Travelers Commemorated Historic Route 66 Centennial

International enthusiasts crossed Oklahoma this year using tractors and classic sports cars to honor the iconic highway.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Car Culture

Screen-print poster illustration of a vintage tractor on an open road, evoking the nostalgic spirit of Route 66's centennial celebrations. — International travelers have turned to antique tractors and classic sports cars to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in Oklahoma. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you enjoy taking a cross-country road trip to celebrate a historic anniversary?

As Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, international travelers have navigated Oklahoma in unique convoys. The cross-country journey features both a group of Porsche 911 owners and a team of 21 travelers piloting tractors.

Why it matters

These commemorative trips highlight the enduring cultural legacy of Route 66 as it reaches a historic milestone. The slow-moving tractor convoy serves as a reminder of the highway's roots in American transit and tourism.

The tractor group consists of 21 travelers, four tractors, and two support RVs, covering roughly 95 miles per day. The group maintains a top speed of 25 mph and consistently concludes their daily drive at 4 p.m.

The players

Porsche

An iconic German manufacturer of luxury sports cars known for high-performance engineering.

The details

The tractor group, composed of friends and family from Switzerland, operates as a self-contained convoy to manage the slow pace of their machinery. Meanwhile, the Porsche group continues a tradition of organized road trips dating back to 2018, utilizing paper maps rather than digital navigation to traverse the route from Wisconsin to Southern California.

2018: The Porsche group began organizing road trips.
2026: Route 66 celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Sept 9: The tractor group planned to reach Santa Monica.

The Home Front

The centennial of Route 66 marks a milestone for the historic corridor, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for automotive tourism. Such events often drive increased interest in regional hospitality and roadside preservation along the state's historic stretches.

If you live along or near historic travel routes, expect higher concentrations of slow-moving classic vehicles and tourist traffic throughout the year. Local residents should plan for potential travel delays when encountering vintage convoys and consider visiting local landmarks like the Arcadia Round Barn.

The takeaway

The Route 66 centennial serves as a reminder of the highway's unique role in global automotive history. Residents planning local commutes should remain aware of potential tourist traffic and slower convoy speeds on major corridors.