A Brief History
US Highway 66, popularly known as "Route 66," is a significant as the nation's first all-weather highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles. When contrasted with transcontinental corridors, Route 66 does not stand out as America's oldest or longest road. What sets this national highway apart from its contemporaries is that it was the shortest, year-round route between the Midwest and the Pacific Coast. Route 66 reduced the distance between Chicago and Los Angeles by more than 200 miles, which made Route 66 popular with motorists who drove west in subsequent decades.
Route 66 and Places of Interest
Route 66 Map. Use your mouse to zoom in and out on the map to see the various alignments. Seen below are some of the places of interest along the Route 66. For more places of interest, Explore Route 66.
Highlights of Route 66
The Texas section of Route 66 contains some 960 road-related historic resources including auto repair garages, gas stations, diners, tourist camps, auto courts, motels, road markers, paving, traffic signs, and bridges.
We gathered together the best of the resources (National Register Listed, Recommended Eligible for the National Register, and Recommended Contributing to a District) into an interactive map so you can experience the riches of Route 66 from your desktop, laptop, or smart phone. If you are interested in applying for National Register designation and/or Preservation Tax Credit Incentives for any of these resources, please contact the THC's National Register Coordinator, Greg Smith to discuss the project. Click on the red Explore Route 66 button above to start your adventure.
If you are interested in seeing all of the surveyed resources, click on the Other Ways to Explore Route 66 in the right sidebar.
Plan Your Next Travel Adventure
Texas is a big state! From the coastal plains of Corpus Christi to the high plains of Amarillo, from the forests of Texarkana to the mountains of El Paso, history and hospitality go hand-in-hand as you travel our highways and back roads. Exploring Texas regionally is a great way to plan your travel across the state or to organize day trips if you are staying in one community for several days. The THC's Texas Time Travel is your statewide resource for exploring Texas' historic and cultural treasures. Use our Plan Your Adventure tools, travel themes, events calendar, travel guides, and mobile tours to find and learn about historic sites across the state.
Route 66 runs through the Texas Plains Trail Region.
Skip the monotonous interstate to experience a bygone era full of downtowns, diners, and diversions along this iconic highway. Route 66 is featured as part of the Historic Trails and Highways travel theme.
