Get your kicks on Route 66

Summary

Marketplace Morning Report — "Get your kicks on Route 66"

Date: April 6, 2026
Host: David Brancaccio

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Episode Overview

This episode uses the historic Route 66 as a lens to capture a "3D" snapshot of the U.S. economy in its centennial year. Host David Brancaccio embarks on a road trip—traveling from Chicago to Southern California—exploring economic divides, technology’s impact, small-town realities, and cultural nostalgia. Along the way, he encounters local residents, historic landmarks, and cross-cultural tourism, all set against the backdrop of America's shifting economic landscape.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Economic Headlines (01:07)

• Crude Oil: Price down 1% at $110.50/barrel after OPEC's slight increase in production; impacts limited due to international tensions (U.S.–Iran war).
• Stock Market: S&P Futures are flat, up 0.03%.
• GDP Reports: A revised economic growth report is expected later in the week.

"[OPEC] did agree Sunday to slightly increase pumping to perhaps calm prices. Yet many countries can't increase because of the U.S.–Iran war."
— David Brancaccio (01:11)

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2. Setting Off on Route 66 (01:30–04:18)

• Vehicle Choices: Ride begins in a Waymo robotaxi, continues in a classic Oldsmobile 442 (gas), a Chevy Volt (hybrid), and mostly in a 2026 Rivian all-electric SUV.
• Santa Monica: The trip starts here, a city at the forefront of economic and technological change—home to industry giants like Skydance (recent acquirer of Paramount) and Activision Blizzard. Also, a place marked by extreme economic inequality.
• Route 66’s Cultural Legacy: Route famed for the 1930s Dust Bowl migration and immortalized in classic Americana music and nostalgia.

"This is Route 66 right here, right? ... The robot turns onto a stretch of 66 called Santa Monica Boulevard in a city at the sharp end of the coming economic transformation."
— David Brancaccio (01:58)

• Historical Reflection: In San Bernardino, the route's legacy as a corridor for Dust Bowl migrants is noted amid modern kitsch.

"Nearly erased from that company’s official history is 66 as the root of the 1930s mass migration carrying desperate families fleeing the environmental disaster of the Dust Bowl."
— David Brancaccio (03:27)

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3. Life in the High Desert: Job Scarcity & Tourism (06:09–09:12)

• Wigwam Motel Stay: David overnighted at a classic "concrete cone" room on Route 66.

• Interview with Matt Parker (Baghdad Cafe, Newberry Springs, CA):

  • Physical Decay & Authenticity:

  "The patina on this building is for real. It’s earned. It’s not painted on, it’s not fake." — Matt Parker (06:23)

  • Lack of Employment Opportunities:

  "When I give rides home from church or something like that... I've never said these words, 'So what do you do for a living?' Those are just words I’ve never put together." — Matt Parker (06:45)

  • Local Economy: Cafe survives mostly on tourism; currently limited services while seeking permission to serve food again.
  • Surprising Market: French tourists are a major customer group, influenced by the film Bagdad Café (1988).

• Bagdad Café’s Influence on Tourism:

  • Quoting a line from the movie (Maggie Smith voiceover at 07:13).
  • International nostalgia draws visitors ("If you buy the tourist package in France... this is on it." — Matt Parker, 07:36).

• Post-Dust Bowl Economic Development:

  • BNSF Railway Project: The area may become a logistics hub with a major railway-to-truck freight facility, potentially creating thousands of jobs if international commerce remains steady.

"The BNSF Railway is now building along 66 east of here. The biggest railway to truck freight facility in the country. It promises thousands of direct jobs if world trade still calls for such a complex in this era of tariff-induced reverse globalization."
— David Brancaccio (08:05)

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4. Amboy: Roadside Resurrection & Modern Survival (08:30–09:12)

• Roy’s Motel and Café: Abandoned motel, no hot food in the café, but features a thriving soda business (including unusual flavors like pumpkin soda) run by Ms. Nicole.
  • Customer Base: Primarily international tourists, especially Italians—enough to warrant multilingual signage.

