Illinois Public Radio

Statewide: The last days of Route 66

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Sean Crawford

Published August 13, 2026 at 5:26 PM CDT

Back in 1984, the final stretch of U.S. Route 66 in Arizona was bypassed by an interstate. The Mother Road officially became a ghost road the following year.

As Route 66 was in its final days, the Kitchen Sisters traveled the historic highway and produced a documentary. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, we listen back.

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