Route 66 turns 100. And travelers are planning the ultimate road trip.

The most iconic highway in the country reaches its centennial this year – and travelers are ready to celebrate with an epic road trip.

Also called The Mother Road, Route 66 stretches almost 2,500 miles and spans eight states, beginning in Chicago, Illinois, and ending in Santa Monica, California. Established in 1926 as a way to connect isolated, rural communities, Route 66 captures a nostalgic era of Americana, one filled with neon signs, diners and classic cars.

As the country also celebrates its own birthday this year – its 250th to be exact – many travelers are interested in taking their own Route 66 road trip, with interest in the famous highway on Tripadvisor surging by 20% year-over-year, according to the travel platform. Road trippers can make pitstops at historic sites and quirky landmarks, like the 66-foot-tall soda bottle at Pops 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia, Oklahoma.

To help travelers create their own Route 66 road trip itinerary, Tripadvisor's in-house creative studio Wanderlab partnered with Choice Hotels International to recently launch an interactive guide to the best stops along the famous highway, called Century of Route 66.

"Route 66 is one of the most iconic ways to experience America – its small towns, local businesses, classic diners and historic landmarks," said Steve Paganelli, vice president of global media and partnerships at Tripadvisor, in a statement to USA TODAY.

Here's how to plan your Route 66 road trip on Tripadvisor and Choice Hotels' new map.

Plan your Route 66 road trip

The Century of Route 66 map highlights the best pit stops in each of the eight states along the highway, plus nearby Choice Hotels for a seamless travel experience. Travelers can browse Tripadvisor maps, pick which attractions stand out to them, and find nearby accommodations.

"Our team selected points of interest that capture each state's unique Route 66 character from its storied past to its vibrant present," Paganelli said. "Every recommendation, from historic landmarks and those wonderfully quirky roadside stops to iconic diners and convenient stays, earned its place through exceptional Tripadvisor ratings from travelers who've made the journey."

Here are the guides for each state:

• Illinois - Giant roadside attractions like the world's largest ketchup bottle and space-themed Gemini Giant kick the road trip off on a high note.
• Missouri - Travelers can cross the historic Chain of Rocks bridge over the Mississippi River and explore underground cages.
• Kansas - This 13-mile-long slice of Route 66 offers a glimpse into history, including 1920s roadside stores and a massive coal-shoveling machine that pays tribute to the state's mining history.
• Oklahoma - Home to the largest stretch of the highway, Oklahoma has no shortage of museums and attractions, like a round-shaped barn and a giant blue whale.
• Texas - Some of the most iconic Route 66 stops are located in Texas, like the famous Cadillac Ranch of spray-painted cars.
• New Mexico - The southwestern state's iconic neon lights, diners and eccentric small towns are almost the epitome of Route 66.
• Arizona - Vast, natural landscapes of red rocks and pine forests make Arizona one of the most picturesque parts of Route 66.
• California - Travelers wrap up their trip at the Santa Monica Pier, but not before making some worthy pitstops in the Golden State.

"Our goal was to have something for every type of road tripper, centered on the experiences that travelers consistently rave about," Paganelli added.