"We have hundreds of people easily a day. Easily."
— Ms. Nicole (08:40)

• Amboy as a “Weirdness” Destination: People visit for the relics—a deserted school, church, and even a half-corporate jet behind the property—underscoring Route 66’s decline after Interstate expansion.

"It boomed until about 1972 when the Interstate came through and they said it dropped down to about 2% of the traffic overnight."
— Matt Parker (09:12)

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5. Looking Ahead: The Future of Route 66 and the Economy (09:25)

• Upcoming Episode Preview: Next, David visits a campus touting “the year of AI empowerment,” hinting at a closer look into the future-facing edges of the American economy.

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6. Personal Note & Host Transition (09:25–09:57)

• David Brancaccio’s Announcement:
• He shares that this is his final week as host of Marketplace Morning Report after 13 years, with plans to stay in another role at American Public Media.

"I want to let you know that I’m moving to a new beat here at Marketplace, and after more than 13 years, this is my last week as host of the Marketplace Morning Report."
— David Brancaccio (09:25)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• David Brancaccio (on Route 66’s mix of technology and nostalgia):

  "A mix of kitschy nostalgia and T shirt on full display..." (03:52)

• Matt Parker (on local work culture):

  "I've never said these words, 'So what do you do for a living?' Those are just words I've never put together." (06:45)

• On international tourism impact:

  "If you buy the tourist package in France to come here to America the States, this is on it." — Matt Parker (07:36)

• On the decline after Interstate construction:

  "It boomed until about 1972 when the Interstate came through and they said it dropped down to about 2% of the traffic overnight." — Matt Parker (09:12)

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Timestamps: Important Segments

• 01:07: Economic headlines—oil, OPEC, stocks
• 01:30 – 04:18: Route 66 trip begins: vehicle choices, Santa Monica, Dust Bowl history
• 06:09 – 07:59: Wigwam Motel, Baghdad Café, Matt Parker interview, French tourist connection
• 08:05 – 09:12: BNSF Railway project, Amboy visit, international tourism, Route 66’s post-Interstate decline
• 09:25 – 09:57: David Brancaccio announces transition from host

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Episode Tone & Style

Informative, personable, and richly descriptive, combining economic analysis with local color and voices from the road. David Brancaccio balances big-picture trends with intimate, memorable details, making the American economy tangible and relatable through the iconic landscape of Route 66.

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Transcript

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[David Brancaccio]

to

see Mount Rushmore in 3D you travel

to the Black Hills of South DAKOTA

for the U.S. economy in 3D I

hit the open road.

I'm David Brancaccio. First, the price of crude oil is down 1% at $110.50 a barrel. Now the oil producers cartel OPEC did agree Sunday to slightly increase pumping to perhaps calm prices. Yet many countries can't increase because of the U S Iran war. Stock futures are flat at this hour. S and P futures up 3.10%. We get a revised economic growth figure, GDP covering late last year this Thursday. But let's go beyond flat statistics here on this 100th anniversary year of what's called the Mother Road. I wanted a more immersive updated view of the U.S. economy by traveling a length of historic Route 66 linking Chicago and Southern California, where I started.

[Matt Parker / Local Residents]

Oh my God, here he comes.

[David Brancaccio]

For road tripping 66 in 2026 we go for a variety of vehicles starting in a Waymo robot taxi at the pier in Santa Monica, California. Myself and two friends. So this is Route 66 right here, right? Yep, Route 66. The robot turns onto a stretch of 66 called Santa Monica Boulevard in a city at the sharp end of the coming economic transformation. Headquartered here are some of the entertain companies soon to be amped up or wiped out by artificial intelligence. Skydance, which just bought Paramount. Also the gaming company Activision Blizzard is here. But Santa Monica with its elevated coefficient of economic inequality is not all fancy studios. Doesn't smoke. We limit our drive to just 25 miles in a carbon intensive 1966 Oldsmobile 442, followed by a stint in my plug in hybrid Chevy Volt. But the bulk of the 900 mile journey with two buddies will be in a spiffy 2026 all electric Rivian SUV, which is so darn quiet even at speed that we need to add a playlist. Which version? Stones Now Chuck Berry get your kicks on route 66 that song shapes the oldies vibe of so much of modern 66, a mix of kitschy nostalgia and T shir on full display starting two hours east in San Bernardino, California. Nearly erased from that company's official history is 66 as the root of the 1930s mass migration carrying desperate families fleeing the environmental disaster of the Dust bowl who collected in camps here. I just blowed in and I got them Dust bowl blues in a moment. Two Route 66 towns where the Artificial Intelligence revolution is nowhere in sight.

