College Solar Cars Race Route 66, Finish in Amarillo After 1,550-Mile Challenge

The centennial celebration of Route 66 featured the 2026 Electrek American Solar Challenge, a solar-car competition that sent college teams from Minneapolis across eight states to finish in Amarillo, Texas. Over eight days, participants covered a base route of 1,550 miles, with optional 400-mile loops that allowed additional mileage, relying on solar panels to charge the cars during daylight. Sponsored by Electrek and supported by the congressional-mandated organization American250, the race included single-occupant and multi-occupant classes, drawing schools such as the University of Kentucky, Purdue, Massachusetts, Berkeley, and Canadian institutions like Calgary and Waterloo.

Dan Salsbury, the event coordinator, explained challenges related to aerodynamics, vehicle weight (800-1,400 lb) and weather, noting that cars operate only from 9 a.m. to early evening. Georgia Tech’s Sam Woolsey said their team sought to become the first North American group to carry four passengers in a solar vehicle, targeting average speeds near 35 mph while staying on historic Route 66. The competition offered hands-on engineering experience that many alumni have turned into careers in aerospace and other high-tech sectors.