Road Trip on Route 66 From Tulsa to Oklahoma City
 Vintage postcard showing
the location of Route 66 across Oklahoma |
As Route 66 left Joplin, Missouri, it was only a short distance westbound thru extreme southeast Kansas to the Oklahoma border. It quickly entered Commerce, and headed southwest through Miami, Afton, Chelsea, Claremore and Tulsa. The road continued west through Sapulpa, Davenport, Chandler and Arcadia to Oklahoma City.
From there, it was a straight shot west through Yukon, El Reno, Hydro, Clinton and Elk City.
The nation's longest drivable stretch of Route 66 crosses Oklahoma, making its way past charming towns, roadside diners and quirky attractions.
Map of Historic Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City |
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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Route 66 Historical VillageThis open-air museum is a unique experience to educate visitors about Tulsa's history in the oil, refining and transportation industries. The Visitor’s Center is a replica of a 1920’s Phillips 66 gas station. The tallest oil derrick in North America is a favorite with visitors. Located at 3770 Southwest Boulevard. |
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Sapulpa, OklahomaSapulpa is the county seat for Creek County and is located in northeast Oklahoma’s Green Country, about 14 miles southwest of downtown Tulsa. The city is located on old U.S. Route 66, now SH-66 and Historic Route 66 (a/k/a the West Ozark Trail), through town. For more information, visit ... Sapulpa at the TravelOK website
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Heart of Route 66 Auto MuseumThe Museum in Sapulpa features the world's tallest gas pump, at 66-foot-tall, a prominent Route 66 landmark. It also includes an extensive indoor collection of historic automobiles and other historical treasures. The Museum is on the grow, with an all new expansion planned for 2023. See photo below right, courtesy of Reed Architects, the designers of the new expansion. This will be a 60% expansion to boost its visibility, exhibit space, and revenue streams. The project includes 5,000 square feet under roof and a 2,400-square-foot outdoor plaza. It promises a dramatic increase in the museum’s 36-vehicle inventory and other exhibits. This expansion parallels a neighboring park development by the city of Sapulpa. The Route 66 Rock Creek Park will provide a tourist-friendly playground and rest stop connected to the museum. The Museum is located at 13 Sahoma Lake Road, Sapulpa, OK 74066. For more information, phone 918.216.1171, or visit .... The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum website and The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum on Facebook |
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Davenport, OklahomaWelcome to Davenport, Oklahoma, on Historic Route 66 |
One of the many classic murals in Davenport, Oklahoma, on Historic Route 66 |
Chandler, Oklahoma |
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The Route 66 Interpretive Center at 400 E 1st Street takes participants through a visually entertaining “drive” from the 1920s through current-day Oklahoma. |
Phillips 66 Service Station, Chandler, Oklahoma, on Historic Route 66 |
Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History Founded on April 26, 1954, the Lincoln County Historical Society and Museum of Pioneer History is dedicated to the preservation of local history and the education of future generations in our shared heritage. The collections within the museum include county-wide photographs and artifacts from families dating back to before the land run of 1891. Located at 719 Manvel Avenue in Chandler, OK 74834
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McJerry's Route 66 Gallery in ChandlerWhile in Chandler, be sure to stop and visit McJerry's Route 66 Gallery at 306 Manvel (Highway 18), just off OK 66, north of downtown. The Gallery is operated by Jerry McClanahan, the award-winning artist and Route 66 historian/writer of the popular EZ 66 Guide for Travelers. Phone 405.240.7659 for more information and opening times, and visit the McJerry66.com website. |
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Seaba Station Motorcycle MuseumThe Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum is located at 336992 E. Highway 66 in Warwick, Oklahoma, west of Chandler. Seaba Station was built in 1921 by John and Alice Seaba, five years before historic Route 66 would be certified. This building's life started out as a DX station, and has now been restored and operated as a popular motorcycle museum. Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum website and Seaba Station on Facebook, |
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Wellston, OklahomaLocated between Warwick and Luther in Lincoln County on Route 66 is the town of Wellston, established in 1898. In 1932 State Highway 66 was constructed one mile south of Wellston, threatening the town's survival. After a dispute with the state highway department, "Wellston Gap" (a bypass) was paved through town. Shown below is a lovely mural at the corner of Birch Street and 2nd Street (Highway 66B) in Wellston.
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Threatt Filling Station and Family FarmThe historic Threatt Filling Station is located near the intersection of Route 66 and Pottawatomie Road, about 3 miles east of Luther, Oklahoma. The station provided African Americans a place to purchase food and fuel, as well as an opportunity for a respite from their travels during times when segregation was still in place. It offered a variety of services, including gas, oil, automotive accessories, groceries, cold beer and oil changes. The station building and a nearby bar were built by Allen Threatt Sr. on about 150 acres of property he purchased in 1915, land that the Threatt family still owns. The filling station was closed in the 1970s. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has included the Threatt Filling Station and Threatt Family Farm on its list of the 11-Most Endangered Places in America, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, in 2023, the station is being restored.
For more information about the history of the station and the family, visit the Threatt Filling Station Foundation website and Threatt Filling Station on Facebook. Also, learn more about the Threatt Filling Station at the National Park Service (NPS) website More information about restoration efforts and progress Preserving the Threatt Filling Station on Route 66 Family, preservationists work to rescue endangered "safe haven" along Route 66 Group of volunteers works to revive historic filling station along Route 66 in Luther |
Arcadia, OklahomaJust east of Oklahoma City ... Home of the Round Barn |
Built in April of 1898 by William Odor on his farm. Restored in 1992.  |
The Historic Richardson Building, since 1923, in Arcadia |
The Arcadia Round Barn, on Historic Route 66 in Arcadia  |
John's PlaceWhile in Arcadia, you don't want to miss John Hargrove's OK County 66 Place at 12441 E. Highway 66. It has soooo much Route 66 memorabilia, artifacts, cars, bikes, signs, antiques, and miniature models of many Mother Road attractions. He even has a replica of the Catoosa Blue Whale on his pond!
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Pops 66 in Arcadia features a 66-foot tall soda bottle sculpture, diner, gas station, and tons of sodas!
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Edmond, Oklahoma ... The Murals, and Much MoreEdmond is home to championship golf courses, indoor/outdoor food halls, downtown street festivals and local shopping galore. Cruise Route 66 to camp at Arcadia Lake, tour historic sites and snap selfies. Explore acres of parks, 270 public art pieces and 250 restaurants, then relax in your choice of 15 hotels and more than 50 vacation homes. |
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Milk Bottle GroceryThe 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. On one side of the grocery is the "Oklahoma City ... Where the Thunder Rolls" mural. |
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Lodging Options Along Route 66 in Oklahoma
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Earlier Times: Vintage Views along Route 66 in Oklahoma
We have included below a sampling of our collection of vintage travel postcards dealing with Oklahoma and Route 66. What was Route 66 like in its earlier years, as visitors drove through and around Oklahoma? What did all the service stations, motels and public buildings 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. 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. These portray the historic road in its prime and help us to visualize, and appreciate, "earlier times" as we drive Route 66 today around Oklahoma. |
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MORE OKLAHOMA ROUTE 66
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More About Travel in Oklahoma
More Things to Do on Route 66 - at the Oklahoma Tourism Department
Travel Guides for Other States Along Route 66
Planning a Road Trip on Route 66? Here are trip planners for all eight states on The Mother Road ...
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