Planning a road trip? Today we’ll look at one route that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Known as the Main Street of America, the Will Rogers Highway, and the Mother Road, Route 66 is an iconic American highway. Built in 1926, and completely paved in 1938, Route 66 gets nearly 13 million travelers each year. Here are ten sights that you won’t want to miss along the way:

Chain of Rocks Bridge
1. Chain of Rocks Bridge, Madison, IL to St. Louis, MO – Featuring a 30 degree bend, they don’t build bridges like this anymore! Spanning the Mississippi River, the bridge was closed to automobiles in 1970, but it’s still open to foot and bike traffic.

2. Cars on the Route, Galena, KS – Kansas has the smallest stretch of Route 66, at only 13 miles. But, this restored Kan-O-Tex Service Station and diner should be on your list of notable stops. Formerly known as “4 Women on the Route,” the name was recently changed to cash in on the notoriety brought by Disney’s Cars. You see, next to the station you’ll find the 1951 International boom truck that inspired the “Tow Mater” character.

3. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Clinton, OK – Although small, this museum is a great place to stretch your legs while learning about the history of the Road. The museum is filled with retro exhibits, old cars and Route 66 memorabilia.

4. Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum, Miami, OK – Opened in 2006, Route 66 Vintage Iron has an incredible collection of old bikes on display, and a growing collection of Evel Knievel memorabilia… including Evel’s Snake River Canyon Jump Mission Control Super Van.

5. Arcadia Round Barn, Arcadia, OK – If you like architecture, stop here. Built in 1898 by William Odor, the Round Barn is an “architectural wonder.” To get the unique round shape, lumber was soaked in water and then placed in special jigs to bend the boards into the rounded sides and roof rafters.

6. Cozy Dog Drive In, Springfield, IL – Often found at county and state fairs, this is the home of the one and only “Cozy Dog” hot dog on a stick! It made our list for obvious reasons!

Cadillac Ranch
7. Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX – This roadside art exhibit was created by a group of, well, hippies in 1974. It features vintage Cadillacs buried nose-down in the ground. Over the years, the cars have been worn by the weather and spray-painted by visitors. It’s an interesting stop, at least for a few quick photos.

8. Tucumcari, NM – No major attractions to name here, but Tucumcari is the quintessential Route 66 town. Tucumcari boasts shops and diners dating back to the 1930s, and it’s famous for the nostalgic roadside signs that promoted the town as an overnight stopping point. Tucumcari is also home to several well-preserved neon clad motels, like the famous Blue Swallow Motel, 

9. Snow Cap Drive-In, Seligman, AZ – Famous for cheeseburgers, this destination is all about Route 66 atmosphere. It’s a fun stop for a good bite to eat.

Santa-Monica-Pier
10. Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA – Route 66 used to end in downtown Los Angeles. But, a few years back the pier was officially designated as the western point of Route 66, acknowledging the common belief that the highway ended there. I suppose that’s where most Route 66 travelers ended up. The pier now has a sign that declaring, “Santa Monica – 66 – End of the Trail,” which is good enough for most people… and, well, if you’re not from the Golden State, trust us, it’s not a bad place to end!

Whether you’re looking for loads of old-time neon, mom and pop restaurants, odd gift shops, or just a slice of Americana, Route 66 has it. And if you plan your trip just right, ending in California, you might even be able to come spend the day with us in Pomona. Now that would be the ultimate road trip!