Here is my timeline and I will keep it updated. I chose routine processing (not expedited) because the processing time looked OK in the past couple of months. Even though I don't have immediate travel plans, I hope to receive my passport sooner.

1/11/2022: First time new passport application submitted at a local USPS office. Plenty of USPS appointments available nearby and it seems not many people apply for passports in Jan.
1/22/2022: "In Process" showed up on the website. Locator # 69 (where is it?). I was anxious as many people could see their status after 3-4 days of submission.

One question. Where is Locator #69? I googled it online but didn't get a definite answer. Someone said it's New Hampshire but I only saw #68 for New Hampshire. If you know #69, please share it with me. Thanks.