Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66, known as the Mother Road, offers an unforgettable journey through time, culture, and natural beauty. This iconic highway, which once served as a primary route for westward migration, is now a nostalgic corridor filled with charming small towns, quirky roadside attractions, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re a history buff, a photography enthusiast, or simply in search of a unique day trip, traveling Route 66 in Oklahoma promises a day packed with memorable experiences. With a mix of museums, local eateries, and picturesque views, this Oklahoma Route 66 1-day itinerary will help you make the most of your adventure on the historic highway.
Oklahoma Route 66 spans from Miami on the east and Texola on the west, with Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and a myriad of other small towns along the way. As you travel, you’ll discover gems like the Blue Whale of Catoosa, a whimsical roadside attraction that has delighted travelers for decades, and both the Oklahoma and National Route 66 Museums, where you can dive deeper into the highway’s rich history. In Stroud, you’ll have the chance to indulge in authentic Oklahoma cuisine at the Rock Café, an establishment that has been serving travelers since 1939. By the end of the day, you’ll have not only traversed miles of scenic roadway but also gained a profound appreciation for the enduring legacy of Route 66.
If you only have 24-hours in your travel itinerary to drive all the way through Oklahoma, from Miami to Texola, you might have to spend more time on the highway than the byway. At about 400 miles, it will take you around 5 hours of pure driving time, and that is with taking the higher-speed highway! So plan to leave early, arrive late, and prioritize the stops and experiences that are most meaningful to you. Keep in mind that when you are traveling in the bigger cities on the route, like Tulsa and Oklahoma City, rush hour traffic can add to your time on the road!
Prepare to be captivated by the spirit of Oklahoma and the timeless allure of Route 66. This 1-day itinerary is designed to guide you through a day filled with exploration, nostalgia, and a true sense of Americana. So, buckle up, set your playlist to some classic tunes, and get ready for an unforgettable road trip through the heart of the Sooner State.
Oklahoma Route 66: 1-Day Road Trip Itinerary
Oklahoma has more that 400 miles of Route 66, so doing the whole state in one day is an ambitious endeavor. Just driving from Miami to Texola alone will take around 5 hours, and that is with sticking to I-40 and I-44 instead of the original route.
We’d recommend splitting your itinerary into two days, three days, four days, five days, or more to fully enjoy all that Oklahoma Route 66 has to offer. Or, if you really only have one day, consider doing a smaller stretch, like driving Route 66 between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
If you do truly want to drive all of Oklahoma Route 66 in one day, below is a 1-day itinerary chock-full of all the highlights found on this stretch. You will not be able to see all, or even a majority, of the attractions on this list in your less than 24-hours of time. But it is meant to serve as a sampler platter for you to pick and choose from to create your own Route 66 itinerary. Whether you love roadside attractions, history, museums, or classic diners, you’ll be able to find a few places you need to pull over for on your busy day of driving. Ready to hot the road?
You’ll start the day driving through Miami and the famous Route 66 Gateway Sign before taking off westward on your trip through Oklahoma.
Dairy King
Your first stop in Oklahoma is Dairy King in Commerce. You can’t travel Route 66 without stopping at this vintage service station turned restaurant. Come for the vintage decor and (if you’re not too early) grab some ice cream and a famous Route 66 cookie to give yourself a sugar kick before a long day on the road.
Allen’s Conoco Fillin’ Station
To get to your next stop, turn round! Across the street from Dairy King is Allen’s Conoco Fillin’ Station. While you won’t be able to fill up your tank here, you will get your fill of nostalgia for the glory days of the Mother Road.
Appropriately known as the “Hole in the Wall Conoco Station,” this old cottage-style service station was built into a brick wall of an existing building in 1929 or 1930.
Clanton’s Café
Start your Route 66 morning right with a hearty breakfast at Clanton’s Café in Vinita. From fluffy pancakes to savory biscuits and gravy, this classic diner has been fueling travelers since 1927—one plate at a time.
Hi-Way Cafe
Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma has been a popular stop for a bite to eat on Route 66 since 1963. While it might not quite be lunch time when you get here, it’s still worth a stop to check out all the roadside attractions out front, including the Big Bill Muffler Man, Chef Muffler Man, and The Big Indian.
