Are you even road-tripping if you don’t pull over for a 20-foot-tall fiberglass giant?
If you love roadside oddities, retro Americana, and those “what did we just stop for?” moments, a Route 66 Muffler Men Road Trip needs to be on your bucket list. These towering statues are some of the most iconic Route 66 attractions still standing and with the Route 66 Centennial approaching, there’s never been a better time to go giant hunting.
Let’s hit the Mother Road and track them down.
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What Are Muffler Men? The Story Behind America’s Giant Roadside Statues
In the 1960s , the golden age of car travel, businesses needed a way to grab attention from drivers cruising down Route 66. Enter the Muffler Men.
These 18–25 foot fiberglass giants were originally designed by sculptor Bob Prewitt and later mass-produced by International Fiberglass. Many held mufflers to advertise auto shops (hence the name), but over time they morphed into lumberjacks, cowboys, chefs, astronauts, and just about anything a business owner could dream up.
They became:
-Oversized billboards
-Classic Route 66 photo ops
-Symbols of nostalgic Americana
-Some of the best roadside attractions in the U.S.
While their heyday has passed, dozens still stand along Route 66 – quirky, weathered, and absolutely camera-ready.
Pro Tip: Be sure to plan your route ahead so you don’t miss anything you want to see. We got this Route 66 Centennial Map from Rand McNally to help us plan the 100-year celebrations.
Illinois Route 66 Muffler Men
Gemini Giant
One of the most famous Muffler Men in the country.
Dressed in a silver space helmet and lime green suit, this retro astronaut stood guard at the Launching Pad Drive-In for decades. In 2024, he was moved to a nearby city park, but he’s still a must-stop Route 66 icon.
Location: 201 Bridge St, Wilmington
Carl’s Big Boy
Carl’s, a local ice cream and burger place with Big Boy Carl, a 14-foot-tall muffler man with a burger in one hand and an ice cream cone in the other. He has a red shirt with Carl’s written on its pocket, and he is wearing a white garrison cap.
He is one of the modern muffler men on Route 66!
Location: 1700 W College Ave, Normal
Hot Dog Muffler Man
Holding a massive two-handed hot dog, this 19-foot giant is impossible to miss. Originally from Cicero, Illinois, he now calls Atlanta home.
Can you believe the hot dog weighs nearly 30 pounds?
Location: 112 SW Arch St, Atlanta
Happy Half-Wit
Just down the road from Hot Dog Guy, this statue has the unmistakable grin of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman. It’s not official, of course, but you can’t unsee it once you see it. Oddly charming and totally strange.
This quirky-faced Muffler Man is an original head design swapped out for fun in recent years, and it works.
Location: 101 SW Arch St., Atlanta
American Giants Museum
If you’re serious about roadside giants, this stop is non-negotiable. The museum is dedicated to restoring and preserving fiberglass statues from America’s highways.
It’s like a Hall of Fame for Muffler Men.
Location: 100 NE Arch St., Atlanta
Lauterbatch Muffler Man
Erected in 1962, the Gigantic Tire Man was first displayed as advertising for a tire business but was sold shortly to the McGaughey Brothers, owners of the Roundup Cafe and Motel in Farmersville. When the motel closed, he was moved to the parking lot of the Lauterbatch Tire and auto service.
The tire is now an enormous American flag in his hands and proudly waves the red, white, and blue just off Route 66.
Location: 1569 Wabash Ave., Springfield
Big Ron
Big Ron technically it isn’t a muffler man, but it is a giant statue so we included it in our list. Located at Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill on the south side of Springfield, this is a “new” (2024) Route 66 attraction.
It is located underneath the world’s largest Route 66 shield measuring 32 by 32 feet set atop two steel poles 60 feet tall. The Route 66 shield alone is selfie worthy.
Location: 600 Toronto Road, Springfield
Pink Elephant Group
The Pink Elephant Antiques shop in Livingston IL has plenty of larger-than-life statues, including a muffler man and a Uniroyal Gal.
Uniroyal Gal
“Miss Uniroyal” was launched in the late 1960’s but soon became a template for a “Miss America” statue with a Jackie Kennedy flipped bob haircut with a skirt and blouse with an apron and raised left hand.
This one has a Route 66 shield on her apron and has superhuman measurements (108-72-108); if she had the height of an average American woman (5′ 4″) she’d measure 32 – 21.3 – 32.
Beach Boy
To the right of the Uniroyal gal, is “Beach Boy.” He is taller than his female companion, standing 26 feet tall. He sports bathing trunks and an ice cone in his left hand.
Harley Davidson Muffler Man
On the southern side of the property, facing Route 66 is its Harley Davidson Muffler Man, wearing a short-sleeved orange shirt with the words “Harley Davidson” written across his chest. The sides of his black boots have the Harvey Davidson shield-logo on their outer sides.
That’s not all you’ll find here, from a giant pink elephant to a spaceship, this is a great stop.
Location: 908 Veterans Memorial Dr., Livingston
Pro Tip: If you like exploring the areas you’re visiting, I would plan extra time for Illinois. These stops alone have a museum, giant antique store and great places for food.
