Route 66 turns 100 years old this year. The star of song, stage, screen, and highway signage covered 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, until it was decommissioned in 1985 after being replaced by interstate highways.
The “Mother Road,” as John Steinbeck referred to it, crossed 178 miles of the upper Texas Panhandle from Texola, Oklahoma, to Glenrio at the New Mexico border.
The flat, featureless landscape makes up for what it lacks in beauty with roadside curiosities, like a homely farm boy with a sense of humor.
Get your kicks on Route 66 to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime anniversary.
One of most photographed places along the old highway in Texas is the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn in Shamrock about 16 miles west of the Oklahoma border. The art deco building opened in 1936 as a Conoco station and cafe. It now houses the local visitors center.
Amarillo has preserved Route 66 through town as the Sixth Street Historic District. Many of the buildings along the street have witnessed 100 years of changes to the automobile. The town celebrates its Texas Route 66 Festival from June 4 through 13. While in town grab a burger at the GoldenLight Cantina; in operation since 1946, it is the oldest restaurant in Amarillo.
Speaking of grabbing a bite to eat, stop at the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian where you’ll be halfway to the end of the road no matter which way you’re going. The restaurant and souvenir and antique shop is 1,139 miles from either end of Route 66. Slinging burgers since 1928, the eatery famous for its “ugly crust” pies once operated 24 hours, now adjusts its hours seasonally.
These are some of the highlights to be found along the historic highway. Look for other remnants off I-40 in McLean, Conway, Alanreed, Vega, and the ghost town of Glenrio.
1,791st in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere. Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/day-trips.
This article appears in January 30 • 2026.