ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A new documentary celebrating the legacy and future of Route 66 is coming to Albuquerque this fall as part of a nationwide roadshow marking the highway’s 100th anniversary.
“Route 66: The Main Street of America,” a feature-length documentary by award-winning filmmaker John Paget, will screen at the historic KiMo Theatre on October 1 and 2. The Albuquerque screenings are part of a cross-country tour that begins September 1 in Chicago and travels more than 2,400 miles through all eight Route 66 states.
The film explores the communities, businesses and individuals working to preserve and reinvent the iconic highway for a new generation. According to organizers, the documentary highlights everything from restored gas stations and diners to revitalized Main Streets and roadside attractions that continue to draw travelers from around the world.
Following the October 1 screening, Paget and several people featured in the film will participate in a live question-and-answer session, giving audience members an opportunity to discuss the road’s history and future.
Mayor Tim Keller said Route 66 remains an important part of Albuquerque’s identity.
“The story of Route 66 keeps evolving. Every new perspective reminds us why it continues to bring people together and how important it is to Albuquerque,” Keller said in a statement.
The documentary has been designated an Official Project of the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission and comes as communities across the country prepare to celebrate the highway’s centennial in 2026.
The “Main Street of America Roadshow” will include more than 40 screening events across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
General admission tickets for the October 1 screening are $18, while tickets for the October 2 matinee are $10.
