Traveling along the 2,448-mile stretch of Route 66 takes travelers across the iconic roadway that has connected the nation from Chicago to Los Angeles for 100 years.
The cultural significance of migration throughout one of the nation’s first major highways is depicted in pop culture and entertainment to this day, an entire century later. Portions of the original roadway can still be driven today, despite the presence of modern Interstates like I-40 or I-55. Preservation and maintenance of Route 66 has become vital to cultivating a scenic road trip experience popularized by tourists around the world.
All 178 miles of Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle, from Shamrock west to Glenrio, showcase historic attractions that can still be explored as if their activity never left. This highway stretch passed through 14 Texas communities known for ranching, oil and railroad shipping, serving as prime pit stops for visitors for gas, food and lodging.
Preserving this pivotal chapter of Texas’ history — bolstered by support from the Old Route 66 Association of Texas — enabled these communities to restore landmarks, integrate modern travel solutions and explore ways to highlight the route’s legacy businesses.
A road trip that could be completed in under a day, featuring plenty of roadside attractions to interact with along the way, makes it simple to start from the very beginning.
What Remains
In Shamrock, many visitors will recognize the U-Drop Inn & Tower Conoco Station, which inspired Ramone’s Body Shop in Pixar’s hit animated movie “Cars.” Down the road, the restored 1920s Magnolia Gas Station provides all the vintage filling station vibes, while the city’s Pioneer West Museum shares the stories of those who lived through the region’s oil boom. The city is also home to the tallest water tower in Texas.
The next three stops on Route 66 take you through Lela, McLean and Alanreed. These charming small towns tell the history of the region, but famous attractions such as the state’s first Phillips 66 station, the Cactus Inn Motel and the McLean Dance Hall keep it alive. As the trip continues into Jericho, visitors see the Jericho Gap Dirt Alignment that holds a portion of the original roadway. If the 190-foot-tall cross in Groom doesn’t catch your attention, the city’s unique leaning water tower will.
Cadillac Ranch is an art installation featuring 10 vehicles buried nose-down in Amarillo.
Photo courtesy of Travel Texas
Just before making it to Amarillo, travelers arrive in the unincorporated community of Conway where they can explore the remains of vintage gas stations once operating in the route’s prime. As Route 66 approaches its midway point in Texas, roadside attractions in Amarillo give visitors an interactive way to learn about the region’s history. Half-buried Cadillacs to spray paint at Cadillac Ranch, or Volkswagen Beetles and Limousines nose deep in the ground at Bug Ranch, are a unique pull. But how often can you say you had the opportunity to drive down the original Route 66 alignment in the city, Amarillo Boulevard?
The city’s Route 66 Sixth Street Historic District houses a mile of homegrown businesses, restaurants, art galleries, bars and antique malls, but it’s best to save room for grub at the famous Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery, where many still take on the legendary 72-ounce steak challenge. Heading out, travelers unwind on the drive through the ranching communities of Bushland and Wildorado, featuring once vital grain elevators.
In Amarillo, the Big Texan is famous for its 72 oz. steak challenge.
Photos courtesy of Amarillo Convention & Visitors Bureau
Through the plains, Vega hotspots such as Dot’s Mini Museum and the Milburn-Price Culture Museum showcase classic Route 66 relics, while the restored Magnolia Service Station or a walk down Town Square enables visitors to immerse themselves in the time period. At 1,139 miles in, the city of Adrian is the exact midpoint of Route 66, home to the iconic Midpoint Café & Gift Shop, Bent Door Café & Service Station. From Adrian, Route 66 moves into the ghost towns of Gruhlkey and Glenrio before entering New Mexico. While life looks different in this region today, Gruhlkey’s Old Homestead Ruins and the remains of Glenrio invite an indescribable feeling of nostalgia for early American life.
“Route 66 travelers are some of the most intentional and curious visitors we see,” says Visit Amarillo Executive Director Kashion Smith. “Many are on once-in-a-lifetime trips, often traveling internationally or checking off a bucket list journey across America.”
Celebrating The Spirit of The Open Road
In June 2026, from Shamrock to Adrian, the Texas Route 66 Festival will host 10 days of celebration to ring in the centennial year. Parades, car shows, live music, over 125 vendors and local cuisine will fill the streets, enabling these communities to come together in remembrance of a truly iconic piece of history, not just in Texas but for the entire country.
“Route 66 represents freedom, exploration and the spirit of the open road,” says Smith. “This year, we get to showcase that spirit in a way that blends nostalgia with fresh, new experiences. I’m especially looking forward to building relationships with other Route 66 communities and creating new memories along this historic route.”
Visit Amarillo is spearheading the organization of this year’s Texas Route 66 Festival, curating over a week of festivities fit for all ages and interests. The 100th anniversary of Route 66 is a powerful reminder of Amarillo’s place in American travel history, according to Smith. The city is the largest along the Texas route, having become a popular welcoming stop along the journey west generations ago. Route 66 played a vital role in Amarillo’s growth and carries a legacy that still defines the region today.
“For our city, it’s not just about looking back — it’s about reinforcing who we are moving forward. Amarillo continues to offer that authentic Texas experience, where Western heritage meets vibrant arts, food and culture,” says Smith. “This milestone gives us a chance to celebrate our story while inviting new generations to be part of it.”
For those looking for an authentic experience, the festival aims to ensure each stop highlights these Texas communities’ historic landmarks, roadside attractions and local restaurants. Locals are looking to share the region’s history with a modern twist, such as its Night Under the Moon event at the U-Drop Inn, inviting guests to an evening of live music under the station’s infamous neon lights.
The ranching community of Vega was a popular spot for travelers along Route 66 and is now home to Dot’s Mini Museum and the Milburn-Price Culture Museum.
Photo courtesy of Travel Texas
Sporting events, film screenings, bus tours, a Route 66 Speedway trip or the Miss Texas 66 Pinup Pageant are just a few of the family-friendly events the Route 66 Festival has in place, allowing for a fully customizable agenda.
“By elevating the visitor experience during this milestone year, we’re building awareness that extends well beyond 2026,” notes Smith. “We hope travelers leave with a strong connection to Amarillo and a desire to return, while also inspiring others to discover everything our region has to offer.”
