The Detroit Auto Show Among First to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 with ‘The Drive Home VII: Route 66’ - Driving the Entire Length of the Cross-Country Road!
Route 66 has become a highway that many travel and automotive enthusiasts are familiar with, even if just for its significance to United States history. One of the original highways to be used in the US Numbered Highway System, it was established on November 11th, 1926 with road signs in place the following year.
Several events, as well as movies, tours, even just some friends on spirited drives, have enjoyed the many unique characteristics of Route 66. In 2026, the cross-country road will celebrate 100 years of use, and the Detroit Auto Show is among the first to honor it with ‘The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure’ by traveling the entire length of the road.
Sick the Magazine is READY for a solid 2026, as we will host FIVE events, four of them as a major week-long drag and drive event! Make plans to join us at one (or more) of our events: Gear Vendors Overdrive Sick Week, Motion Raceworks Sick Summer, Driven Racing Oil Sick Michigan Miles, Edelbrock Sick 66, and Speedfest. For more information and details, visit the Sick The Mag events page by CLICKING HERE!
Route 66 runs from Chicago, Illinois, through the states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before finally ending in California, specifically Los Angeles County, and covers a total of 2,448 miles.
The Detroit Auto Show, together with partners America’s Automotive Trust and the National Route 66 Centennial Commission, started their “once-in-a-lifetime cross-country drive celebrating the 100th anniversary of the legendary Route 66” in California. The somewhat rainy beginning was held on Saturday, January 3rd, at the Santa Monica Pier.
Each day, the Detroit Auto Show will highlight some of the stops / attractions on social media, and we have the first two days below. Some of the vehicles that complete the California to Illinois trek will be showcased at the Detroit Auto Show, held from January 14th through the 25th.
If Route 66 and this kind of trip peak your interest, how about adding some drag racing to the mix, and several hundred rides making the trek on a section of Route 66? That’s the Edelbrock Sick 66 event, planned for September 27th through October 3rd, 2026.
If you want one of those coveted competitor or Sick Ward spots, your first step is to fill out an Expression of Interest Form by CLICKING HERE! Don’t wait too long though; general registration will take place on February 14th, 2026.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Detroit Auto Show / America’s Automotive Trust.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com