Mile 1063 — 1241

Texas

Q: What is Cadillac Ranch and is it free?

Cadillac Ranch is 10 Cadillacs buried nose-down in a field west of Amarillo, created in 1974. Free to visit 24/7.

Q: What is the Big Texan 72-ounce steak challenge?

Eat a 72-oz steak plus sides in one hour at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo. Finish it and the $72 meal is free.

Cadillac Ranch & Big Skies

178 Miles of Fun

Texas offers 178 miles of Route 66 across the flat, windswept Panhandle — from Shamrock on the Oklahoma border to Glenrio on the New Mexico line. Home to Cadillac Ranch, the Route 66 Midpoint in Adrian, and the legendary Big Texan Steak Ranch.

178

Miles

Towns

Landmarks

100

Years

Featured Guides

Essential Texas Reading

CENTENNIAL 2026

Texas Route 66: The Complete 2026 Centennial Guide

178 miles across the Panhandle — from Shamrock to Glenrio. Everything you need to know about driving Texas Route 66 in the Centennial year.

January 15, 2026

FEATURED

Cadillac Ranch: The Ultimate Guide to America's Most Colorful Art Installation

Ten Cadillacs buried nose-down in a wheat field west of Amarillo. Bring spray paint, visit at sunset, and experience one of the most iconic roadside attractions in America.

January 20, 2026

RT66 CLASSIC

Big Texan Steak Ranch: The 72-Ounce Challenge

The legendary 72-ounce steak challenge has been drawing travelers since 1960. Finish the meal in one hour and it's free. Over 10,000 people have done it.

February 1, 2026

ROAD TRIP

The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian: Halfway Between Chicago and LA

At exactly 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Santa Monica, the Midpoint Cafe serves homemade 'ugly crust' pies that are worth planning your entire trip around.

February 10, 2026

LANDMARK

Shamrock's U-Drop Inn: Art Deco Masterpiece on Route 66

Built in 1936 and designed by JC Berry, the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock is a National Historic Landmark and reportedly inspired Ramone's House of Body Art in Pixar's Cars.

February 15, 2026

Your Route 66 Journey

Follow the road west — from the Oklahoma border to the New Mexico line. Each stop has our curated picks for attractions, food, and hidden gems.

Stop01

Yellow Rose of Texas

Amarillo

Amarillo is the beating heart of Texas Route 66 — a hub city where Cadillac Ranch, the Big Texan Steak Ranch, the historic Polk Street district, and the legendary Nat Ballroom converge. With a population of nearly 200,000, it offers the most services and lodging options on the Texas stretch.

Explore Amarillo arrow_forward

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Cadillac Ranch

Ten Cadillacs (1949–1963 models) buried nose-down in a wheat field. Created by the Ant Farm art collective (Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez, Doug Michels) in 1974, moved 2 miles west in 1997. Bring spray paint — adding graffiti is encouraged.

Free

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Cadillac Ranch

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Big Texan Steak Ranch

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Stop02

The U-Drop Inn Town

Shamrock

Shamrock greets eastbound travelers with the stunning U-Drop Inn, a 1936 Art Deco filling station and cafe designed by JC Berry. Now a National Historic Landmark and visitor center, the building's sweeping canopy and tower are among the most photographed structures on the entire Mother Road. The Pioneer West Museum rounds out a worthwhile stop.

Explore Shamrock arrow_forward

starCan't Miss

U-Drop Inn

A 1936 Art Deco masterpiece designed by JC Berry and now a National Historic Landmark. The swooping tower and canopy are among the most photographed structures on Route 66. Reportedly inspired Ramone's House of Body Art in Pixar's Cars. Now serves as a visitor center.

Free

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U-Drop Inn

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Stop03

The Midpoint

Adrian

Adrian marks the exact geographic midpoint of Route 66 — 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Santa Monica. This tiny town of under 150 people is home to the famous Midpoint Cafe, where homemade 'ugly crust' pies and the iconic 'You Are Here — Halfway' sign draw Route 66 travelers from around the world.

Explore Adrian arrow_forward

starCan't Miss

Midpoint Cafe

The geographic midpoint of Route 66, exactly 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Santa Monica. The cafe serves homemade pies — the 'ugly crust' pies are the signature item — and the 'You Are Here — Halfway' sign is one of the most photographed markers on Route 66.

Menu from $5

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Midpoint Cafe

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Stop04

Devil's Rope

McLean

McLean is home to the Devil's Rope/Route 66 Museum, which tells the surprising story of how barbed wire — 'the wire that fenced the West' — transformed the American frontier. A restored Phillips 66 station nearby adds to the Route 66 atmosphere in this small but characterful Panhandle town.

Explore McLean arrow_forward

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Devil's Rope Museum

A surprisingly fascinating museum dedicated to barbed wire — 'the wire that fenced the West' — housed alongside a Route 66 exhibit. The museum showcases over 2,000 varieties of barbed wire and tells the story of how it transformed the American frontier.

Free (donations appreciated)

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Devil's Rope Museum

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Stop05

Ghost Town Border

Glenrio

Glenrio is a haunting ghost town straddling the Texas-New Mexico border. Once a thriving Route 66 stop with motels, gas stations, and cafes, it was bypassed by I-40 in 1975 and quickly abandoned. The famous 'Last Motel in Texas / First Motel in Texas' sign still stands as a poignant reminder of the Mother Road's golden era.

Explore Glenrio arrow_forward

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Glenrio Ghost Town

An abandoned ghost town straddling the Texas-New Mexico border. Once a thriving Route 66 stop, Glenrio was bypassed by I-40 in 1975 and quickly died. Crumbling motels, gas stations, and the famous 'Last Motel in Texas / First Motel in Texas' sign remain.

Free

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Glenrio Ghost Town

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Route 66 Centennial

Texas Events 2026

From the Big Texan Celebration to the Cadillac Ranch Centennial — don't miss the 100th anniversary across the Texas Panhandle.

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Travel Tips

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Best Time to Visit Texas Route 66

Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are ideal. Summer temperatures in the Panhandle regularly exceed 100°F with little shade. Winter can bring ice storms and bitter winds. The sweet spot is late April or early October.

Budget Guide

Budget: $40–60/day (camping, fast food). Mid-range: $100–150/day (motels, Big Texan dinner). Comfortable: $180–250/day (hotels, full dining). Texas Route 66 is one of the more affordable stretches — gas, food, and lodging are all reasonably priced.

How Long to Drive Texas Route 66

The 178-mile Texas stretch can be driven in about 3 hours without stops. But with Cadillac Ranch, Big Texan, Midpoint Cafe, U-Drop Inn, and the ghost towns, plan for a full day. For a relaxed pace with overnight in Amarillo, 1–2 days is ideal.

Texas Route 66 FAQ

How long is Route 66 through Texas?expand_more

Texas has 178 miles of Route 66, running across the Panhandle from Shamrock on the Oklahoma border to Glenrio on the New Mexico line. The route passes through Amarillo, Adrian, McLean, and several small towns.

What is Cadillac Ranch and is it free?expand_more

Cadillac Ranch is an art installation of 10 Cadillacs (1949–1963 models) buried nose-down in a wheat field west of Amarillo. Created by the Ant Farm art collective in 1974, it's free to visit 24/7. Visitors are encouraged to bring spray paint and add their own art.

What is the Big Texan 72-ounce steak challenge?expand_more

At the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, you can attempt to eat a 72-ounce steak plus sides (shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, and roll) in one hour. Finish it all and the $72 meal is free. Over 10,000 people have completed the challenge since 1960.

Where is the midpoint of Route 66?expand_more

The geographic midpoint of Route 66 is in Adrian, Texas — exactly 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Santa Monica. The Midpoint Cafe marks the spot and serves homemade 'ugly crust' pies.