Road Trip on Route 66 from Oklahoma City to the Texas Line
As Route 66 left Oklahoma City, it was a straight shot west through Yukon, El Reno, Bridgeport, Hydro, Weatherford, Clinton, Elk City, Erick and Texola.
It is about 123 miles from Oklahoma City to Erick, only 2:10 driving time on I-40. But much of Route 66 today is still driveable on that segment, so travelers staying on the Mother Road will have a longer, and more enjoyable trip!
Map of Historic Route 66 from Oklahoma City to Erick near the Texas State Line |
The Mother Road crossed the Texas state line just past Erick at Texola, near Shamrock, Texas, and moved through McLean, Alanreed, Groom, Conway and into Amarillo, a distance of about 96 miles. Read about the road trip from Shamrock to Amarillo.
Milk Bottle Grocery in Oklahoma CityThe 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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Yukon, Oklahoma ... The Route 66 Murals, and MoreYukon is full of rich history, Route 66 roots, music heritage, family-friendly attractions, and beautiful art. Explore a while, and see why folks flock from all over to pay the city a visit! |
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Welcome to Yukon |
Yukon's Best Flour |
Route 66 mural at the Yukon Mill & Grain Company in Oklahoma |
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Yukon Sunset ... mural at 528 West Main Street |
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El Reno, Oklahoma ... The Crossroads of AmericaEl Reno was established in 1889 and is located at the intersection of two historic highways: nostalgic Route 66 and the Chisholm Trail (Hwy. 81). The city began as a railroad town and was home to three Land Runs. Today, it is a festival town and boasts many heritage celebrations, historic properties, and the only rail based trolley operating in the state of Oklahoma. |
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The Giants Display Between El Reno and CalumetCalumet and Geary were on the 1926 alignment of Route 66, however by 1933 they were bypassed by a direct alignment from El Reno to Bridgeport. Today, between El Reno and Calumet, is "The Giants Display" along Route 66 eastbound. The display area features 18-foot tall color cutouts of two Muffler Men and a Uniroyal Gal. The characters were painted by California artist John Cerney in 2019.
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The Giant Native American in CalumetThis giant Native American statue is located at the Indian Trading Post and Art Gallery at 825 South Walbaum Road in Calumet, Oklahoma. It was previously located at the David Howe Auto dealership off Route 66 until 2010. The Trading Post features Native American themed apparel, hand-beaded jewelry, and other memorabilia. This nostalgic store also carries Native American art from a large number of nearby tribes including pottery, paintings and other great pieces. Phone the Trading Post at 405.884.5599 for more information, and about opening times. |
Geary, OklahomaLocated between El Reno and Bridgeport is the City of Geary, partially in Blaine County and Canadian County. The area occupied by the present city was previously part of the Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation until it was opened in April, 1892 for settlement by non-Indians. The Geary post office was established October 12, 1892. Geary was located on the old Postal Highway, which later became part of Route 66 in 1926. In 1933, a new Pony Bridge was built across the Canadian River downriver from Bridgeport. Route 66 was realigned directly from El Reno to Hydro, bypassing Calumet, Geary, and Bridgeport the following year. Today, the city is located on U.S. Highways 270 and 281. Shown below is a lovely "Route 66 Mother Road" mural on the Geary City Hall at the corner of Main Street and South Broadway. While in Geary, Route 66 visitors enjoy a visit to the Canadian Rivers Historical Museum in the old Gillespie Building, built in 1903 as the Bank of Commerce.
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The Pony Bridge ... On Historic U.S. Route 66This well known bridge on Old Route 66 over the South Canadian River is located near Bridgeport, OK, between El Reno and Hydro. Built in 1934, it remains the longest truss bridge in Oklahoma and the entire Mother Road route. The 38-span pony truss bridge is 3,944 feet in length, and officially named the William H. Murray Bridge. Pony trusses are bridge trusses that don’t connect at the top. The bridge, on the National Register of Historic Places was closed beginning in 2022 for a two year reconstruction. The bridge was widened to current standards, and the trusses reinstalled along the sides to retain its historical value. It was reopened in May of 2024.
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Hydro, OklahomaThe Town of Hydro is located between Bridgeport and Weatherford on Historic U.S. Route 66. Shown below is the beautiful "Welcome to Hydro and Route 66" mural on the side of The Station, at the corner of Arapahoe Avenue and Main Street. It makes a great photo op for Route 66 travelers! Read more at Welcome to Hydro Mural on Facebook
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Another Mural in Hydro Near Route 66This mural is located inside the fire station in Hydro, Oklahoma, just off Route 66. It includes engine 23, the Hydro water tower, the grain silos, Route 66 sign, and firemen, as well as an air evac helicopter in memory of the one that crashed north of town, and the Hydro Fire Department emblem. The artist that created it is Aubrey Morel, the owner of Morel Designs. It took 116 hours to paint. While Aubrey creates mainly pottery, she also paints.
