Road Trip on Route 66 Across Oklahoma to the Texas Border

Vintage postcard showing the location of Route 66 across Oklahoma

As Route 66 left Joplin, Missouri westbound, it was only a short distance to Kansas, and then to the Oklahoma border.

It quickly entered Commerce, and headed southwest through Miami, Alton, Chelsea, Claremore and Tulsa. The road continued through Stroud, Chandler and Arcadia to Oklahoma City.

From there, it was a straight shot west through Yukon, El Reno, Hydro, Clinton and Elk City, and finally Texola.

The Mother Road crossed the Texas state line at Texola, near Shamrock, and moved on to Amarillo.

The nation's longest driveable stretch of Route 66 crosses Oklahoma, making its way past charming towns, roadside diners and quirky attractions.

We have the trip across Oklahoma Route 66 westbound divided into three major segments ... select your area of interest for more details!

Route 66 Road Trips in Oklahoma Kansas to Tulsa
Tulsa to Oklahoma City	Oklahoma City to Texas

 

Map of approximate Historic Route 66 across Oklahoma

 

 

Highlights of the many things to see on Oklahoma Route 66

There are dozens of places to see and visit along Route 66 across Oklahoma.

Experience Miami, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and authentic hometowns along the Mother Road where you'll meet friendly people and find unique shopping and dining opportunities.

Several state-of-the-art museums pay tribute to America's Main Street including the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, the National Transportation and Route 66 Museum in Elk City and the Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler. And while in Oklahoma City, we recommend a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum downtown ... it is a sobering experience.

Along the way you will still find quaint service stations, diners, motels and other structures dating from those earlier times on Route 66.

	Oklahoma Route 66 Museum 2229 West Gary Boulevard Clinton, Oklahoma
	Allen's Conoco Fillin' Station 101 South Main Street Commerce, Oklahoma
	Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum 128 South Main Street Miami, Oklahoma
	East Meets West: Symbolic Route 66 Midpoint Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza 760 West 13th Street Tulsa, Oklahoma
	Route 66 Interpretive Center 400 East Route 66 Chandler, Oklahoma

 

Lodging Options Along Route 66 in Oklahoma

Hotels in Miami, Oklahoma Hotels in Tulsa, Oklahoma Hotels in Oklahoma City Hotels in Elk City, Oklahoma Hotels in Amarillo, Texas

 

The Gateway to Route 66 in Miami, OK

Historic Marker about the Gateway Sign

 

Ribbon Road Section of Old Route 66 9-foot wide "Ribbon Road" or "Sidewalk Highway" still visible near Miami, Oklahoma (November, 2018)

The Blue Whale Catoosa, Oklahoma Built 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, travelers can walk through the whale, and shop at a nostalgic gift shop on site. Free admission and parking. Located northeast of Tulsa in Catoosa, OK

Tulsa Oklahoma

Historic U.S. Route 66 sign, downtown Tulsa at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza

 

The Golden Digger   Located at 4145 E. 21st Street in Tulsa.

The Golden Digger is a 76-foot, 22-ton statue of an oil worker in Tulsa, located outside the Tulsa Expo Center. It is the 6th tallest statue in the United States. The plaque at the base reads "The Golden Driller, a symbol of the International Petroleum Exposition. Dedicated to the men of the petroleum industry who by their vision and daring have created from God’s abundance a better life for mankind."

 

Route 66 Roadside Attraction: The Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma

Built in April of 1898 by William Odor on his farm. Restored in 1992.

The Arcadia Round Barn, on Historic Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma (November, 2018)

 

Popular Sights and Things to See in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma State Capitol

Known as the only state capitol complex to have working oil wells on-site.

The Oklahoma capitol's dome features The Guardian, a three-ton, 17 ½ foot tall bronze American Indian statue that depicts characteristics from all 39 native tribes of Oklahoma.

The building also features stained glass, murals and art exhibits that you can see on a guided tour. 

Located at 2300 N. Lincoln Boulevard

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum This world class museum is located at 1700 Northeast 63rd Street in Oklahoma City. For more information visit the website of the National Cowboy Museum

It is America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Founded in 1955, the museum collects, preserves and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, downtown, on a cold somber day in the fall of 2018
For more information visit the website of the Oklahoma City Memorial

Milk Bottle Grocery

The Milk Bottle Grocery is located on a small triangular piece of property at 2426 N. Classen Avenue in Oklahoma City along Historic Route 66. The grocery was built in 1930, and the giant milk bottle was added in 1948. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is adorned with a milk bottle from Braum's, the well-known Oklahoma-based dairy in Tuttle.

National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma


Lucille's Service Station and Roadhouse, in Hydro, Oklahoma

 

Vintage Views of Route 66 Across Oklahoma

We have included below a sampling of our collection of vintage travel postcards dealing with Oklahoma and Route 66.

These portray the historic road in its prime and help us to visualize "yesterday" as we drive Route 66 today.

Ben Stanley's Cafe, one mile south of Miami, Oklahoma, on Hiway 66

Bishop's Driv-In, 10th and Boston Streets, on Highway 66, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Park-O-Tell, 2 blocks north of the State Capitol Building, on Highway 66, Oklahoma City, OK

Travel Guides for Other Segments of Route 66

Planning a Road Trip on Route 66? Here are the major segments ...

 

More About Travel in Oklahoma

More Things to Do on Route 66 - at the Oklahoma Tourism Department

More Route 66 and Travel-Related Resources