Dates
June 7–19, 2026
Sponsorship · The Mother Road Run · 2026
Celebrating America at 250 and Route 66 at 100.
June 7–19, 2026. A cross-country automotive adventure driving historic Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica with classic cars, trucks, creators, and automotive enthusiasts from across the country.
Professionally documented through cinematic media production, daily social content, YouTube episodes, photography, and behind-the-scenes storytelling.
Become a SponsorSponsors
Backed by builders of the road.
Brand partners with deep roots in classic cars and trucks, off-road hardware, lighting, wheels, tires, cooling, and restoration.
About the Event
Two historic milestones, one road.
The Mother Road Run was created to celebrate America's 250th birthday and Route 66's 100th anniversary, both happening in 2026. The event brings together passionate automotive enthusiasts and vintage vehicles to experience America the way it was meant to be seen, through the windshield on the open road.
Over nearly two weeks, participants document the people, the vehicles, the stories, the culture, and the spirit of America. It is a celebration of Americana, automotive culture, freedom, nostalgia, and the historic Mother Road itself.
Route
Chicago / Joliet → Santa Monica
St. Louis · Springfield · Tulsa · OKC · Elk City · Amarillo · Albuquerque · Flagstaff · Kingman · Barstow · Santa Monica · Escondido finale
Vehicles
2004 and older cars and trucks
Participation
25–50 vehicles · 50–100 participants
Daily Activities
- Route 66 cruising
- Historic roadside stops
- Group dinners and meetups
- Scenic photo and video shoots
- Public interactions
- Sponsor activations
- Live content creation
- Real road-trip storytelling
Media Coverage
A full-scale automotive media experience.
The Mother Road Run is being produced with a dedicated production team documenting the entire adventure across cinematic video, photography, drone, and daily social content.
- Cinematic video production
- Professional photography
- Drone footage
- Daily Instagram Reels
- Facebook video coverage
- YouTube Shorts
- Long-form YouTube episodes
- Live social content
- Behind-the-scenes storytelling
Projected Reach
10M+
Impressions across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and short-form platforms
Coverage runs before, during, and after the run, with daily short-form output and long-form recap films designed for evergreen reach.
Why Sponsor
Not advertising. A historic American adventure your brand becomes part of.
Unlike static automotive sponsorships or banner placements, The Mother Road Run creates authentic storytelling and emotional audience connection through real experiences on the open road.
Authentic brand exposure
Your brand inside a real story, not stamped on a banner.
Long-form YouTube integration
Dedicated build segments, sponsor mentions, and product placement woven into episodes.
Professional media assets
Photography, b-roll, and short-form video you can use across your own channels.
Evergreen content exposure
Recap films and photo libraries that keep working long after the convoy parks.
Route 66 Centennial association
Tied to the 100-year milestone of the Mother Road and America's 250th.
Major-brand company
Aligned alongside automotive brands already on the run.
Current Event Partners
Riding with us in 2026.
Title Sponsor
- PEAK
Presenting Sponsor
- Auto Metal Direct
Official Partners
- AMSOIL
- Big Battery
- Belltech
Supporting Partners
- KC HiLiTES
- Vintage Air
- RetroSound Manufacturing
Additional sponsor opportunities are currently available.
Sponsorship Tiers
Three tiers. Pick the level of integration.
Inclusions, category exclusivity, and activation shape are built around each brand. Reach out for pricing and package fit.
Tier 01
Supporting Partner
Reach out for pricing
Automotive shops, builders, fabricators, small businesses, local companies, and enthusiast brands.
- Logo placement on the official event website
- Inclusion in sponsor recognition graphics
- Sponsor tags in select social media content
- Inclusion in sponsor rolls and YouTube descriptions
- Opportunity to participate in portions of the run
- Association with Route 66 Centennial coverage
Tier 02
Featured Supporting Partner
Reach out for pricing
For brands looking for stronger visibility, deeper event integration, and meaningful content exposure throughout The Mother Road Run.