Western Motel
The Western Motel in Vinita, Oklahoma is a vintage Route 66 motor lodge that blends classic charm with modern updates. Originally built in the 1950s, it now offers 20 comfortable rooms. Stay here before exploring the rest of Oklahoma or jus stop by to admire the new neon sign featuring a cowboy on horseback.
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park
The next stop as you make your way west is Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park in Foyil. Known as the “World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole” and the largest example of a folk art environment in Oklahoma.
The centerpiece of the park is a 6-story high, 90-foot tall totem pole made from 28 tons of concrete, scrap metal, and red sandstone with carved bas-relief designs.
Blue Whale of Catoosa
The Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma is one of the most recognizable and popular roadside attractions on Route 66.
The giant whale is 20-feet tall, 80-feet long, and painted bright blue. While you might not have room on your own Oklahoma Route 66 1-day itinerary to stop at everything on this list, be sure to keep this one on your agenda!
From here, it’s on to Tulsa, the “Capital of Route 66.” Tulsa boasts a 28-mile stretch of the Mother Road, brimming with history, quirky charm, and both modern and vintage attractions. With only one day to drive across the entire state, you won’t have much time to explore all that this vibrant city has to offer, but consider pulling over to make a stop or two, you won’t regret it!
If there are a lot of stops you want to see, consider extending your time to a two-day Oklahoma itinerary and spending the night at The Campbell Hotel or the Desert Hills Motel. Here are some Tulsa highlights:
The Golden Driller
The Golden Driller statue was first brought to Tulsa, Oklahoma (then known as the “oil capital of the world”) by a Texas oilfield supplier who came for a trade show at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds. The giant statue was eventually left behind and became the state monument.
The Golden Driller is 76 feet tall, weighs 43,500 pounds, and is made from a steel frame covered in concrete and plaster.
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 opened in 2018. The quirky shop is located in a repurposed classic 1950’s PEMCO gas station. One of the star attractions at Buck Atom’s is the 21-foot tall space cowboy muffler man. Nicknamed “Buck Atom” the roadside attraction was created by fiberglass artist Mark Cline. He used a mold made from a 1960s cowboy muffler man to create this brand-new Route 66 roadside attraction. Also look for the Stella Atom Uniroyal Gal!
Stop in the shop to buy souvenirs, check out Buck and the other roadside attractions on site, and head down the block to shop at Meadow Gold Mack’s Route 66 Outpost and 66 Collective and see the Cowboy Bob Muffler Man and Meadow Gold Mack Muffler Man.
Meadow Gold Sign
The Meadow Gold Sign in Tulsa, Oklahoma was erected in 1934 by Meadow Gold Dairy. A long-lasting icon of Tulsa, it was restored, moved, and re-erected after once facing the threat of demolition. Now find this neon sign in a dedicated pavilion surrounded by plaques that detail the sign’s history.
Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza
Cyrus Avery is known as the father of Route 66. The Tulsa resident played a major role in creating the route while serving as a member of the board that was appointed to create the Federal Highway System. His legacy is celebrated in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza and the East Meets West sculpture within. Also look for the Route 66 Neon Park with reproductions of classic neon signs!
If you’re getting hungry for lunch, there are plenty of places to grab a bite in Tulsa. A few favorites are Tally’s Good Food Café, Wildflower Cafe, or the Mother Road Market, a modern food court that has something for everyone! If you’re not quite hungry yet, you can hold out and grab a Happy Burger in Sapulpa or visit the famous Rock Cafe in Stroud.
After exploring Tulsa, it’s time to start heading towards Oklahoma City, but not without stopping at a few more highlights along the way:
World’s Tallest Gas Pump
Outside the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum is the World’s Tallest Gas Pump.
The Oklahoma roadside attraction is shaped like a vintage gas pump that would have been found at service stations across Route 66 in its heyday. At the top is an illuminated 14-foot globe that advertises the museum.
Brick Paved Broadway Street
As you continue on, you’ll soon find yourself driving on an authentic piece of original road. Several blocks of Broadway Street in the downtown area of Davenport are still paved with original 1925/1926 bricks from Davenport Brick & Tile Company. This historic red Brick Paved Broadway Street was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
There are also several Route 66 murals to look out for while driving this brick road, including one that is known as the tallest mural on Route 66.
Historic Threatt Filling Station
The Threatt Filling Station serviced Route 66 and served as a safe haven for Black travelers from 1915 through the 1970s. It was added to the National Register Of Historic Places in 1995 and is currently being restored.
