Keeping Route 66 Thriving: The Role of the Road Ahead Partnership

When you think of the organizations working to save and promote Route 66, one name you need to know is the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership.They aren’t restoring old gas stations themselves or hosting parades — their role is even bigger: bringing everyone together to protect the future of Route 66.

🛣️ Who They Are

Formed in 2015 with the support of the National Park Service, the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is a national nonprofit that works to unify and advocate for Route 66 stakeholders — from small-town businesses and local governments to preservationists and tourism promoters.

Their mission?✅ Preserve the road’s history.✅ Promote Route 66 to travelers around the world.✅ Enhance the economic development of communities along the route.

🏆 Recent Ways the Road Ahead Partnership Supports Route 66

• Advocating for National Historic Trail DesignationOne of their biggest efforts has been pushing for Route 66 to be named a National Historic Trail — a designation that would bring federal recognition, funding, and protections for the road. They’ve rallied support at both the state and national levels.

• Grant Programs and Funding AssistanceThe Road Ahead Partnership helps communities tap into grants and funding to restore historic properties, launch local festivals, and improve signage and wayfinding along Route 66.

• Organizing National and Local PartnersThey bring together businesses, non-profits, tourism boards, tribal organizations, and government agencies to collaborate on Route 66 preservation and promotion projects.(Think of them like the “connector” making sure everyone is rowing in the same direction.)

• Heritage Tourism and Economic DevelopmentBy supporting studies and programs that show the financial value of Route 66 tourism, they help small towns secure the resources they need to invest in their historic stretches of the highway.

• Route 66 Centennial PlanningWith the 100th anniversary of Route 66 coming up in 2026, the Road Ahead Partnership is coordinating planning efforts across all eight states to ensure the centennial is a major celebration — and a major boost for the communities along the route.
  

🌟 Why Their Work Matters

The magic of Route 66 isn’t just in the past — it's still alive today. But it needs vision, leadership, and collaboration to survive for future generations.That’s where the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership shines.By advocating nationally, organizing locally, and creating opportunities for funding and development, they are building a future where Route 66 isn’t just remembered — it’s experienced, enjoyed, and loved.

Follow On The 66 for more Route 66 news, grant opportunities, and centennial celebration updates! 🚗🎉