Take a Drive on Route 66 With Google Arts and Culture

Take a Drive on Route 66 With Google Arts and Culture

Explore Route 66 in a new way with Google Arts and Culture. This interactive experience lets you tour landmarks, browse history, and plan a future trip across America’s Mother Road without leaving your screen.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

November 14, 2025

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Route 66 has inspired travelers for nearly a century, yet most people have only seen fragments of it. 

What if you could explore the entire road with vivid detail from your phone or laptop? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Drive on Route 66 With Google Arts and Culture.

Google Arts and Culture gives you that chance with a curated, interactive project that pulls together stories, photos, and locations along the historic highway.

This digital experience turns an iconic American drive into something anyone can explore at home, at school, or on the road.

Feature Explanation

Google Arts and Culture’s Route 66 Project is an immersive, multimedia collection dedicated to the full length of Route 66. 

It includes high-resolution images, historical notes, virtual tours, maps, and stories from museums and preservation groups along the route. 

It works in any modern browser and in the Google Arts and Culture app for iOS and Android.

The platform lets you browse landmarks, read about communities, view vintage photographs, and jump into 360-degree street scenes of notable stops. 

The value comes from having a curated overview rather than random search results. 

Everything is organized into collections that highlight culture, travel, and historical significance.

For home users, it is a beautiful virtual road trip. 

What You’ll Gain

• Explore Route 66 landmarks from any device.
• Learn the history behind towns, diners, motels, and attractions.
• Prepare a real world road trip itinerary using visual previews.
• Access curated multimedia without searching across multiple sites.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Microsoft Web/Desktop

1. Open a modern browser such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
2. Visit the Route 66 Project: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/route-66
3. Scroll to browse collections such as landmarks, museums, and stories.
4. Select any item to open a full page view.
5. Use the left sidebar to navigate to 360 degree tours, maps, or related exhibits.
6. Save screenshots of landmarks if you want to build a travel plan.

fig. 1 - Route 66 - Google Arts and Culture

iOS

1. Install the Google Arts and Culture app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and search for “Route 66.”
3. Tap the Route 66 project tile.
4. Swipe through categories to explore images, stories, and virtual tours.
5. Tap the share icon to save a link or send a feature to friends or students.

Android

1. Install Google Arts and Culture from Google Play.
2. Launch the app and enter “Route 66” in the search bar.
3. Select the Route 66 project.
4. Explore collections or use the Explore tab for specific landmarks.
5. Use the built-in zoom controls to examine archival images closely.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Rich visual content useful for teachers, travelers, and history fans.
• Cross-platform experience works on nearly any device.
• Curated content reduces time spent searching for reliable information.

Cons

• No turn by turn trip planning built in.
• Image resolution varies depending on museum or partner source.
• Some locations offer limited 360 degree coverage.

Feature Access

• The Route 66 Project is available at no cost. 
• It runs on the Google Arts and Culture website and mobile apps. 
• The content is globally accessible. 
• Some sections may update over time because museums continue to add materials. 
• There is no subscription tier required.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

The tool offers a deep, curated experience without cost.

Usability 8

Simple navigation on all platforms, though occasional loading delays occur with large media.

Wow Factor 9

High resolution images and 360 degree tours create an impressive digital journey.

Total: 26/30  🌟 Excellent

A polished way to explore one of America’s most iconic roads, especially compared to standard map searches.

Key Takeaways

• Google Arts and Culture turns Route 66 into a multimedia experience you can explore anywhere. 
• It helps you learn, plan, and connect with the history of the highway. 
• Whether you teach, travel, or just love classic Americana, the project is worth saving to your bookmarks.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Google Route 66 Project.
• Platform(s): Web, iOS, Android, Windows 11.
• Quick Benefit: Explore historic Route 66 landmarks, stories, and virtual tours.
• Access Type: Free.

Try It Yourself

Explore the full Route 66 Project today and save your favorite landmarks to build your own virtual road trip. 

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

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