Cyrus Stevens Avery ( 1871 â `` 1963 ) was known as the `` Father of Route 66 '' . He created the route while a member of the federal board appointed to create the Federal Highway System , then pushed for the establishment of the U.S. Highway 66 Association to pave and promote the highway . In 1927 , Avery pushed for the creation of the U.S. Highway 66 Association to promote paving U.S. 66 and promote travel on the highway .