When it comes to iconic American road trips, Route 66 is the highway most people think of. Much of the historic highway has been merged with modern highways, but there are still vast sections of the original highway. Most of which runs parallel with the modern Hwy 40. 

I’ve had the privilege to drive pretty much the entire route, although not all at once since Route 66 doesn’t go to Georgia. You would assume with such a famous road, that there would be all kinds of museums and cool places to visit along the route. 

You’d be right, and you can see all of the automotive-themed museums along the highway by using the map HERE.

I do want to share three Route 66 museums below in three different states. Unfortunately, one of them will be going away for good in 2027. 

Route 66 Auto Museum is a private collection of about 30 cars.  I was able to stop at this museum on one of my road trips, and I will say it is just about what you’d expect in what feels like the middle of nowhere, right on Route 66. 

The museum fit the location and vibe of the area perfectly. Not so big that you could see everything, but cool enough that you can get back in the car to continue your road trip and say, “that was cool.”

The Arizona Route 66 Museum is a two parter. I’ve been able to visit this museum as well.  Part of the museum is all dedicated to local Route 66 history, and then there is also the Route 66 Electric Vehicle Museum located within the Arizona Route 66 Museum.

Overall this was a nice museum when I visited a few years ago, but at the time, the electric cars appeared to be placed in a storage room as an add on. As it turns out, that may have been exactly what they were doing at the time, but now the museum is expanding and will have the cars properly displayed, with room for more.

The last museum is the Route 66 Car Museum. We all have less than one year to visit this museum which will close April 17, 2027. The owner Guy Mace has been collection for over 40 years and in 2027 his collection will go to Mecum and the museum will be closed forever.

There are plenty more museums and other attractions to visit along the Historic Route 66. In fact, there are so many automotive museums sprinkled across the USA, that no matter what direction you go, you’re not too far from the next automotive museum.

If you want to see more, visit the Weekly 3.

Plan your next trip, discover your new favorite, or find the nearest museum

 Sean Mathis
Creator of Automotive Museum Guide
Founder of Miles Through Time Automotive Museum

P.S. Make sure you follow AMG on Facebook and join the FB Group to see what’s going on at all the museums.