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Lucille's Service Station and Roadhouse in Hydro
Lucille's Service Station, a classic gas station built in 1929 along Route 66 near Hydro, is one of only two upper-story, out-thrust porch style stations left on Oklahoma's stretch of Route 66. In 1941, the Hamons family took over the operation of the station and Lucille Hamons, ran the business for 60 years. Lucille, who quickly became known for her friendly assistance to motorists, earned the nickname "Mother of the Mother Road." |
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WeatherfordThe city of Weatherford was initially located on State Highway 3 starting in the early 1920s, which was redesignated as U.S. Route 66 in 1926 and paved entirely across Western Oklahoma by 1932. Route 66, which followed Main Street through the city, was lined with various tourist businesses including cafes, motels and gasoline stations like most other cities along the highway. Today, Weatherford is home to the Stafford Air & Space Museum, the Oklahoma Heartland Museum, the Weatherford Wind Energy Park, several city parks, golf courses and much more. More information about area attractions at the City of Weatherford's tourism website |
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Centennial Park |
Stafford Air & Space Museum |
The windmill blade mural in Weatherford |
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Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma |
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The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is a popular stop in Clinton, Oklahoma. The state's official showcase of Route 66 is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, and offers visitors a spirited tour of pure Americana. |
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Canute, Oklahoma |
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| Route 66 mural in Canute, between Clinton and Elk City  |
Sign at the Cotton Boll Motel Now privately owned; not open to public  |
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, OklahomaThe National Route 66 Museum focuses on the people who lived, worked and traveled the “Mother Road” and offers visitors a classic walk through all eight states, highlighted by realistic murals and vignettes depicting the eras of the road and the interesting places that made Route 66 so famous. |
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Parker Drilling Company Rig #114 in Elk CityThis rig was built in the 1960s to drill shafts for atomic bomb testing and is one of the tallest rings in the world. It is 181' tall, one of the world's tallest and one of the deepest drilling. Before drilling for natural gas, it drilled a world record nuclear test hole in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska - 10' wide and 4,500' deep. Today, it is a popular roadside attraction in Elk City, visible from I-40. The rig is located on the grounds of the old Casa Grande Hotel which now is the site of the Anadarko Basin Museum of Natural History and Route 66 World News headquarters. Visit the site at 107 E. 3rd. Street, 1 block from 3rd and Main, in downtown Elk City.
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Erick, OklahomaLocated between Exits 9 and 10 on I-40, the Erick Tourism Information Center offers brochures and travel resources on statewide attractions, events, lodging and more. Enjoy clean restrooms, a vending area, advice from trained travel counselors, a gift shop and hundreds of free brochures and visitor guides. |
Sandhills Curiosity ShopLocated in the old City Meat Market in Erick, Oklahoma, at 201 S. Sheb Wooley Street, is the Sandhills Curiosity Shop ... Insanity at Its Finest! |
Sam's TownSam's Town is located at 401 W. Roger Miller Boulevard (Route 66) in Erick, one block west of Sheb Wooley Avenue. This captivating art installation tells the unique stories of Western Oklahoma's past. The site includes items collected and curated by renowned photographer Samuel Hagen. Sam's passion for this preservation makes it a must-see destination for those seeking to explore the rich tapestry of history and art that defines the iconic Route 66. It's a nice area located right on Route 66 where travelers can stop, rest a bit, stretch their legs and take a tour! Visit their Facebook page for AirBnB options for overnight stays. For more information, visit the website of Sam's Town and Sam's Town on Facebook ... phone 805.585.8333
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Roger Miller mural in Erick, Oklahoma |
Lodging Options Along Route 66 in Oklahoma
Restaurant reviews for Oklahoma City |
Earlier Times along Route 66 from Oklahoma to Texas
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. |
Star Courts - Elk City |
Home on the Range - Clinton |
Phillips Courts - El Reno |
Matlyn Court - Oklahoma City |
Motor Inn Courts - Elk City |
De Luxe Courts - Oklahoma City |
The Major Court - Oklahoma City |
Classen Cafeteria - Oklahoma City |
Flamingo Motel - Oklahoma City |
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
