Route 66 is a legendary highway stretching between Chicago and Los Angeles. For nearly a century, it’s been a conduit for dreams and a road where adventures begin. From the whispers of history to the laughter of the present, these Route 66 quotes capture the spirit of America's most iconic highway.
Route 66, often called the Mother Road or Main Street of America, is more than a mere highway. It symbolizes hope, freedom, adventure, and the American Dream. This iconic road, stretching 2,000 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, has inspired hope in refugees fleeing the Dust Bowl and captured the hearts of travelers from all walks of life. Its storied path through the heartland of America is a journey through time, culture, and landscapes that have defined a nation for nearly a century.
Traveling this famous road reveals many contrasts as each mile tells a story. You’ll see golden plains, snow-capped mountains, and barren desserts. The path will alternate between well maintained and all but abandoned. You’ll find modern amenities, restored gems, and dilapidated icons.
From rustic diners to neon-lit motels, Route 66 embodies a unique slice of Americana. It’s a road that has inspired songs, movies, and books — each capturing the essence of this legendary route in its own way. As you explore the allure of Route 66, consider the words of famous authors, the humor of renowned personalities, and the historical perspectives that have shaped this road’s legacy.
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Have You Explored Route 66?
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Inspiring Route 66 Quotes
When you travel this famous road, each twist and turn brings unique inspiration. These quotes reflect the dreams of travelers heading west on America’s most celebrated highway and the timeless allure of road-trip adventures.
“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”
— Jack Kerouac
“Look for chances to take the less-traveled roads. There are no wrong turns.”
— Susan Magsamen
“Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to take.”
— Angela N. Blount
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Some beautiful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost.”
― Erol Ozan, author
“There is an unspoken splendor when driving in the dead of night on an empty road. You lose yourself with nothing but your thoughts and the endless glint of stars above.”
— H.S. Crow
John Steinbeck Quotes About Route 66
John Steinbeck, the famous author who immortalized Route 66 in his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath, viewed this road as more than just pavement and signs. To Steinbeck, Route 66 was a lifeline, a “Mother Road” symbolizing hope for those escaping the Midwest during the Dust Bowl era. His poignant words capture the essence of the road’s history and the dreams of those who traveled it in search of a better life.
“Highway 66 is the main migrant road.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
“66 – the long concrete path across the country, waving gently up and down on the map, from Mississippi to Bakersfield – over the red lands and the grey lands, twisting up into the mountains, crossing the Divide and down into the bright and terrible desert, and across the desert to the mountains again, and into the rich California valleys.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
“66 is the path of a people in flight, refugees from dust and shrinking land, from the thunder of tractors and shrinking ownership, from the desert’s slow northward invasion, from the twisting winds that howl up out of Texas, from the floods that bring no richness to the land and steal what little richness is there.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
“66 is the mother road, the road of flight.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
“And 66 goes on over the terrible desert, where the distance shimmers and the black center mountains hang unbearably in the distance.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
“At last there’s Barstow, and more desert until at last the mountains rise up again, the good mountains, and 66 winds through them.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
“The people in flight streamed out on 66, sometimes a single car, sometimes a little caravan.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
“The concrete road shone like a mirror under the sun, and in the distance the heat made it seem that there were pools of water in the road.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
“They pulled it to the side of 66 and waited.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
“Cars limping along 66 like wounded things, panting and struggling.”
— John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath
Funny Route 66 Quotes
While Route 66 has its moments of historical gravity and poignant reflection, it also offers a lighter side, full of humor and whimsy. From quirky roadside attractions to the unexpected joys of the journey, these funny Route 66 quotes capture the road’s unique charm and character.
“Sometimes there’s a tackiness about Route 66 that out-tacks any tackiness I’ve ever seen anywhere else. And the Meramec Caverns are the pinnacle of that tack.”
— Billy Connolly
“Oh, I can picture myself rattling along Route 66 on that thing, headphones on, singing along to ZZ Top’s ‘Sharp Dressed Man’ or the opening line from ‘Born to be Wild’ by Steppenwolf – ‘Get your motor running…’ The trike brings out that in all of us, which is no bad thing. Forget Viagra, get yourself a trike!”
— Billy Connolly
Route 66 Quotes with a Historical Perspective
For nearly a century, each car rumbling down the Mother Road has helped contribute to the stories and events shaping America’s past. Route 66 is steeped in history, and the reflections in this section provide a deeper understanding of the road’s role in shaping the American experience, from its heyday to its evolution in modern times.
“The spirit of Route 66 is in the details: every scratch on a fender, every curl of paint on a weathered billboard, every blade of grass growing up through a cracked street.”
— John Lasseter
“So we helped save the town and a little bit of America Route 66.”
— Angel Delgadillo, American barber and business owner dubbed the “guardian angel” of Route 66
“Route 66, the Mother Road, right through the center of town.”
— Jeanne Menesse, mayor of Oatman, Arizona
“Route 66 was as Steinbeck immortalized the route of flint and all the hardship during that time, of people trying to go somewhere for a better life. This was the path they took.”
— Paul Snyder
“Well, I’m a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
And such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin’ down to take a look at me”
— Take It Easy by the Eagles
“This highway, if you just think about it, is peppered with hope, it is peppered with tears.”
— Angel Delgadillo, American barber and business owner dubbed the “guardian angel” of Route 66
“The sad truth is, John and I and the kids only took Route 66 once on our trips to Disneyland. Our family, like the rest of America, succumbed to the lure of faster highways, more direct routes, higher speed limits. We forgot about taking the slow way.”
― Michael Zadoorian in The Leisure Seeker
“Highway 1 could be today’s Route 66 with a view.”
