Mile 618 — 631
Kansas
The Shortest & Sweetest 13 Miles
Kansas holds the distinction of having the shortest stretch of Route 66 of all eight states — just 13.2 miles through Cherokee County. From the Missouri border at Galena to the Oklahoma line at Baxter Springs, this brief corridor passes through three small towns packed with Route 66 history, Pixar movie connections, and some of the oldest continuously operating businesses on the Mother Road.
13
Miles
3
Towns
1
Bridge
100
Years
Featured Guides
Essential Kansas Reading
Kansas Route 66: The Complete 2026 Centennial Guide
Kansas may have just 13.2 miles of Route 66, but those miles pack mining history, Pixar movie fame, and century-old stores into the shortest and sweetest stretch of the Mother Road.
January 20, 2026
The 13-Mile Drive: Kansas Route 66 Mile by Mile
From the Missouri border to the Oklahoma line, we break down every must-stop across Kansas's 13.2-mile stretch of Route 66 through Cherokee County.
February 5, 2026
Cars on the Route: Where Tow Mater Was Born
The old Kan-O-Tex gas station in Galena features the rusted International Harvester truck that reportedly inspired Tow Mater from Pixar's Cars.
February 12, 2026
Nelson's Old Riverton Store: Route 66 Since 1925
The oldest continuously operating store on Route 66 has been serving travelers since 1925 — deli sandwiches, cold drinks, and a living piece of Mother Road history.
February 18, 2026
Follow the road west — from the Missouri border to the Oklahoma line. Each stop has our curated picks for attractions, food, and hidden gems.
Mining Town Heritage
Galena
Galena was once a booming lead and zinc mining town in the late 1800s. Today it draws Route 66 travelers to Cars on the Route, a restored Kan-O-Tex gas station featuring the rusted International Harvester tow truck that reportedly inspired Tow Mater from Pixar's Cars. The town's mining heritage is visible in its architecture and the surrounding landscape.
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restaurantMust-Try Eats
Crossroads
Riverton
Riverton sits at the crossroads of Route 66 and the old Spring River bridge. Its crown jewel is Nelson's Old Riverton Store, which has been serving travelers continuously since 1925 — making it the oldest continuously operating store on all of Route 66. The store sells deli sandwiches, Route 66 souvenirs, and genuine small-town hospitality.
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restaurantMust-Try Eats
First Cowtown in Kansas
Baxter Springs
Baxter Springs was the first cowtown in Kansas, serving as the northern terminus of the Shawnee Trail cattle drives in the 1860s. The town was also the site of the 1863 Baxter Springs Massacre, where Quantrill's Raiders ambushed Union soldiers. Today the Heritage Center preserves both the Wild West and Route 66 history of this border town.
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What's Happening
Kansas Events 2026
Route 66 International Festival — Baxter Springs
location_onDowntown Baxter Springs, KS
Free
Annual celebration of Route 66 heritage with classic car shows, live music, vendor booths, guided historic tours, and a parade through downtown Baxter Springs.
Galena Mining Days
location_onDowntown Galena, KS
Free
A community celebration of Galena's lead and zinc mining heritage featuring historical reenactments, mine tours, live music, food vendors, and a downtown art walk.
Drive It Slowly
The 13.2 miles can be driven in 15 minutes, but don't. Allow 2–4 hours to stop at every attraction, take photos at the Rainbow Bridge, browse Nelson's Store, and soak in the small-town atmosphere. This stretch rewards slow travel.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer the best weather and fewest crowds. Summer can be intensely humid in southeast Kansas. The Route 66 International Festival in September is the best time for events.
Combine with Missouri & Oklahoma
Kansas sits between Joplin, Missouri (10 minutes east) and Miami, Oklahoma (10 minutes south). Plan Kansas as part of a tri-state day trip covering the Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma Route 66 corridor.
Frequently Asked
Kansas Route 66 FAQ
How long is Route 66 through Kansas?expand_more
Kansas has the shortest stretch of Route 66 of all eight states — just 13.2 miles (21 km). The route runs through Cherokee County from the Missouri border at Galena to the Oklahoma border at Baxter Springs.
What towns does Route 66 pass through in Kansas?expand_more
Route 66 passes through three towns in Kansas: Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs. All three are in Cherokee County in the southeast corner of the state.
What is Cars on the Route in Galena?expand_more
Cars on the Route is a restored 1920s Kan-O-Tex gas station in Galena featuring a rusted International Harvester tow truck that reportedly inspired the character Tow Mater in Pixar's 2006 film Cars. The station includes a gift shop and vintage memorabilia. Admission is free.
How long should I spend on Kansas Route 66?expand_more
While you can drive the 13.2 miles in 15 minutes, we recommend allowing 2-4 hours to explore all three towns, visit Cars on the Route, browse Nelson's Old Riverton Store, photograph the Rainbow Bridge, and tour the Baxter Springs Heritage Center.
Explore Kansas
Things To Do in Kansas
From Route 66 landmarks to small-town heritage — discover everything Kansas has to offer.
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