Road Trip Guide for Route 66 thru Kansas
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As Route 66 left Joplin, Missouri, it was only a short distance westbound to the Kansas border. The route through Kansas was the shortest of all the states, only about 13 miles.
It traveled through Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs. From there it entered Commerce, Oklahoma, and headed southwest through Miami, Afton, Chelsea and Claremore and Tulsa.
Although the Route through Kansas is short, there are a number of attractions for Mother Road travelers, such as the following:
- Cars on the Route in Galena - Restored Kan-O-Tex service station
- Mining and Historical Museum in Galena
- "Welcome to Galena" mural
- Gearhead Curios in Galena
- The Buick of the Radiator Springs Sheriff
- Luigi's Pit Stop
- Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store
- Rainbow Curve Bridge, constructed in 1923 over Brush Creek ... the only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on Route 66
- Baxter Springs Phillips 66 service station - now a popular Visitors Center
- Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum
| Map of Historic Route 66 through Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs in Kansas Click the map for an interactive routing map  |
Entering Kansas, on Historic Route 66  |
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| The well known mural ... Greetings from Galena, Kansas, on Historic Route 66 "Route 66. Just the name is magic. Route 66. It will always mean going somewhere"  |
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Cars on the RouteCars on the Route is located in a restored circa 1934 Kan-O-Tex service station at 119 North Main Street in Galena. It features the rusted tow truck "Tow Tater" and other restored vehicles on display. The tow truck was the inspiration for the character "Tow Mater" in the Pixar classic movie "Cars". |
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The Sheriff in Galena!Buick of the Radiator Springs Sheriff |
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Galena Mining & Historical MuseumLocated at 319 W 7th in Galena is the old Katy Railroad Depot. Housing the Galena Mining & Historical Museum, it offers Route 66 curios, artwork for the Gearhead and a place to gather to share stories. At first glance, the Museum is small, occupying the railroad depot that was moved from another location on Route 66 in Galena. But there is a much larger museum building behind the depot. Features unique to the Galena Museum are a large display of mineral specimens, mining equipment and a model of the Grand Central Mine which was located just east of Galena in Central City, Missouri. Also featured is a collection of oil paintings titled "Abandoned Mine Scenes" by local artist Carol Bliss-Riley. |
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Gearhead CuriosGearhead Curios is located at 520 South Main Street (Route 66 and Jefferson Highway) in Galena in a restored Texaco filling station. The building was constructed out of native stone in 1939, and served Route 66 travelers for decades under the ownership of Logan Thompson. The station closed shortly after 2000, but renovations were begun by Aaron Perry in 2018. In April of 2021 a neon lighting celebration was held. The official ribbon cutting was held on June 17, 2023, culminating five-year's worth of renovation and restoration. Today, it offers Route 66 curios, artwork for the Gearhead and a place to gather to share stories. Plus clean, unique restrooms! The 1951 blue Hudson Hornet "Doc" parked there is a popular photo-op for Route 66 travelers! Gearhead Curios is the only State of Kansas Tourist Information Center along Route 66, and the first Jefferson Highway Information Center. Since the Baxter Springs Phillips 66 is not open year-round, the state asked Aaron if would represent as the Information Center, and he agreed! The 5th Annual Gearhead Curios Pin Ups on 66 Photo Shoot will be held on September 27, 2025. Located at 520 South Main Street in Galena. Phone 785.554.7694 and visit Gearhead Curios on Facebook
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Riverton, Kansas
Eisler Brothers StoreA popular stop on Route 66 is the Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, built in 1925. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, today it offers deli sandwiches, plants, flowers and a gift shop. It also serves as headquarters of the Route 66 Association of Kansas. Located at 7109 SE Highway 66.
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Baxter Springs
Baxter Springs Visitors CenterThe Baxter Springs, Kansas, Visitors Center is located at 740 East Avenue in a restored circa 1930 Phillips 66 Service Station ... added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. |
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Baxter Springs Visitors Center seen in this photo. |
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Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum
The Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum, functioning under the Baxter Springs Historical Society, is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich regional history of Baxter Springs, Kansas. The 20,000 sqft facility is filled with exhibits depicting the various stages of the city's history from the days of the Osage Indians through the Civil War and the lead and zinc mining era. It is located at 740 East Avenue in Baxter Springs. For more information, visit the Heritage Center & Museum Website or phone 620.856.2385 |
Rainbow Curve Bridge
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Baxter Springs, KS, site of the Rainbow Bridge on Old Route 66 |
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More Travel Information for Kansas
- Galena at the Travel Kansas Website
- Eisler Brothers in Riverton Baxter Springs Visitor Center
- Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum Website
- Route 66 Association of Kansas
- Kansas Historic Route 66 Association
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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