― Diana Hollingsworth Gessler in Very California: Travels Through the Golden State
Lyrics to (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66
Embarking on a ten-day journey from Pennsylvania to California, American songwriter Bobby Troup found his muse in the rolling landscapes and the rhythm of the road. The result? The iconic rhythm and blues song, “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.” First brought to life by the smooth tones of the Nat King Cole Trio, this melody became a symbol of the open road and the adventures that lie on Route 66.
Over the years, legends like Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Chuck Berry, Willie Nelson, John Mayer, and many more have added their unique flair to this classic tune. As you read the lyrics, you’re sure to appreciate how this song captures the spirit of one of America’s most storied highways, resonating with travelers and music lovers alike through the decades.
If you ever plan to motor west
Travel my way, take the highway that is best
Get your kicks on Route 66
It winds from Chicago to LA
More than two thousand miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66
Now you go through Saint Looey
Joplin, Missouri
And Oklahoma City is mighty pretty
You see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona
Don’t forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino
Won’t you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66
Get your kicks on Route 66
Get your kicks on Route 66
— “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” by Bobby Troup
Route 66 Captions for Instagram
To help you make the most of these Route 66 captions, I’ve provided a little context for the puns.
Amarillo — A city in the Texas panhandle along Route 66 known for attractions like Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch — A quirky art installation along Route 66 near Amarillo, Texas
Catoosa — An Oklahoma town near Tulsa that is home to a famous Route 66 roadside attraction
Chicago — As the starting point of Route 66, Chicago holds historical significance, marking the beginning of the journey through America’s heartland
Circle Inn — A classic motel along Route 66 in Bourbon, Missouri
Dog House — Known for its appearance in the TV series Breaking Bad, the Dog House in Albuquerque is a Route 66 staple
Litch — A nickname for the town of Litchfield, Illinois, which is a key stop on Route 66, known for its historical sites like the Ariston Cafe, one of the oldest operating restaurants on the route
Motels — Motels are synonymous with Route 66, providing travelers with unique, often themed lodging experiences that capture the essence of the road’s heyday
Neon Lights — Neon lights are a hallmark of Route 66, illuminating its path and giving life to its cities and towns, symbolizing the golden age of American road trips
Pacific — The endpoint of Route 66 at the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, California
Rocking Chair — The World’s Largest Rocking Chair, located in Fanning, Missouri, is one of many roadside attractions along Route 66
Tucumcari — Known for its historic motels and neon signs, Tucumcari, New Mexico, epitomizes the nostalgic charm and vibrant roadside culture of Route 66
Vega — A small town in Texas along Route 66
Whale — The Blue Whale of Catoosa is an iconic Route 66 attraction in Oklahoma
Winona — A town along Route 66 in Arizona imortilized in the song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”
And now on to the captions…
- A Route 66 road trip is always a good idea
- All you need are wide open spaces
- Always take the scenic route
- Can you be more Pacific?
- Chasing sunsets into neon lights
- Circle Inn the wagons
- Cruisin’ down memory lane
- Cruisin’ down the road of American dreams
- Current road trip mood
- Discovering hidden gems
- Doing my best to stay out of the Dog House
- Drive it like you stole it
- Driving down Route 66, feeling historically hip
- Driving music on
- Every stop tells a story
- Every turn a new adventure
- Exploring the heart of America
- Filling life with experiences
- Finding my route to happiness on 66
- Finding myself on the open road
- Follow the historic brick road
- Getting my kicks on Route 66
- Going places I’ve never been
- Going the extra mile
- Having a wheel nice time
- Here’s the Amaril-low on our trip so far
- If the chair’s a-rockin’, don’t bother knockin’
- It’s time to Chica-go on our Route 66 adventure
- I’ve got a whale of tale to tell
- Just standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
- Keeping my eyes on the road ahead
- Kicking up some highway dust on the Mother Road
- Life’s a Litch
- Life is a highway
- Making memories
- Miles and miles of smiles
- Mmmmmm-my Winona!
- My heart is on the open road
- Never kiss and motel
- Not all who wander are lost
- Old roads, new memories
- On the road again
- One amazing mile at a time
- Riding into the sunset on America’s favorite highway
- Road trip hair, don’t care
- Road trip mood: on
- Road tripper for life
- Road trips aren’t measured in miles but in moments
- Route 66: Cruising the road less traveled
- Route 66: More than a number
- Route 66: Navigating America’s Main Street
- Route 66: Not just a road, but an experience
- Route 66: The mother of all road trips
- Route 66: The original road trip
- Route 66: The road that whispers tales of the past
- Route 66: Where every mile tells a story
- Route 66: Where history and adventure collide
- Route 66: Where the trip is the destination
- Shake your Catoosa
- Shotgun!
- Shut up and drive
- Snacks ✅ Friends ✅ Music ✅
- Taking a brake
- Taking the long way home
- Taking the scenic route…always
- The Mother Road is calling
- The most famous highway in the world
- There are no wrong turns
- Tucumcari tonight!
- Waking to a sunrise on America’s favorite highway
- Wanderlust and Route 66 dust
- What happens in Vega, stays in Vega
- Windows down, music up
- Winslow down to admire the view
- With Cadillac Ranch on the side, please
- You drive me car-azy
Have You Explored Route 66?
Have you traveled the legendary Route 66 and played a part in its ongoing story? Share your favorite Route 66 memories, tips, and experiences with me in the comments section below.
2 thoughts on “Get Your Kicks with These Route 66 Quotes and Captions”
I’ve heard about Route 66 but this post makes me appreciate its significance even more. My siblings are planning a trip there real soon!
This is the inspiration I needed for my next road trip! Thanks for these fun quotes on Route 66 (-: