Overview of Route 66

Route 66 was a mainstay of America for around 60 years. Famously known as the “Main Street of America” or the “Mother Road,” Route 66 is a legendary highway that has become an enduring symbol of American freedom and adventure. 

Born in 1926, this iconic route once stretched over 2,400 miles from the bustling streets of Chicago to the sun-soaked shores of Santa Monica, California. It wound its way through eight states—Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California—serving as a lifeline for countless communities. During the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Route 66 became a beacon of hope, guiding families westward in search of a new beginning and the promise of a better life.

As America flourished in the post-war era, Route 66 transformed into a pathway of dreams for vacationers heading to the West Coast. The route was lined with vibrant motels, diners, and quirky roadside attractions, each contributing to the fabric of a unique American culture that captivated travelers. 

Construction of the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s led to its gradual decline when major, four-lane highways bypassed the small towns. Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985.

However, the Mother Road remains a beloved cultural icon. Today, its legacy lives on in the hearts of road-trippers and nostalgia-seekers, who journey along its preserved sections to experience the timeless magic of the open road. 

Fun fact: As many as 60% of tourists who travel along Route 66 are foreigners who love the freedom of the open road. 

Cities Where Route 66 Passes Through

As you can imagine, there are many cities that Route 66 touches on its path to the Pacific. Here are some of the bigger ones.

The journey begins in Chicago, Illinois, the third-largest city in the United States and a vibrant metropolis known for its towering skyscrapers, deep-dish pizza, and jazz music. 

As Route 66 winds through the Midwest, it passes through St. Louis, Missouri, famous for the iconic Gateway Arch, a symbol of westward expansion. This bustling city on the banks of the Mississippi River is renowned for its blues music, barbecue, and historic neighborhoods.

Continuing southwest, the route reaches Springfield, Missouri, the Queen City of the Ozarks, and home to many Chinese restaurants, the corporate home of Bass Pro Shops, quaint little shops on Commercial Street, and, of course, Route 66 Car Museum.

Next, you’ll hit Tulsa, Oklahoma, a city that blends Art Deco architecture with a thriving oil industry history. Tulsa is home to numerous museums, including the Philbrook Museum of Art and the Woody Guthrie Center. Further along in Oklahoma is Oklahoma City, the state capital, known for its cowboy culture, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

As Route 66 crosses into Texas, you’ll encounter Amarillo, a city that embodies the spirit of the Old West with attractions like the Cadillac Ranch and the Big Texan Steak Ranch. 

Continuing westward, the route reaches Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city rich in Indigenous culture and known for its annual International Balloon Festival. Albuquerque’s historic Old Town and vibrant arts scene make it a key stop on the journey.

In Arizona, Route 66 passes through Flagstaff, nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks at the edge of the Grand Canyon. The vistas and parks here are amazing, as are the astronomical observatories. 

Finally, the route culminates in Santa Monica, California, where you can stretch your legs on the iconic pier and sunny beaches while paying regards to Hollywood in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.

Modern highways that roughly cover what Route 66 ran include:

• I-55 in Illinois
• I-44 in Missouri and Oklahoma
• I-40 from Oklahoma City to Barstow, California
• I-15 from Barstow to San Bernardino

Pro tip: Take your time when traveling Route 66. The beauty is in the journey and the memories you make along the way! We recommend two weeks to travel the entire route.

Intro to Route 66 Car Museum

Along historic Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, sets a yellow-colored building along College Street just west of Kansas Expressway. We’re the only car museum in Springfield. 

We have 20,000 square feet of vintage garage space to display our beautiful collection of privately owned cars. The cars go back as far as 1907 up to 2006. There is plenty of room for groups, families, and tour buses to explore the bygone era of automaking.

Hours & Pricing of Route 66 Car Museum

We are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Tour buses are always welcome as our parking lot can easily accommodate them. Catering and private parties are available. So, if you love cars and love Route 66, contact us or call (417) 459-2452 to talk to us before your visit.

Prices are as follows:

• Adults (11 and older): $15
• Seniors 55 and Above: $13
• Military Veterans: $13   (Thank you for your service!)
• Children (10 and under): $5
• Babies (2 and under): Free!
• Special discounts for tour groups

Directions & Parking

Finding Route 66 Car Museum is easy if you’re traveling on Historic Route 66! 

We are located at: 

1634 W College St, Springfield, MO 65806

The easy way to find us is to put the address into your GPS or car’s navigation system. If you prefer the classic way to reach us, just as if you’re traveling on Route 66 in its heyday, here are some easy directions to find us:

From the East

Your tour of Route 66 in Springfield actually starts northeast of the city near Strafford, where Old Route 66 meets I-44. As you go down Glenstone Avenue, you’ll see St. Louis Street and the historic Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven hotel. Turn right and drive along St. Louis Street, giving you a taste of what’s ahead of you with the older buildings and car lots. 

After you pass through the square in downtown Springfield, St. Louis Street turns into College Street. Continue west until you go past Kansas Expressway. On your left, look for the yellow building with the checkered top.

From the West

Take the Chestnut Expressway exit on I-44. Head east (right) on Chestnut. Pass a McDonald’s. Eventually, you’ll come to a “Y” intersection identified as College Street.

Keep heading east about eight blocks. You’ll pass Rockwood Motor Court and its classic, separate stone buildings. We are the bright yellow building on your right just before you reach the traffic light at Kansas Expressway.

Parking

Parking is free on our lot. We can accommodate groups and tour buses. We have around 40 parking spaces for cars and one long stretch for buses. 