Visit Luther Sign
The eye-catching Visit Luther Sign is a 30-foot-tall retro showstopper that lights up the roadside with bright orange flair and vintage Vegas vibes. Designed in a bold midcentury style complete with starbursts and a giant arrow pointing to Main Street, it’s the perfect spot to snap a photo.
Arcadia Round Barn
One of the most iconic Route 66 stops is an unlikely attraction that comes in an unlikely shape: Arcadia Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma.
Farmer William Harrison Odor built the oddly shaped barn in 1898. At 43-feet high and 60 feet in diameter, the unique construction was crafted by soaking native bur oak boards and then curving them using a special form. The barn is the only wooden round barn in Oklahoma.
Pops 66 Soda Ranch
Pops 66 Soda Ranch on Route 66 is a soda shop, restaurant, roadside attraction, and gas station all wrapped into one. Stop in to grab a sampling of a few of their more than 700 varieties of soda and check out the world’s largest soda bottle while you’re there.
Next it is on to Oklahoma City, another big city on Route 66! Like Tulsa, there are a lot of attractions to explore, so if you only have one day to traverse all of Oklahoma, you’re not going to have any time to see it all.
Oklahoma is BIG, so if you want to end your day-long journey in Oklahoma City, you can check into the classic, Instagram-worthy Classen Inn Motel and grab dinner at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, Cheever’s Cafe, or Leo’s BBQ.
But whether you’re stopping here for the night or continuing on to Texas, here are a few Oklahoma City highlights:
Milk Bottle Grocery
This 350-square foot red brick building, located on historic Route 66, was constructed in 1930. The building was originally referred to as Triangle Grocery due to its wedge shape made to fit a corner lot. When the now iconic giant milk bottle was added to the roof in 1948, it became known as Milk Bottle Grocery, a moniker that stays today.
Gold Dome Building
The Gold Dome Building is a big gold building known for its unique architecture and geodesic dome. It was constructed in 1958 and was declared eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Tower Theatre
The Tower Theatre is a historic performance site that was built in 1937 and serves as a stage for live performances and films. Come for a concert or admire the towering neon sign that is an Oklahoma City fixture.
While many people choose to drive Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City (or vice versa), The Mother Road stretches further, with plenty more stops to see beyond. After Oklahoma City there are even more Route 66 attractions to add to your itinerary.
El Reno Mother Road Monument
With a resurgence of Route 66 has come a resurgence in new Route 66 attractions. Many towns on the route are welcoming visitors with new roadside attractions and monuments erected to get you to pull over to take some selfies in town. The El Reno Mother Road Monument was built for just that. The interactive background is made to capture the attention of motorists and provide the perfect social-media-friendly souvenir.
Muffler Men Cutouts (Giants Display)
There are plenty of muffler men on Route 66. But this one comes with a twist. The Muffler Men Cutouts (Giants Display) in Calumet, Oklahoma feature three 18-foot tall giant cutouts that line the side of the road: a traditional Bunyan muffler man holding an ax, modeled after one found in Flagstaff, Arizona; a Uniroyal Gal; and a green-wearing gas station attendant who breaks out of the traditional static pose to dance the twist.
Lucille’s Historic Highway Gas Station
Officially known as the Provine Service Station, this vintage service station on Route 66 in Hydro is more commonly known as Lucille’s Historic Highway Gas Station or, simply, Lucille’s Place. The gas station was owned by Lucille Hamons, known as the “Mother of the Mother Road,” who owned and operated this gas station with her husband from 1941 until her death in 2000.
Weatherford Rt. 66 Spaceman
Major Tom, Weatherford’s Giant Astronaut, is a towering silver astronaut welcoming travelers to Centennial Park and “Space City.” This larger-than-life figure salutes hometown astronaut Thomas Stafford with a gleaming suit, NASA patch, and Route 66 shield. Standing tall on the Mother Road, he invites visitors to “Discover our space; land yourself here.”
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum takes travelers for a journey across the Mother Road and through history. Each room of the museum is built on a different theme and has accompanying music that immerses you in the experience. Informative displays teach visitors about the different eras of road travel; themes like diners and drive-ins, roadside motels, and roadside attractions; and important historical events that shaped Route 66’s impact on the country.
