⛽ 5 Iconic Gas Stations on Route 66 You Can Still Visit
No American road trip captures the imagination quite like Route 66 — the legendary “Mother Road” that connected Chicago to Santa Monica. While diners and motels get most of the attention, some of the most authentic Route 66 stops are actually the gas stations.
These weren’t just refueling stops — they were meeting points, service hubs, and snapshots of mid-century America. Many have since been restored into museums, photo ops, or vintage landmarks, preserving a time when road trips were about discovery, not just destination.
In this guide, we’re hitting five must-see gas stations that define Route 66’s charm — from art deco icons in Texas to retro gems in California. Each one tells a different story of America’s golden age of the road.
🚏 Table of Contents
- 🏙️ 1. Conoco Tower Station — Shamrock, Texas
- 🏁 2. Cucamonga Service Station — Rancho Cucamonga, California
- 🏠 3. Sprague’s Super Service Station — Normal, Illinois
- 4. Phillips 66 Filling Station — Spencer, Missouri
- 🏜️ 5. Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum — Williams, Arizona
- 🗺️ Map It Out — Your Route 66 Gas Station Road Trip
- 🧭 Tips for Visiting Route 66 Gas Stations
🏙️ 1. Conoco Tower Station — Shamrock, Texas
📍 Location: 111 N Main St, Shamrock, TX
🗓️ Built: 1936
Welcome to one of the most photographed buildings on Route 66 — the Conoco Tower Station in Shamrock, Texas. This art deco masterpiece looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a movie… and it kind of has!
If you’ve seen Pixar’s Cars, you’ll recognize it as the inspiration for “Ramone’s House of Body Art.”
✨ What to See:
- The U-Drop Inn Café, next door to the gas station, is beautifully restored and now serves as a visitor center.
- Green neon lights illuminate the towers every night — the whole structure glows like a 1930s postcard come to life.
- Original Conoco branding and 1930s architectural details, from its ziggurat-style tower to the geometric tiling.
💡 Photo Tip: Come at dusk to capture the neon lights against the pink Texas sky.
🛠️ Fun Fact: Built during the height of Route 66’s popularity, the Tower Station was once called “the swankiest of all Route 66 service stations.”
⭐ Why Stop Here: It’s one of the best-preserved examples of art deco architecture on Route 66 — and a symbol of how small towns have kept the Mother Road alive.
🏁 2. Cucamonga Service Station — Rancho Cucamonga, California
📍 Location: 9670 Foothill Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
🗓️ Built: 1915
Driving the final stretch of Route 66 into California? You’ll find this sunny yellow Shell gas station sitting proudly along Foothill Boulevard.
The Cucamonga Service Station is one of the oldest surviving stations on the entire route — lovingly restored by local volunteers to its 1920s glory.
✨ What to See:
- Vintage Shell branding and bold red-yellow color scheme.
- Restored fuel pumps and oil can displays.
- A small Route 66 museum inside, showcasing memorabilia from California’s portion of the road.
💡 Best Time to Visit: Morning — the light hits the front facade perfectly for photos.
🛠️ Fun Fact: This was one of the first gas stations to open along the new National Old Trails Highway, which later became Route 66.
⭐ Why Stop Here: It marks the beginning (or end!) of Route 66’s California dream section — and it’s a labor of love maintained entirely by passionate locals.
🏠 3. Sprague’s Super Service Station — Normal, Illinois
📍 Location: 305 E Pine St, Normal, IL
🗓️ Built: 1931
If there’s one stop that feels like a scene from 1930s small-town America, it’s Sprague’s Super Service Station in Normal, Illinois.
This Tudor Revival–style building looks more like a charming English cottage than a gas station — and that’s exactly what its builder, William Sprague, wanted. It was designed to attract motorists with its cozy, “home away from home” aesthetic.
✨ What to See:
- Beautifully restored red brick facade with cream trim.
- Vintage fuel pumps and garage bays.
- Historical displays inside explaining how this station doubled as a family home (the Spragues lived upstairs!).
💡 Photo Tip: Capture the gabled roof and front signage for a classic 1930s Americana vibe.
🛠️ Fun Fact: This was one of the first stations to offer a full-service experience — gas, mechanic repairs, and even a tourist apartment.
⭐ Why Stop Here: It’s a rare architectural gem and a perfect reminder that early Route 66 was as much about people as the road itself.
4. Phillips 66 Filling Station — Spencer, Missouri
📍 Location: 4996 State Hwy 96, Spencer, MO
🗓️ Built: 1926
Step back to the early days of road travel at the Phillips 66 Filling Station in tiny Spencer, Missouri.
This small red-and-white building is one of the oldest original Route 66 gas stations still standing. Lovingly restored by volunteers, it now operates as a mini-museum and gift shop — complete with replica 1920s pumps and authentic signage.
✨ What to See:
- Restored Phillips 66 globe lights and vintage logo.
- Original stone structure and replica garage doors.
- Friendly volunteers who share stories about life along old Route 66.
💡 Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon — the warm light brings out the red tones of the Phillips 66 signage.
🛠️ Fun Fact: The Spencer Filling Station is located along one of the most original, untouched sections of Route 66 — giving you that real “old road” feel.
⭐ Why Stop Here: It’s pure nostalgia — small, authentic, and full of Route 66 spirit.
🏜️ 5. Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum — Williams, Arizona
📍 Location: 101 E Route 66, Williams, AZ
🗓️ Built: Originally 1940s (now a restored museum)
Located in the heart of Williams, Arizona, Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum is where history and heart collide.
Owned and curated by Pete Delgadillo, this retro spot is packed with Route 66 artifacts — everything from vintage fuel pumps to old photographs and restored vehicles.
✨ What to See:
- Retro gas pumps, 1950s signs, and a classic car or two out front.
- Rows of Route 66 memorabilia, tools, and photos inside.
- Pete himself! He’s often there sharing stories with travelers passing through.
💡 Photo Tip: Frame your car in front of the vintage pumps — it’s a Route 66 photo must.
🛠️ Fun Fact: Williams was the last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40 in 1984 — and Pete’s museum keeps that piece of history alive.
⭐ Why Stop Here: It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia, personal storytelling, and genuine Route 66 hospitality.
🗺️ Map It Out — Your Route 66 Gas Station Road Trip
Make your drive even easier by following this order from east to west (the classic Route 66 direction):
1️⃣ Sprague’s Super Service Station — Normal, Illinois
2️⃣ Phillips 66 Filling Station — Spencer, Missouri
3️⃣ Conoco Tower Station — Shamrock, Texas
4️⃣ Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum — Williams, Arizona
5️⃣ Cucamonga Service Station — Rancho Cucamonga, California
🗺️ Tip: Add them all to a Google Maps list and mark them as “favorites” — they line up perfectly along the Mother Road.
🧭 Tips for Visiting Route 66 Gas Stations
✔️ Check Opening Hours — Some are volunteer-run and may not be open daily.
✔️ Bring Cash — Great for small donations or buying Route 66 souvenirs.
✔️ Go Early or Late — You’ll get better photos and fewer crowds.
✔️ Be Respectful — Even if a station is abandoned, take photos from public areas only.
✔️ Chat With Locals — Many caretakers are Route 66 historians — their stories make the visit unforgettable.
💡 Bonus Idea: Pair your gas station visits with classic Route 66 diners or motels for the full vintage experience!
🏁 Final Thoughts — Where History Meets the Highway
These gas stations are more than just stops on a map — they’re living monuments to America’s road trip legacy.
From the art deco glow of the Conoco Tower Station to the personal charm of Pete’s Museum, each one has its own story, frozen in time. They remind us of an era when travel was slower, conversations happened face-to-face, and the open road symbolized freedom itself.
So next time you’re cruising Route 66, take a moment to pull over, snap a photo, and imagine the stories these old pumps could tell.
Because sometimes, the best stops on the road are the ones that used to fuel it. ❤️⛽
📥 FREE Route 66 Gas Station Guide (PDF)
Want to keep this guide handy for your trip? Download it as a FREE Route 66 Gas Station PDF, with exact addresses and photo tips for every stop. Perfect to use offline while cruising the Mother Road. Click here to grab it!
📚 Explore More with the Route 66 RoadBook
Planning to drive the full Route 66? My Route 66 RoadBook includes all the classic stops — diners, neon motels, museums, and hidden gems — plus ready-to-use Google Maps routes, local tips, and detours worth taking.
It’s your ultimate guide to the most legendary road in America. Get your RoadBook here.