Route 66 Oddity in Texas

Just under 200 miles worth of the iconic Route 66 runs through Texas. As the “Mother Road” turns 100, somebody noticed something funny at the beginning of its Texas leg.

Route 66 runs about 2400 miles across the USA from Chicago to Santa Monica on the west coast. Construction began on what would become known as the “Mother Road” in 1926 when the US Bureau Of Public Roads started knitting together various local, state, county and US highways. The last areas to be paved were finished up in 1938.

The Texas segment was just a long dirt road at first. The first bricks were laid down in 1927 but it wasn’t completely paved until about 10 years later.

READ MORE: This Texas Road Hasn't Been Repaved In Over A Century

Route 66 & The Texas Oklahoma/Compromise

I call it the Texas/Oklahoma compromise anyway. Texas and Oklahoma have been known to mess with each other and there has been a long standing, mostly friendly, rivalry between the two states since day 1.

That rivalry seems to have led to what is a bit of a joke at the start of the Texas portion of Route 66. A last - minute warning to drivers headed into unfriendly territory. Not because of the Indians or outlaws that once roamed the area … because of the current residents.

What Happens Where Route 66 Leaves Texas?

Highway workers apparently left a little joke at the spot where Route 66 leaves Texas and enters Oklahoma. (Or, it could be the other way around. Nobody is really sure exactly who did it.)  Highway workers added something to Route 66 at the state line – a turnaround lane.

Upon realizing they were about to leave the lone star state, drivers were able to whip around and avoid leaving Texas for that “other” place.

Breathing a sigh of relief, they could stay in the lone star state. Or remain “Okies” … whichever.