Designed for companies that want to support the event, get their brand in front of the participants and audience, and have their product or business naturally integrated into the story of the run. Ideal for brands that may not be bringing a vehicle for the full event but still want real presence through sponsor placement, content mentions, product visibility, and media assets.
Featured Brand Visibility
- Featured logo placement on official sponsor graphics
- Logo placement on participating vehicles where applicable
- Logo on event signage, flags, lanyards, shirts, printed materials, and select merch where applicable
- Brand listed as a Featured Supporting Partner on the website and event materials
Content & Media Integration
- Sponsor tags throughout select daily short-form coverage
- Up to five YouTube sponsor description credits
- Organic product photography captured during the run
- Organic product b-roll captured during the event
- Access to select media assets featuring your brand or product
- Brand recognition in official event recap content where applicable
Product & Participant Integration
- Include products, samples, flyers, discount cards, or merch in participant swag bags
- Product placement opportunities at select stops, hangouts, or event moments
- Provide giveaway items, participant gifts, or awards
Optional Physical Participation
- Opportunity to physically join the run, attend select stops, or participate in content separately
- Vehicle participation, travel, lodging, and additional creator coverage are not automatically included unless approved or added separately
Best for
- Product companies
- Automotive brands
- Tool companies
- Apparel brands
- Detailing brands
- Parts companies
- Local businesses along the route
- Brands wanting Route 66 exposure
- Brands wanting visibility without managing their own production
Real presence through logo placement, product visibility, sponsor recognition, social exposure, YouTube credits, swag bag inclusion, and select media assets from the event.
Tier 03
Official Partner
Reach out for pricing
Brands looking to become a major part of The Mother Road Run experience.
- Everything in Featured Supporting Partner
- Premium logo placement on primary event vehicles
- Verbal sponsor mentions in YouTube content
- Inclusion across daily reels, shorts, and social coverage
- Dedicated sponsor spotlight content during the run
- Product integration into real-world road trip usage
- Sponsor links included in YouTube descriptions
- High-resolution media package and access to select raw product footage
- Live event and social integration opportunities
- Ability to sponsor specific moments (fuel stop, lunch, dinner, hotel, group activity, route meetup)
Optional Add-Ons
Layer extra coverage on top of any tier.
Dedicated Short-Form Video Package
Reach out for pricingContent produced specifically around your company, product, or activation during the run.
- Dedicated branded Instagram Reel
- Facebook repost
- YouTube Short repost
- Product-focused storytelling
- Direct sponsor integration with brand tagging and CTA
- Organic usage rights
Dedicated YouTube Integration
Reach out for pricingDedicated branded integration within a long-form YouTube episode.
- 60–120 second sponsor segment
- Product integration
- Verbal sponsor mention
- Sponsor links in description
- Brand-focused storytelling
Dedicated Product Media Package
Reach out for pricingFocused product coverage captured during the run.
- High-resolution product photography
- Product installation documentation
- Product-focused b-roll
- Real-world usage content
- Organic marketing usage rights
Podcast Sponsorship
Reach out for pricingSponsor an episode of the Ford Era Podcast during the campaign.
- 60-second live sponsor read
- Sponsor mention in episode description
- Social media tagging
Custom Sponsor Activations
Build a custom integration around your brand.
Custom integrations are available for brands looking to create unique experiences during the event. Custom pricing on request.
- Convoy branding
- Live audience engagement
- Product demonstrations
- Event giveaways
- Meetups
- Brand-hosted experiences
- Media collaborations
Content Usage Rights
Sponsors receive access to select event media for organic marketing use across websites, social media, newsletters, and digital marketing.
Additional paid advertising and commercial licensing rights may be negotiated separately depending on intended usage.
More Than a Sponsorship
Your brand becomes part of the journey, the memories, the friendships, the story itself.
The Mother Road Run is about preserving and celebrating American road culture through the vehicles, people, and stories that keep it alive. Your brand won't simply appear on a banner.
Be Part of History
- 100 years of Route 66
- 250 years of America
- One unforgettable journey
Tell us about your brand, the product, the goals. We'll come back with a shape that fits.
Build a Sponsor PackageSolomon Lunger · Ford Era, Inc.