Glenrio, New Mexico travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Glenrio is a ghost town that is partially in the Texas Panhandle and partially in New Mexico.

3 sights

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Glenrio

First / Last Motel in Texas

Opened in 1953 as State Line Café and Gas Station; its 1955 Texas Longhorn Motel closed in 1976. A sign proclaimed "First Motel in Texas" to eastbound motorists and (on the other side of the same sign) "Last Motel in Tex…

Brownlee Diner/Little Juarez Café

Constructed in 1952 in art moderne architectural style, this building becomes part of the abandoned "Glenn Rio Motel" complex and a museum site in Pixar's 2006 film "Cars".

Joseph Brownlee House

Constructed in Amarillo in 1930 and moved to Glenrio in 1950, this was one of the last Glenrio buildings to be abandoned after the town was bypassed.

Plan your trip

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
CVN Clovis Municipal Airport, Clovis — 52 mi away. Directions
AMA Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, Amarillo — 75 mi away. Directions
ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque — 202 mi away (major hub). Directions

Glenrio is on a former alignment of US Route 66 which has been bypassed by what is now Interstate 40. The old road still exists slightly to the south of the newer freeway, but turns to gravel upon entering New Mexico. From Interstate 40 in Texas, look for "I-40 Business" or "Exit 0" to leave I-40 for US 66.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning First / Last Motel in Texas, Brownlee Diner/Little Juarez Café
Afternoon Joseph Brownlee House

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Understand

It was built a 1903 railroad town on the Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (the tracks were removed in the 1980s), Glenrio served travellers on the Ozark Trail and later Route 66. The highway was realigned onto a freeway bypassing the town in the 1970s. The last businesses closed in 1976.

The now-abandoned post office stands in New Mexico, the rail station was in Texas.

Get in

Get around

The village, listed as the Glenrio Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, is abandoned. It is possible to tour on foot but no guides or services are provided.

See and do

See First / Last Motel in Texas

Maps

See Brownlee Diner/Little Juarez Café

Constructed in 1952 in art moderne architectural style, this building becomes part of the abandoned "Glenn Rio Motel" complex and a museum site in Pixar's 2006 film "Cars".

Maps

See Joseph Brownlee House

Constructed in Amarillo in 1930 and moved to Glenrio in 1950, this was one of the last Glenrio buildings to be abandoned after the town was bypassed.

Maps

Go next

Route 66
Amarillo, Texas
Tucumcari, New Mexico

Buy, eat, drink and sleep

As Glenrio is abandoned as a ghost town, there are no services in the town itself although a highway rest stop (the Glenrio Welcome Center) is provided on westbound I-40 when entering New Mexico. Head west to San Jon or Tucumcari, New Mexico or east to Adrian and Amarillo, Texas.