Planning for the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary, the Road 66 Road Ahead Partnership saw an opportunity to create a toolkit to help property owners and Route 66 enthusiasts continue — if not intensify — the preservation of the legendary road. They wanted the Toolkit to be simple to read and illustrated with stories of small communities and everyday people.

The Toolkit touches upon five topics:
Registration, Restoration, Partnerships, Threats, and Diversity.

These are presented in five modules: 
Historical Designation, Preservation, Partnerships, Threats, and Telling the Full Story.

Each module offers an array of resources. Modules begin with an "Overview" of the topic. The "Ask & Answer" section addresses frequently asked questions or common misconceptions.

Several modules include a "Worksheet". Through a series of questions, the reader can quickly assess if they are ready to move forward.

• "Take Action" encourages readers to do specific actions toward their goals.

• "Case Studies" presents real world examples illustrating the module topic.

• "Tips for Success" directs readers to further resources to assist them.

Funded through the National Trust Preservation Fund Grant Program, the project sought input from established Route 66 stakeholders and people along the route. 

A small team, consisting mainly of Road Ahead members and Route 66 allies, came up with the toolkit topics and case studies. Most case studies were informed by interviews with project proponents or subject matter experts.

The toolkit’s structure is greatly influenced by the “Neighborhood Preservation Toolkit” (2018), prepared by PennPraxis for the City of Philadelphia. This wonderfully simple document presents preservation topics in an easy manner, free of bureaucratic and technical jargon.