Tours & Special Pricing at Route 66 Car Museum

Are you in town for the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival? Is your group tour heading to Branson? Are you passing through with a group on motorcycles? We can accommodate tour buses and large groups with catering and amenities. 

If you’re traveling in an RV, we are an RV Overnights and a Harvest Host member. You can park for free in our lot overnight. But please be aware that we do not have hookups for electricity, water, or sewer.

Contact us or call (417) 459-2452 for special pricing and rates for groups at Route 66 Car Museum.  

Gift Shop

Take a memory home with you to display on your shelf or wall from our large gift shop! 

Many of our items are genuine vintage automobilia articles at reasonable prices:

• Old signs
• Tools
• Oil and gas cans
• Vintage toys of tin, metal, and antique rubber
• Old license plates from many states

For newer items, there are:

• A large selection of diecast scale model cars
• Replica movie license plate nameplates
• Postcards
• And more!

We have tons of Route 66 T-shirts and baseball caps that will fit everyone in the family!

Featured Cars

Now, for the main course and the reason why you’re heading to Route 66 Car Museum! Get a taste of Route 66 with some classic and rare cars dating back more than 100 years. The oldest in our collection is from 1907. We have more than 80 in our collection. The ones we mention here are just a few of the prominent ones in our garage.

1907 REO Runabout

The oldest car in our collection, the 1907 REO Runabout, is rated at 8 horsepower with two gears. As the progenitor to Oldsmobile, REO was a stalwart car company until it faded and went out of business in 1975. REO cars were very popular in 1907, only behind Ford and Buick in terms of production. 

1927 Kissel Brougham “Gold Bug”

Also known as the Speedster, the Kissel Gold Bug was fun to drive as a convertible, perfect for heading to the golf course. This car was notable for having not one but two spare tires on the outside of the vehicle, one on the passenger and one on the driver’s side. Although not the exact car that she owned, Amelia Earhart owned a 1922 Kissel Gold Bug.

1948 Hudson Commodore

Known for its sleek, aerodynamic look, the Commodore was the largest and most luxurious Hudson model at the time. It was one of the most popular luxury cars in the post-war period as America turned to domestic production rather than the war effort. The Hudson Commodore was a popular car, as seen on old Route 66.

1957 Jaguar XK140 Coupe

Manufactured for only three years, from 1954 to 1957, the Jaguar XK140 sports car was the first to be offered with an automatic transmission starting in 1956. It clocked a 0-60 time of 8.4 seconds, which, for its day, was just below some of the other sports cars from that era. Ours is a hardtop. Jaguar also made a convertible and roadster version of the XK140.

1967 Austin Healey 3000 Convertible

One of the most successful European cars of its day, the Austin Healey 3000’s last model year was in 1967 after an eight-year run. The 3000 raced at Sebring, Le Mans, and the Mount Panorama Circuit in Australia. 3000 models are known as the “Big Healey” for its large engine compartment and relatively small seating area. It’s the favorite car in the museum owner’s collection!

1979 Gotham Cruiser (Lincoln Continental)

To the Batmobile, Robin! Made to resemble the Batmobile from the 1960s TV show, our 1979 Gotham Cruiser lets you relive your days of pretending to be Batman fighting crime against The Joker, Penguin, or The Riddler.

1991 Ghostbusters Ectomobile

We ain’t ‘fraid of no ghosts! This replica of the ECTO-1 car from Ghostbusters is repurposed from a Cadillac Fleetwood hearse and serves as a showpiece for displays. This vehicle closely resembles the car used in the 2016 reboot movie.

2006 Mellow Yello NASCAR

This is an example of a car used by famous race car driver Ryan Newman. This car was also seen in the movie Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise. The only difference between this car and a NASCAR is that the racing engine has been replaced by a new high-performance small block 350 Chevy engine rated at 400 horsepower.

Resident Evil Zombie Protection

Possibly the only zombie protection truck in the area, it was built to emulate the vehicles in the Resident Evil TV series. What can we say? It speaks for itself.

Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Attractions & Restaurants Near Us

Ready for some Midwestern hospitality? Check out these places to make your visit to Springfield truly special.

College Street Café

Have an appetite for the past? College Street Café is right next door and has what you want—burgers, fries,  meatloaf, and milkshakes! It’s open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and it’s everything you would expect from an American neighborhood on Route 66 with large portions and wholesome food.

Rockwood Motor Court

Located three blocks to our west, Rockwood Motor Court has cabins over 75 years old on a property that dates back to 1929, three years after Route 66 came into existence. It is the oldest operating motor court/motel on Route 66. Cabins are of different sizes, and each one has a retro theme. Three other old motor court buildings are close by.

Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven

While not necessarily near us, Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven is on Glenstone Avenue & St. Louis Street. It’s got all-ground-floor, pet-friendly, and non-smoking rooms. The decor is retro, but the rooms are modern with internet, TVs, refrigerators, and coffee. Elvis Presley stayed here when he came through Springfield. 

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

The award-winning Wonders of Wildlife is a great place for adults and kids to explore a wild and beautiful underwater world and its creatures. Located at Sunshine Street and Campbell Avenue, this world-class aquarium has fish of all sizes, penguins, sea turtles, a touch tank with rays, and conservation exhibits that step into America’s past.

Route 66 Car Museum in Springfield, MO

Located on historic Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, the Route 66 Car Museum is a treasure trove for car enthusiasts. Perfect for individuals, families, and tour groups, the museum offers a captivating experience that celebrates the cars that shaped American pop culture. Contact us online or call us to learn more about our exhibits and plan your visit!