National Route 66 Museum
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City celebrates the Mother Road in both Oklahoma and beyond. Focused on the people who lived and work on the Mother Road along with the automobiles and places that defined it, the museum campus offers an interactive tour through history. It will take a couple of hours of your road trip time to explore all of the buildings and exhibits, so you might not be able to fit it into your Oklahoma Route 66 1-day itinerary, but if you have time, it is a must-see museum! And, if you don’t, at least pull over to take some photos with their impressively large Route 66 sign.
The last stop on our 1-day Oklahoma Route 66 itinerary is Texola, which straddles the border between Oklahoma and Texas. Texola is a ghost town, meaning you’ll be hard-pressed to find dinner or accommodations. So, I would plan to stop for the night before reaching the border or continuing on to spend the night in Shamrock, Texas.
If you’re stopping for the night in Oklahoma, consider the Western Motel in Sayre, 66 Kicks, Bluebird Inn, or Flamingo Inn in Elk City, or Lucille’s Hotel in Weatherford.
For dinner between Oklahoma City and Texola, stop into Robert’s Grill or in Sid’s Diner in El Reno, Lucille’s Roadhouse in Weatherford, or Country Dove in Elk City.
Route 66 Hotels in Tulsa and Oklahoma City
While this one-day Oklahoma Route 66 itinerary assumes you want to drive the entire state from the Kansas border to the Texas border, you might want to consider spending the night in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, or both to maximize your time on the road.
Both cities offer a plethora of neon lights, roadside attractions, culture, history, and more to explore, and a few equally as exciting accommodations to book. Below are some of our favorites, or if you’re looking for somewhere to stay anywhere beyond or between, explore our list of all the Best Route 66 motels in Oklahoma.
Desert Hills Motel
Desert Hills Motel is a classic Route 66 motor court that has been providing travelers with a good night’s sleep since 1953.The remodeled motel offers clean, comfortable rooms at a budget price. Look for the bright neon sign with the glowing green cactus!
Hotel Indigo
Hotel Indigo is a boutique hotel located on Santa Fe Square in the Blue Dome District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Blue Dome District is one of Tulsa’s most popular entertainment districts with a wide variety of local restaurants, bars, and venues. The interior of this Tulsa hotel pays homage to the surrounding area with an industrial-inspired modern look. Murals and artwork throughout the hotel are inspired by local attractions and history.
The Campbell
The Campbell Hotel offers a luxury experience in lavish and historic accommodation that is on National Register of Historic Places. Originally opened as the Casa Loma Hotel inside the Max Campbell Building in 1927, the property was conveniently located at the end of the trolley line that ran from downtown to Delaware Avenue on 11th Street.
The Mayo Hotel
The Mayo Hotel opened in 1925 and became a popular social hub for high society, attracting presidents and celebrities to stay. The Sullivanesque Art Deco building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 but closed soon after and fell into disrepair. It was eventually rescued and renovated, and reopened in 2009.
Cedar Rock Inn at Redberry Farm
Cedar Rock Inn is a unique Bed & Breakfast located just west of Tulsa in a renovated 1890 home. The property offers a peaceful retreat from the road, with walking trails, a pond, private rooms, and a three-course breakfast.
Classen Inn Motel
If you’re looking for a unique hotel in Oklahoma City that combines vintage charge, modern amenities, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, you’ve got to spend the night at The Classen Inn. The renovated 1963 motel complements its original Googie architecture and neon sign with modern amenities and hip artwork and murals.
The Skirvin Hilton
This 1911 hotel was known as being the “newest, finest hotel in the Southwest.” Notable figures such as Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Bob Hope have all spent the night in this historic Oklahoma City hotel. The Skirvin Hotel is now fully restored and updated, you can experience the rich history of the building alongside luxurious amenities, comfortable furnishings, and beautiful décor.
Colcord Hotel
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, Colcord Hotel is a boutique hotel housed in a 1910 building in downtown Oklahoma City. Enjoy posh rooms with contemporary decor, free Wifi, upscale bath products, air purifiers, and flat-screen TVs. The historic hotel has an on-site restaurant and a 24-hour fitness center for staying in shape on the road.
Want more Tulsa Route 66 hotels? Explore more here and peruse reviews.
Want more Oklahoma City Route 66 hotels? Explore more here and peruse reviews.
Route 66 Oklahoma Map
Explore our map of Route 66 in Oklahoma below. For easy browsing it is categorized and color-coded by category: roadside attraction, dining, landmark, museum, outdoors, mural/sign, accommodation, shopping, and tour/excursion.
