The Global Meaningful Travel Map

Cars on the Route

Cars on the Route

Experience a nostalgic stop on Route 66 with iconic vehicles, a vintage gas station, and free attractions celebrating local culture and history.

OUR EXPERIENCES
“Tow Tater,” a 1951 International L-170 Series Boom Truck and the inspiration for the 2006 Pixar movie Cars, sits next to a restored circa-1938 Kan-O-Tex gas station on Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. Now known as Cars on the Route, the station features a gift shop, restaurant, and a Route 66 Welcome Center, where visitors can enjoy an up-close experience with Tow Tater.

Across the street is Luigi’s Pit Stop, a free attraction featuring other Cars characters: a replica of the 1949 Mercury police car that inspired the Sheriff of Radiator Springs, along with facsimiles of Lightning McQueen and Luigi. Travelers will also find iconic Kansas symbols such as sunflowers and a yellow brick road. Nearby, a drive-through arch on Route 66 offers another great photo opportunity.

All locations are free to visit.

ABOUT US
Cars on the Route, along with the other associated attractions, aims to draw Route 66 tourists from around the world to Galena, Kansas—a town that relies heavily on tourism for its economic support.

OUR IMPACT
Nearly five years before Pixar’s Cars debuted, the creative team toured Route 66 for inspiration. In Galena, Kansas, they discovered a rusted old tow truck beside a rundown gas station. While most would pass it by, Pixar’s Joe Ranft saw the heart of “Mater.”

Inspired by this connection, four local businesswomen restored the 1930s Kan-O-Tex station, launching Cars on the Route in 2006. Before that, Galena struggled with economic decline after the mining industry collapsed and Route 66 traffic shifted to interstates.

Thanks to the film's success, Galena saw a tourism revival. Cars on the Route became a major attraction, drawing visitors from around the world, boosting local businesses, and preserving the town’s Route 66 heritage.

Today, this woman-owned site is a model of sustainable tourism—celebrating culture, supporting the local economy, and keeping the spirit of the Mother Road alive.

DETAILS
To learn more, contact: redrenee1@hotmail.com

What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
1-50

Do you require visitors to pre-book?
Prebooking is available but not required.

Do you have group rates?
No

Do you pay commissions to travel advisors?
No

What languages do you offer your services in?
English

When are you open?
Thursday - Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm
hours may vary seasonally, check the Facebook page for any change in operating hours

What accommodations do you make for people living with disabilities?
All locations are ADA accessible within the standards of historic preservation.