I love a good road trip — and when it comes to road trips, there’s nothing quite like traveling the road of all roads: Route 66. One of my longtime dreams is to drive the highway end to end. But since time doesn’t quite allow for that yet, I’ve been exploring it one stretch at a time.
A few months ago, I shared about the section of Route 66 that runs through Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ever since, I’ve been itching to get back on the road and see more of this iconic highway. On a recent trip to visit my in-laws, I found myself at the corner where Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas meet. That spot just happens to include a slice of Route 66 — so of course we drove the entire Kansas stretch and even dipped into the road near Joplin, Missouri. I was thrilled to add another piece of the Route 66 puzzle to my list.
Route 66 holds a special place in American history and culture — from vintage service stations to the simple joy of the open road. So come along with me and get your kicks on the Kansas stretch of Route 66!
Driving Route 66 Through Kansas
- History of Route 66
- Luigis Pit Stop
- Drive Thru Arch
- Cars on the Route
- Pappy Litch Park
- Gearhead Curios at Texaco Service Station
- Galena Downtown
- Galena Mining & Historical Museum
- Riverton Hubcap Sign
- Rainbow Bridge
- Baxter Springs Independent Oil & Gas Service Station
- Monarch Pharmacy
- Baxter’s Trading Post
History of Route 66
Route 66, famously dubbed the Mother Road by John Steinbeck, is an American icon. Stretching from Illinois to California, it was the first highway of its kind in the U.S. In its early years, Route 66 served as a lifeline for families migrating west to California. Later, it transformed into a highway of recreation and tourism, with roadside establishments turning pit stops into destinations of their own.
The full road spans 2,448 miles across eight states, but only 13 of those miles run through Kansas — making it the shortest stretch of all. Even so, Kansas played an important role in Route 66’s story. In fact, this little section helped inspire the Disney movie Cars, introducing a new generation to the magic of the Mother Road.
Today, Kansas celebrates both its cinematic fame and its piece of history. Photo spots featuring Cars characters make it a fun stop for families, while the pride locals feel in their 13 miles of Route 66 is unmistakable. It may be short, but Kansas’ stretch of the Mother Road carries a big legacy.
Luigis Pit Stop
The journey starts in the small town of Galena. The first stop on this Kansas section of Route 66 is Luigis Pit Stop. This is a pit stop, where visitors can use the restroom and take a break on one of the covered picnic tables. Take a photo with Luigi or the Sheriff while you’re here.
Be sure to add your name to the Route 66 board. This board has hundreds of signatures of all those who have traveled the Mother Road through Kansas.
Drive Thru Arch
Across the street from Luigi’s is the Drive Thru Arch- the most photogenic spot in this section. Decorated with the painted sky and sunflowers so typical of this area, the arch is really beautiful.
Cars on the Route
Down the road is Cars on the Route where they have turned an old service station into a Cars hangout. Young visitors and their giddy disbelief of meeting Tow Mater make this a fun area to be in.
Pappy Litch Park
Pappy Litch Park has offered cool shade and a place to rest to visitors along the Mother Road. This small park is the perfect place to stop and enjoy the simple beauty of this corner of the state.
Gearhead Curios at Texaco Service Station
My favorite spot along the route was unquestionably the old Texaco Service Station. It serves as an information center for all those visiting Kansas. It is also home to Gearhead Curios where you can find all Route 66 items.
What makes this spot so fun is the giant Big Boy decked out in his green. Also the old gas pumps are filled with nostalgia. This service station was built in 1939. It has since served as a service station and a restaurant. Now, it is an information center.
The tall figure of the Muffler Man stands next to the building. It is the most recent addition to the Route 66 attractions. It is a favorite photo spot for visitors.
Galena Downtown
Stroll through the small park in downtown Galena. The city mural there pays tribute to the heritage of the Mother Road. One of the best parts of driving the road is seeing the murals that are dedicated to the iconic road.
Galena Mining & Historical Museum
Housed in the old train station is the Galena Mining and Historical Museum. This museum allows visitors to learn about the chance discovery of lead ore in 1876. Soon after Galena became a prosperous mining town.
When Route 66 was established in 1926, Galena grew as people began to pour into the city. As businesses opened to serve the public, the wealth of Galena increased. It was considered one of the most prominent and important cities west of New York.
Riverton Hubcap Sign
Driving along down the road, is the hubcap sign in the small town of Riverton. The sign was a project by some local students, using rusted old wheel rims to recreate the iconic road sign. The use of wheel rims the sign fits so perfectly along the road and has become a favorite stopping point along the way.
Rainbow Bridge
Probably the most iconic part of the Route 66 through Kansas is the Rainbow Bridge. This bridge was built in 1923 and was a key feature of the route. This design and structure of the bridge is very in line with the early 1900s. It is the sole remaining bridge of its kind along the Mother road.
Its connection to Route 66 and status as a Kansas state landmark led to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Due to the graffiti left on it, the bridge is repainted regularly. Visitors are asked to leave names and stickers on the sign next to the bridge, not on it. It continues to stand in the legacy of the old road.
Baxter Springs Independent Oil & Gas Service Station
Another spot listed on the National Register of Historic Places is the Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station. This was a landmark station along the famous road. Many service stations were built to fit in with the residential designs surrounding them. This historic building now serves as a Kansas Information Center.
Monarch Pharmacy
Along the road through Baxter Springs is Monarch Pharmacy. It has been serving drinks and snacks to visitors, along with taking care of prescriptions. It is a great place for old time soda fountains with Route 66 nostalgia.
Baxter’s Trading Post
One of the newest additions to the Route 66 businesses is Baxter’s Trading Post. Snacks, games, and Cars makes this a fun stop along the road. Keeping with the old time look and somewhat quirky feel, the Trading Post has become a favorite spot.
It may be a short stretch, but Kansas’ piece of Route 66 is packed with history, charm, and iconic stops. The people here have fully embraced the Mother Road’s legacy, and their pride is felt everywhere you go. Sharing in that love makes traveling this stretch feel like joining a story bigger than yourself.
What I love about Route 66 is that it began as nothing more than a road — a highway connecting one part of the country to another. But somewhere along the way, it became much more. For those escaping the Dust Bowl, it was a symbol of hope and the promise of a better life. For small towns, it was a lifeline of economy and prosperity. And for many travelers, it still represents freedom and the possibility that only the open road can bring.
Route 66 is no longer just pavement — it has transformed into something historic, iconic, quirky, and unforgettable. Its legacy is woven into American history and culture, and it remains not just a road trip, but the road trip. It connects us not only across miles of country but also to the deeper meaning of travel itself: the journey, the hope, and the adventure.
Here’s to the Mother Road — the highway that continues to inspire us to go farther, dream bigger, and keep exploring. What a thrill it is to add another stretch of this legendary road to my travels, one epic piece at a time.
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