Kansas has the shortest section of Route 66, about 13 miles across the far southeastern corner of the state, between the Missouri line west of Joplin and the Oklahoma line near Quapaw. It is short enough to drive in half an hour, but it holds three towns, a rare concrete arch bridge and a strong link to the movie Cars, and all of it is still drivable.
This guide follows the road from east to west, through Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs, and explains how to give the Kansas stretch the couple of hours it deserves rather than the few minutes most people spend on it.
Route 66 Kansas at a glance
| Stop | Why go |
|---|---|
| Galena | Cars on the Route, in a 1934 service station, and the Galena Mining and Historical Museum |
| Riverton | Nelson’s Old Riverton Store, open since 1925 |
| Brush Creek Bridge | The 1923 “Rainbow Bridge,” the last Marsh arch bridge on Route 66 |
| Baxter Springs | Route 66 Visitor Center in a 1930 gas station, Heritage Center and Museum |
Why the Kansas section is so short
When the highway was laid out in 1926, its route between Joplin, Missouri, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, only clipped the corner of Kansas. The state ended up with about 13 miles of the road (some sources say 13.2). That corner of Kansas sits in the old Tri-State Mining District, where lead and zinc mines shaped the towns and the landscape. You can still see traces of the mining along the road, in the flat, scarred land around Galena.
The whole route is marked as a state byway, the Kansas Route 66 Historic Byway, designated in 2011. Unlike Illinois or Oklahoma, it is not part of the National Scenic Byway, but it is well signed and easy to follow.
Galena: mining town and Cars on the Route
Galena is the first town you reach coming from Missouri. Its best-known stop is Cars on the Route, set in a restored 1934 Kan-O-Tex service station. Out front sits the old tow truck that inspired the character Tow Mater in Cars; the Pixar team visited the area while researching the film. It is a local tribute, not an official Pixar site, and it is one of the most photographed places on the Kansas stretch.
For the town’s backstory, the Galena Mining and Historical Museum occupies the 1904 railroad depot and displays minerals, mining tools and local history. It is a good place to understand why so many towns in this corner of three states grew up around mines rather than farms.
Riverton and the Old Riverton Store
A few miles west, Riverton sits near the Spring River. Nelson’s Old Riverton Store opened on March 20, 1925, and still operates as a grocery, deli and gift shop, with Route 66 memorabilia on the shelves. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under its original name, Williams’ Store, and marked its 100th anniversary in 2025. It is known for its made-to-order sandwiches, which make it the obvious lunch stop in Kansas.
The original Route 66 bridge over the Spring River, a Marsh arch built in 1922, was demolished in 1986, so the crossing you use today is a modern one.
The Rainbow Bridge over Brush Creek
About two miles west of Riverton, the old road crosses Brush Creek on the Rainbow Bridge, a white concrete Marsh arch built in 1923. It is the last Marsh arch bridge left on Route 66 and has been on the National Register since 1983. The bridge is narrow and sits on a short segment of old roadway next to the newer highway; drive across slowly or park nearby and walk over it for photos.
With its narrow deck between the two arches, it is also a good place to see how tight the early highway was compared with the roads that replaced it.
Baxter Springs: visitor center and Civil War history
Baxter Springs is the last Kansas town before Oklahoma. Its Route 66 Visitor Center occupies a Tudor Revival gas station built in 1930 by the Independent Oil and Gas Company, which became part of Phillips that year. The station is on the National Register, was restored in 2008 and opens from March through November. Stop there for maps and current information on what is open along the road.
The town’s history goes back well before the highway. On October 6, 1863, Confederate guerrillas led by William Quantrill attacked Union troops near Fort Blair, an event known as the Baxter Springs Massacre. The Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum covers that episode and the town’s Route 66 years. Local lore also says Jesse James robbed a Baxter Springs bank in 1876; the robbery happened, but historians doubt that Jesse James himself took part.
From Baxter Springs, Route 66 continues south into Oklahoma, where the longest drivable stretch of the whole highway begins.
How to plan Route 66 in Kansas
Allow two to three hours if you want to stop at each town, and plan the Kansas section between a night in Joplin or Carthage on the Missouri side and a night in Tulsa. Most of the attractions are small and staffed by volunteers or local owners, so opening hours can be limited, especially in winter. The visitor center in Baxter Springs is seasonal. For how this short corner fits into the rest of the drive, see our Route 66 road trip itinerary, and the Route 66 map shows where each state section begins and ends.
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Spring is also storm season on the plains, so keep an eye on the forecast. The 2026 centennial year has brought extra events to Galena and Baxter Springs; check the towns’ calendars if you want to time your visit with one.
Route 66 Kansas FAQ
How long is Route 66 in Kansas?
About 13 miles, the shortest of the eight Route 66 states. It crosses the southeastern corner of Kansas between Missouri and Oklahoma.
What towns does Route 66 go through in Kansas?
Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs.
Can you still drive across the Rainbow Bridge?
Yes. The 1923 Brush Creek Bridge sits on a short segment of old road west of Riverton and can still be crossed. It is narrow, so go slowly.
Is Cars on the Route an official Pixar attraction?
No. It is a locally run tribute in a restored gas station, with the tow truck that inspired Tow Mater.
