By Alex Bradford Cobb | Published: 7/1/26 | Last updated: 7/1/26

Route 66 turned 100 in 2026, and the whole country is paying attention to the Mother Road in a way it hasn't in decades. For most businesses on the route, the Centennial is a moment to capitalize on. For Uranus — which has been sitting at 14400 State Hwy Z, St. Robert, Missouri since 2015, welcoming road-trippers off I-44 — it's more personal than that. We didn't grow up near Route 66. We grew up on it.

Here's what the Centennial means, what's happening along Missouri's stretch of the Mother Road this year, and how Uranus fits into all of it.

What Is the Route 66 Centennial?

Route 66 was officially established on November 11, 1926 — making 2026 its 100th anniversary. The highway runs 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, passing through eight states and some of the most iconic American landscapes and roadside attractions ever built.

The national celebration kicked off in Springfield, Missouri — widely recognized as the birthplace of Route 66, where on April 30, 1926, officials first proposed the now-famous highway name for the route linking Chicago and Los Angeles. A formal dedication ceremony took place at Birthplace Plaza at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and St. Louis Street, marking the precise time and location where the telegram proposing the name "U.S. Route 66" was sent to federal highway officials.

The kickoff wasn't a quiet affair. Events included the National Route 66 Centennial Parade on May 1, a Classic Car Show on Historic C-Street on May 2, Artsfest, the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge Dedication, and a Telegraph Ball. The festival featured concerts, classic cars, and community gatherings celebrating the culture that grew along America's most famous highway.

And that was just the opening act. The Centennial runs all year.

What's Happening in Missouri in 2026

Missouri has more Route 66 miles than any other state, and the Centennial programming reflects that. A few highlights:

The State Historical Society of Missouri's Route 66 traveling exhibit is making its way across the state all year. For the month of July the exhibit will be on display at the St. Louis Public Central Library, and later through the Missouri Department of Tourism at the Missouri Route 66 Welcome Centers in Webster County.

On the second Thursday of every month, the State Historical Society of Missouri is hosting a free online series telling the stories of people and places in Missouri that helped make Route 66 into a national icon. It's a Route 66 Centennial Certified Project and worth bookmarking if you're planning a trip.

The Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission has been funding events and signage across the state all year. The Commission provides reimbursable sponsorship funding to eligible organizations and businesses whose events exhibit positive tourism and economic development along Missouri's Route 66 alignments.

For the full Missouri event calendar, the most current listings are at celebratemo66.com and the official Route 66 Centennial events page.

Uranus on the Mother Road

Uranus sits on the original Route 66 alignment through Pulaski County — the same road that carried soldiers, migrants, road-trippers, and families west for a century. The Mother Road didn't bypass us. We're on it.

Uranus Fudge Factory was born on Route 66 in 2015 where a previous establishment had existed since 2000, continuing on the spirit of adventure that comes with the Mother Road. When we started, it was just a small store, and now it's an entire village of attractions with a whole world built in the Uranus Universe.

What the Centennial has meant practically: there is more traffic this year, more road-trippers stopping in, and specific Centennial-related events and promotions. At some points in the day, the Uranus General Store is standing-room only!

"In May, a couple drove the full length of Route 66 for the Centennial and made Uranus their Missouri lunch stop. They told us they'd been planning the trip for three years."

Why the Centennial Matters for Route 66 Towns

The attention that comes with a centennial doesn't last. Road trips along Route 66 are up in 2026 — significantly! — and first-time visitors who come for the Centennial have a way of turning into repeat visitors. The towns that show up for them this year build relationships that last past January 2027.

For Uranus, that means we're open and ready for the wave of visitors!

The Mother Road has always rewarded the places that take it seriously. We've taken it seriously since day one.

Plan Your Route 66 Missouri Stop at Uranus

Address: 14400 State Hwy Z, St. Robert, MO 65584 Hours: Open daily 8 AM – 9 PM From I-44: Take Exit 161, head down State Hwy Z. Phone: 833-487-2687

If you're building a full Missouri Route 66 itinerary, see our guide to the 15 best Route 66 stops in Missouri Uranus is on the list, alongside 14 other stops worth your time.

For the full scope of national Centennial events, the official resource is route66centennial.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Route 66 turn 100? Route 66 was officially established on November 11, 1926, making 2026 its 100th anniversary. The national Centennial celebration launched in Springfield, Missouri on April 30, 2026.

Where did the Route 66 Centennial celebration start? Springfield, Missouri — the birthplace of Route 66, where the highway's name was first proposed via telegram on April 30, 1926. The national kickoff ran April 30 through May 3.

Is Uranus on Route 66? Yes. Uranus is located at 14400 State Hwy Z, St. Robert, Missouri, on the original Route 66 alignment through Pulaski County, just off I-44.

What Route 66 Centennial events are happening in Missouri? Events are running throughout 2026, including the State Historical Society's traveling exhibit, monthly online history talks, and local events in communities along the route. The most current listings are at celebratemo66.com and route66centennial.org.

How long is Route 66 in Missouri? Missouri has the longest stretch of Route 66 of any state — approximately 317 miles, running from St. Louis to Joplin.

Will Route 66 Centennial events continue past 2026? The centennial year is 2026, and the keyword interest for Centennial programming will peak this year. Some legacy programming and infrastructure improvements will continue, but if you're planning a Centennial-specific trip, 2026 is the year to do it.

Alex Bradford Cobb is a strapping young man who works for the Mayor in a semi-legal indentured servitude arrangement, similar to how Dubai was built, and possibly the pyramids. What works, works, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.