Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas

Welcome to Radiator Springs. I mean, Kansas. Galena, Kansas. A town on Route 66 that partially inspired the Pixar movie Cars and where you can meet Tow Mater himself at Cars on the Route.

Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66

Cars is a Pixar movie set in a world where anthropomorphic talking cars populate the world. A racer, Lightning McQueen, gets lost and finds himself in Radiator Springs, a location that was once a bustling stop on Route 66 that had since fallen from maps due to highway expansion. Many of the characters and locations featured in the film were based on Route 66 attractions.

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The Cozy Cone was based on Wigwam Motel, Ramone’s was the U-Drop Inn, and Lizzie’s, Hackberry General Store. One of the most iconic characters in the film was Tow Mater, a beat up tow truck who befriends and supports Lightning McQueen and teaches him a couple of tricks along the way. 

Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66

This character was based on an unlikely Route 66 attraction: an old 951 Harvester International Tow Truck that stands outside of a former Kan-O-Tex gas station in Galena, Kansas inspired Tow Mater.

Kansas is the state holding the shortest stretch of Route 66, with only eleven of the 2,448 miles of the iconic Mother Road. You can visit this Kansas Route 66 attraction at the north end of Main Street in Galena, Kansas. The business first opened in 1934. In 2007, a group of four women – Betty Courtney, Melba Rigg, Renee Charles and Judy Courtney – purchased the property and restored it, reopening as “Four Women on the Route.”

Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66

Now, the old service station is known as Cars on the Route and has been converted into a cafe where you can find sandwiches, snacks, and Route 66 and Cars souvenirs. You can visit for a quick bite and to meet the rusty old tow truck who inspired the Disney character. The owners have even added cartoon eyes for those who can’t quite make the connection. And they’ve added a few more cars to complete the collection.

Be sure to visit Cars on the Route in lightning speed because this Kansas roadside attraction will surely have you saying “Ka-Chow!”

While in town be sure to also visit the Greetings from Galena mural and the Gearhead Curios restored Texaco Station.

Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas on Route 66

Cars on the Route

Address: Kan-O-Tex Service Station, 119 N Main St, Galena, KS
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 10am-3pm
Cost: Free to See

Pin this Kansas Route 66 roadside attraction:

Welcome to Radiator Springs. I mean, Kansas. Galena, Kansas. A town on Route 66 that partially inspired the Disney Pixar movie Cars and where you can meet the character Tow Mater himself at Cars on the Route. Visit this vintage service station roadside attraction a Route 66 road trip through Kansas.  #RoadTrips #RoadTripStop  #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #KansasRoute66 #Kansas #KansasRoadTrip #KansasRoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAmerica #RoadTrip
Welcome to Radiator Springs. I mean, Kansas. Galena, Kansas. A town on Route 66 that partially inspired the Disney Pixar movie Cars and where you can meet the character Tow Mater himself at Cars on the Route. Visit this vintage service station roadside attraction a Route 66 road trip through Kansas.  #RoadTrips #RoadTripStop  #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #KansasRoute66 #Kansas #KansasRoadTrip #KansasRoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAmerica #RoadTrip

Valerie Bromann

Founder & ROad Trip Expert

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book, she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

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Last modified: January 1, 2022
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Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas

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The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.