Historic Route 66 is rich in history ... and there are many museums along the Mother Road in all eight states that help document that history.
Different travelers have different interests, so there is "no one size fits all" museum. Museums come in all sizes, some rather large, some on a smaller scale.
There are too many Route 66 museums to list here, but we are including some of the more popular ones as a starting point in planning your museum stops along your road trip.
Links are included to the websites of individual museums for additional information.
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, OklahomaThe National Route 66 Museum focuses on the people who lived, worked and traveled the “Mother Road” and offers visitors a classic walk through all eight states, highlighted by realistic murals and vignettes depicting the eras of the road and the interesting places that made Route 66 so famous. |
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Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma |
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The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is a popular stop in Clinton, Oklahoma. The state's official showcase of Route 66 is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, and offers visitors a spirited tour of pure Americana. |
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Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and MuseumA popular stop in Illinois along Historic Route 66 is Pontiac, known for the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as its many murals! The facility is the repository for thousands of pieces of historic memorabilia from the glory days of the Mother Road. Visitors learn the history of Route 66 in Illinois, see images of the road's wonderful history, and hear a few great stories about life in America when Route 66 was the most important highway in the nation. The popular Route 66 shield mural at the back of the Museum was the first in Pontiac. It was designed and painted by Pontiac's own Diaz Sign Art. In front of the mural visitors can drive their car, motorcycle, or other mode of transportation, or just stand on original Route 66 bricks for a photo op. Access to the mural is from Main Street in the 300 block, just off of Howard Street. The address of the Museum is 110 W Howard Street, Pontiac, IL 61764 |
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The famous Route 66 shield mural |
Bob Waldmire's VW bus |
Route 66 Museum in Lebanon, MissouriThe Route 66 Museum is located in the Laciede County Library in Lebanon, Missouri. The museum features a large-scale display of an old Texaco gas station as well as displays of vintage motel rooms and diners. It also includes a large display of Route 66 maps and collectibles. Admission is free. Located at 915 S Jefferson Ave, Lebanon, MO 65536 |
California Route 66 MuseumThe California Route 66 Museum is devoted to the representation of U.S. Highway 66 in both historic and contemporary exhibition. It is an interactive museum with over 4500 Sq. Ft. of floor space. The museum offers many photo opportunities for visitors to share memories in such settings as a 1950s diner and the VW Love Bus complete with hippie wigs and sunglasses for that perfect shot. Located at 16825 South D Street in Victorville, California Website of the California Route 66 Museum |
Route 66 Interpretive CenterTravelers of all ages will be delighted to experience our nostalgic trip down “The Mother Road.” This uniquely interactive history is a tale told through an interesting array of videos portraying the huge part Oklahoma has played in forming the sights and sounds along the way. The Interpretive Center takes participants through a visually entertaining “drive” from the 1920s through current-day Oklahoma. Located at 400 E 1st Street in Chandler, OK 74834 |
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New Mexico Route 66 MuseumThe New Mexico Route 66 Museum offers a unique look into New Mexico's Route 66 heritage, as well as a wide range of representation, from Glenrio to Gallup and everywhere in between. The museum is in Tucumcari, New Mexico on the south side of the Convention Center at 1500 West Route 66 Boulevard. Nearby is the famous Route 66 Monument commissioned by artist Tom Coffin (photo lower right). |
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Texas Route 66 Museum and Devil's Rope MuseumThe 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. |
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Route 66 Auto MuseumOne of the popular local attractions in Santa Rosa, New Mexico is the Route 66 Auto Museum, which draws car buffs from all over the country and beyond. The museum houses a large collection of classics, low riders, muscle cars and motorcycles … plus, gas pumps and other auto memorabilia from the early days of Route 66. Located at 2436 Rte 66 Santa Rosa, NM 88435 Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa |
Arizona Route 66 Museum in The PowerhouseOpened September 2001 and operated by the Mohave Pioneers Historical Society, the Arizona Route 66 Museum is located in Kingman’s Historic Powerhouse and depicts the historical evolution of travel along the 35th parallel that became Route 66. Located 120 W. Andy Devine Avenue Kingman, AZ 86401 |
Museum on the Square in SpringfieldWith one of the largest Route 66 timelines and maps in the country, this gallery is a must-see for any Americana enthusiast. The History Museum on the Square is located on Historic U.S. Route 66 in the heart of downtown Springfield, Missouri. Northeast corner of the public square, at 154 Park Central Square, Springfield, MO Exhibit at the History Museum on the Square, Springfield, Missouri |
Seaba Station Motorcycle MuseumThe Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum is located at 336992 E. Highway 66 in Warwick, Oklahoma, west of Chandler. Seaba Station was built in 1921 by John and Alice Seaba, five years before historic Route 66 would be certified. This building's life started out as a DX station, and has now been restored and operated as a popular motorcycle museum. Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum website and Seaba Station on Facebook |
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Heart of Route 66 Auto MuseumThe Museum in Sapulpa features the world's tallest gas pump, at 66-foot-tall, a prominent Route 66 landmark. It also includes an extensive indoor collection of historic automobiles and other historical treasures. The Museum is on the grow, with an all new expansion planned for 2023. See photo below right, courtesy of Reed Architects, the designers of the new expansion. This expansion parallels a neighboring park development by the city of Sapulpa. The Museum is located at 13 Sahoma Lake Road, Sapulpa, OK 74066. For more information, phone 918.216.1171, or visit .... The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum website and The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum on Facebook |
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American Giants MuseumThe Atlanta Betterment Fund organization is providing a home for the American Giants Museum in the City of Atlanta, Illinois. The new, one-of-a-kind experience will be located at the corner of Arch & Vine Streets, on a 1926 alignment of Route 66 in downtown Atlanta. The American Giants Museum tells the story of the kitschy and quirky “Muffler Man/Bunyan Giant” statues that sprang up in the 1960s as advertising gimmicks across the USA. Shown below is an exterior view of the museum, and one of the first "giants" on display on the museum grounds in the spring of 2023. Formal opening was held on Memorial Day weekend of 2024. For more information, opening dates and times, visit the website of the American Giants Museum Route 66 Giants Move into Atlanta, Illinois |
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Route 66 cities and towns |
Attractions and points of interest |
Museums |
Classic motels and lodging |
Classic service stations |
Classic drive-ins, cafes and restaurants |
Berwyn | IL | Route 66 Museum |
Joliet | IL | Joliet Area Historical Museum |
Lincoln | IL | Lincoln Heritage Museum |
Sptringfield | IL | Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum |
St. Louis | MO | Gateway Arch National Park |
Baxter Springs | KS | Baxter Springs Heritage Center Museum |
Oklahoma City | OK | Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum |
Oklahoma City | OK | National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum |
Stroud | OK | Route 66 Spirit of America Museum |
Tulsa | OK | Gilcrease Museum |
Tulsa | OK | Philbrook Museum |
Tulsa | OK | Tulsa Air & Space Museum |
Amarillo | TX | American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum |
Vega | TX | Milburn-Price Culture Museum |
Glenrio | NM | Russell's TA Travel Center & Museum |
Santa Fe | NM | New Mexico History Museum |
San Bernardino | CA | Original McDonald's Museum |