Where to go and what to see and do on Route 66

A State by State Travel Guide

Our Route 66 page can serve as you travel guide to the Mother Road. You’ll find what to see and do on your Route 66 Travel, the history behind the sites, Places to Eat, Where to Stay, The People of Route 66, and the Current Events along the Route.

History of Route 66

US Route 66 is a historic highway in the United States extending from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles (Santa Monica), California. It crossed much of the American Midwest, Great Plains, and the Southwest. Over the years, it became one of the most famous roads in America.

The Route was first commissioned in 1926 and extended 2448 miles through the states of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. And while much of it was not yet paved, this historic path served thousands of individuals and families traveling to the West.

Route 66 State Associations

John Steinbeck in his 1940 novel, Grapes of Wrath, detailed the migration West along Route 66 of thousands of farmers leaving the Dust Bowl of Kansas and Oklahoma during the Great Depression and heading to California for a better life.

The Route inspired a song by Bobby Troup that encouraged folks to “get their kicks on Route 66”. Tales about travel on Route 66 also led to a 1960’s TV show called “Route 66” which chronicled the travels of two young men exploring America’s highways. And more recently, it provided inspiration for a Disney/Pixar movie in 2006 called “Cars”.

Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985 after it was replaced by the Interstate Highways.

U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66), also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, was one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System. US 66 was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the United States, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before terminating in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles.

The States on Route 66

Route 66 in Illinois

Where The Route begins and ends. Route 66 extends for 301 miles across Illinois. It’s got some of the most interesting stops on the route including the Start of Route 66 in Chicago, Illinois State Route 66 Museum in Pontiac, Gemini Giant in Wilmington, the World’s Largest Covered Wagon in Lincoln, Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield, and the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in Edwardsville, the Paul Bunyon Hot Dog Statue in Atlanta, Cozy Dog Diner in Springfield. Meramec Caverns in Sullivan, Route 66 Drive-in Theater in Carthage, the Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield,

Route 66 in Missouri

Route 66 extends for 317 miles across Missouri, the birthplace of Route 66. Missouri has some of the oldest and coolest Route 66 sites to see including the Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Meramec Caverns in Sullivan, Route 66 Drive-in Theater in Carthage, the Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Devil’s Elbow, and the Gasconade River Bridge in Hazelgreen just to name a few.

Route 66 in Kansas

Route 66 extends for 13 miles across the southeast corner of Kansas, the Route’s shortest span in any state. While it doesn’t go for very long, there are still some cool sites to see including Cars on the Route, Galena Mining and Historical Museum, Nelson’s Old Riverton Store, Route 66 Sculpture, the Rainbow Bridge, Fort Blair site and the Baxter Springs Heritage Center Museum.

Oklahoma

The Will Rogers Highway. Route 66 extends for 432 miles across Oklahoma. Some great places to see include the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Pops and the Round Barn in Arcadia, Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Mickey Mantles boyhood home, Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, Seba Station Motorcycle Museum in Chandler, Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Beckam County Courthouse in Sayre and many more.

Route 66 in Texas

The midway point of Route 66. Route 66 extends for 186 miles across the Texas pan handle. It’s one of the shorter distances but it’s packed with a lot to see. Don’t miss Cadillac Ranch, Lile Art Gallery and the Historic Sixth Street District in Amarillo, Conoco Tower Station and the Du-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Big Texan Steak House in Amarillo, Route 66 Midpoint in Adrian, and the Devil’s Rope and Route 66 Museum in McClean.

Route 66 in New Mexico

The Old Trails Road. Route 66 extends for 487 miles across New Mexico. Don’t miss the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, TeePee Curios and the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, The Route 66 Museum in Tucumcari, The Santa Rosa Blue Hole.

Route 66 in Arizona

The Golden Road of the Black Mountains. Route 66 extends for 401 miles across the state of Arizona. There are a ton of fantastic sites to see in Arizona including Walking with the wild burrows in Oatman, Grand Canyon Caverns in Peach Springs, the Snow Cap and Road Kill Cafe in Seligman, Downtown and the Route 66 Visitor’s Center in Flagstaff, Downtown Williams and the Grand Canyon, Standin’ On The Corner in Winslow, Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Meteor Crater, and the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert, the Arizona Route 66 Museum in Kingman, and the Hackberry General Store in Hackberry are just a few of the many fun and historic sites to see.

Route 66 in California

The end of the trail. Route 66 extends for 314 miles from the Santa Monica Pier to Needles, CA. There is a lot to see including the Original McDonald’s Museum in San Bernardino, the Amboy Crater and Roy’s Cafe in Amboy, Bottle Tree Ranch in Helendale, Calico Ghost Town in the Mojave Desert, Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, Restored Richfield Service Station in Rancho Cucamonga, and the Route 66 End of the Road on the Santa Monica Pier.