NEWS RELEASE
- ------------

          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
          ---------------------
          OCTOBER 5, 2000


                                                                 Contact BOWLIN:
                                                     Michael L. Bowlin, Chairman
                                                                  (505) 266-5985
                                                  Rudy R. Miller, Chairman & CEO
                                                                The Miller Group
                                              Investor Relations for the Company
                                                                  (602) 225-0504


            BOWLIN OUTDOOR ADVERTISING & TRAVEL CENTERS INCORPORATED
        CONTINUES SEPARATION OF TRAVEL CETNERS BUSINESS AND FILES FORM 10
                    WITH SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

ALBUQUERQUE,  NEW  MEXICO,  OCTOBER  5, 2000 --  Michael  L.  Bowlin,  Chairman,
President and Chief  Executive  Officer of BOWLIN  Outdoor  Advertising & Travel
Centers Incorporated (AMEX: BWN), announced today that it is proceeding with its
separation of its travel centers business from its outdoor advertising business.
As previously  announced,  the Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger with Lamar  Advertising  Company  for the  acquisition  of the  Company's
outdoor advertising business.

The  Company's  travel  center  business  will be  contributed  to Bowlin Travel
Centers, Inc., a newly formed subsidiary.  Bowlin Travel Centers, Inc. has filed
a Form 10 to register as an independent  reporting  company under the Securities
and  Exchange Act of 1934.  Immediately  prior to the closing of the merger with
Lamar  Advertising  Company,  it is anticipated  that the stock of Bowlin Travel
Centers, Inc. will be distributed to the shareholders of the Company.

BOWLIN Outdoor Advertising & Travel Centers  Incorporated,  as a regional leader
in non-metro markets for outdoor advertising displays,  provides a full range of
service that includes sales,  design,  production and installation.  The Company
also operates travel centers  strategically located on major interstate highways
that utilize  co-branding  agreements  with  national  companies.  The Company's
current operations are located in the Southwestern United States.

     CERTAIN STATEMENTS  CONTAINED HEREIN WITH RESPECT TO FACTORS WHICH MAY
     AFFECT FUTURE EARNINGS, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT'S BELIEFS AND ASSUMPTIONS
     BASED  ON  INFORMATION   CURRENTLY   AVAILABLE,   ARE  FORWARD-LOOKING
     STATEMENTS MADE PURSUANT TO THE SAFE HARBOR  PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE
     SECURITIES   LITIGATION  REFORM  ACT  OF  1995.  SUCH  FORWARD-LOOKING
     STATEMENTS   THAT  ARE  NOT   HISTORICAL   FACTS   INVOLVE  RISKS  AND
     UNCERTAINTIES, AND RESULTS COULD VARY MATERIALLY FROM THE DESCRIPTIONS
     CONTAINED HEREIN. FOR MORE DETAILS ON RISK FACTORS,  SEE THE COMPANY'S
     ANNUAL REPORTS ON FORM 10-K,  QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q AND OTHER
     FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.