Distance covered by motorcycle: ~433 km
Route: Oklahoma City, OK → Texola → Shamrock → McLean → Groom → Amarillo, TX
After five days on the road, the crew was fully synced with the rhythm of the ride. Day 6 delivered that classic wide-open Route 66 vibe — long stretches of open road, relics of America’s highway heyday, and roadside legends that only make sense once you’ve seen them for yourself.
⛽ Breakfast, Gas & the Western Skies
The ride started mid-morning in Oklahoma City. After topping off at Shell in El Reno, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Cherokee Restaurant — simple, filling, and perfect for the miles ahead.
From there, we rode a long 171 km straight shot to Texola, one of the last towns before crossing into Texas. It’s a near ghost town now, but its “Welcome to Oklahoma” sign makes for a classic Route 66 photo opp before hitting the Lone Star State.
🛣️ Welcome to Texas – Land of Oddities
Crossing into Texas, we stopped in Shamrock — home to the restored 1936 U-Drop Inn, now a museum and Route 66 visitor center (though you visited McDonald’s this time). Then came a ride through the quiet town of McLean, where the crew checked out the Restored 1929 Route 66 Gas Station — one of the earliest filling stations on the route, lovingly preserved.
🗼 The Leaning Tower of Texas
A top photo stop was the Leaning Tower of Texas in Groom — a purposely tilted water tower built to grab attention from passing motorists. Mission accomplished — it’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s Route 66.
Lunch stop: Star Indian Restaurant in Groom, where some of the riders opted for something spicy and delicious — a welcome change of flavors.
🐞 Slug Bug Ranch – A Funky Photo Op
On the outskirts of Amarillo, we rolled into the lesser-known cousin of Cadillac Ranch — Slug Bug Ranch. Five VW Beetles buried nose-first into the ground, spray-painted by travelers over the years. Pure roadside kitsch.
🥩 Texas-Sized Finish at the Big Texan
We ended the day with a bang at the Big Texan Steak Ranch — home of the legendary 72 oz steak challenge. While no one attempted it (maybe next time!), the vibe was perfect: country tunes, laughter, and the biggest plates of food we’d seen all trip.
After a late dinner, we cruised over to the Big Texan Motel, parked the bikes, and called it a night in true cowboy style.
🗺️ Highlights of the Day:
- Total motorcycle distance: ~433 km
- Ride time: ~4 hrs 23 mins
- Route 66 Attractions:
- Welcome to Oklahoma Sign – Texola
- 1929 Route 66 Gas Station – McLean
- Leaning Tower of Texas – Groom
- Slug Bug Ranch – Conway, TX
- Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo
✍️ Quote of the Day:
“Everything’s bigger in Texas — including the stories you ride into.”