Travel Route 66 Across Texas

The Mother Road crossed the Texas state line at Texola, OK, near Shamrock, Texas, and traveled through McLean, Alanreed, Groom and Conway on its way to Amarillo. From there it continued west through Vega and Adrian to Glenrio.

Texas is a big state! The distance across Texas on Interstate I-10 is 879 miles, while I-20 running parallel to the north is 636 miles.

However, Route 66 totaled only 186 miles across the Texas Panhandle, and is closely followed by today's Interstate I-40. Texas had the smallest Route 66 mileage after Kansas. About 150 miles of Route 66 remains drivable in Texas.

Heading westbound the route traveled through these places:

• Texola at the Texas-Oklahoma border
• Shamrock
• McLean
• Alanreed
• Groom
• Conway
• Amarillo
• Bushland
• Wildorado
• Vega
• Adrian
• Glenrio at the New Mexico stateline

Map of approximate Route 66 from Shamrock to Glenrio, Texas

Shamrock: Crossing into Texas on Route 66

Shamrock, Texas, "Entrance City to Texas" on U.S. 66, seen in this vintage postcard

The Pioneer West Museum in Shamrock, Texas

Pioneer West Museum Shamrock, Texas The Pioneer West Museum is housed in the Reynolds Hotel, opened in 1928. Adjacent to the museum is the restored Magnolia gas station, also part of the museum, which also includes the Zeigler House and the "Old Barn".

Visitors to McLean also enjoy their visits to the nearby Water Tower Plaza showcasing the tallest historic water tower in Texas. Located at 204 N. Madden Street. Free admission.

The restored Magnolia service station in Shamrock, Texas

Tower Plaza & U-Drop Inn Shamrock, Texas The U-Drop Inn opened in 1936 to provide lodging for travelers heading west on the Mother Road. Restored in 2004, today the iconic art deco building of green glazed tile and brick serves as a Visitor Information Center and also houses the Chamber of Commerce.

The adjoining Tower Station provided fuel for those early travelers. The restored Inn and Station hosts over 25,000 visitors a year from around the world ... a "must see" when traveling this part of Route 66!

The Tower Plaza and U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas
Ramone's House of Body Art in the movie "Cars" has a strong similarity to the U-Drop Inn.

Sign at the U-Drop Inn	Click to read more about Route 66 in Shamrock
Mural in Shamrock, Texas: Crossroads of America ... Home of the Midnight Cowboy Bill Mack

McLean, Texas McLean, Texas ... the Heart of Old Route 66 Read about the McLean Commercial Historic District at NPS

Phillips 66 Gas Station Vintage Phillips 66 Service Station in McLean, Texas, the location of one of the first gasoline stations in Texas. The early Phillips stations, like the one in McLean, were designed in the "Cottage Look" to blend with local residential neighborhoods. Located at 218 West First Street.

 

Texas Route 66 Museum and Devil's Rope Museum The Texas Route 66 Museum is located in McLean, Texas, in the same building that houses the Devil's Rope Museum. The museum includes hundreds of original Mother Road memorabilia, road signs, a recreated Route 66 cafe, and the original large steer from Amarillo's Big Texan Steak Ranch.  And be sure to explore the history of barbed wire, i.e. "Devil's Rope"! Located at 100 Kingsley Street in McLean.

Mural in McLean, Texas: The Heart of Old Route 66

Alanreed, Texas The circa 1930 Bradley Kiser Super “66” Service Station is located in Alanreed, Texas, at the corner of Highway 271 and Main Street. The building is partially restored, and is currently owned and maintained by the Old Route 66 Association of Texas.

The Next Stop on Route 66: Groom, Texas

Welcome to Groom, Texas, founded in 1902 ... on Historic Route 66, about 40 miles east of Amarillo

The Leaning Tower of Texas ... Britten USA

The leaning Britten USA water tower is a popular iconic monument near Groom, Texas.

The tower was originally a functioning water tower which was slated for demolition. Then, Ralph Britten bought it and moved it to serve as a sign for his truck stop and tourist information center.

The truck stop burned many years ago, but the tower remains!

Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Groom, Texas

This 190-foot tall, 1,250-ton free-standing cross monument is located just south of Interstate 40 near Groom, and can be seen from 20 miles away.

Access is via I-40 Exit 112, and the grounds are open 24/7.

Since 1995, the 19-story cross has been a familiar landmark along Interstate 40 and historic Route 66 in Carson County, Texas.

Construction of the cross frame was done in two shops in Pampa, Texas, by more than 100 welders.

Construction took eight months to complete. Every piece had to fit together when the frame was transported and assembled at the construction site 40 miles away.

Surrounding the base of the cross are life-sized statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross. Also on the grounds are a replica of the Shroud of Turin, a life-size Last Supper display, and a 10 Commandments monument.

Today several facilities round out the site, including a visitor center and gift shop, an outdoor path along the stations of the cross, and an outdoor amphitheater.

