Route 66 Turns 100: Marriott Bonvoy Launches App Feature to Enhance Iconic Roadtrip
The Mother Road turns 100 this year. For the centennial anniversary, dozens of organizations paying homage to the iconic highway are launching road trip itineraries and parties to celebrate the occasion.
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's loyalty and rewards program, is also joining the party, with a new feature in its app dubbed "Road Trip Search," to help those looking to make the trek from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, as comfortable as possible.
What Is 'Road Trip Search'?
"Road Trip Search" makes traveling Route 66 a breeze.
From Chicago to Santa Monica, the app helps travelers:
• Identify hotels directly along Route 66, including boutique and lifestyle stays
• Filter for preferences such as pet-friendly accommodations
• Build custom itineraries using the Road Trip Planner
• Manage bookings and access everything on the go
Related: Route 66 Turns 100: Discover the Ultimate Road Trip One Boutique Hotel at a Time
For example, travelers heading through Arizona can stay at Trailborn Grand Canyon in Williams, AZ, a boutique, design-forward stay just off Route 66 and a gateway to the Grand Canyon experience; a hotel that prides itself in helping travelers rediscover America's beauty without having to rough it.
In essence, Marriott Bonvoy's app feature takes the guessing out of planning the perfect road trip.
But no great road trip is ever set in stone. Spontaneity is a pillar of any great road trip, and no one knows that better than Peggy Roe, Marriott International's Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer.
"Road trips work best when you don't have to choose between structure and spontaneity. Travelers want both -- a sense of direction and the freedom to adjust as they go," Roe tells Men's Journal. "The Marriott Bonvoy app is designed with that in mind, making it easy to see what's ahead, find the right stop at the right moment, and book without breaking the flow of the trip."
In the app, click on "Where can we take you?" and then on "Road Trip." A "Route 66 (US Southwest) option is among the most popular road trips in the app, alongside an "Overseas Highway" trip to the Florida Keys, or cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California.
After clicking "Route 66," travelers can select start and end dates and the road trip's origin. A 12-day road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica, for example, brings up a variety of hotels with different price points along or near Route 66.
If you're lucky, you might find yourself in Oklahoma City and stay at The National, a landmark building constructed in 1931 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city also offers an underground network of tunnels that covers more than 20 square blocks, a must-visit that should be included on any itinerary.
"[The app] brings a bit more intention to the journey," Roe says, "without taking away the sense of discovery that makes it worthwhile."
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM.