Turn by turn
OK state line
KansasPrinting this description can take a lot of time, so you might want to consider buying commercially available alternatives such as the 8 map set and the EZ66 guide to take along on your trip.
Kansas has only 13 miles of Route 66, but they are well preserved and worth the time.
Map courtesy of Stefan Joppich
Kansas-Oklahoma state line
You are in a former lead and zinc mining area.
Baxter Springs
More on Baxter Springs
Enter Kansas on US-69-ALT.
Abandoned Twilight Drive-In on the right.
South of town, a choice of alignments is available for about one block:
| 1926-1933 | 1933-1960s | post 1960s |
|---|---|---|
|
This alignment takes you around the block but the road surface and layout makes the detour worth your while (recommended) Turn right (=west) onto 30th St. Turn left (=north) onto Roberts Rd. Note the curve on the inside of the intersection: that short stretch of road is called “Old US-66” or “Old US Highway 66” on some maps. Rejoin by turning right (=north) onto Military Ave just after the S-curve. |
This alignment is the first smoothing of the curve. Turn right (=west) onto 30th St. Curve left onto old Route 66. Note the more angled intersection just a bit further, it’s the older alignment before the curve got smoothened out. Join with Roberts Rd. (=north). Rejoin by turning right (=north) onto Military Ave just after the S-curve. |
Continue on Military Ave. |
| Rejoin at the intersection of Roberts Rd./Powell Rd. and Military Ave. (US-69-ALT), heading north on military Ave. (US-69-ALT). |
||
The American National Bank at 1201 Military Ave.
Straight across 12th St. (US-166).
US-166 was one of the “daughters” of Route 66. US-166 runs to US-81 at South Haven, KS to the west (since 1926) and was extended to Springfield, MO in 1945. It’s truncated at I-44, just past the Missouri state line nowadays.
Follow US-166 west for 2 miles to the National cemetery #2.
6 miles to the Tri-State Marker.
The building at 1112 military used to be the Wells-Fargo station and bus station.
Cafe on the route / The Little Brick Inn at 1101 Military Ave.
Murphy’s Restaurant is located at 1046 Military Ave. It’s housed in a former bank building (Illinois Cash/Baxter National Bank). This bank is claimed to have been robbed by Henry Starr in 1914.
The Phillips 66 gas station at 940 Military Ave. is on the National Register of Historical Places and saw it’s heyday in the 1940s and 50s.
Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum at 740 East Ave.
You will find many historic buildings on Military Ave., the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum has a walking tour of them, check it out!
Fort Blair, built in 1863 was in the block to the east between 6th and 7th St. It was a union Army post during the civil war and linked to what became known as the battle of Baxter Springs or the Baxter Springs Massacre.
East on 6th St. leads you to the bridge over the Spring River.
Historic site of the Baxter Inn and General Store located on 6th St., just off of Military Ave.
Up to the late 1930s, Military Ave featured a street car that connected to Riverton, Galena and Joplin.
North of town, a choice of alignments is available:
| pre 1960 | post 1960 |
|---|---|
| Turn left onto 3rd St.
Follow as 3rd St. swings you right onto Willow Ave. The area was known as “gasoline alley“. Continue as becomes Willow Ave. become 50th St. Cross over Willow Creek Former Willow Creek Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge. RivertonMore on Riverton Continue on 50th St. (Old US Highway 66). Cross over Bush Creek The Marsh Arch Rainbow Bridge is on your left, doubling back to cross it is highly recommended. Follow as the road curves right to turn east onto Beasley Rd. after crossing Bush Creek. Straight across the intersection with Academy St. (60th St.). Cross US-400 (US-69-Alt) (slight left and right turns involved) onto KS-66 |
Continue straight on Military Ave. (US-69-ALT).
RivertonMore on Riverton Continue straight as US-400 joins. Turn right onto KS-66. |
| Rejoin at the intersection of KS-66 and US-400. Continue east on KS-66. |
|
Old Eisler Bros. Store on the left.
Galena
More on Galena
On the right is the Empire District Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Former Spring River Inn: Take a left just before crossing the Spring River.
Cross the Spring River.
Former site of a multi-span Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge.
Continue on KS-66 (7th St.).
The Galena Museum on your left.
at the intersection of 7th St. (KS-66) and Main St. (KS-26), you have a choice of alignments:
| pre 1940s | post 1940s |
|---|---|
|
This is the 2 lane alignment into Missouri (recommended) Turn left (=north) onto Main St. On your left is the Howard Litch Memorial Park. Turn right (=east) onto Front St. Cross the viaduct over the railroad tracks. The viaduct you use is of historic significance. Eagle Picher Plant on your left. Missouri-Kansas state line |
This is the 4 lane alignment. Continue straight on 7th St. (KS-66). Missouri-Kansas state line |
| Enter Missouri. | |
