Discovering Unique Stops Along Route 66

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Discovering Unique Stops Along Route 66

Route 66, often referred to as the "Mother Road," is the most iconic highway in America, made famous by Bobby Troup's hit song and brought to life by Nat King Cole. Stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, this legendary route passes through numerous emblematic cities and towns across the United States. You can learn about the Dust Bowl migration in Amarillo, visit the neon motels in Albuquerque that popularized the concept of a multi-day road trip, or stop in Tulsa, where stars like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash once performed at Cain's Ballroom—a venue that still hosts live shows today.

On this journey, you'll immerse yourself in various cultural aspects of America, blending nostalgia, adventure, beauty, and history into a classic road trip experience. But that's not all you'll discover on Route 66. With a few detours, you'll uncover famous landmarks that showcase the quirky charm of Americana that Route 66 is renowned for today.

1. Cadillac Ranch

Perhaps the most famous kitschy landmark on Route 66 is Cadillac Ranch. Located near Amarillo, Texas, this art installation features a row of ten classic Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground. There's no need to enter a museum or official attraction; just park along the road, walk through a gate, and across a dirt field to reach these iconic cars. Created in 1974, visitors are encouraged to bring spray paint and join in decorating the cars. This site is free and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Address: 13651 I-40 Frontage Road, Amarillo, TX 79124

2. The Painted Desert

Not all the attractions along Route 66 come from kitsch and 1950s memorabilia—there are also stunning natural landscapes to enjoy. One of the most impressive stretches is in northern Arizona, where Route 66 runs through the Petrified Forest National Park. You can drive along the park's scenic 28-mile road, with plenty of stops, short hiking trails, and remnants of the old road marked by vintage telephone poles stretching across the desert.

Address: 1 Park Rd., Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028

3. Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park

A fascinating and artistic stop along Route 66 is Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park, a folk art environment located near Foyil, Oklahoma. Built by self-taught artist Ed Galloway between 1937 and 1948, the park features a towering 27-foot concrete totem pole surrounded by smaller towers, sculpted animals, and a quirky museum known as the "Fiddle House." Admission is free, and the park is open daily from dawn to dusk, while the museum typically opens from March to December.

Address: 21300 OK-28 A, Chelsea, OK 74016

4. Shea’s Gas Station Museum

Another nostalgic stop on Route 66 is Shea’s Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois—or what's left of it. Originally a Texaco gas station (later a Marathon) operational from 1946 to 1982, the owner transformed it into a classic museum showcasing old gas pumps, signs, and roadside memorabilia in the 1980s. However, the museum has mostly been closed since the owner passed away in 2013, and much of the collection has been auctioned off. Today, it often serves as a photo stop, though the current owner occasionally tries to open it when possible.

Address: 2075 N Peoria Rd., Springfield, Illinois 62702

5. Leaning Tower of Texas

One of the quirkiest roadside attractions on Route 66 is the Leaning Tower of Texas—an iconic water tower just off Interstate 40 in the small town of Groom, Texas. From a distance, it looks like it's about to topple over, but don’t worry: it was intentionally built that way. Originally a water tank, it was repurposed to attract drivers to stop at the nearby rest area. Though the rest area is no longer there, the tower remains a classic photo op on Route 66.

Address: Exit 114, Groom, TX

6. Former World’s Largest Rocking Chair

One of the most bizarre roadside attractions on Route 66 is the former World’s Largest Rocking Chair, standing at 42 feet tall in Fanning, Missouri. Visible from afar, it’s designed to catch the attention of passing drivers. The rocking chair serves no practical purpose other than to encourage travelers to stop for a photo op and perhaps grab a snack. This location is free and open year-round, with a small shop (selling homemade snacks) nearby for those looking to linger longer.

Address: 5957 State Hwy ZZ, Cuba, MO 65453

7. World’s Largest Ketchup Bottle

If the 42-foot rocking chair isn't big enough for you, why not check out the World’s Largest Ketchup Bottle? This 51.8-foot water tower in Collinsville, Illinois, is shaped like a giant ketchup bottle. Built in 1949 for a nearby ketchup factory, it was designed to advertise exactly what was produced inside while also serving as an interesting piece of mid-century architecture. Close to the ketchup bottle, there's a small stop for photo ops, open 24/7 for visitors looking to capture the moment.

Address: 800 S. Morrison Ave, Collinsville, Illinois 62234

8. Roy’s Motel and Cafe

In the Mojave Desert, nearly in the middle of nowhere, you’ll find Roy’s Motel and Cafe. Established in 1938 along Route 66, it quickly expanded into a complex with a gas station, cafe, and motel, catering to travelers crossing this desolate desert area. Architecturally, Roy’s is one of the best-preserved examples of Googie style, a mid-century design influenced by the space age and the need to catch drivers' attention.

Address: 87520 National Trails Hwy, Amboy, CA 92304

9. The Wigwam Motel

One of the most recognizable stops on Route 66 is the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, where guests stay in "wigwams" (though they actually resemble teepees rather than traditional wigwams). Built in 1950, this motel retains its vintage charm and is the perfect stop for those who appreciate unique accommodations.

More detailed address information will be updated during the journey.

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