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GALENA
The most visited Kansas stop — home of Cars on the Route & the Tow Mater truck
8 stops
Stops in Galena
The most famous stop on Kansas Route 66 — a lovingly restored 1934 Kan-O-Tex service station painted red, white, and yellow. The rusted 1951 International boom truck parked outside is said to have inspired Tow Mater in Pixar's Cars. Browse Route 66 souvenirs, grab a burger, and take the photo your road trip demands. This is the real Radiator Springs.
119 N Main St, Galena
Housed in a beautifully restored 1939 Texaco station, Gearhead Curios is the only Kansas Tourist Information Center on Route 66 — and one of the most atmospheric stops on the whole Kansas stretch. Browse vintage automotive memorabilia, pick up maps and passport stamps, and chat with the locals who keep this stretch of the Mother Road alive.
115 W 7th St, Galena
A whimsical roadside stop inspired by the Pixar Cars character Luigi, complete with themed murals, a photo-worthy exterior, and covered picnic tables for a rest break. One of several Cars-inspired attractions clustered in Galena that have made this tiny Kansas town a pilgrimage site for fans of the film.
E 7th St, Galena
Housed in a relocated Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad depot, this surprisingly deep museum tells the story of Galena's booming lead and zinc mining past. The main building features mineral specimens, mining equipment, and detailed scale models — including a model of the Grand Central Mine. A larger exhibition building behind the depot holds even more artifacts from the town's once-roaring industrial heyday.
319 W 7th St, Galena
A colorful public art installation on Main Street featuring large-scale murals and Route 66-inspired sculptures celebrating Galena's history, mining heritage, and connection to the Mother Road. A quick, photogenic stop that captures the spirit of a small town proud of its place on the map.
S Main St, Galena
Also in Galena
A beloved local diner serving hearty breakfasts, homemade baked goods, and fresh-brewed coffee in a friendly, no-fuss atmosphere. One of the best places to fuel up before heading west on Kansas Route 66. Gets busy on weekends — arrive early and save room for the pie.
502 S Main St, Galena
A beautiful stretch of parkland just outside Galena where Shoal Creek winds through limestone bluffs and hardwood forest. Walk through the park's natural limestone caves, spot rare grotto salamanders, and stop into the Southeast Kansas Nature Center for exhibits on the unique wildlife of this corner of the state. A serene counterpoint to the roadside energy of the Mother Road.
3511 S Main St, Galena
A charming coffee shop housed in a converted historic station building, serving espresso drinks, pastries, and cold beverages to Route 66 travelers. A welcome stop in a town that takes its hospitality seriously — friendly staff, good coffee, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to linger.
106 S Main St, Galena
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RIVERTON
Nelson's legendary general store & the last Marsh Arch Bridge on Route 66
3 stops
Stops in Riverton
One of the most authentic general stores on all of Route 66, open continuously since 1925 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The deli counter serves made-to-order sandwiches that are Route 66 legend — loaded with deli meats, fresh vegetables, and local flair. Pick up retro candy, cold drinks, farm stand produce, and Route 66 collectibles. Headquarters of the Kansas Route 66 Association.
7109 SE Route 66, Riverton
A creative roadside art project by local students who used rusted old wheel rims to recreate the iconic Route 66 shield sign. The use of hubcaps and wheel rims fits so perfectly along a road defined by automobiles that it has become a favorite photo stop and a testament to the community pride that defines this short but memorable stretch of the Mother Road.
SE Route 66 near Riverton, Riverton
Built in 1923, this elegant single-span concrete arch bridge over Brush Creek is the last remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on all of Route 66 — once there were three of this style in Kansas alone. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the bridge's graceful white curve is especially beautiful in autumn when surrounded by changing foliage. Pull over, cross on foot, and appreciate a piece of engineering history that most travelers rush right past.
SE Route 66 between Riverton & Baxter Springs, Riverton
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BAXTER SPRINGS
A Wild West cattle town turned Route 66 landmark — the last stop before Oklahoma
6 stops
Stops in Baxter Springs
A serious and impressive museum spanning 20,000 square feet across two levels, covering Southeast Kansas history from pre-colonization through the present day. Exhibits include Native American heritage, the Civil War Battle of Baxter Springs, a recreated 1870s boardwalk with period storefronts, World War I and II displays, a 1926 LaFrance fire engine, a Korean War-era US Army tank, and a dedicated Route 66 exhibit. One of the most comprehensive small-town museums on the entire Mother Road.
740 East Ave, Baxter Springs
A perfectly preserved cottage-style service station built in 1930 to blend with the surrounding residential neighborhood — a design approach common in the early Route 66 era. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, the building now serves as the official Kansas Route 66 Visitors Center with vintage gas pumps outside and historical displays within. One of the most architecturally charming stops on the Kansas stretch.
1041 Military Ave, Baxter Springs
Baxter Springs' beautifully preserved downtown along Military Avenue includes the historic Ritz Theatre, Victorian-era storefronts, colorful Route 66 murals, and the 1870s Crowell Bank building — said to have been robbed by Jesse James. The Ritz hosts community events including Cars movie screenings during the annual Route 66 centennial celebrations. Walk the three-block historic district for a genuine small-town Mother Road experience.
1143 Military Ave, Baxter Springs
Also in Baxter Springs
A working pharmacy with an old-fashioned soda fountain serving Route 66 travelers since the Mother Road's golden era. Order a hand-mixed soda, cherry Coke, or ice cream float at the counter and step back into a time when every small town on the highway had a place like this. One of the few genuine old-school soda fountains still operating on the Kansas stretch.
1101 Military Ave, Baxter Springs
A fun and family-friendly stop stocked with Route 66 souvenirs, snacks, games, and Cars-themed merchandise. One of the newer additions to the Baxter Springs Route 66 scene, the Trading Post has quickly become a popular stop for families traveling the Mother Road with young children.
1000 Military Ave, Baxter Springs
Just a five-minute drive from downtown Baxter Springs, this marker sits at the precise point where Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma meet. Stand in three states simultaneously — one of those simple, satisfying road trip moments that never gets old. The surrounding area is also close to the infamous Devil's Promenade where the mysterious Spook Light has been reported for over a century.
E 50 Rd, Baxter Springs