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| Midpoint of Route 66 |
Route 66 is a historic route that stretches throughout the entire United States. Starting in Chicago, Illinois and ending in Los Angles, California, this endless road helped migrate many of the farmers and population wanting to move west during the Great Depression in hopes of a better life. It has a length of 2,448 miles and became a popular driving spot after the hit single "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" debuted. However, as the Joads traveled this significant part of history, they did not have the technology or resources to cross it easily.
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| Route 66 throughout the entire U.S. |
President Eisenhower was no yet in administration so he did not start the project of federal highways and roadway systems. This made it much harder to travel since much of the road in the 1930s was not paved and if it was it included many potholes or cracks. In addition this road created a mom-and-pop type of business where a sharp rise came to service stations, restaurants and hotels along the route.
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| Many of the service stations on Route 66 |
On day 1 of the trip they start on El Reno, Oklahoma which further underscores their part in the mass migration of people that moved west, otherwise known as the Okies. Then by the second day they reach Amarillo, Texas and spend the night there. However, by Day three their car breaks down unfortunately, causing them to rethink their dreams of a perfect California and the journey leaving them unscathed. Fortunately there are some people that pass by on the road going to and from the west that pick them up and let them hitch a ride to the next town.
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| A pitstop/service station |
This road was not a good one for the Joads for it caused them much trouble regarding their car and the loss of their dog and family member. It seems as if the dream of moving west to the "land of grapes and oranges" was not as glamorous as once thought.
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