The United States Postal Service has marked the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with a new set of eight stamps celebrating one of America’s best-known roads.
The 2,448-mile route runs across the United States and has drawn photographers, travellers and road-trip enthusiasts for generations. The new stamps were commissioned from photographer David J. Schwartz, who has spent two decades documenting the highway.
The stamps highlight features from each of the eight states Route 66 passes through, according to the report.
Route 66 opened in 1926 and became a symbol of the American road trip, linking towns, cities and landscapes from Illinois to California. Known as the “Mother Road”, it later inspired books, songs, films and tourist businesses that still trade on its name.
Stamp issues often serve as miniature national markers, and this release taps into that sense of memory and place. By featuring scenes from all eight states, the postal service has turned a transport route into a commemorative collection aimed at collectors and fans of Americana.
Schwartz’s involvement also underlines the long visual history of the road. His work has focused on the changing face of Route 66, from faded diners and motels to stretches of highway that continue to attract visitors seeking a classic American journey.
The anniversary comes at a time when heritage tourism remains strong in the United States, with travellers increasingly drawn to roads and landmarks that offer a sense of nostalgia. Route 66 continues to be promoted by local communities along the corridor, many of whom rely on visitors following the historic path.
The eight-stamp series gives the postal service a way to reach both collectors and casual buyers while tying the launch to a major anniversary. It also adds to the wider revival of interest in Route 66, which remains one of the country’s most recognisable travel icons.
For many travellers, the road represents more than a route from one state to another. It is a piece of cultural history, and the stamps aim to capture that status in a format that can be collected, displayed and shared.
