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Enjoy the Ride
Home
Illinois 66
Missouri 66
Kansas 66
Oklahoma 66
Texas 66
New Mexico 66
Arizona 66
California 66
Our Route 66 History
More
  • Home
  • Illinois 66
  • Missouri 66
  • Kansas 66
  • Oklahoma 66
  • Texas 66
  • New Mexico 66
  • Arizona 66
  • California 66
  • Our Route 66 History
  • Home
  • Illinois 66
  • Missouri 66
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  • Oklahoma 66
  • Texas 66
  • New Mexico 66
  • Arizona 66
  • California 66
  • Our Route 66 History

Route 66 Kansas

Get Your Kicks on Route 66 Kansas

Route 66 in Kansas

 

(source National Park Service)

Miles: 14 (approx.)

With less than 14 miles of Route 66, the highway through Kansas has a distinct and important role in both national and local history. Historically, this area of Kansas was one of the most active lead mining areas in the United States, including one of the largest lead smelters in the nation, the Eagle-Picher mine. To accommodate the mining operations, the road through the area was paved in 1923. For this reason, it was selected to become part of the majestic sweep of Route 66 as it crossed the nation on its way from Missouri to Oklahoma. Kansas shares the distinction with Illinois of being one of only two states to have their entire lengths of Route 66 hard-surfaced when first commissioned in 1926.

Kansas has another distinction: It is the only state that was completely bypassed when the interstate replaced Route 66 in 1961. I-44 goes directly from Missouri to Oklahoma passing just east of the Kansas state line. However, in Kansas travelers can still experience small town character and hospitality that characterizes the best of Route 66, with opportunities to drive original roadbed over the Galena viaduct; visit with vibrant business owners; stroll across the rainbow marsh arch bridge; and visit the restored Phillip’s 66 station, which is now operating as a visitor center.

Preservation

Preservation efforts have been strong since 1992 when not one but two associations (Kansas Historic Route 66 Association, Route 66 Association of Kansas) were formed to preserve the local heritage of the route. Several revitalization projects have since been undertaken, and in 2011, local citizens worked to acquire state Kansas State Historic Byway status. The National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program has awarded six cost-share grant awards for projects in Kansas, including the restoration of Eisler Brosther’s Store in Riverton, the Phillip’s 66 station in Baxter Springs, and the Galena Viaduct.

Old gas station in Baxter Springs, Kansas that is the towns tourist and visitors center.

Old gas station in Baxter Springs, Kansas that is the towns tourist and visitors center.

Route 66 Kansas Weather

Highway or My Way

Enjoy the Journey on Route 66 Kansas.

U.S. Department of Transportation

"Route 66 was further immortalized in the 1960s television series Route 66, which featured the adventures of two young men traversing the United States in a Chevrolet Corvette convertible and the events and consequences surrounding their journeys.:

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Added Attractions

Dean Walker - Tow Mater inspiration

The Movie Cars is all around Baxter Springs

The Movie Cars is all around Baxter Springs

 Dean Walker, President of the Route 66 Kansas Historic Route 66 Association. Dean is credited with being a large part of the inspiration for the personality of Mater the tow truck, a character in the Disney/Pixar film.

 Source http://thelope.com/2006/06/meeting-mater.html Kansas Route 66.

The Movie Cars is all around Baxter Springs

The Movie Cars is all around Baxter Springs

The Movie Cars is all around Baxter Springs

Baxter Springs, Route 66 Kansas. A classic "Main Street America" town on Kansas Route 66.

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