Celebrating Route 66

Today’s video Doodle takes you on the ultimate American road trip, a journey along the historic Route 66. The iconic highway, known for its retro diners, quirky motels, eclectic art installations and extraordinary landscapes, connects Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. On this day in 1926, the name “U.S. 66” was first proposed for the cross-country route.

Built during the start of mass car ownership in 1926, U.S. Highway 66 made cross-country travel affordable for the first time ever. It also served as an escape route for displaced families during the Dust Bowl. When severe dust storms ravaged the Great Plains in the 1930s, more than 200,000 refugees got on Route 66 to pursue a better life out West. Among these drivers was John Steinbeck, who traveled along Route 66 during this time to seek inspiration for The Grapes of Wrath. 

When the American economy stabilized after World War II, Route 66’s popularity surged. Millions of travelers drove through the highway to witness awe-inspiring sites—like a 50,000-year-old meteor crater in northern Arizona, and graffiti-laden Cadillacs buried nose-down in Amarillo, Texas. 

Although Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985, after five new interstate highways replaced it, many organizations campaigned to preserve the road to honor its historical significance. As a result, parts of Route 66 were preserved as State or National Scenic Byways. Travelers today can still find many original establishments from the heyday of the historic highway.

Today's video—set to the classic music track "Route 66" by Bobby Troup—celebrates the cultural significance of one of America’s first national highways, and how it became a symbol of a changing nation. 

Honk if you love Route 66! 

Doodler Q&A with Matthew Cruickshank

During the 2,400+ mile road trip along Route 66, Doodler Matthew Cruiskshank developed more than 100 paintings and sketches to create today’s animated video Doodle. Below, he shares his personal experience traveling down Route 66 and the making of this Doodle:

Q. Tell us a bit about your creative process. How did you decide on the artistic style and approach for the Doodle? 

A. I’ve always loved sketching outdoors. Sketchbooks provide a useful source of reference & creative freedom to artists. I set out to create an animated sketchbook of my journey complete with u-turns and artistic meanderings.

Q. What was your favorite stop along Route 66? You can only choose one!

A. Unfair!! Exploring New Mexico would be right up there. You can still see a stretch of La Bajada, a once infamous and treacherous part of the road in which old cars only had the power to climb it in reverse!

Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A. That life in the slow lane can be incredibly worthwhile from time to time!

Learn more about Matt’s experience and how you can use Google Maps to navigate the must-see spots along Route 66.
 

Cadillac Ranch, Texas (IRL!)

created in 1974 by Charles Lord, Hudson Marquez, and the late Doug Michaels, known collectively as Ant Farm.

Cadillac Ranch, Texas (Doodle Artwork)
 

A few of the 100+ paintings and sketches that were created for today’s Doodle

Route 66 Doodle Team

Art Lead & Creative Director | Matthew Cruickshank

Business Affairs & Partnerships | Madeline Belliveau

Producer | Colin Duffy

Engineering | Jacob Howcroft

Marketing | Perla Campos, Sierra Menzies

Additional Video Footage | Mike Dutton

Senior Contracts Manager & Music Legal | Joy Edgar

Doodle Team Leads | Jessica Yu, Brian Kaas