The best stops on Route 66 in every state

By Cheri Sicard
Route 66, also called the Mother Road by John Steinbeck, traces a line of American history from Chicago all the way to the Pacific. Spanning eight states and crossing three time zones, this legendary highway shows off everything from Missouri’s towering woodlands to the sun-bleached ranchlands of Texas.

In the video, Travel The Top shares their recommendations for the best stops on Route 66. Be sure to bookmark this if you plan to travel the length of, or even part of, the Mother Road.

Though it left the official highway system in 1985, most of Route 66’s classic scenery, small towns, and neon signs remain as vivid as ever. Travelers still find quirky roadside icons, classic diners, timeless motels, and those endless ribbons of highway fading into the horizon—pure Americana.

Built in 1926, Route 66 stretched nearly 2,500 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. Watch the video for more details on all the attractions and Route 66 stops mentioned below.

Starting point: Illinois

The original Route 66 started at Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The current “Begin Route 66” sign stands on East Adams Street by Michigan Avenue. Early Illinois highlights include:

• Wilmington’s Gemini Giant roadside statue
• Classic diners and motels
• Quirky roadside photo ops

The Gemini Giant in Wilmington is a 30-foot fiberglass statue with an astronaut helmet and a rocket. These “Muffler Men” statues first stood outside auto shops selling car mufflers in the 1960s. Today, the Gemini Giant draws passersby looking for the perfect kitschy snapshot. Image caption suggestion: The Gemini Giant in Wilmington, IL—first Muffler Man on Route 66, photo op must!

Illinois serves up a blend of fun stops and tasty eats along the route:

• Pontiac: Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum—packed with pop culture treasures
• Springfield: Cozy Dog Drive-In—famous Cozy Dogs since 1949
• Stanton: Henry’s Rabbit Ranch—real rabbits and half-buried Volkswagen Rabbits (Closed since the video was made due to the untimely passing of the owner, Rich Henry.)
• Collinsville: World’s largest ketchup bottle—quirky, can’t-miss photo spot
• Chain of Rocks Bridge: Scenic walking bridge with Mississippi River views

Missouri’s attractions

Cross into Missouri, and the first stop is dazzling:

• Saint Louis Gateway Arch: the tallest monument in the West at 630 feet. Visitors can ride to the top for city and river views.
• Route 66 State Park (Eureka): trails, river fishing, playground, and roadside history
• Meramec Caverns: A 4.6-mile guided tour through 400 million years of geology, near Sullivan and Stanton

Cuba charms visitors with its series of Route 66 murals, the Wagon Wheel Motel (the oldest in use on the route), a restored 1932 Phillips 66 station, and the old-school 66 drive-in theater. Fanning’s gigantic roadside rocking chair is worth a stop for a fun photo and Route 66 souvenirs.

Kansas: Packed with history

The Kansas stretch is only about 13 miles, but packs in several gems:

• Galena: Kan-O-Tex gas station with Pixar “Cars”–inspired display
• Riverton: Rainbow Bridge, last single-span Marsh Arch bridge on Route 66
• The Mining and Historical Museum
• Isla Brothers old store—road trip staple since the 1920s

Oklahoma’s quirky stops

No Route 66 trip through Oklahoma is complete without seeing the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Built by Hugh Davis in 1972 as an anniversary gift, this bright blue sculpture has become a classic roadside oddity, restored by the Davis family in 1988. Along with neon signs and vintage gas pumps, Oklahoma brings the nostalgia.

Texas: Cars, art, and giant steaks

Amarillo hosts two icons:

• Cadillac Ranch: ten classic Cadillacs half-buried nose down; visitors spray their own designs
• Big Texas Steak Ranch: take on the 72-ounce steak challenge—eat a steak, shrimp cocktail, salad, roll, and baked potato in an hour and the meal’s free!

Snap a pic with the “Halfway” sign in Adrian for proof you’ve made it midway.

New Mexico: Neon and dinosaurs

New Mexico offers a vintage road trip feel in every mile. Tucumcari has classic neon-lit motels, diners, a dinosaur museum, and retro gas stations. In Albuquerque, the famous route cuts through the heart of the city, delivering urban eats and quirky shops.

Arizona’s roadside retro

Arizona’s Route 66 brings jaw-dropping stops:

• Petrified Forest National Park: ancient fossilized wood, Painted Desert’s all colors
• Wigwam Motel (Holbrook): sleep in a “wigwam” for a night
• Winslow: Standing on the Corner Park, ode to the Eagles’ “Take It Easy”
• Detour to Meteor Crater—a massive impact site near Winslow
• Oatman: enjoy Wild West shows and burros roaming downtown

California: The grand finale on the Pacific

California’s Route 66 ends with a string of one-of-a-kind photo stops:

• Roy’s Motel and Cafe: legendary neon sign; grab a coffee in the café
• Amboy Crater: 250-foot volcanic crater with desert hiking trails
• Elmer Long’s Bottle Tree Ranch: whimsical glass-bottle art installation

The iconic “End of the Trail” sign on Santa Monica Pier signals the end of Route 66. After taking in the ocean breeze, travelers can explore Los Angeles—the city of stars.

Do you have a favorite stop on Route 66? Be sure to share in the comments below.

Unfortunately, Travel The Top has disabled sharing on this video, so you will have to click here to watch it on YouTube.

Get your kicks on, well, you know how it goes… 
“The Best Hits on Route 66: 100 Essential Stops on the Mother Road” is the perfect companion for anyone traveling down Route 66 or who has ever wanted to. Amy Bizzarri, a Route 66 expert, takes you on an inspiring and entertaining journey down America’s most famous favorite road. Along with fascinating history and travel inspiration, the book also includes itineraries so trip planning is a breeze. Learn more or order.

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