 100th to the Mother Road! 🔥
This is the BEST episode of the year🥳
Surprised El Reno OK and the Onion Burger was left out of this video.
The interstate detail is the real turning point here, because the same road that built small towns was bypassed by a faster system that no longer needed them. The survivors like Ted Drewes and the Blue Swallow Motel show that nostalgia alone is not enough, since each one still had to give travelers a reason to stop. With the centenary bringing fresh attention, do you think Route 66 can turn that attention into lasting business for these towns, or will it fade again once the anniversary year passes?