For more information, visit the website of Cross Ministries

Conway, Texas

The Volkswagen Slug Bug Ranch in Conway, Texas Off I-40 Exit 96 - Frontage road, southwest corner of the interchange

 

Arriving in Amarillo

Amarillo is the largest city on the 178 mile portion of Route 66 from Oklahoma to Texas and into New Mexico. The city's Route 66 Sixth Street Historic District preserves 13 blocks of cafes, antique shops, boutiques, nightspots and restaurants. It was developed in the early 1900s as the San Jacinto neighborhood.

The Historic 6th Street district in Amarillo Texas ... on Route 66

Click to read more about Route 66 in Amarillo

 

The Big Texan Modern-day travelers through the city probably know about "The Big Texan" steak house! It was originally on Route 66, but is located today not far away, on I-40 ... it's a place many tourists to Amarillo want to check out. In 1960 Bob Lee opened the famous Big Texan Steak Ranch on Route 66 in Amarillo. The Big Texan moved to the east side of Amarillo on I-40 in the 1970s. Shown below is "The Big Texan" as it appears today ... home of the free 72 oz steak (with caveats).

Riding Route 66 from Amarillo to New Mexico

Greetings from Amarillo Texas ... on Historic Route 66!

Included in the trip from Amarillo to Glenrio are some of our favorite places and scenes along the Mother Road.

This segment includes all of the best of Route 66, including drivable sections, ghost towns, classic motels and famous roadside attractions like the Cadillac Ranch.

Heading westbound the route traveled through these places:

• Amarillo ... Historic 6th Street and the Cadillac Ranch
• Vega ... small town America
• Adrian ... mid-point of Route 66
• Glenrio ... Ghost town on the Texas-New Mexico border

We have traveled this route multiple times over the years, both eastbound and westbound. Some of the journey is on I-40, which parallels the old Route 66 in most places. Where possible, we choose to drive the segments of the Mother Road where it still remains. Exits to Route 66 are marked in most locales.

Map showing towns along U.S. Route 66 from Amarillo to Glenrio

Our First Stop After Amarillo: The Cadillac Ranch

The Cadillac RV Park on I-40 west of Amarillo

As one heads out westbound from Amarillo today on I-40, the Cadillac Ranch comes into view quickly, on the south side of the road.

Access is via a fence gate on the south service road.

This folk art site of ten Cadillacs is the work of financier Stanley Marsh. It was created in 1974 and consists of what were old or junked Cadillac automobiles, many sporting those classic tail fins.

The cars are half-buried nose-first in the ground, at an angle corresponding to that of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.

Access is from the service road on the south side of the interstate. Park, cross over the fence gate, and walk across the field about 100 yards ... free admission!

Graffiti is allowed as you will quickly learn!

If you are traveling in a recreational vehicle or trailer, the Cadillac RV Park is located nearby, at the intersection of I-40 and Hope Road. A bit further west is the Oasis RV Resort.

The Cadillac Ranch ... classic, half-buried Cadillacs!

 

The Cadillac RV Park on I-40 west of Amarillo

The 2nd Amendment Cowboy at the Cadillac RV Park

Continuing West from Amarillo

It is only about 50 miles from Amarillo to the New Mexico border, with the Old 66 Road passing through Bushland and Wildorado and then the small towns of Vega and Adrian. Today's Interstate I-40 closely parallels the old Route 66 alignment which ran on the north side of the Interstate; careful eyes will see remnants of the old road such as concrete culverts.

The highway is flat and straight as it leaves Amarillo, but soon crosses suddenly into desert-like hill country.

Vega, Texas

Vega is a bit larger than Adrian, and as a population of over 800 residents. The town dates back to the early 1900s; the name Vega (Spanish for "meadow") was selected as it reflected the vast prairie and surrounding countryside of the area.

In 1926, U.S. Route 66 was commissioned and ran through Vega along the Old Ozark Trail.

Today, Vega remains an active community, with some dining and lodging options. It offers a Days Inn, America's Best Value Inn, other lodging, an RV park, several dining options and service stations as well as a large Pilot Travel Center (on the south side of I-40).

Also located in Vega are several attractions, including the Milburn-Price Culture Museum, Dot's Mini Museum and the Magnolia Gas Station.

Exit 35 from Interstate 40 at Vega, Texas, an access point to Route 66
The Vega Motel Ervin Pancoast constructed the Vega Motel on Route 66 in 1947, a time when leisure and travel was a booming industry.  The motel had west and south wings for a total of 12 units, with garages incorporated into the motel design.