[Morgan Stanley Podcast Announcer]

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[David Brancaccio]

After a night in one of the concrete cones for rooms at the Wigwam motel on Route 66, it's back to the recharged Rivian for a rapid climb into the economy of the high desert. Where I find this man up a ladder.

[Matt Parker / Local Residents]

The patina on this building is for real. It's earned. It's not painted on, it's not fake.

[David Brancaccio]

Matt Parker, jack of all trades, including photographers, working on the weathered wooden sign at the Baghdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, California. Matt says there are so few jobs along this Sandy stretch of 66 that unemployment is not even a topic of friendly conversation.

[Matt Parker / Local Residents]

When I give rides home from church or something like that, a passenger will get in. I've never said these words. So what do you do for a living? Those are just words I've never put together.

[David Brancaccio]

You can buy T shirts and cold drinks at the cafe. They're trying to sort out permission to cook food again. Who would come here when the Amazing Peggy Sue's 50s diner is just 17 miles west? Answer the French. With the French taste in movies.

[Maggie Smith]

Uh, Mrs. Jasmine, you gotta carry your suitcase yourself. We ain't no grand hotel. My name is Mrs. Munchstetner.

[David Brancaccio]

Baghdad Cafe 1988. German actress Marianne Segebrecht dressed for the Bavarian Alps ends up here. German movie but it's the French who come to relive the magic.

[Matt Parker / Local Residents]

If you buy the tourist package from in France to come here to America the States, this is on it.

[David Brancaccio]

While the sand long ago reclaimed a famed water park here, multiple artificial lakes survive. And Matt's plan is to tap his deep well to refill his lake to be the centerpiece of what he'll brand the Sweet Haven Campground. Also,

[Matt Parker / Local Residents]

the railroad's talking about coming here and making this a hub to store here rather than down in long Beach.

[David Brancaccio]

The BNSF Railway is now building along 66 east of here. The biggest railway to truck freight facility in the country. It promises thousands of direct jobs if world trade still calls for such a complex in this era of tariff induced reverse globalization. Closer to the Arizona border, we spot the restored neon sign for Roy's Motel and Cafe. The motel's abandoned. The cafe has no hot food, but it has Ms. Nicole selling an eclectic range of sodas. I try, pumpkin.

[Matt Parker / Local Residents]

I mean we have hundreds of people easily a day. Easily.

[David Brancaccio]

Again, cash flow is driven by cross border commerce. Nicole says here it's busloads of Italians. So many that the soda bottle recycling bin out front warns in Italian no spazzatura no garbage. People come to Amboy to bask in the weirdness of a place where the motel, school and church are deserted and there's a half corporate jet left out back for added post apocalyptic vibes.

[Matt Parker / Local Residents]

So it boomed until about 1972 when the Interstate came through and they said it dropped down to about 2% of the traffic overnight.

[David Brancaccio]

Tomorrow it's onto a piece of Route 66, more forward looking, a campus that calls this the year of AI empowerment. And I want to let you know that I'm moving to a new beat here at Marketplace, and after more than 13 years, this is my last week as host of the Marketplace Morning Report. Again. Old Dave Brancaccio is still around different capacity. From apm American Public Media.

[Maggie Smith]

Hi, I'm Maggie Smith, poet and host of the Slowdown. Each weekday I share a poem and a moment of reflection, helping you turn listening into a daily ritual. It's five minutes to slow down, pay attention, and begin the day with intention. Find it in your favorite podcast app and make the Slowdown your new daily poetry practice.