This Abandoned Texas Ghost Town Lets You Stand In Two Time Zones

Texas road trips can lead you to some pretty strange places. Giant roadside attractions, tiny towns with weird histories and abandoned spots that feel frozen in time. But one forgotten Texas ghost town might have one of the strangest claims to fame in the entire state!

Hidden along the Texas-New Mexico border sits Glenrio, a nearly abandoned Route 66 town where visitors can stand in two states and two different time zones at the exact same time.

This Texas Ghost Town Comes With A Time Zone Secret

At first glance, Glenrio looks like one of those classic forgotten Route 66 stops. Old buildings, weathered service stations and a quiet stretch of road that feels like it's been left behind.

But this tiny town comes with a twist.

Because Glenrio sits directly on the Texas-New Mexico line, visitors can literally stand in two different time zones at once!

Now, I have to confess something: I am absolutely terrible at figuring out time differences. I live in the Mountain Time part of Texas and somehow it still hasn't fully clicked in my brain what time it is everywhere else in the state. So a place where I can accidentally walk a few feet and end up in a different hour? This would absolutely confuse me!

Standing in two states at once is cool. Standing in two time zones somehow feels like a much better road trip flex.

Glenrio Was Once A Busy Stop Along Route 66

Long before Interstate 40 rerouted travelers, Glenrio was a booming stop along Route 66.

Mike Rivera

Travelers once passed through its diners, gas stations and roadside businesses while making their way along the Mother Road. The town's location on the state line also created some unusual situations.

For a period of time, New Mexico allowed alcohol sales while Texas remained dry, creating an odd setup where one side of town looked very different than the other.

Imagine living somewhere where crossing the street could change the laws and the time!

The Abandoned Buildings Still Standing In Glenrio Today

Today, Glenrio feels like a snapshot of old Texas road-trip history.

Many of the abandoned buildings still standing today were built during the town's busiest years as a railroad stop and tourist destination. Service stations, cafes and remnants of old Route 66 still sit scattered throughout the area.

Mike Rivera

Many properties are privately owned and best admired from a distance, but driving through still feels like discovering one of Texas' forgotten hidden gems.

An abandoned ghost town on Route 66 where you can stand in two different time zones at once? That feels like the most Texas road trip stop imaginable.