Route 66 crosses Texas for about 178 miles, running beside or under I-40 across the whole Panhandle. It is a short state section, but a dense one: the road’s halfway point, Cadillac Ranch, a famous leaning water tower and one of the finest buildings on the entire route.
Coming from the west, you pass the ghost town of Glenrio on the New Mexico line, then Adrian, Vega, Amarillo, Groom, McLean and finally Shamrock. The road turned 100 in 2026, so expect fresh paint, new signs and extra events along the way.
Highlights
- MidPoint Café, Adrian: 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles.
- Magnolia station, Vega: a neatly restored early filling station.
- Leaning tower of Britten, Groom: tilted on purpose to catch your eye.
- Devil’s Rope Museum, McLean: yes, a museum of barbed wire.
- U-Drop Inn, Shamrock: an Art Deco gem, gorgeous when lit at night.
- Cadillac Ranch: the unmissable stop in the middle.
Quick facts
| Length in Texas | About 178 miles |
|---|---|
| Runs | Glenrio (NM line) to Texola (OK line) |
| Ideal time | 1–2 days |
| Best for | Road-trippers, photographers, nostalgia |
| Road | Old alignments beside I-40; some sections are gravel |
| Fuel | Available in larger towns; fill up when you can |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
One day covers the whole Texas section with stops. Use Amarillo as the mid-way base, or overnight in Shamrock to see the U-Drop Inn lit up after dark. Smaller towns have little lodging.
