Route 66, AKA known as The Mother Road, The Main Street of America, or The Will Rogers Highway was established in 1926 and was a continuous paved highway and a gateway from the Midwest to the West.
The Federal Highway Act of 1956 and the completion of the Interstate Highway System sounded the demise of this historic travelway, as most of the Rt. 66 was bypassed, abandoned and paved over for the interstate. However, due to preservation efforts, some of this iconic highway was preserved and lives on in American travel lore. Most of my ABC’s are filled with snark, but this is serious business. Route 66 is hallowed highway.
For a comprehensive history of Route 66 and its attractions visit this great Mother Road Website. For a good read on the history of Route 66, check out The National Historic Route 66 Federation.
Arizona– Arizona is a favorite destination for travelers who wish to experience the lore of Route 66. Many of the original Mother Road highways are still viable and there are attractions galore along the way. Highlights include The Petrified Forest and the adjacent Painted Desert (See: National Parks) as well as The Meteor Crater, and splendid memorabilia in towns like Hackberry, Seligman, Winslow and Kingman. Arizona is a steaming hot, but gorgeous State, and the Route 66 gems just add to the beauty and charm.
Big Texan–Hundreds of miles east of Amarillo Texas, drivers headed west on I-40 begin to see the inevitable large yellow billboards, FREE STEAK, at The Big Texan. By the time you reach the outskirts of the city, you are starving, salivating and focused on the delicious steak that awaits you.
However, there is a catch. The steak is free, if and only if you can devour a 72 oz. sirloin + salad, baked potato, dinner roll and shrimp cocktail in one hour or less. Fun Fact: Molly Schuyler ate this huge meal in 4 minutes and 18 seconds. She also ate 3 of these steak dinners in less than 20 minutes. We are not worthy.
Cadillac Ranch– After you stuff yourself at The Big Texan, you would be remiss if you didn’t visit one of the strangest attractions going west from Amarillo. Take the exit at the Happy Tracks Horse Motel and go south to the frontage road to the Cadillac Ranch. This features 10 half buried corpses of ancient Cadillacs, which have been spray-painted into oblivion by tourists. Yes, I have been there more than once.
The highlight of one of my visits was watching this young woman meticulously spray-paint “Pheonix Bound!” on one of the cars. Of course, I waited till she was finished to point out her spelling error. Yes, I’m an asshole.
Dinosaur Museum– This is the Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum, located in Tucumari, New Mexico. I always visit this great little museum when I am traveling west on I-40. The presentation is nicely done and is a great educational journey for both adults and children. If you are ever near this quaint little town, don’t fail to stop and see this jewel in the rough.
Even Kansas– Even though Kansas is probably the most boring State in this nation (See: Oklahoma), it nevertheless has a tiny slice of this historic highway. Only 13 miles of Route 66 went through the Sunflower State, but there are still interesting attractions that honor this ancient route. Sites to see in Galena Kansas include the Gearhead Curios, which is a tourist information center that includes curios and artwork. There is also the Rainbow Curve Bridge in Baxter Springs, which is the only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge along Route 66.
Fast Food and Retro Diners– One of the highlights of road trips, and especially along Route 66 is the plethora of retro diners and eating joints. There are too many to mention them all, but there is one in particular that will always stick in my memory, The Desert Hamburger.
Another Diner with the greatest name ever is the Road Kill Cafe in Seligman Arizona. No, I’ve never eaten there.
Gasoline Alley (Salupa OK)-If you are a fan of classic automobiles and man-cave memorabilia, this may be the place for you. Sapulpa, OK is unfortunately located just southwest of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which means that I will never, ever see it. Tulsa is the ultimate Black Hole for travelers who do not know the city, or unfortunately rely on their GPS apps. Going east or going west, it doesn’t matter. You will dead end into the middle of downtown, which has been under construction for the last 100 years.
