This article is part of our ongoing series on traveling Route 66 in 6 parts. Check out our previous chapter, Section 1 | Chicago to St. Louis.
On this stretch of Route 66, you’ll pass through three states—but be sure not to blink or you might miss Kansas, which is home to less than 14 miles of Mother Road! Although impossible to pinpoint exactly, somewhere along this leg you’ll feel as if the East Coast is firmly in the rearview. And by the time you make it to where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain, you’ll see why this section of the country was made for towering roadside attractions, ghost towns, and one whimsical blue whale with a romantic origin story.
KOAs along the way:
St. Louis West/ Historic Route 66 KOA Holiday
Lebanon/ Bennett Spring KOA Holiday
Springfield/ Route 66 KOA Holiday
Tulsa NE/ Will Rogers Downs KOA Journey
World’s Second Largest Rocking Chair｜Cuba, MO
Although it was erected on April Fools’ day in 2008, the 42-foot high rocking chair—and the title it held for 7 years—was never a joke. In order to secure the official record for “World’s Largest Rocking Chair,” in the Guinness Book of World Records, the 27,000-pound chair was built to rock back and forth like its much-smaller inspiration. The chair was knocked out of first place in 2015 when Casey, Illinois, “the small town of big things,” built their own super-sized rocker clocking in at more than 55 feet tall. Renamed the “Route 66 Red Rocker,” Cuba’s contender still towers over the Fanning Outpost General Store, where visitors can stock up on sodas, snacks, and souvenirs.
Gary’s Gay Parita｜Ash Grove, MO
The Gay Parita filling station and garage was established in 1930 in Ash Grove, Missouri, 20 miles west of Springfield. Built by a couple and named after the wife, Gay, the Sinclair station burned down in 1955. In 2005, the property was brought back to life by Gary Turner, an entertainer from California. Turner filled the replica station with old signage, memorabilia, and his enormous personality, welcoming travelers from all over the world. When Turner and his wife died within five months of each other in 2015, their daughter Barb and her husband George took over, giving this historic slice of Route 66 yet another new lease on life.
Red Oak II ｜Carthage, MO
Internationally known artist Lowell Davis grew up in (and eventually left) Red Oak, Missouri. When Davis returned to his hometown and found it virtually deserted, he began purchasing buildings and moving them 20 miles west to land he owned in Carthage. It’s here that Davis recreated his vision of small town America; Red Oak II includes a cafe, diner, town hall, school, bandstand, blacksmith shop, playground, and general store. Metal sculptures made by Davis dot the property, which still welcomes visitors—who are encouraged to stay on the gravel road and be respectful of the private community—five years after Davis’ death.
Galena, KS｜Cars on the Route
The Kansas stretch of Route 66 is a great example of “quality over quantity,” packing several bucket-list destinations into just 13.2 miles of Mother Road. Fans of Cars, the 2006 animated classic credited with spurring a Route 66 revival craze may be especially starstruck in Galena, a former mining town. A rusty tow truck outside of a circa-1934 Kan-O-Tex service station inspired animators to create the beloved Tow Mater character. Purchased in the early 2000s, restored by four women, and now known as “Cars on the Route,” the property now houses a restaurant, gift shop, drive-thru Route 66 sign, and welcome center.
Blue Whale of Catoosa｜Catoosa, OK
Built by Hugh Davis in the 1970s as a surprise anniversary gift for his whale-loving wife, Zelta. In the decades since, the Blue Whale of Catoosa has become one of the most-recognizable destinations along the Mother Road and it’s not hard to see why. The whimsical whale rises 20 feet above a swimming pond along Route 66 and features a slide and diving platform. Although swimming is no longer allowed at the attraction, visitors can enjoy a picnic on the grounds and admire the impressive metal and cement love letter, which was restored after the Davis’ deaths with help from local volunteers.
Take your time relaxing in the shadow of the Blue Whale, because you still have more than halfway to go. Attractions become more spread out as you drive through the Texas panhandle, so stock up on cold water, dust off your cowboy boots, and keep motoring west.
Continue to Section 3｜Tulsa to Amarillo
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
