Road trips are synonymous with fast food drive throughs. When you’re spending hours a day in your car it’s only natural to want something quick, easy, and convenient that doesn’t involve finding a place to park. Burgers, fries, tacos, and chicken nuggets are all popular options for eating in the car. But, when it comes to a road trip on The Mother Road, there are plenty of other options for Route 66 dining that you won’t find anywhere else.
Yes, there are plenty of fast food drive throughs on Route 66. And some of them are unique to their location (like Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger in Oklahoma). But there are also vintage diners, steakhouses, food trucks, eat-in restaurants, coffeehouses, and local bars that serve a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Looking for the best Route 66 dining options to add to your road trip itinerary? Use the filters below to search our dining directory by location, type, or keyword to fill your travel plan and your stomach. Whether you’re visiting just one of the eight states on The Mother Road (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or California) or driving the entire journey from Chicago to Los Angeles (or vice versa), there are plenty of places to stop for a good meal. And don’t forget to top it off with a classic milkshake, even if you take it to go!
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Joe’s Route 66 Diner in Strafford, Missouri
Joe’s Route 66 Diner in Strafford, Missouri, dishes out old-school flavor and 1950s charm right along the Mother Road. Joe’s story starts in the 1970s, when the spot opened as the M and P Drive-In. A few years later, Joe Waugh took the reins, and though the ownership has changed hands a few times since, the name “Joe’s” has stood the test of time.
Route 66 Steak ‘n Shake in Springfield, Missouri
Steak ‘n Shake was founded in February 1934 in Normal, Illinois. The founder, Gus Belt, opened that first restaurant with the mission of serving the best tasting and freshest steakburgers and hand-dipped milkshakes around. Today more than 400 Steak ‘n Shake restaurants carry on that tradition.
Iggy’s Diner in Carthage, Missouri
Iggy’s Diner in Carthage, Missouri, is where retro charm meets Route 66 spirit. Roll into the parking lot and you’ll be greeted by a gleaming stainless steel facade that looks like it came straight out of the 1950s—but this classic spot was actually built in the late ‘90s.
The Carthage Deli in Carthage, Missouri
Carthage Deli in Carthage, Missouri, is a Route 66 soda fountain known for its wide sandwich menu, retro decor, and classic drinks like milkshakes and Italian sodas.
Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri
Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe is a restaurant in Springfield, Missouri, known for its historic setting and wide-ranging breakfast and lunch menu. It occupies former pharmacy and hotel spaces dating back to the early 1900s, with original fixtures still visible inside.
Druff’s in Springfield, Missouri
Druff’s is a grilled cheese-focused diner in downtown Springfield, Missouri, located inside the historic Woodruff Building where Route 66 was first named in 1926. It serves a variety of breakfast and lunch sandwiches alongside classic comfort dishes like waffles, soups, and salads
Gathering Grounds Coffee in Stroud, Oklahoma
Gathering Grounds Coffee in Stroud, Oklahoma, is a Route 66 coffee shop serving classic and specialty drinks while supporting community efforts.
Rich & Creamy in Joliet, Illinois
Rich & Creamy in Joliet, Illinois is a small ice cream shop with big ties to Route 66. This little ice cream shop in Joliet, Illinois originally opened as Creamy Delight in the 1970s. The building itself was built in 1965 and served as an office before it became a place to get soft serve
Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill & Museum in Springfield, Illinois
Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill & Museum in Springfield, Illinois is a gathering place for lovers of The Mother Road, car culture, and a good time. Stop in to grab a delicious bite to eat from their curated menu of American favorites, drink an ice-cold drink from the bar, listen to live music, or explore a treasure trove of Americana memorabilia.
The Frozen Elephant in Miami, Oklahoma
The Frozen Elephant in Miami, Oklahoma, is a Route 66 stop known for shaved ice, smoothies, and coffee drinks, plus its 11-foot pink elephant roadside attraction.
Lost Along the Mother Road
Not every stop along Route 66 has stood the test of time. Over the decades, some Route 66 attractions have faded from the map, leaving behind ghost towns, relics, and memories of what once was. These sites may be gone, but they are not forgotten, living on through photos, memories, and the travelers who still seek their traces.