The last time I attempted the folly of trying to go through Tulsa, instead of making the safe attempt through Oklahoma City, I got hopelessly lost, just like the previous attempt. Only by bribing a half-literate local at a convenience store, with a pack of cigarettes, was I able to navigate my way through this Hell-Hole. Never, ever again.
Hackberry General Store– The stretch of Route 66 between Kingman and Seligman Arizona is the longest preserved section of the original highway. Going east from Kingman, you encounter an uninhabited portion of the USA. There is nothing…Nothing…until you come to the little speck in the road of The Hackberry General Store. It is a tiny place, but inch for inch, it is one of the most spectacular stops you can make on the Route.
It is loaded to the brim with neat stuff and by all means, do not miss the Rest Room or Elvis…. or the old cars and Burma Shave signs round back. There is also an ancient Corvette out front that you will want to adopt and take with you. There is more to see after you leave this wonderful stop. Seligman is just a few miles ahead.
Illinois– Chicago is where it all began. This is the least traveled stretch of the Route 66 as Illinois is about as scenic and interesting as Iowa. Much of the same goes for the Show Me State, but both States are part of the route, so they much be mentioned.
Jackrabbit Trading Post– Is located between Holbrook and Winslow Arizona. The picture above tells you all you need to know about this place. I would bet my life that Matt Cale has been here. (See: Tourist Trap)
Kingman Arizona-Forget Las Vegas, Kingman is much more interesting, especially if you are into Americana and not just donating your money and most of your pride to the casino lords. Kingman is the location of probably the best and most complete of the Route 66 museums, and the starting point of the most complete stretch of the old Route 66 original highway through Hackberry and on to Seligman. If you are a fan, then this is one of the most important focal points of your journey. Don’t miss it.
Largest Flip-Flop (San Jon, NM) I will bet my entire net worth that Matt Cale has been here as well. I have not. I give this Tourist Trap a 0.1/10.0 for creativity and a 10.0/10.0 for stupidity.
Museums & Motels– Along with the tasty and decadent food at the Retro Diners, there are numerous Retro Motels and interesting and informative Museums along the route. My favorite is the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK.
Another fantastic museum is the one in Kingman, that is housed in the Powerhouse Building and is truly a museum of history, depicting the evolution of travel along the 35th parallel that became Route 66. As far at motels go (See: Palomino Motel below)
National Parks (Petrified Forest & Painted Desert) The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest are National Parks, in the middle of nowhere, just east of Holbrook, AZ. The Petrified Forest is an interesting geological reality, but the drive through there is not really worth it, IMHO. The Painted Desert? Simply breath-taking. If you are traveling through this area, don’t miss it.
Oklahoma– Let’s be frank. For the most part, Oklahoma sucks. Politically, climatically, economically and socially. It has been described as a forlorn State, whose hapless residents spend their lives huddled in tornado shelters eating sheep tripe and prairie grass. Every time I drive from Colorado to Memphis, the GPS tries to direct me through Tulsa. No ‘effin way. I’ve learned my lesson.
There are a few tiny bright spots, however. I’ve already mentioned the Route 66 Museum in Clinton. There is also The Oklahoma National Memorial Museum, which is a class act. I visited it with a friend and we were both stunned to the point of tears. Another, less somber attraction is Pops 66, the largest and most dazzling soda emporium on this planet. It is technically a convenience store and a restaurant, but that is not why you come here. They also have thousands of soda pops, every flavor imaginable. And unimaginable. If you are traveling through Oklahoma City, veer north and don’t miss it.
Palomino Motel– Time has not been friendly to The Mother Road, and nowhere is this more evident than the seedy stretch of the former glory road in Tucumcari, New Mexico. I always stop if I’m in the area to see the Dinosaur Museum, but usually stay in a more modern motel. When I passed the Palomino, though, I saw the sign. “$19.95, why pay more”, and more importantly, “Fast wireless internet”. When I pulled in, the office was locked, but out of nowhere, Mr. Patel (who else?) appeared in his car and rented me a room and checked it personally for clean towels, toilet paper and squatting hobos that might have sneaked in the bathroom window.
