Which 1946 song by Bobby Troup became a famous musical tribute to U.S. Route 66?

Bobby Troup’s 1946 song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” became a famous musical tribute to U.S. Route 66.

Troup wrote the song after traveling west by car with his first wife, Cynthia, and shaped the lyrics around cities and landmarks along the highway. The song invites listeners to travel the route from Chicago toward Los Angeles and helped turn Route 66 into a pop-culture symbol.

Nat King Cole recorded one of the best-known early versions, and many later artists performed it. The song’s title is commonly shortened to “Route 66,” but its full title includes the phrase “Get Your Kicks on.”

It is not the same song as “Take It Easy,” which mentions Winslow, Arizona and is associated with a different musical story.