Route 66 in Kansas: Our Photos and Highlights

Kansas has the shortest stretch of Route 66 of any state on the route. Just 13 miles of the Mother Road cut across the southeast corner of the state, passing through three towns: Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs. You could drive it in twenty minutes if you were in a rush, but you’d miss some really good stops, including the gas station that inspired the Pixar movie “Cars,” a deli that’s been making sandwiches since the 1920s, and the last surviving Marsh Arch bridge on all of Route 66.

We drove the Kansas stretch as part of our Route 66 road trip from California to Chicago, and while it’s short, it packs a lot in. We also cheated a bit and drove about 30 miles off-route to see a very large mining machine, which I have no regrets about.

If you’re driving the traditional east-west route, Route 66 enters Kansas from Missouri in the east, passing through Galena first, then Riverton, then Baxter Springs before crossing into Oklahoma. Thirteen miles, three towns, and more photo stops than you’d expect.

I also have many of these photos available for purchase in my online Route 66 photo gallery if you’d like a memory of the Mother Road for your wall.

Route 66 Kansas Highlights: Galena to Baxter Springs

Here are our highlights from driving Route 66 through Kansas, ordered east to west as you’d encounter them coming in from Missouri and heading towards Oklahoma.

Galena Signs and Murals

Galena is the first Kansas town you hit coming in from Missouri, and it makes the most of its Route 66 heritage. There aren’t many towns on this 13-mile stretch, which means the ones that are here go all in. Galena has signs, murals, an old city jail, and some lovely old buildings along Main Street.

Galena was a booming lead and zinc mining town in the 1920s, with a population nearly ten times what it is today. The Galena Mining & Historical Museum on Main Street has old newspaper clippings and mining equipment from the boom years. But the main draw for Route 66 travellers is further down the street.

Cars on the Route, Galena

Cars on the Route is a restored Kan-O-Tex gas station on Main Street, and it’s the most famous stop on Route 66 in Kansas. The reason? Parked out front is the early 1950s International Harvester tow truck that inspired the character “Tow Mater” in the Pixar movie “Cars.” Galena itself is said to have been one of the inspirations for the fictional town of Radiator Springs.

There he is. Looking a bit rusty, but that’s rather the point.

And from another angle. Because he’s so cute.

Nelson’s Old Riverton Store

A few miles down the road in Riverton, Nelson’s Old Riverton Store has been serving Route 66 travellers since 1925, the year before the highway was even officially designated. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and doubles as the headquarters of the Route 66 Association of Kansas.

The deli counter does made-to-order sandwiches, and we can confirm they’re good. The store is also stocked with Route 66 memorabilia, vintage signs, and the kind of stuff you didn’t know you needed until you saw it. A proper Route 66 stop.

Rainbow Bridge, Riverton

Between Riverton and Baxter Springs, the Rainbow Bridge (officially the Brush Creek Bridge) crosses Brush Creek. Built in 1923, it’s the last surviving Marsh Arch bridge on the entire length of Route 66. It’s been repainted in bright white and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A replacement bridge handles the main traffic now, but you can still drive across the original on a short one-way road. And yes, someone has painted a Route 66 shield on the road surface. Of course they have.

Baxter Springs Route 66 Visitors Center

This restored 1930s Phillips 66 gas station in Baxter Springs is now the Kansas Route 66 Visitors Center. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and has vintage gas pumps, Route 66 displays, and information about the local area.

Baxter Springs also has a Heritage Center and Museum with 20,000 square feet of free exhibits covering everything from Native American history to the Civil War to Route 66.

Route 66 Park, Baxter Springs

There’s a nice little Route 66 park on the edge of Baxter Springs. Good for stretching your legs before crossing into Missouri. Or for eating a deli sandwich from the Riverton Store, if you planned ahead.

Big Brutus, West Mineral

And here’s the reason we drove 30 miles off Route 66. Big Brutus is a Bucyrus-Erie 1850B electric mining shovel that stands 160 feet tall and weighs 11 million pounds. It was the second-largest electric shovel of its kind when it was built, and now it just sits in a field in West Mineral being enormous. You can go inside and climb up through the machinery, which is a slightly surreal experience. Worth the detour.

And that brings us to the end of Kansas. Thirteen miles of Route 66, but every one of them counts.

Tips for Planning Your Route 66 Kansas Trip

If you’re planning to drive Route 66 through Kansas, here are some resources to help.

For the full route, Jess has put together a comprehensive guide to planning a Route 66 trip, plus an incredibly detailed two week day-by-day Route 66 itinerary covering all the sights, route tips, lodging, and places to eat. We also have a one-week Route 66 itinerary if you have less time. For accommodation options, see our guide to the best motels and hotels on Route 66.

We’d also recommend picking up a copy of the EZ66 Guide for Travelers by Jerry McClanahan. It’s now in its 6th edition and is the best way to follow the original Route 66 alignment as closely as possible. We used it the whole way and even met the author (at his gallery in Chandler, Oklahoma, which we covered in our Oklahoma photo essay).

You’ll need a car for Route 66, and if you need to rent one, we recommend checking Discover Cars, which compares prices across all the major rental companies. If you’re new to driving in the US, have a look at my tips for driving in the US. And for budget planning, we’ve got a guide to travel costs in the USA.

For photos from the rest of our trip, check out our photo highlights from each state: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois.

Route 66 Centennial 2026

Route 66 turns 100 in 2026. The highway was officially designated on November 11, 1926, and centennial celebrations are happening all year across all eight states.

Kansas may have the shortest stretch, but the three towns along it are getting involved. Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs all have ties to centennial events along the broader Route 66 corridor, and the attractions along the Kansas stretch are seeing increased traffic as travellers make their centennial trips. The Route 66 Centennial website has the full schedule of events across all eight states.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Route 66 in Kansas?

Route 66 in Kansas is just 13 miles long, making it the shortest stretch of any state on the route. It passes through three towns: Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs, in the southeast corner of the state.

You could drive it in twenty minutes, but with the stops along the way, plan for at least a couple of hours. Add more if you detour to Big Brutus in West Mineral.

What are the must-see stops on Route 66 in Kansas?

Cars on the Route in Galena (the gas station with the tow truck that inspired “Mater” from Pixar’s “Cars”), Nelson’s Old Riverton Store in Riverton (sandwiches and Route 66 memorabilia since 1925), and the Rainbow Bridge between Riverton and Baxter Springs (the last surviving Marsh Arch bridge on Route 66). The Baxter Springs Route 66 Visitors Center in the restored Phillips 66 station is also worth a stop.

Is Big Brutus on Route 66?

No, Big Brutus is in West Mineral, about 30 miles north of the Route 66 corridor. But it’s a worthwhile detour if you have the time. The 160-foot, 11-million-pound electric mining shovel is one of those things you have to see in person to believe.

Where should I stay on Route 66 in Kansas?

The Kansas stretch is short enough that most people drive it as part of a longer day that includes either Oklahoma or Missouri. If you do want to stay locally, Baxter Springs and Galena have a few options. For more choices, Joplin, Missouri is about 10 miles east. See our guide to Route 66 era hotels and motels for the full list.

What is the Route 66 Centennial?

Route 66 was officially designated on November 11, 1926, making 2026 its 100th anniversary. Centennial celebrations are happening all year across all eight Route 66 states. The Route 66 Centennial website has the full events calendar.