John Paget, director of ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA.
The feature-length documentary by John Paget honors the lasting communities and everyday champions who keep the Route 66 narrative alive.
My hope is that this film inspires people to see Route 66 as a story still being written.”— John Paget director of ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICACHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, July 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A century after Route 66 first linked communities nationwide, a new feature-length documentary invites viewers to explore the individuals and locales that sustain its legacy.
ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA, a documentary from award-winning filmmaker John Paget, launches its Roadshow on September 1, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois—the original starting point of Route 66. This traveling premiere will traverse more than 2,400 miles across all eight Route 66 states, ending in Los Angeles, California, on November 7, 2026.
The Main Street of America Roadshow will deliver the film directly to the towns that define Route 66. Every stop will feature a screening followed by live discussions with Paget and individuals highlighted in the film, giving audiences a chance to engage with the stories influencing Route 66 today.
ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA offers a centennial snapshot that journeys down the Mother Road, showcasing a contemporary resurgence. From quirky roadside attractions to rejuvenated downtowns, each encounter reveals communities discovering fresh vitality and purpose—creating new history—proving that the most meaningful trips often happen on less traveled paths.
Delve into the depths alongside deep-sea divers in a desert oasis. Meet a family in Luther, Oklahoma, working to restore one of the earliest Black-owned gas stations in America. Get acquainted with a couple who figured it was time to craft bourbon in a town named Bourbon. Spot trees built from bottles. And explore a ghost town that surprisingly turned into a flower farm.
Whether you have traveled Route 66 or only dreamed of it, this film transports you to encounter the everyday heroes reviving motels, diners, theaters, souvenir shops, filling stations, a prison, and a steam train—quirky landmarks and hidden treasures—bringing them back to life. An absorbing, heartfelt depiction of this American icon emerges, filled with humor, warmth, and discovery.
“Route 66 has always been about more than pavement—it’s about people,” said John Paget, director of ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA. “Route 66 is not simply about what has been preserved. It’s about what people are still building. In every town, we met people who believe history is more than something to remember—it’s something that inspires what comes next.”
As Route 66 observes its centennial, the film looks past nostalgia to examine the resilience, creativity, and resolve of the individuals carrying America’s Main Street ahead.
“My hope is that this film inspires people to see Route 66 as a story still being written,” said Paget. “The next chapter will be shaped by the people who believe these places—and these stories—still matter.”
Designated an Official Project of the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, the film has earned backing from national and community organizations devoted to preserving, celebrating, and promoting The Main Street of America.
Bill Thomas, Chair of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and Commissioner for the Route 66 Centennial Commission said, “One of the greatest challenges facing Route 66 isn't preserving its past—it’s inspiring the people who will protect its future. This documentary does both.”
Rhys Martin, Preserve Route 66 Manager for the National Trust for Historic Preservation said, "Route 66 has always connected people and communities, so it's fitting that this documentary will be experienced the same way—one town at a time. Following every screening, filmmaker John Paget and folks featured in the film will hold live Q&A sessions where people can share their own memories, perspectives, and hopes for the future.
"When the road celebrates 200 years, people won't just want to know the road's origin story—they'll want to know how people engaged with it at this historic moment. The roadshow will capture that living history while reminding audiences that every generation has a role to play in the future of Route 66. That's what makes this such a special project; it's not just preserving what's come before but inviting the public to become stewards of the road's ongoing story."
2026 Route 66 Centennial Roadshow
The ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA Centennial Roadshow will bring the documentary directly to the communities that have shaped the history—and continue shaping the story—of Route 66.
Beginning September 1 in Chicago and concluding November 7 in Los Angeles, the Roadshow will feature more than 40 screening events across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
Confirmed premiere events include:
September 1 — Global Premiere at The Art Institute of Chicago
September 11 — Missouri State Premiere at Hi-Pointe Theatre
September 18 — Oklahoma State Premiere at Circle Cinema
September 25 — Texas State Premiere at Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts
October 1 — New Mexico State Premiere at KiMo Theatre
October 10 — Arizona State Premiere at The Orpheum Theater
October 23 — California State Premiere at California Theater
November 7 — Centennial Roadshow Finale at Los Angeles Theatre
Additional community screenings will take place throughout the Route 66 corridor.
For the complete screening schedule and ticket information, visit: www.MainStreetofAmerica.com
Notes to Editors:
About the Film
ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA is a feature-length documentary directed by John Paget celebrating the centennial of America’s most legendary highway. Through the stories of entrepreneurs, preservationists, community leaders, and everyday heroes, the film captures the resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit of the people and places carrying Route 66 forward.
Gemma Long
Gem PR & Media, Inc.
+1 217-210-1589
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Instagram
Facebook
