Any Route 66 road trip worth its salt would include stops at a number of the Mother Road’s famous roadside attractions. However, there are literally hundreds of attractions along the route. So, we’ve whittled this trip down to a bare minimum of 20 iconic Route 66 attractions by state that require a stop. However, we hope you make time for additional stops along the way and have provided links in the article to many other Route 66 attractions that are worth exploring if you are able to.
Want to discover more USA road trips? You’ll love OnlyInYourState's newest series, On The Road, which explores magnificent routes across America catered to nature lovers, foodies, budget travelers, adventurers, and more.
You can use your smart device to follow our curated Route 66 itinerary from the starting point in Chicago to Tulsa, then from Tulsa to San Bernardino, and finally onward to the End of the Trail on the Santa Monica Pier.
Illinois
Illinois is often considered the starting point for Route 66, as folks migrated from the cold Chicago winters to sunny Los Angeles - and to and from all points in between. Of course, if you travel Route 66 in the other direction, you’ll end your journey in Illinois. Either way, there are three iconic stops you must make in the Land of Lincoln.
1. Begin Historic Route 66 Sign, Chicago
Let’s start your Route 66 adventure at the beginning. You’ll find the westbound "Begin Historic Route 66" on East Adams St., across from the Art Institute of Chicago. (Due to one-way streets, the eastbound "End Route 66" sign is one block south, across from Hyde Park).
2. Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, Pontiac
Your first required stop in the Prairie State is the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac. There, you’ll learn all about the Mother Road and its connection to the Land of Lincoln.
3. Twistee Treat Diner at the Pink Elephant
Although this stop did not exist in its present state during the heyday of Route 66, no journey on the historic highway would be complete without a stop at the Twistee Treat Diner at the Pink Elephant. This place perfectly epitomizes the spirit of roadside attractions, for which the advent of the Mother Road was largely responsible. Not to mention, you can grab a snack and stretch your legs while you do a little thrifting.
Missouri
The Show Me State is next up on your westward journey on the Mother Road. In Missouri, you will find another trio of attractions that you’d kick yourself for missing if you did not stop.
4. Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis
Route 66 passes within a few blocks of Gateway Arch National Park. This iconic structure has been a fixture of the St. Louis skyline for more than half a century, and now that it’s a national park (since 2019), the interpretive exhibits are better than ever.
5. Route 66 State Park, Eureka
There’s something both sad and uplifting about Route 66 State Park. There, you can walk remnants of the Mother Road and learn more about Missourians’ relationship with the legendary highway.
6. Meramec Caverns, Sullivan
Meramec Caverns was long a favorite stop for travelers on Route 66, and it still draws crowds today. Any Route 66 trip through Missouri pretty much demands a stop at this famous roadside attraction.
Kansas
Route 66 just nicks the southeastern corner of Kansas, but make no mistake: There’s plenty to see here - especially if you are a fan of Disney’s Cars, which did much to revive modern interest in Route 66.
7. Cars On The Route, Galena
Cars On The Route, in Galena, is a historic Kan-O-Tex service station that now serves as an homage to the Cars film, as well as the Mother Road, itself.
8. Rainbow Bridge, Baxter Springs
In Baxter Springs, you’ll find the Rainbow Bridge, which is the only remaining Route 66 bridge that you can actually drive across. It’s also the only surviving Marsh arch bridge, of which there were once several, on Route 66.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is home to some of Route 66’s most recognizable roadside attractions and, arguably, had more to do with the road’s existence than any other state along its route. We suggest a pair of must-see stops, but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the many Route 66 attractions in between.
9. Blue Whale, Catoosa
The Blue Whale of Catoosa is one of the single most iconic attractions on the entire Mother Road. It has been delighting travelers for decades and continues to do so to this day.
10. Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, Tulsa
Cyrus Avery was a native Oklahoman and is largely credited with getting Route 66 built. Learn more about the man who coined the term "Mother Road" at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza in his hometown of Tulsa.
Texas
Although it’s the largest state on Route 66, the Mother Road only cuts across the Panhandle, which means Texas is home to one of the shortest stretches of road along the whole route. But what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in personality. Don’t pass up these stops in the Lone Star State.
11. Conoco Tower Station and U Drop Inn Cafe, Shamrock
The Conoco Tower Station and U Drop Inn Cafe in Shamrock is a piece of iconic architecture that has survived since the early days of Route 66. Restored and maintained by the town, the station even had a cameo in Disney’s Cars.
12. Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo
A 1973 art installation and one of the best-known roadside attractions in Texas, Cadillac Ranch is a must-stop on Route 66.
13. Route 66 Midpoint, Adrian
After you leave Amarillo, you’ll reach the halfway point of your journey. Commemorate your achievement with a slice of pie at the Midpoint Cafe and a photo in front of the sign.
New Mexico
New Mexico is where you’ll start seeing the iconic red rock and desert landscape that Route 66 is famous for. There are plenty of iconic stops - including an optional side trip to Santa Fe and Taos - on this stretch of the Mother Road, but there are two that absolutely must not be missed on any Route 66 road trip.
14. Rio Puerco Bridge, Albuquerque
Located just west of Albuquerque, the Rio Puerco Bridge is the longest bridge of its kind in New Mexico. It is no longer open to vehicle traffic, but you can park and explore the section of Route 66 that crosses it on foot.
15. El Rancho Hotel, Gallup
No journey along the Mother Road is complete without a visit to the wacky and historic El Rancho Hotel. Located in Gallup, the hotel is famous as a getaway for Hollywood stars of the 1930s and 40s.
Arizona
Many of the most well-known attractions on Route 66 can be found in Arizona. However, we think if you were limiting your drive through the state to only two stops, these are the stops you should make.
16. Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is the only national park that Route 66 passed directly through. A rusted-out 1932 Studebaker remains in the park as a memorial to the highway, but all that’s left of its right-of-way is a line of telephone poles receding into the distance.
17. Standin’ On The Corner, Winslow
A corner in the town of Winslow, Arizona serves as an homage to both Route 66 (there’s even a gift shop) and the Eagles song "Take It Easy," with its famous reference to the town.
California
The final state on your east-to-west Route 66 road trip is California. As you near the end, there are only a few more iconic stops as you make the final push toward the Pacific Ocean.
18. Amboy Crater, Amboy
One of the few natural sites that demand a stop, Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark is a fantastic place to stretch your legs while exploring a dormant volcano that lies just steps from Route 66.
19. Wigwam Motel, San Bernardino
The Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino is a must-stop for the kitsch factor, alone. Explore the teepee-shaped rooms and the iconic lobby. If you don’t have time to stop at this Wigwam Motel, there’s another one on Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona.
20. End of the Trail, Santa Monica
That’s it! When you hit the Santa Monica Pier, you’ve reached the End of the Trail. Look for the iconic sign on the pier, itself, and snap a photo or two to memorialize the event.
Welcome to California and the end of your journey! We hope you enjoyed visiting these iconic Route 66 attractions by state we suggested along the way -- this road trip is a long one, so be sure to pack plenty of on-the-go snacks!
Have you visited any of these iconic Route 66 attractions before? Are there other Route 66 attractions that we should have included or swapped out? Let us know in the comments below -- we would absolutely love to hear from you!
For some more road trip fun, check out this list of some of the very best road trips to take in America:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/usa/on-the-road-best-road-trips-in-america/
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
