Dylan Dreyer and Al Roker shared lighthearted updates as travel delays left them waiting in an airport before Springfield, Missouri.
Dylan Dreyer and Al Roker’s Route 66 road trip didn’t start on smooth wheels, and the detour turned into a viral moment of its own.
As the team traveled for the third hour of Today’s special Route 66 episode heading to Springfield. Missouri. Dreyer documented the long airport wait that threw their schedule off.. In social posts. she described the crew’s boredom and fatigue in real time. including playful moments with the Today crew while they waited at the gate.
The delay was a reminder that even high-profile live broadcasts can be at the mercy of travel chaos. In this context, it also made the behind-the-scenes feel more relatable to audiences who never see the scramble until it spills into public view.
Meanwhile, the show’s Wednesday episode still ran as planned, but Dreyer and Roker were absent from that day’s broadcast. Misryoum reports that their segment was prerecorded, while other hosts stepped in—keeping momentum while the travel situation played out behind the scenes.
Once the airport waiting dragged on. Dreyer’s updates leaned into humor. sharing snippets of how the team passed the time. from naps to small gags to the kind of “we’ve been here too long” energy that only sets in after hours of delay.. She also indicated that the group finally reached Missouri during the early morning hours.
This matters because audiences are drawn to the human side of major media events. When anchors show the messy middle of travel, it lowers the distance between public figures and viewers, making the eventual broadcast feel earned.
The Route 66 special is set to take viewers on a closer look at Springfield—often celebrated as a key stop along the historic highway story.. Dreyer and Roker’s on-air presence is part of that push. with Misryoum noting that the episode includes guest appearances and performances aimed at bringing the region’s culture into focus.
With the broadcast approaching. fans have been reacting to the excitement around “Springy” and the chance to see Today’s team in the middle of Route 66 country.. The airport delays may have delayed the journey. but they also helped set the tone for a special that now comes with a very real. very funny setup.