This week we are going to talk about one of the most revered highways in America, Route 66, and why you should make plans to travel along America’s Highway from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif.

Today’s guest is Jim Hinckley, one of America’s foremost historians on Route 66, and the creator of Jim Hinckley’s America travel network.

It is a multimedia project dedicated to “telling people where to go” by celebrating small-town life, vintage Americana and the joy of road trips across the United States.

For decades, Jim has been sharing stories about the Mother Road through his books, videos, website and popular “Coffee with Jim” podcast.

He’s written 23 books, including “Route 66: 100 Years,” a centennial anthology that chronicles the past, present and future of America’s most famous highway.

His work reaches hundreds of thousands of fans each month across multiple platforms, all united by a love of adventure and the open road.

In this conversation, Jim explains how Route 66 — officially decommissioned as a U.S. highway in 1985 — continues to thrive as an international symbol of freedom and exploration.

He shares fascinating stories about the road’s origins, its many realignments, and the quirky landmarks that have made it a living time capsule of 20th-century Americana.

You’ll also learn how the route inspired travelers around the world, from Europe to Japan, to fall in love with the Great American road trip.

After hearing about Jim’s passion for Route 66, it’s easy to understand why the “Main Street of America” remains one of the most beloved travel experiences in the world.

More than just a road, it’s a journey through living history where people can enjoy a collection of small towns, mom-and-pop diners, neon motels and nostalgic roadside attractions that capture the spirit of a bygone era.

Traveling the route offers something for everyone, such as breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture, and a direct connection to the pioneering spirit that shaped modern America.

Whether you explore the 13-mile stretch through Kansas, wander through Arizona’s old mining town of Oatman, or cross Missouri’s historic Devil’s Elbow bridge, you’ll discover that Route 66 is as much about the people as the pavement.

Jim encourages travelers to start planning their own experience with resources like the Route 66 Navigation App and the “EZ66 Guide” by Jerry McClanahan.

Jim’s own website offers stories, maps, photos and travel tips designed to help you get the most out of your trip. You can find it at www.JimHinckleysAmerica.com.

So before the centennial celebration begins, pack your camera, fill your tank and get ready to get your kicks on Route 66.

Because, as Jim likes to say, it’s not just a road; it is America’s longest small town. And there’s no better way to experience its history than behind the wheel of your own great adventure.

That’s all for this week’s show. Now that summer is over, undoubtedly you have made some great travel memories or worked at some wonderful jobs. Why not tell everyone about your experiences as a guest on The Workamper Show podcast.

I encourage you to schedule an interview with me at www.workampershow.com.

We’d love to hear about your Workamping experiences, how you got started RVing, and what you love and dislike about the RVing lifestyle. Help others explore all the different ways to live this great lifestyle by sharing your story.

If you are an employer of Workamper, then we invite you to be on the podcast, too. Share all of the details of your Workamping jobs in a future episode. It only costs a little bit of your time.

Schedule an interview with me today by going to www.workampershow.com. You’ll find the schedule buttons at the bottom of the home page.

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