Highway 66 (B) Chapters 11-15

Highway 66 (or U.S Route 66) is a major U.S. highway created in 1926. The west end of the highway merges into U.S 101 Santa Monica, California,  and the east end starts from U.S 41/54 in Chicago, Illinois. The entire highway covers 2,448 miles, with 432 of them in Oklahoma. Route 66 was the main route of travel for those migrating to California during the Dust Bowl, in which the Joad Family is involved in Grapes of Wrath. Later on in the 1950s, Route 66 became the ideal route for those traveling to vacation in Los Angeles. Its prominence in pop culture can be seen in many songs written during the time period. It is also known for other famous landmarks, such as the first McDonalds restaurant built in 1940 in San Bernadino, California off of Route 66, and became a popular spot for travelers to dine.

Route 66 is significant to the Joad family and migrants in general because not only did it provide a route to California, but also symbolized the emotional journey that one must take in the process of leaving your home behind to start a new life.