The famous highway originally ran from Chicago , Illinois , through Missouri , Kansas , Oklahoma , Texas , New Mexico , Arizona , and California , before ending at Los Angeles , encompassing a total of 2448 m. The highway , which became one of the most famous roads in America , originally ran from Chicago , Illinois , through Missouri , Kansas , Oklahoma , Texas , New Mexico , Arizona , and California , before ending at Los Angeles , covering a total of 2448 m. It was recognized in popular culture by both a hit song ( written by Bobby Troup , originally recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio in 1946 , and later performed by such artists as Chuck Berry , The Rolling Stones , The Manhattan Transfer and Depeche Mode ) and the Route 66 television show in the 1960s .