No, Route 66 is not the same as the Lincoln Highway. While both are iconic and historically significant American roadways, they are entirely distinct in their routes, purposes, and origins.
Two Iconic American Highways
The United States boasts a rich history of road development, with two names often surfacing when discussing the early days of automotive travel: Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway. Despite their shared legacy of contributing to American mobility, they represent different chapters and geographical pathways in the nation's transportation story.
Understanding Route 66
Often called "The Main Street of America" or "The Mother Road," Route 66 was a federally designated U.S. Highway established on November 11, 1926. It stretched approximately 2,448 miles (3,940 km) from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, traversing eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
- Purpose: It served as a primary route for migrants heading west, particularly during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and later became a symbol of freedom, adventure, and the open road for tourists.
- Construction: Like many highways of its era, Route 66 benefited from some federal funding, but its construction and maintenance were primarily handled by the individual states it passed through.
- Modern Status: Today, much of the original Route 66 has been decommissioned from the U.S. Highway System, replaced by the Interstate Highway System. However, many segments are preserved as historic byways, continuing to attract tourists interested in Americana and nostalgia.
Understanding the Lincoln Highway
Predating the U.S. Numbered Highway System, the Lincoln Highway holds the distinction of being America's first transcontinental automobile highway. Dedicated in 1913, it was conceived by Carl G. Fisher and officially spanned over 3,389 miles (5,454 km) from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, California. It crossed 13 states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California.
- Purpose: The Lincoln Highway aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of cross-country automobile travel and promote highway development. It was largely a privately funded initiative by the Lincoln Highway Association, though eventually, state and federal governments took over its maintenance and improvement.
- Construction: While pioneering, early sections of the Lincoln Highway were often unpaved or poorly maintained. Over time, state efforts, similar to those for Route 66, improved the road, turning it into a vital paved route.
- Modern Status: The Lincoln Highway never existed as a single numbered federal highway. Instead, segments of its original path were absorbed into the U.S. Numbered Highway System, most notably parts of U.S. Route 30 (especially in the eastern states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois), along with sections of US 50, US 40, and various state routes.
Key Differences Between Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway
| Feature | Route 66 | Lincoln Highway |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment | 1926 (Federal U.S. Highway designation) | 1913 (Privately conceived auto trail) |
| Primary Purpose | Migratory path, economic corridor, tourist route | First transcontinental auto route, highway advocacy |
| Endpoints | Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA | New York City, NY to San Francisco, CA |
| General Direction | Northeast to Southwest (across the US heartland and Southwest) | East to West (across the US northern/central states) |
| Modern Status | Decommissioned, largely historic byways | Segments absorbed into various U.S. and state routes (e.g., US 30) |
| Construction | Primarily state-built with federal aid | Initially private, later state-maintained |
Geographical Separation
The most significant distinction lies in their geographical paths. The Lincoln Highway traversed the northern and central United States, connecting major cities like Chicago (which it shared with Route 66 as an intersecting point), Omaha, and Salt Lake City. In contrast, Route 66 primarily served the American Southwest, passing through cities like St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, and Los Angeles. While both were critical arteries for cross-country travel, they served different regions and, thus, different populations and purposes.
Historical Context and Evolution
The Lincoln Highway emerged in an era when paved roads were rare, laying the groundwork for the modern highway system. It was a pioneering effort to make long-distance automobile travel a reality. Route 66, on the other hand, was born out of the need for an improved, direct route to the West during a time of increasing car ownership and national expansion, serving as a vital economic link and cultural symbol for decades. Their independent existence and unique contributions underscore their individual importance in American history.