Missouri Route 66 Giants
Mega Mayor of Uranus Missouri
Yes, Uranus. And yes, it’s as weird as you think.
The 22-foot “Mega Mayor” stands proudly with patriotic flair and carries a yellow golf ball in one hand and a putter in the other. The entire complex is classic Route 66 kitsch – dinosaurs, giant belt buckles, great fudge and lots more. We love stopping here. Plan at least an hour to explore here.
Location: 14400 Highway Z, St. Robert
Oklahoma Route 66 Muffler Men
Hi-Way Cafe and its Muffler Men
Hi-Way Café is a must stop for Route 66 lovers. There’s Route 66 nostalgia, an old stickered car and 3 Muffler Men and a Bob’s Big Boy statue.
Big Bill
This 21-foot Muffler Man was named after Bill Wood, the late father of the cafes owner, Beth. He’s holding a Route 66 sign dressed in jeans and a red shirt. He has his suitcase on the ground near his feet.
Big Chief
He is 20-foot tall and is carved in wood. He came from Massachusetts where he stood in front of a gift store. He moved to Oklahoma when it closed.
Big Al
Carl the Chef was located at the Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield, MO. When it closed it moved to Hi-Way café and renamed Big Al. He wears a chef hat (or “toque blanche”, French for “white hat”) and holds a large spatula and oversized meat fork.
Location: 437918 US-60, Vinita
Chief Standing Brave Statue
A unique tribute to Oklahoma’s Native American heritage can be seen by those traveling on I-44 in Green Country. Just about 10 miles southwest of Vinita at the Woodshed Travel Plaza.
He is a 50-foot-tall statue of an Indian warrior with his 100-feather headdress, spear, and a shield emblazoned with the state flag. While not on Route 66, he is worth a side trip.
Location: 31209 S Highway 69, Big Cabin
Golden Driller
Not technically a Muffler Man (he’s concrete), but at 76 feet tall, he earns honorary status. You can’t even envision how big he really is until you are standing in front of him.
Built in 1966, he symbolizes Tulsa’s oil boom and remains one of the tallest free-standing statues in the world. And is a noted stop on Route 66 Road Trips.
Location: Tulsa Fairgrounds- 4145 E. 22nd St., Tulsa
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios
A modern Route 66 legend.
Buck Atom stands 21 feet tall holding an atom bomb and rocking a cowboy hat. His partner, Stella, stands nearby. It’s retro space-meets-Western vibes and pure Route 66 fun.
They stand in front of an old gas station that is now Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios, which sells Route 66 memorabilia.
Location: 1347 E 11th St, Tulsa
Read more: Route 66 Road Trip through Oklahoma
Texas Route 66 Muffler Man
Cowboy Muffler Man
Standing 22 feet tall near Cadillac Ranch RV Park, this “2nd Amendment Cowboy” has a bit of a wild past, including being used for target practice. Hence his nickname.
You’ll see some well-kept Cadillacs with this Route 66 Modern Muffler Man.
Location: 2601 Hope Road, Amarillo
Pro Tip: While you’re in Amarillo, visit the actual Cadillac Ranch on 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd.
Arizona’s Original Giant
Paul Bunyan Statue
The very first Muffler Man ever made.
Originally built for a Route 66 café in the early 1960s, this 20-foot lumberjack now lives at Northern Arizona University as the Lumberjacks’ mascot.
There is a second lumberjack statue on campus also donated by the café. The second Muffler Man stands on the south side, in the trees, to the west of the more visible Muffler Man near the Skydome entrance.
Location: 1701 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff
California’s Iconic Roadside Giant
Chicken Boy
Often called the “Statue of Liberty of Los Angeles,” Chicken Boy features a human body with a giant chicken head.
Originally a restaurant sign in the 1960s, he now sits proudly on a rooftop in Highland Park.
Location: 5558 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park
How to Plan Your Route 66 Muffler Men Road Trip
If you’re building this into a real road trip (and you should), here’s how to do it right:
Map Your Giants– Cluster stops by state to avoid backtracking.
Pair Them with Classic Route 66 Stops– Think diners, neon motels, vintage gas stations, and quirky museums.
Time It Right– Spring and fall offer the best weather for a long Route 66 drive.
Bring a Wide-Angle Lens– Trust me, these guys are tall. Our Kodak PixPro has a nice wide-angle lens, and it takes great videos too. You can also take a travel tripod to help stabilize the shot. I like using this one we got from K&F Concept because I’m not always steady when taking pictures. It also works with phones.
Why Muffler Men Are Still Bucket List Worthy
They’re weird.
They’re nostalgic.
They’re unapologetically American.
And in a world of polished, curated travel, there’s something refreshing about pulling over for a giant fiberglass cowboy holding a hot dog.
Final Thoughts
Route 66 isn’t just about getting from Chicago to Santa Monica. It’s about the unexpected stops – the oddities, the kitsch, the “what in the world is that?” moments. And Muffler Men deliver every single time.
If you’re planning a Route 66 road trip, make room in your itinerary for these towering legends. They’re the kind of roadside attraction that reminds you why you hit the open road in the first place.
We love sharing information and tips we learn along the way to help you plan your next vacations. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.