Posted on 11/21/2025
Springfield is where the Mother Road made history, and in August, the city turns that history into a living, rolling celebration. Classic cars line the streets, neon flickers on warm nights, and every block downtown hums with music, food, and Route 66 stories. If you are planning a pilgrimage for the Route 66 Centennial, our guide provides you with the local playbook, allowing you to spend less time searching and more time soaking it all in. Why Springfield Is the Place to Be in 2026 The centennial buzz concentrates in and around downtown, where the streets close for show vehicles, stages, and vendor rows. What makes Springfield special is how compact everything feels. You can park once, walk to major displays, slip into shaded museums when the afternoon heat peaks, then step back out for the evening cruise. The College Street corridor, the historic alignment, becomes a magnet for photos, conversations with owners, and that unmistakable rumble of old-school V8s mix ... read more