Route 66 and Hollywood: Movies, TV shows that captured the mystique of the road

(NEXSTAR) — It’s one of the U.S.’ most well-known roads — if not the most known — and one of few highways to capture America’s imagination across the little and big screens.

In honor of its 100th anniversary, here are some of the films and TV shows that have taken inspiration from Route 66, or even been filmed on parts of it.

“The Grapes of Wrath” (1940)

This American classic from Hollywood’s Golden Age adapted John Steinbeck’s beloved novel of the same name. Starring Henry Fonda, the Great Depression-era story follows a group of farming families who’ve been forced from their properties and make way for new opportunities in California. Their road: Route 66.

Master director John Ford filmed on and featured many locations along the “Mother Road,” including areas in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and California. A few specific filming locations include Oklahoma City and Thousand Oaks, in California.

“The Grapes of Wrath” (1940), “Route 66”, “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), “Easy Rider” (1969), “Cars” (2006)

“The Grapes of Wrath,” 1940. (Photo by John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images)

“Route 66”

This CBS crime drama ran from October 1960 until March 1964 and originally followed the adventures and mishaps of two young men, Tod (Martin Milner) and Buz (George Maharis) across America. Unfortunately, the series rarely featured or filmed along the road, despite its name.

The two friends famously traveled around in a Chevrolet Convertible, though the show did not use the company’s infectous 1948 jingle “See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet” as its theme song.

Like many shows of the day, “Route 66” relied on a healthy stable of established and up-and-coming guest stars. A few famous names to drop in include Buster Keaton, Joan Crawford, Robert Redford, Cloris Leachman, and William Shatner.

The series was revived by NBC in June 1993, though only four episodes ever aired.

“The Grapes of Wrath” (1940), “Route 66”, “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), “Easy Rider” (1969), “Cars” (2006)

George Maharis (standing) and Martin Milner in a promotional photo for CBS’s “Route 66” (Credit: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)

“National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983)

One of Hollywood’s favorite families, The Griswolds, took their first big screen adventure along Route 66 en route to the Walley World theme park. The Griswolds’ trip from Chicago to southern California has a few key stopping points, as traced by AAA:

  • Chicago to St. Louis, Missouri
  • St. Louis to Dodge City, Kansas
  • Dodge City to South Fork, Colorado
  • South Fork to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park in Utah
  • Monument Valley to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
  • Grand Canyon to “southern California” (“Vacation” doesn’t specify exactly where Walley World is)

The movie was filmed on-location at multiple real-life sites, including the two parks, and in St. Louis.

“Easy Rider” (1969)

This road drama co-written, directed and starring the late Dennis Hopper, follows two bikers traveling across the U.S. for a major drug deal. One part of the movie was filmed on location at the now-defunct Pine Breeze Inn, a motel that used to operate along West Route 66 in Bellemont, Arizona. While the structure of the motel still stands, having been designated a local historical site, it’s now a campground and RV park.

“The Grapes of Wrath” (1940), “Route 66”, “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), “Easy Rider” (1969), “Cars” (2006)

Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda riding their chopper motorcycles with Luke Askew in a publicity still issued for the 1969 film “Easy Rider.” (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

“Cars” (2006)

While none of this 2006 Pixar hit was “filmed” along Route 66, the world of “Cars” is steeped in Route 66 inspirations and replicas. In fact, the film was inspired by a 2001 family road trip writer/director John Lasseter took along the highway, Lasseter explained in 2006.

The “Cars” team, including Route 66 historian/author Michael Wallis, went on a nine-day research trip (led by Wallis) later that year, as they documented the look and ambiance of various areas and places along the road.

While the film, originally titled “Route 66,” mostly takes place in the fictional town of Radiator Springs, several places featured inside of it are based on actual R66 locations. This includes the Cozy Cone Motel, which was inspired by the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, as reported by independent Disney news outlet Inside the Magic. Meanwhile, the Radiator Springs mountaintop that’s frequently seen in the film is also located in Tucumcari.

“The Grapes of Wrath” (1940), “Route 66”, “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), “Easy Rider” (1969), “Cars” (2006)

The Blue Swallow Motel, located in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Grichka Beysson-Leandri/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

Route 66’s centennial will be marked with dozens of events to celebrate. For more information on Route 66 100th anniversary events visit Route 66 Centennial.

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