“Route 66: 100 Years” is not just a book — it’s a time capsule, a chronicle of the American story, and a travelogue rolled into one. Published by Motorbooks, this Route 66 centennial anthology is Jim Hinckley’s 23rd book and quite possibly his most heartfelt. It captures the enduring spirit of Route 66 through the voices of contributors who live and breathe the legend of this iconic highway.

The hum of a neon sign. The warm clink of a coffee cup and buzz of conversation in a roadside diner. The crunch of gravel under the tires in the parking lot. These are more than just memories. They’re mile markers on a road that changed the world. And now, as Route 66 approaches its 100th birthday, a group of authors, historians, photographers, and preservationists have come together to celebrate the journey, the people, and the places that make up The Mother Road.

Preorders are now available, with the book set to be a must-have for Route 66 enthusiasts, historians, and road trip dreamers gearing up for the 2026 Centennial.

A Journey That Began in the Dust and Heat of the Desert

Jim Hinckley’s love affair with Route 66 began not on a book tour or a press trip, but in the summer of 1959 when his family packed up in Norfolk, Virginia, and headed west to Arizona. In 1966, they put down roots near Kingman. They built a home along the pre-1952 alignment of Route 66, Oatman Road. Jim learned to ride a bicycle and later to drive on that old road, cutting his teeth on the curves of Sitgreaves Pass and the wide-open promise of the Arizona desert.

Those early experiences planted the seeds for what would become Jim Hinckley’s America — a multifaceted network to preserve, share, and celebrate the stories that make the great American road trip a living museum. Through hundreds of feature articles, books like The Route 66 Encyclopedia, international presentations, and the weekly Coffee With Jim podcast, Hinckley has built a career on making history engaging, accessible, and inspirational.

Kingman Tours – A Centennial Innovation

Rooted in that passion for storytelling, Hinckley also played a leading role in the creation of Kingman Tours. This innovative, interactive QR code based self guided narrated tour platform brings Kingman’s rich and colorful heritage to life. Developed through a partnership between Kingman Main Street, the City of Kingman, Talisman Magic Marketing, and the Jim Hinckley’s America network, Kingman Tours transforms the historic heart of the city into a living museum and a destination where history is not just seen, but experienced.

Designated an official Route 66 Centennial Project, Kingman Tours is part of the broader effort to prepare Route 66 communities for the 2026 centennial celebration — and beyond.

A Voice for the Road – Coffee With Jim

Another official centennial project under the Jim Hinckley’s America banner is the Coffee With Jim podcast. Hosted weekly on Podbean and also shared on YouTube, the show features conversations with historians, authors, business owners, preservationists, authors, nd the folks keeping the Mother Road alive and relevant. Think of it as a virtual diner booth along Route 66 where stories are told, ideas are shared, and road trip  inspiration is served.

Meet the Voices of Route 66: 100 Years

This centennial anthology. Route 66:100 Years isn’t a solo act. It is a shared adventure. Each contributor brings unique perspective and insight to the book ensuring is is a multifaceted detailed story of Route 66 from its prehistory, its evolution, its renaissance, and even its future.

Cheryl Eichar Jett

A historian with a heart for storytelling, Cheryl is the author of six Arcadia Publishing books and hundreds of articles. She’s a pioneer in documenting the often-overlooked roles of women along the highway and the founder of the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference. With a graduate degree in history, a flair for drama as a playwright, and a deep love for Illinois Route 66, Cheryl’s work keeps the “Mother Road” both grounded and visionary.

Joe Sonderman

A walking, talking encyclopedia of Route 66’s past — especially the tangled threads of St. Louis alignments — Joe has written over a dozen books and maintains an archive of more than 7,500 historic postcards at 66postcards.com. A radio voice in St. Louis and the owner of a 1957 Bel Air, Joe offers readers the magic of time travel — one postcard and mile marker at a time.

Dries Bessels

From Amsterdam, Dries Bessels has made the journey down Route 66 fourteen times as a tour guide. A founding member of the Dutch Route 66 Association and a consulting contributor to the Route 66 Navigation app, Dries brings a global perspective to the American highway. He and his wife Marion are enshrined in the Route 66 Walk of Fame in Kingman, Arizona. This is a testament to their passion and international dedication to preserving the road’s legacy.

Rhys Martin

As President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and a champion of preservation through the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Rhys Martin doesn’t just write about Route 66 — he protects it. His love for the highway and its culture began behind the lens as a photographer. It has since grown into a mission to educate, inspire, and advocate for America’s Main Street. His images and essays are infused with respect for the road and optimism for its next 100 years.

Gregory R.C. Hasman

Gregory Hasman brings the open road to life with a journalist’s pen and a photographer’s eye. From Brooklyn to the Southwest, his stories and photos have graced the pages of the Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico Magazine, and ROUTE. He finds beauty in forgotten places — windblown signs, dusty diners, and the lingering spirit of the travelers who came before. His lifelong love affair with the open road pulses through every page.

A Centennial Anthology With Heart, Humor, and Highway Grit

Route 66: 100 Years isn’t a dry historical recap. It’s a vivid, emotional, and even occasionally humorous tribute to the people, places, and the pavement that have become a rich and colorful cultural tapestry. Each essay, photo, and reflection adds depth to the story — from the trailblazers who broke barriers to the preservationists fighting to keep neon signs glowing.

It’s a book meant to be read with a road atlas open, a mug of diner coffee nearby, and maybe a little Elvis or Chuck Berry playing in the background. It’s perfect for lifelong road warriors, armchair travelers, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of “getting their kicks.”

Celebrating the Next 100 Years

With this book and these initiatives, Jim Hinckley and his fellow contributors aren’t just reflecting — they’re pointing the headlights forward. Whether it’s developing tools like Kingman Tours, spotlighting voices through Coffee With Jim, or writing books that blend memory with history, Jim and his associates are keeping the road alive for the next generation of travelers and dreamers.

So as we roll toward 2026 and the official Route 66 Centennial, Route 66: 100 Years is a reminder that this road isn’t just about where you’re going. It’s about where we’ve been — and who we become along the way.

Preorder your copy today:
📘 Route 66: 100 Years

Listen to stories of the road at www.jimhinckley.podbean.com
Take the tour in Kingman at www.kingman.tours
Explore more at www.jimhinckleysamerica.com
Subscribe on YouTube at Jim Hinckley’s America

“Telling people where to go… and sharing America’s story along the way.” – Jim Hinckley’s America