Route 66 Oklahoma: Celebrating the Mother Road's CentennialRoute 66 Oklahoma
Route 66 turns 100 this year, and Oklahoma, where America's most iconic highway was born, is leading the birthday celebration. Having driven the length of Route 66, I admit there's no wrong road to take. But whether you plan to drive the full Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica or just have time for one section, Route 66 Oklahoma should be part of your road trip plans for several reasons we'll explore in this article.
What You'll Learn
- Oklahoma's unique connection to the Route 66 story from the westward migration during the Dust Bowl to the rise of roadside tourism in the mid-20th century
- Where to find Oklahoma's classic roadside Americana attractions , from diners to vintage neon roadside motels to the Pony Bridge between El Reno and Hydro
- Oklahoma offers an easy-to-drive stretch of Route 66 with more than 400 miles across the state, including stretches of 1930s concrete pavement in western Oklahoma
Editor’s note: the writer was hosted.
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Oklahoma's Connection to the Route 66 Story
Before Route 66 became America's most storied road trip, Tulsa businessman Cyrus Avery saw its promise.
In the early 1900s, he and John Woodruff of Springfield, Missouri, helped shape a diagonal highway linking the Midwest to the West and opening opportunities for Tulsa and hundreds of small towns along the way.
By the 1930s, farmers and truckers favored the Mother Road for its dependable route and gentler climate.
Today, Avery is remembered as the "Father of Route 66."
The Route's Storied History
In the 1930s, Route 66 became an important corridor for residents in Oklahoma. As drought, dust storms and poverty drove families from their land, the highway became a westbound lifeline.
From 1935 through its peak in 1937 and 1938, thousands of Oklahomans followed this road toward California. Recognizing the highway's critical role in serving Dust Bowl refugees, John Steinbeck immortalized Route 66 in his 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath, famously dubbing it “the Mother Road.”
Route 66 found its full travel spotlight after World War II. In this period, car ownership was rising. People were receiving paid vacations and there was a growing appetite for road trips. By the 1950s, families were cruising west past neon motel signs, roadside diners, and filling stations, captivated by a road full of memorable stops.
On your Route 66 journey, make time to stop by the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK. Here you'll learn more about these stories and the people who shaped Route 66's development.
Discover Classic Roadside Attractions
Any drive on Route 66 warrants unlimited stops at roadside attractions; Oklahoma offers plenty, especially in small towns.
One of the most popular, the massive 80-foot Blue Whale of Catoosa, was built by a local zoologist and artist for his wife, who collected whale figurines.
In Arcadia, the famous red Round Barn remains one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Mother Road.
Nearby, Pops 66 Soda Ranch is a modern Route 66 icon with a giant illuminated soda bottle towering over the highway. Inside, you'll find every imaginable soda flavor, including some that aren't quite so appetizing, like Grandpa Joe's Toothpaste in the “Sodagusting" aisle!
Murals play a major role on Route 66, depicting everything from Meadow Gold Mack, the friendly lumberjack in Tulsa, to the Chisholm Trail in Yukon, OK.
Of course, the "giants" along Route 66 attract everyone with their whimsical names like Stella Atom, the Space Cowgirl.
Roadside attractions on Route 66 don't end with murals and quirky creations. They include vintage motels marked by bright neon signs beckoning you in for the night.
History Is Alive and Well on the Mother Road
Sites along Route 66 also reveal Oklahoma's history. Standing 76 feet tall beside Tulsa's Expo Square, the Golden Driller serves as a tribute to the state's deep roots in the oil industry.
Near Luther, the Threatt Filling Station represents an important and often overlooked chapter of Route 66 history. Built by Allen Threatt, this family-run business served as a safe haven for African American travelers during the Jim Crow era, offering fuel, food and a place to stop for the night.
Still owned by the Threatt family, the property has expansion plans underway, including a campground and a baseball field.
The Historic Pony Bridge
Further west near Bridgeport, the Pony Bridge crosses over the South Canadian River.
A distinctive engineering landmark on Oklahoma's section of Route 66, the bridge's 38 steel-truss spans create a dramatic silhouette against the prairie landscape. For Route 66's centennial, a tribute bridge park is under construction.
When a section of an old single-truss pony bridge was decommissioned in 2006, a local family stepped up and took ownership of the bridge. Now, 20 years later, that single-truss pony bridge is being reconstructed and will be featured in a roadside park on Route 66 near Hydro.
For a true taste of Route 66 history, don't miss Sid's Diner in El Reno, where you'll find the original Oklahoma Onion Burger. During the Great Depression, the onion burger was created to make the ground beef go further by adding onions…lots of onions!
Today, the tradition continues at Sid's. Opened in 1989, the diner was named by owner Marty Hall in honor of his late father, Sid. Today, Marty shares the business with his son, continuing a family tradition. By the way, the onion burgers are delicious!
The Joy of Driving on Oklahoma Route 66
Driving Route 66 in Oklahoma delivers a perspective you won't find anywhere else.
First, Oklahoma boasts more than 400 miles of Route 66, which is the longest drivable section of the treasured roadway in the country. That means you'll have the opportunity to see more neon signs, more roadside attractions and more roadside diners along the way.
Another unique experience of driving Route 66 unfolds in western Oklahoma, where you'll find several sections of the 1903-era concrete pavement along the route.
The rhythmic hum of tires rolling over the old slabs creates a nostalgic reminder of what earlier adventure-seekers experienced on their journeys.
I have to admit, driving up and down this stretch of Route 66, with its original concrete roads and rolling hills, was pure joy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically, you can drive across the entire Oklahoma section in one long day. However, most travelers spend two to four days, allowing time to explore attractions, diners, historic towns and museums.
Tulsa businessman Cyrus Avery helped shape the highway to link the Midwest to the West, opening opportunities for small towns along the route. During the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s, Route 66 helped thousands of Oklahomans travel west in search of work and opportunity.
Murals in cities and small towns attract many travelers. Other popular roadside attractions include the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Pops 66 in Arcadia, the Round Barn, the Golden Driller in Tulsa, the Pony Bridge near Bridgeport and the Route 66 Museum in Clinton.
Yes, Oklahoma has several original sections of Route 66, including rare stretches of 1930s concrete pavement in western Oklahoma.
Spring and fall are the best seasons for driving Route 66 in Oklahoma because of the mild temperatures. There are also seasonal festivals, classic car shows, and, for 2026, numerous Route 66-themed events in connection with the centennial celebration.
Read More
- Traveling Route 66? Tulsa Delivers Free Attractions and Classic Americana
- Tucumcari: Where History, Charm, and Route 66 Vibes Collide
- Cruising the Mother Road: Tips for Planning Your Route 66 Adventure
- Why Flagstaff’s Americana Motor Hotel is Perfect for a Route 66 Pit Stop
- Leave Your Mark at Cadillac Ranch to Celebrate 100 Years of Route 66
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