Chicago Recognises Navy Pier as Starting Point of Route 66

City council resolution moves ‘Route 66’ starting point to Navy Pier

The Chicago City Council has officially designated Navy Pier in southwest lake Michigan as the new eastern terminus of the iconic route 66 highway, which stretches 2,448 miles through eight […]

Historic Route 66 gets new Chicago starting point at Navy Pier

As Route 66 is celebrating its 100th anniversary, the City of Chicago has designated a new starting point for the highway. With Navy Pier, the historic route is set to become a real coast-to-coast journey. On 11 February 2026, 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly introduced a resolution to change the Chicago-based starting point of the historic Route 66. Instead of being situated at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Adams Street, as it has be…

City council resolution moves 'Route 66' starting point to Navy Pier

America's 'Mother Road' has a new beginning. Formally linking the Great Lakes to the Pacific, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution designating Navy Pier as the official starting point of historic Route 66.

Chicago recognises Navy Pier as starting point of Route 66

The City of Chicago has formally recognised Navy Pier as the starting point of the iconic Route 66, an historic American highway that is turning 100 this year and for which a series of celebrations have been planned all along the 4500-km-long route that goes all the way from Chicago to Santa Monica in Los Angeles in California. Brandon Johnson The decision to move the starting point to Navy Pier, a key district of the city centre, was announced …

Rewriting History: Chicago Makes Navy Pier the New Starting Point of Historic Route 66 - The Bulkhead Seat

As Route 66 approaches its 100th anniversary, the City of Chicago is preparing to celebrate the legendary highway by moving the starting point to a tourist hotspot in hopes of raking in more money. To mark the centennial of one of America’s most iconic roads, Chicago will formally recognize Navy Pier as the official starting point of Route 66. I’m not sure how this can just be moved by a proclamation. The dedication ceremony, celebrating the roa…