Milburn-Price Culture Museum The former Western Lumber Company building is home to the Milburn-Price & Culture Museum, at 1005 Coke Street in Vega. The Museum is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate the public about the history and culture of the Oldham county area. Shown below is the sign and exterior of the Museum, one of the exhibit area and lovely mural on the side of the building. Milburn-Price Culture Museum on Facebook

Route 66 Roadside Attraction: Oldham County Courthouse in Vega, Texas

The circa 1920s Magnolia Gas Station at 222 North Main Street in Vega, Texas

Adrian

Adrian was the mid-way point on Route 66 - 1,139 miles to Chicago, 1,139 miles to Los Angeles. Today, Adrian is a quiet place, the location of the well known Midpoint Cafe & Gift Shop.

Other Adrian attractions that may be of interest to Route 66 travelers include the Lions Antique Museum which displays farm and ranch equipment from the 1920s to 1950s, a Windmill which draws water from a well drilled by the Rock Island Railroad and an Antique Ranch which offers antiques and barbecue.

The long-closed Bent Door Café and trading post, built by Bob Harris in 1947 on the site of the 1940s Kozy Kottage Kamp, incorporates portions of a former air traffic control tower decommissioned after World War II. The tower windows originally slanted toward the runway, so the door is bent to match. The most recent Bent Door restoration efforts were made in 2009 (see photo below).

Midpoint Cafe & Gift Shop Adrian, Texas Route 66 Roadside Attraction: Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop, Adrian, Texas Located at the exact geo-mathematical center of Route 66	Welcome to Adrian, Texas ... the midpoint of Historic Route 66

Texas Bar-B-Q & Antiques in Adrian, Texas (Staff photo, September, 2003) ... Later Brenda's Cafe

The historical Bent Door Midway Station in Adrian as seen in September, 2003 (Staff photo) Currently undergoing restoration ... Read about the status of the restoration on Facebook

Photo of the Bent Door Cafe (circa 2014) in Adrian showing restoration progress (photo courtesy of of the Bent Door Cafe)

The Ghost Town of Glenrio

Present day Exit 0 from I-40 to Glenrio, on the Texas - New Mexico border

 

Happy Motoring! Abandoned ESSO service station at Glenrio, Texas on the north side of Interstate 40 (May 2006)

Directly on the Texas - New Mexico border at Exit 0 is the abandoned ghost town of Glenrio. The townsite still has noticeable traces of Route 66 and the motels and restaurants that used to thrive there before the arrival of I-40. Just west of Glenrio, Route 66 bridges are still visible to the alert I-40 traveler.

Originally a railroad town, the village was renamed from Rock Island to Glenrio by the Rock Island and Pacific Railroad in 1908, and began receiving motorists driving the Ozark Trail in 1917. Its original structures were adobe buildings.

The town's location straddling the state line created a variety of unusual circumstances. Although a post office was established on the New Mexico side of the community, the depot where the mail arrived was on the Texas side. There were no bars on the Texas side of the community, since Deaf Smith County was dry, and no service stations were located on the New Mexico side because of that state's higher gasoline tax.

The Rock Island Railroad depot closed in 1955, and the opening of Interstate 40 in 1975 further accelerated the demise of Glenrio.

 

Today it includes the Glenrio Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The district encompasses the Route 66 roadbed and 17 abandoned structures.

Remains can still be seen of an old motel, cafe, service station, the post office, and a few other buildings, as well as the old Route 66 roadbed. Some structures are posted, so in respect for owners and residents, please observe any "No Trespassing" signs.

Visitors today will notice construction underway in Glenrio. Parts of the area have been purchased and are slated for restoration and renovation. Read more: Business partners invest in abandoned town of Glenrio to revitalize the area (KFDA Amarillo).

For those traveling westbound, be sure to stop at the nicely designed and operated New Mexico Welcome Center. It is stocked well with maps and brochures about Route 66 and all of New Mexico; friendly staff members are always available to answer questions.

The old Route 66 then continued westward from Glenrio through San Jon, Tucumcari, Montoya, the ghost town of Cuervo and Santa Rosa.

Abandoned Brownlee Diner in Glenrio (May 2006)

Glenrio sign on present-day I-40 Business Route

Route 66 Logo on the pavement in Glenrio

The State Line Motel and Cafe "First in Texas" or "Last in Texas" depending on which direction the traveler was headed!
Looking East ... First in Texas (May 2006)	Looking West towards New Mexico (May 2006)

 

Entering New Mexico at Glenrio Need a break while driving on I-40 and Route 66? Stop at the very well done Glenrio Visitor Center operated by New Mexico DOT.

The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and there is amble travel information, maps and brochures about New Mexico and Route 66 travel stops. Plus clean restrooms and water. Highly recommended!

 

We also have divided the Texas Route 66 into two major segments ... select your area of interest for more details!

Route 66 Road Trips in Texas Shamrock near Oklahoma to Amarillo
Amarillo thru Adrian to Glenrio on the New Mexico border

 

Driving West on the Next Route 66 Segment? Tucumcari to Santa Fe

 

Travel Guides for Other States Along Route 66

Planning a Road Trip on Route 66? Here are trip planners for all eight states on The Mother Road ...

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