The Drive Home VII Celebrates Route 66 Centennial Celebration

Most people park their classics when the snow starts to fly, but for a dedicated group of enthusiasts, January 3, 2026, marked the start of the ultimate winter road trip. While the rest of the country was recovering from their vacations, nine vintage vehicles fired up their cold engines at the Santa Monica Pier and embarked on a nine-day, 2,400-mile trek across the country. Dubbed The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure, this wasn’t a trailer queen parade; it was a celebration of America’s most famous highway, officially kicking off its centennial year.

The journey was a partnership between America’s Automotive Trust, the Detroit Auto Show, and the National Route 66 Centennial Commission. The idea was simple but challenging: take historic cars that belong in museums and drive them through real-world conditions like rain, sleet, or snow. The convoy, joined by a rolling band of “privateers” in their own rides, traced the Mother Road’s original pavement east. They stopped at legendary roadside staples like the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino and Roy’s Motel and Cafe in Amboy, supporting the mom-and-pop shops that keep the spirit of the road alive.

Endorsed by the National Route 66 Centennial Commission, The Drive Home VII event shone a spotlight on the towns that were bypassed by the interstates but never lost their soul. Rod Reid, the commission’s chairman, noted that even after 100 years, this pavement still has the power to bring people together. The drive also promoted the new Centennial Preservation Grant program, aiming to funnel much-needed resources back into these communities so they survive for the next century of travelers.

After battling the elements across the Southwest and the freezing Midwest plains, the weary but triumphant convoy reached the official Route 66 terminus in Chicago on January 12. But the engines didn’t cool down there. The fleet pushed on to the Motor City, rolling into Detroit just in time for the Detroit Auto Show on January 14. There, salt spray and all, they will stand as a testament to American resilience, bridging the gap between the chrome-laden past and the future of mobility. It is a reminder that whether you are in a classic ’57 Chevy or a modern Blazer EV, the adventure is always out on the open road.