Tacoma – October 12, 2026 -- LeMay - America's Car Museum drew more than 100 cars and over 200 spectators to its first summer cruise-in on June 12, 2025, and the next one is set for July 17.
Chrysler and Mopar anniversary fills the lot
The June theme honored 100 years of Chrysler and Mopar. Entries ranged from a Chrysler Sebring convertible and a classic Plymouth Cuda to a Maserati, JDM kei cars and numerous vintage Volkswagens.
The July 17 theme is "A world of cars," celebrating Asian and European makes and models. OpenBay Garage sponsors the 2025 cruise-in series.
Tacoma Cars & Coffee moves to the museum in 2026
Starting January 17, 2026, Tacoma Cars & Coffee meets at the museum every third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event is free and open to all years, makes and models, with coffee from @naomijoecoffee.
Refreshed Route 66 exhibition marks the highway's 100th birthday
The museum opened a refreshed Route 66 exhibition for the 100th anniversary of the highway's opening. It adds centennial-themed pieces and vehicles. Throughout 2026, it will also show films and artifacts from the upcoming Route 66 Drive Home.
The Drive Home began as a partnership between America's Automotive Trust and the Detroit Auto Show. Each edition ends in Detroit, Michigan. The seventh edition adds the Route 66 Centennial Commission as a partner and covers Route 66 in its entirety.
Nine vehicles will make the trip, followed by nearly two dozen "privateers" in their own vehicles. Anyone who wants to join the convoy can sign up through the museum.
Washington approves the museum's new specialty license plate
The Washington State Department of Transportation has approved a new LeMay - America's Car Museum specialty plate design. The museum's original black-and-white "throwback" design was adopted by the state for its own retro plate series, so the museum had to create a new concept. That concept had to meet state specifications for color palette, layout and mandatory design elements.
The release date for orders is still unconfirmed. Once the state provides it, plates can be purchased through the Washington State Department of Licensing website. Proceeds support the museum's 501(c)(3) nonprofit work, including educational programming.