Road Trip on Route 66 From Kansas to Tulsa
The route through Kansas was the shortest of all the states, only about 13 miles. After traveling through Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs, it entered Quapaw, Oklahoma, and headed southwest through Commerce, Miami, Chelsea, Claremore and Tulsa. In general, it followed the route of present-day Interstate I-44.
Map of Historic Route 66 from Commerce to Tulsa, Oklahoma |
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Highlights of the many things to see in Oklahoma Route 66
There are dozens of places to see and visit along Route 66 across Oklahoma on the segment from Kansas into Oklahoma and into Tulsa.
Don't miss Allen's Conoco Fillin' Station in Commerce, sections of the "Sidewalk Highway" near Miami, and the Blue Whale in Catoosa.
Along the way you will find quaint service stations, diners, motels and other structures dating from those earlier times on Route 66.
Photographs from our trips along Route 66 from Kansas to Tulsa
Commerce, OklahomaAllen's Conoco Fillin' Station |
Regular gasoline pump at Allen's Conoco Fillin' Station, Commerce, Oklahoma |
| Mickey Mantle Statue and Boyhood Home in Commerce | |
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Dairy King, Commerce, Oklahoma ... a former circa 1925 Marathon Service Station |
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The Gateway to Route 66 in Miami, OK |
Historic Marker about the Gateway Sign |
Miami, OklahomaColeman Theatre 103 N. Main Street, Miami, Oklahoma, along Historic Route 66 |
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Ribbon RoadSection of Old Route 66 9-foot wide "Ribbon Road" or "Sidewalk Highway" still visible near Miami, Oklahoma (November, 2018) |
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Marker along the Will Rogers Highway ... Old Route 66 9-foot wide "Ribbon Road" near Miami, Oklahoma |
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Classic, rusted replicas of earlier times, on Route 66 near Miami, OK |
Amazing stonework on this old service station, Narcissa OK |
Afton, OklahomaEagle DX Service Station in Afton, opened in the 1930s on Route 66 |
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Vinita, OklahomaMural in Vinita ... Established 1871
The Eastern Trails Museum is located at 215 West Illilnois Avenue in Vinita, one block off Route 66. This one-of-a-kind museum is dedicated to the more than 150-year history of this long-lived Green Country city, featuring exhibits on Civil War battles, Native American history, ranching relics, military items, railroad materials, and Route 66 memorabilia.
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Chelsea, OklahomaWhen driving Route 66 in Oklahoma, be sure to check out Chelsea attractions, like these ... |
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Sign ... Welcome to Chelsea, Oklahoma ... Established 1889  |
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Pryor Creek BridgeThe historic Pryor Creek Bridge was built in 1926 and carried U.S. Highway 66 traffic from then to 1932, when a new alignment bypassed the bridge. It is of "Modified Pratt Through Truss" design,123 feet long and 19 feet wide. Located near Chelsea, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. |
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Chelsea Route 66 Pedestrian UnderpassThe tunnel dates to a time when four-lane Route 66 was so busy that locals built a tunnel so pedestrians could cross under the highway safely. Today, it can still be walked through, at Walnut Street and West 6th Street in Chelsea. Get your kicks UNDER Route 66! |
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Chelsea Route 66 Underpass - entrance |
Route 66 Underpass Mural - interior |
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Chelsea Motel, Chelsea, Oklahoma, along Historic Route 66 |
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Totem Pole Park
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ClaremoreLocated on Route 66 between Chelsea and Catoosa, is the city of Claremore, home to about 20,000 residents. Among the attractions are the Will Rogers Memorial Museum (photo below), the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, the Belvidere Mansion, and Lake Claremore. For more information, link to the VisitClaremore.org website
"Travelers of Both Time and Space" Route 66 mural in Claremore
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Catoosa, Oklahoma - The Blue WhaleBuilt in the early 1970s by Hugh Davis as an anniversary gift, the 20-foot tall iron and cement Blue Whale turned into a swimming park, and closed in 1988. Today, it remains one of the most popular stops on Route 66. In 2022 the Blue Whale is celebrating its 50th anniversary! |
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The D.W. Correll Museum in CatoosaThis main building of the museum in Catoosa contains a rare collection of rocks, gems, fossils and minerals from around the world. The second building houses antique automobiles restored by Mr. Correll, and other items of broad curiosity and antiquity such as the historical Texaco gas pump. There is also a collection of antique toy tractors, cars, pickups, etc. on display. The main building has a beautiful, painted mural on the outside (see photo below) done by the award-winning artist Lance Hunter that honors the late D.W. Correll, the museum's benefactor and a beloved Catoosa resident. The brightly colored, attention-getting mural, is 8 feet tall and 72 feet wide. read more about the Correll Museum in Catoosa
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The relocated circa 1936 Tom Kight Bridge, just north of Catoosa, Oklahoma, heading into Molly's Landing Restaurant |
Arriving in TulsaRoute 66 sign at the east side of Tulsa, Oklahoma, seen during a November, 2018 road trip |
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East Meets West: Symbolic Route 66 MidpointThe Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza is named for the Tulsa resident who is known as "The Father of Route 66". It is located at the east entrance to the historic Route 66 bridge near downtown Tulsa. The scene in Centennial Plaza in Tulsa depicts the Avery family riding west in a Motel T Ford, meeting an eastbound horse-drawn carriage. The sculptures are the work of Robert Summers. Centennial Plaza is located at the east entrance to the historic bridge at the intersection of Southwest Boulevard and Riverside Drive.
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Popular Route 66 resources for your next Oklahoma Route 66 road trip! |
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Lodging Options Along Route 66 in Oklahoma
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Vintage Views of Route 66 Across Oklahoma
What was Route 66 in Oklahoma like in its prime? What did all the service stations, motels and diners look like when they were new?
What did the traveling public experience on the Mother Road? We wonder such things when we travel Route 66 today across Oklahoma.
Those earlier times in the 1930s, 40s and 50s were not always captured on film. But the use of colorful postcards was common in those decades.
We have included below a sampling of our collection of vintage travel postcards showing scenes on Route 66 from Miami to Tulsa. These portray the historic road in its prime and help us to visualize "yesterday" as we drive Route 66 today.
El Sueno Court - Claremore |
Quarter Horse Motel - Vinita |
Will Rogers Motor Court - Tulsa |
Will Rogers Hotel - Claremore |
Starline Motel - Claremore |
Wright's Cafeteria - Vinita |
Baker's Cafe - Afton |
The Elms - Miami |
Hotel Miami - Miami OK |
Continuing West |
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More About Travel in Oklahoma
More Things to Do on Route 66 - at the Oklahoma Tourism Department