Look, let’s be realistic here. Everything is relative, and what can you expect from a motel room for less than Twenty Bucks? The air worked, the internet worked, the bed was comfortable and the shower hot. The place was ancient, but relatively clean and more than adequate. For those on a budget or just wanting to do the Rt. 66 experience, I recommend it.
Quirky Tourist Attractions–If you are like Matt Cale, and love Americana and the weird, Rt. 66 is the place for you. There are places like The Blue Whale (closed 1988), The world’s largest Flip Flop, Twin Arrows, The Cadillac Ranch, Road Kill Café and many, many more interesting side-shows that you will see nowhere else than Route 66. For even more quirky stops and attractions, check out this article.
Route 66 TV Show– Rt. 66 had a popular TV show that ran from 1960 to 1964, Starring George Maharis as Buz, and Martin Milner as Tod, who were adventure seekers who drove their Corvette across America. The Mother Road was also featured in hit movies like Easy Rider and Thelma & Louise.
Seligman Arizona– Seligman is located on Historic Route 66, between Flagstaff and Kingman, just north of the present-day I-40. It is the beginning or the end of the line of the most intact and continuous section of the original Route 66 in existence today.
Twin Arrows– The Twin Arrows Trading Post is a prime example of a Route 66 casualty to progress. It was closed and abandoned for good in 1995. Mother nature removed one of the arrows in 2022. It is only a matter of time before all traces of this place disappear into the mists of time, forgotten and irrelevant.
Under The Radar–Look, I get it. For most people under the age of 40 (or maybe 65) are not familiar with, or could not care less about things like the historic Route 66. History is not the strong suit of most Americans, as evidenced by the last election. The Mother Road will inevitably fade away into the mists of time, never known and not missed. I, however, will have the satisfaction of taking to my grave the knowledge and appreciation of this historical gem of American travel history.
Vehicles and Classic Cars–There are at least 10 of these museums along this historic route. If I am in the area, traveling to Arizona, I always stop and donate to the museum in Santa Rosa, NM. I do not know if they are still in business, but I hope so. There is a 1961 Chevy Impala sport coupe that I fell in love with, but that ship has sailed. My first love, my first car, that I purchased with my own money, made by throwing papers in High School.
Winslow Arizona– A hit song by the most hated band of The Dude (The Eagles), made a small, non-descript town in Arizona a big tourist destination. The song, “Take It Easy“, briefly mentioned “standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona”, and this town of 8,000 sunburned people was rescued from the perils of obscurity. There is, of course, a statue that marks the made-famous corner, and dozens of tourists, predictably taking selfies with the statue. Go figure.
Xtian Embarrassment (Groom, TX) Not everything along Rt. 66 and I-40 is pleasant to see. There is a gigantic Roman Torture instrument, constructed at the cost of several hundred thousand dollars. It is a huge eyesore, but a fitting testament to the lunacy that has become Christianity. Jesus wept.
You Can Sing Along, too– This song was first recorded by Nat King Cole and sang by many other groups, including The Rolling Stones.
If you ever plan to motor west,
travel my way, take the highway that is best.
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.
It winds from Chicago to LA,
more than two thousand miles all the way.
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.
Now you go through Saint Looey
Joplin, Missouri,
and Oklahoma City is mighty pretty.
You see Amarillo,
Gallup, New Mexico,
Flagstaff, Arizona.
Don’t forget Winona,
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.
Won’t you get hip to this timely tip:
when you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.
Zero Sum Game–This is one. If you are traveling and in your travels over the years, you fail to exploit wonderful Americana like Route 66 or The House On The Rock, you are missing the boat and are a total Zero. These irreplaceable points of historic American history will not last forever, and neither will you. Just do it.
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