Few roads capture the spirit of American freedom quite like Route 66. Along America’s Main Street, classic car museums and quirky roadside stops celebrate the golden age of travel. Buckle up for a ride through the best car attractions that make Route 66 a must-drive for every auto enthusiast.

Stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 is a car lover’s dream. Along this legendary highway, vintage car museums, quirky roadside stops and interactive art installations celebrate America’s deep-rooted love for the open road. Whether you’re a die-hard gearhead or simply fascinated by the cars that shaped travel history, these must-see attractions will rev up your Route 66 adventure.
Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum, Pontiac, Illinois
If you love classic cars, Pontiac, Illinois, is calling your name. This charming Central Illinois town, about 100 miles southwest of Chicago, is brimming with Route 66 history and nostalgia. The Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum celebrates the rise and fall of the Pontiac and Oakland brands with gleaming vintage models, rare prototypes and dealer memorabilia. Rows of polished chrome and retro emblems offer a nostalgic ride through America’s automotive golden age.
Once you’ve admired the showroom’s pristine Pontiacs and rare Oakland collectibles, head down the street to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum. There, you can check out vintage vehicles parked outside and snap a photo with your own car in front of a massive, multi-story Route 66 shield mural — a must for any road trip album.
Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex, Springfield, Illinois
Where else can you step back into the glory days of Route 66 surrounded by chrome, neon and gasoline-powered dreams, while catching the game on the big screen and sipping your favorite adult beverage? At Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, Illinois. This one-of-a-kind stop is part automotive museum, part sports bar, and fully dedicated to celebrating America’s love affair with the open road.
Inside, retro gas pumps, vintage neon signs and walls packed with automotive memorabilia create a gearhead’s paradise. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just craving a bite, Motorheads offers a welcoming, garage-inspired space to relax and recharge.
St. Louis Car Museum, Missouri
Car lovers cruising through St. Louis won’t want to miss the St. Louis Car Museum, a sprawling showcase of automotive history. This expansive museum showcases everything from early 20th-century classics to muscle cars, luxury vehicles and even vintage motorcycles. The polished showroom floors are lined with pristine models that tell the story of America’s evolving car culture.
What makes this spot even more exciting? Nearly every vehicle on display is for sale. Whether you’re browsing or buying, it’s a rare chance to admire — and maybe even drive away in — a piece of automotive history.
National Museum of Transportation, Kirkwood, Missouri
The National Museum of Transportation in suburban St. Louis seamlessly turns the pages of America’s transportation story. Long before cars motored west from the Gateway Arch along Route 66, railroads moved Americans across the country — and this museum captures that pivotal shift. Its impressive collection of classic and vintage automobiles traces the evolution of American travel, from the earliest motorcars to the muscle cars that once roared down Route 66.
Route 66 Car Museum, Springfield, Missouri
In Southwestern Missouri, the Route 66 Car Museum in Springfield is a privately owned collection showcasing more than 70 classic and vintage vehicles. The lineup spans from brass-era automobiles to luxury classics and sleek sports cars. Highlights include a 1963 Morgan once owned by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who led U.S. Allied forces in the Gulf War, a Gotham Cruiser from the 1966-1968 “Batman” television series and a DeLorean identical to the one in “Back to the Future.”
But the museum’s strongest tie to Route 66 is the original 1926 Hudson truck from the 1940 film “The Grapes of Wrath.” Vehicles like this carried desperate families westward along Route 66 during the Dust Bowl, chasing the promise of a better life. It was John Steinbeck’s novel turned movie that immortalized their journey and famously gave Route 66 its enduring Mother Road nickname.
Cars on the Route, Galena, Kansas
Kansas may only claim 13 miles of Route 66, but the small town of Galena makes every inch count. One of its standout attractions is Cars on the Route, a restored 1934 Kan-O-Tex service station turned roadside stop celebrating both local history and pop culture.
The star of the show? A rusted 1951 international boom truck parked out front — the very truck that inspired the character Tow Mater in Pixar’s “Cars.” This charming stop is packed with memorabilia, photo ops and a nostalgic nod to Route 66’s role in inspiring the film that introduced the Mother Road to a new generation.
Fin-tastic art installations, Amarillo, Texas
As you cruise Route 66 through the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo offers two unforgettable, larger-than-life art installations where spray-painted cars are buried nose-first in the dirt under the wide-open skies. On the east side of town in Conway, Slug Bug Ranch features half-buried Volkswagen Beetles — a playful twist on Amarillo’s more famous Cadillac Ranch. On the west side, the iconic Cadillac Ranch rises from a dusty field with 10 classic Cadillacs buried nose-first, their towering tail fins slicing into the sky.
At both stops, visitors are encouraged to grab a can of spray paint and leave their mark on these weathered relics. And if all that creativity works up an appetite, the legendary Big Texan Steak Ranch — home of the famous 72-ounce steak challenge — is just down the road.
Route 66 Auto Museum, Santa Rosa, New Mexico
In the heart of New Mexico, the Route 66 Auto Museum offers a nostalgic ride through automotive history. This privately owned museum houses over 30 classic and custom cars, ranging from fully restored vintage models to hot rods and lowriders. Each vehicle reflects the golden era of American road trips, perfectly complementing the spirit of Route 66. Beyond the cars, the museum features retro memorabilia, gas pumps and neon signs that immerse visitors in the heyday of cruising the Mother Road.
Arizona Route 66 Museum, Kingman, Arizona
The Arizona Route 66 Museum in Kingman brings the rich history of America’s most iconic highway to life. Located inside the historic Powerhouse Visitor Center, the museum takes visitors on a journey through the evolution of transportation along Route 66. Exhibits highlight the early days of Native American trade routes, the Dust Bowl migration and the golden era of cross-country road trips. Vintage vehicles, interactive displays and period photographs paint a vivid picture of how this road shaped America’s identity.
Before you leave, don’t miss the chance to drive your car through the giant Route 66 sign out front for an unforgettable photo op. And if you’re feeling hungry, head across the street to Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner for a classic meal in a retro setting — complete with neon lights and vintage cars parked out front.
Crossing the finish line
As the sun sets on your Route 66 adventure, it’s clear that the Mother Road is more than just a highway — it’s a celebration of America’s rich automotive history and road trip culture. From gleaming showrooms filled with vintage classics to quirky, spray-painted car installations, each stop along this iconic route tells a story of freedom, creativity and the open road. Whether you’ve checked off every museum or just pulled over for a photo op, these must-see car attractions ensure your journey down Route 66 is unforgettable.
Sage Scott was bitten by the travel bug as a preschooler when her family moved abroad for the first time. Now settled in America’s Heartland, Sage is a travel writer, world wanderer and photographer whose favorite color is golden hour. Follow her adventures at Everyday Wanderer.