No trip down Route 66 is complete without a stop at one of its most photographed and unconventional attractions — Cadillac Ranch, located just west of Amarillo, Texas. This colorful sculpture of ten half-buried Cadillacs has become a cultural icon, attracting travelers, photographers, and graffiti artists from around the world.
The Birth of an American Roadside Icon
Cadillac Ranch was created in 1974 by a San Francisco-based art collective called Ant Farm, composed of artists Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez, and Doug Michels. Funded by eccentric Amarillo billionaire Stanley Marsh 3, the group set out to produce a piece that was both a tribute to the evolution of the Cadillac tailfin and a statement on American consumerism and car culture. The Cadillac tailfin evolved roughly ten times between the 1949 model and 1963. Each had a different style tailfin.
The result was a lineup of ten vintage Cadillac automobiles — ranging from 1949 to 1963 models — buried nose-first in the dusty Texas earth. Originally installed in a wheat field closer to Amarillo, the cars were later relocated in 1997 to a more remote field along the north access road of Interstate 40 (the former Route 66), to make way for city expansion.
For a period of time, periodic maintenance was done, and the cars were painted over in solid colors. There was a period where they were all gray, there were all white, there were all pink. But after awhile they gave up on that idea because the endless spray painting was inevitable. They were all painted black, however, as recently as 2020, but within days, the graffiti paint began to cover up all of the black paint.
Where is the Cadillac Ranch?
The ranch is about a hundred yards off the Frontage Road along the south side of Interstate 40 about 11 miles west of Amarillo.
To reach Cadillac Ranch from Interstate 40 near Amarillo, Texas, follow these simple directions:
Directions from I-40:
Exit I-40 at Exit 60 (Arnot Road / Hope Road) — this is just west of Amarillo.
Head north on the north frontage road (I-40 Frontage Rd) after exiting.
After about 1 mile, look for a small dirt parking area on your left.
You’ll see the Cadillac Ranch cars in the field, about 100 yards from the road.
Park in the dirt lot and walk the well-worn path through the gate to the installation.
Address (for GPS):
13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124
Tip: There’s no official signage from the highway, so keep an eye out for parked cars and the colorful Cadillacs in the distance. It’s open 24/7 and free to visit — just bring your own spray paint if you want to leave your mark!
A Living Piece of Route 66 History
Although technically just off the old Route 66 alignment, Cadillac Ranch has become inseparable from the Route 66 experience. It represents the kind of offbeat Americana that has always defined the Mother Road — quirky, accessible, and open to interpretation. Over the years, it has taken on a new life as an ever-changing canvas, with visitors encouraged to bring spray paint and leave their own mark on the cars.
The Ten Cadillacs Buried Nose Down at the Cadillac Ranch. Source: Ben Anderson – www.route66travelinfo.com
Unlike most public sculptures, Cadillac Ranch is meant to be touched, climbed on, and defaced. This interactive quality has helped sustain its popularity, as each visit presents a new, unpredictable display of color and creativity. It’s also frequently featured in Route 66 guidebooks, documentaries, and music videos.
Cadillac Ranch Today
Today, Cadillac Ranch stands as one of the most iconic and enduring roadside attractions along Route 66 in Texas, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. There’s no admission fee, no gift shop, and no barriers — just a wide Texas sky, the smell of spray paint, and a row of Cadillacs jutting proudly into the earth.
Bathroom Pro-Tip: There are no bathroom facilities at the Cadillac Ranch. I caught the photo below by accident and didn’t notice the fellow in the background until I got home and started going through my pictures. Moral of the story… Plan ahead!.
Caught this Picture by Accident. Note to Self: There are no Bathroom Facilities at the Cadillac Ranch. Plan Accordingly!
If you go there during the peak season you’re most likely to be there with dozens if not hundreds of others who have ventured out to leave their mark on one of the buried Cadillacs. You’ll also hear a lot of foreign languages. During our visit a tour group from Europe road up on about two dozen motorcycles. There were folks from England, Poland, and several other European countries.
They all showed up with a can of spray paint or two and their camera phones to document with visual evidence of their visit.
If it’s recently rained, don’t expect to get close enough to the Cadillacs to tag them with your spray paint. Every time it rains, a large puddle of water pools around the ten Cadillacs meaning that you’re going to be walking through the mud and water to spray paint the cars. Plan accordingly.
The Cadillac Ranch continues to embody the spirit of Route 66: freedom, exploration, and the celebration of the strange and wonderful.
Whether you’re traveling the whole stretch of Route 66 or just passing through Amarillo, the Cadillac Ranch is a must-see homage to America’s love affair with the road.
Author Information
Ben Anderson is a retired "baby boomer". After spending 37 years in education and as a small business owner, I'm now spending all of my time with family and grand kids and with my wife, Fran, seeing as much of the USA that I can one road trip at a time.
