Take This Road Trip To The Most Charming Route 66 Towns In Texas
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Come get your kicks on Route 66 when you take this road trip to eight of the most charming Route 66 towns in Texas. Follow the Mother Road from the ghost town of Glenrio all the way to Texola for an unforgettable journey through time. You’ll eat at a retro cafe, see the iconic Cadillac Ranch, and explore historic town squares frozen in the past. The 186-mile drive only takes about three hours from start to finish, so it makes a wonderful day trip!
Visit Google Maps for the customizable trip itinerary.
Glenrio, TX 79045, USA
Our journey starts in Glenrio, located in both Texas and New Mexico. Glenrio is one of the most well-preserved Route 66 ghost towns in America, boasting 17 abandoned - but still intact - buildings. Its history is similar to that of many once-prosperous towns along the Mother Road - what began as an oasis in the desert for weary travelers quickly devolved into desolation when Interstate 40 bypassed Glenrio in 1975. Learn more about Glenrio in our previous article.
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Adrian, TX 79001, USA
Much of Adrian's charisma is derived from the fact that it marks the official midway point on Route 66. Despite having a population of just over 100, Adrian is far from a ghost town. Midpoint Cafe, located right off the highway, is always bustling with tourists who can't seem to get enough of the Route 66 memorabilia and homemade pie. Learn more about Adrian in our previous article.
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Vega, TX 79092, USA
Vega dates to the late 1800s, but it didn't really start to boom until the arrival of Route 66 some 50 years later. As you drive through downtown, you'll see a number of historic buildings, including this old Magnolia Station restored by the city. Vega is also home to Roark Hardware Store, the oldest operating hardware store on Route 66!
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Amarillo, TX, USA
By far the largest city on the trip, Amarillo is home to nearly 200,000 people. Despite its size, however, Amarillo has managed to retain much of the Old West charm left over from its Route 66 days. Stop by Cadillac Ranch for an obligatory photo-op, go antiquing in the U.S. Route 66–Sixth Street Historic District, and chow down on a steak as big as your head at Big Texan Steak Ranch. Amarillo is a quintessential Dust Bowl town - even though it's grown a bit over the years. Learn more about Amarillo in our previous article.
Groom, TX 79039, USA
About 40 miles east of Amarillo, Groom is best known for the 19-story cross just outside of town. It's one of the largest crosses on earth! In the city proper, a leaning water tower (sometimes referred to as "The Leaning Tower of Texas") sits alongside Route 66, serving as a popular roadside attraction.
McLean, TX 79057, USA
When Route 66 was built through McLean in 1927, the town became a tourist stop as well as a hub for multiple industries. Its population began to decline after the construction of Interstate 40, but several Route 66-era buildings remain standing. The most notable among them is this former Phillips 66 station that looks good as new despite being decommissioned for many years.
Shamrock, TX 79079, USA
Shamrock is one of the most iconic Route 66 towns in Texas, and for good reason. It's absolutely brimming with charm - one of the buildings in the famous Disney movie "Cars" is actually based on the U-Drop Inn, which served as a gas station and restaurant during the route's heyday. Now, the structure triples as the town's Visitor Center, Chamber of Commerce, and a Route 66 gift shop. Learn more about Shamrock in our previous article.
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Texola, OK, USA
Although technically part of Oklahoma, Texola is located on the Texas-Oklahoma state line, so we're still including it. The town is home to just a handful of people, but it refuses to surrender. In addition to several old buildings, Texola is also home to the oldest restaurant on Route 66, Tumbleweed Grill & Country Store. There's so much to explore in this tiny town! Learn more about Texola in our previous article.
Would you take this road trip to the most charming Route 66 towns in Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for a nearby state park that’s totally bucket list worthy.
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