Route 66's centennial celebrations launched Saturday at Santa Monica Pier with The Drive Home VII caravan, featuring nine vintage vehicles embarking on a cross-country journey to Chicago and Detroit's Auto Show. The event, partnering with The Road Ahead Partnership, Downtown Santa Monica Inc., and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, began at the iconic "End of the Trail" sign before proceeding to Mel's Drive-In at Lincoln and Olympic boulevards—Route 66's official western terminus.
"Route 66 holds a very special place in the story of Santa Monica," said Misti Kerns, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism President/CEO, welcoming road trippers worldwide to commemorate a century of exploration.
Bill Thomas, Route 66 Centennial Commission Chair, called the launch "the first official project on the Centennial Calendar," celebrating the Mother Road's spirit connecting communities across eight states. Detroit Auto Show representatives Sam Klemet, Todd Szott, and Lincoln Phillip joined Thomas for the kickoff.
The caravan marks the first of numerous Route 66 Centennial activities planned throughout 2026, celebrating America's automotive heritage and the legendary highway's preservation. Visit route66centennial.org and santamonica.com/route66 for more information.