Here Are 20 Iconic Roadside Attractions To Visit On A Route 66 Road Trip
By Trent Jonas|Updated on April 18, 2024(Originally published May 08, 2023)
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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:
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More to Explore
Route 66 Attractions
Beth C. |April 18, 2024
What are some of the most famous attractions along Route 66?
Route 66 is nothing short of iconic. Filled with Americana and unbeatable roadside stops, it's a road trip that everyone should take at least once. Below are some of the most famous attractions along Route 66:
Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois
Route History in Springfield, Illinois
Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
Meramec Caverns in Sullivan, Missouri
Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma
Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma
Leaning Tower of Texas in Groom, Texas
Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe in Shamrock, Texas
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert in Arizona
Calico Ghost Town in California
Are there any haunted locations along Route 66?
Yes, indeed! Route 66 is famous for its kitschy attractions, but it also hides a bit of haunted history. In fact, you can take a Haunted Route 66 tour, beginning at the paranormal Monte Vista Hotel in Flagstaff. Think you've got what it takes to brave this haunted Route 66 tour?
What are the best Route 66 restaurants?
Route 66 is brimming with visit-worthy restaurants and rest stops. Below you'll find a list of some of the best Route 66 restaurants: