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The Ultimate Texas Route 66 Road Trip You Need to Experience!

Ready for the ultimate American adventure in Texas? 

Buckle up as we cruise down Route 66 through the Lone Star State, where every stop is packed with quirky charm, hidden treasures and nostalgia. 

Texas offers some of the most unique spots you’ll find on the Mother Road. 

Imagine abandoned diners, mysterious landmarks and tiny towns where you can almost hear old classic cars passing by. 

So load up on snacks and get ready for a Texas road trip like no other. 

Let’s hit the road and drive along the iconic Route 66!

1. Texola Ghost Town

Richard Binhammer / Flickr

Texola is a tiny, eerie almost ghost town that is technically part of Oklahoma but it sits on the Texas-Oklahoma border which is why we’re including it as our first stop.

This once-thriving town now feels frozen in time, with old crumbling buildings, abandoned gas stations and remnants of a jailhouse.

Originally a bustling stop for travelers, it was left behind as the highway changed and people moved on, leaving just a few remaining residents. 

Richard Binhammer / Flickr

One must-visit spot is the abandoned Water Hole #2 Bar, a faded little building with old murals and vintage signs that make for the perfect Route 66 photo op. 

Texola’s old service stations and rusted road signs add to the charm, making it feel like a scene out of a Western movie. 

2. Shamrock

Jasperdo / Flickr

Shamrock is a lively little town on Route 66 with a big personality and plenty of Irish charm! 

Known for its iconic U-Drop Inn, a 1930s art deco gas station and café, Shamrock has a unique vintage feel that’s perfect for photos. 

The U-Drop Inn even made an appearance in the movie ‘Cars’, and it’s now a visitor center where you can learn about the town’s Route 66 heritage. 

Shamrock also celebrates its Irish namesake each year with a fun St. Patrick’s Day Festival, complete with parades, live music and green everything. 

Don’t miss the towering Blarney Stone monument or the historic Shamrock Water Tower that looms over the town like a friendly guardian. 

3. McLean

Jasperdo / Flickr

McLean is a classic Route 66 stop with a ton of history and old-school Americana vibes! 

Known for its Devil’s Rope Museum which explores the history of barbed wire, it apparently has the largest collection of published material in the world on barbed wire!

speedygroundhog / Flickr

Just down the road, you’ll find the Restored Phillips 66 Gas Station—a bright little slice of history that’s perfect for photos and a glimpse into what gas stations looked like in the 1920s. 

McLean’s Main Street is dotted with cafes, murals and classic diners that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. 

4. Groom

Isen Majennt / Flickr

Groom is a tiny Route 66 town with two famous, can’t-miss landmarks that put it on the map! 

The first is the Groom Cross, a towering 190-foot-tall cross that stands out on the Texas plains and can be seen from miles away.

It’s one of the largest crosses in the Western Hemisphere and features sculptures depicting the Stations of the Cross. 

Thomas Hawk / Flickr

The other must-see spot is the Leaning Tower of Texas, a quirky water tower tilted at an angle, making it look like it’s about to fall over! 

Originally set up as an eye-catching roadside attraction, the leaning tower has become an iconic stop for Route 66 travelers. 

Beyond these attractions, Groom is filled with small-town charm and friendly folks, making it a quick but memorable stop. 

5. Amarillo

Amarillo is one of the biggest and most exciting stops along Route 66, packed with quirky attractions and classic Texas flair! 

The city’s most famous spot has to be Cadillac Ranch, an iconic roadside art installation featuring ten colorful, spray-painted Cadillacs half-buried nose-first in a field. 

You are welcome to bring along spray paint and add your own creative touch so the Cadillacs are a constantly changing art piece. 

Mobilus in Mobili / Flickr

Another must-see is the Big Texan Steak Ranch, a legendary Route 66 restaurant where you can try the famous (and free, if you finish it!) 72-ounce steak challenge. 

For vintage vibes, check out the historic Sixth Street Historic District, where you’ll find retro diners, antique shops and classic Route 66 neon signs. 

You can also visit the Amarillo Museum of Art and Palo Duro Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the U.S., offering stunning red rock views and hiking trails just outside the city. 

6. Vega

Charles Henry / Flickr

Vega is a charming little town on Route 66 that proudly showcases its small-town Texan roots! 

One of the best places to visit here is the Magnolia Station, a beautifully restored 1920s gas station that now serves as a museum with vintage pumps and antique signs.

cmh2315fl / Flickr

The Oldham County Courthouse, located right in the heart of town, is another must-see with its classic architecture and historic charm. 

Vega has several nostalgic motels and diners along the route, like the Hickory Inn Cafe, where you can grab some classic Southern comfort food and chat with friendly locals. 

7. Adrian

Adrian is a legendary stop on Route 66, known as the “Midpoint” of the Mother Road! 

It marks the exact halfway point between Chicago and Los Angeles, with a big “Midpoint” sign that’s perfect for that must-have road trip photo. 

Right across the street, you’ll find the cozy Midpoint Cafe, famous for its “Ugly Crust Pie”—this diner has been serving up delicious comfort food and sweet treats to travelers for decades. 

Peer Lawther / Flickr

Adrian also has a classic small-town feel, with vintage signs, murals and historic buildings that make it feel like you’ve stepped back in time. 

There’s even a souvenir shop where you can pick up “Halfway to Anywhere” trinkets to remember your visit. 

8. Glenrio Ghost Town

el-toro / Flickr

Glenrio is a fascinating ghost town straddling the Texas-New Mexico border, known for its eerie, deserted charm and roadside ruins. 

Once a bustling stop in the golden era of Route 66, Glenrio was home to motels, diners and gas stations that served travelers crossing between states. 

Today, you’ll find abandoned buildings like the First/Last Motel and the Little Juarez Cafe, both with faded signs and broken windows, frozen in time as relics of eras gone by. 

Jasperdo / Flickr

The State Line Motel, with its empty rooms and weathered facade, is particularly haunting, marking the line between Texas and New Mexico—making it technically the first stop in New Mexico or the last in Texas! 

Glenrio’s location on both sides of the border adds a unique twist, as you can hop between two different time zones within seconds!


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Tom Jackson

Tom was born in San Antonio but spent most of his childhood in Dallas, he has lived in several cities across Texas and joined the team in 2024 to create travel guides on Texas.

Learn more about the Traveller's Elixir Team.

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