Road trip to Oklahoma City, along Historic U.S. Route 66



Route 66 in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City skyline in earlier years

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 to Tulsa.

The road continued west through Sapulpa, Davenport, Chandler and Arcadia to Oklahoma City, the largest city in the state, and the Capitol City.

Route 66 alignments through the city changed through the years. Generally, Route 66 arrived in Oklahoma City from the northeast after leaving Arcadia, turned south and left the downtown area heading west.

Today, Oklahoma City is a bustling place, an attractive destination for travelers. The city offers a large array of museums, night life, the Bricktown district, attractions, sports, lodging options and historic venues for visitors.

Map showing the approximate location of Historic Route 66 through Oklahoma City
Map showing the approximate location of Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma City


Lodging and Dining Options in Oklahoma City

TripAdvisor

Hotels and lodging in Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City Travel Guide

Hotel listings and traveler reviews for Oklahoma City

Restaurant reviews for Oklahoma City

Attractions and things to do in Oklahoma City


Popular Sights and Things to See in Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma State Capitol 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

The Britton District in Oklahoma City

Britton is a former town in Oklahoma County, annexed by Oklahoma City in 1950. Once part of the historic Route 66 bypass, the Britton District is now Oklahoma City’s newest developing district.

It still maintains its small-town Main Street vibe with rows of early 20th-century storefronts. Britton Road connects Highway 235 with Lake Hefner Parkway and passes through old Britton, Cassidy Square, and The Village.

Read more about the Britton District 

Mural in the Britton District in Oklahoma City

 

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

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City


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
The Oklahoma City Memorial, downtown, on a cold gloomy day in the fall of 2018

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. On one side of the grocery is the "Oklahoma City ... Where the Thunder Rolls" mural.

The Milk Bottle Grocery in Oklahoma City with the Braum's bottle on top Oklahoma City - Where the Thunder Rolls mural at the Milk Bottle Grocery in Oklahoma City on Classen Avenue

Oklahoma City Skyline
The downtown skyline of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
OKC - Wheeler Ferris Wheel
OKC - Wheeler Ferris Wheel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Railway Museum
Oklahoma Railway Museum  in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Reynolds Arts Center
Donald W. Reynolds Visual Arts Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Bricktown
Bricktown in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Centennial Land Run Monument
Centennial Land Run Monument in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Myriad Botanical Gardens
Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Paseo Arts District
Paseo Arts District in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma National Stockyards
Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Charles B. Hall Airpark

Shown here is the Boeing C-135 on display at the Charles B. Hall Airpark at the entrance to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.

Admission to the airpark is free, and no base pass is required. There is ample, nearby parking. The airpark displays over a dozen restored aircraft dating from World War II as well as recent times.

KC-135 on display at the Charles B. Hall Airpark at the entrance to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City

 

Take the Air Depot Boulevard exit from I-40. The planes are accessed via a series of flat, paved sidewalks ... highly recommended!!

More about the Airpark

 

Bricktown in Oklahoma City

Other Attractions

  • Orr Family Farm
  • Oklahoma City Zoo
  • Science Museum Oklahoma
  • Hefner Lake and Park
  • Museum of Osteology
  • Oklahoma History Center
  • American Banjo Museum
  • Oklahoma Firefighters Museum
  • Plaza District
  • White Water Bay

Read about more Oklahoma City attractions and traveler reviews at TripAdvisor


Interactive Map of Oklahoma City

 

Oklahoma Route 66 Passport

The Official Oklahoma Route 66 Passport

The Oklahoma Route 66 Passport from the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department helps Route 66 travelers find new destinations to explore and document their progress along the way. A new updated passport (yellow) is being offered beginning in 2023.

The Route 66 Passport, which is available free at TravelOK.com, features 66 of the state’s memorable Mother Road attractions. It includes iconic stops like Catoosa’s Blue Whale, Stroud’s Rock Cafe and Clinton’s Oklahoma Route 66 Museum along with many newer favorites.

Get your passport stamped at each stop, then take it to a Tourism Information Center to be verified and earn an exclusive Route 66 coin.

Both the new yellow and previous red Route 66 Passports are now available in a digital format. Download the official TravelOK Trip Planner app on the Apple App Store or Google Play to get started. When you get to each stop, you'll find a code displayed that you can enter to digitally check in.

 

Earlier Times on Route 66: The Major Court at 3200 N.W. 39th Street, on US 66 & 270, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Vintage Views of Oklahoma City

What was Route 66 like in its earlier years, as visitors drove around or through Oklahoma City? 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.

We have included below a sampling of our collection of vintage travel postcards showing scenes in Oklahoma City. These portray the city in its earlier years and help us to visualize "yesterday" as we drive Route 66 today.

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

Union Bus Station, Oklahoma City
Union Bus Station, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Union Railroad Station, Oklahoma City
Union Station, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Matlyn Court
Matlyn Court, US 66, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
De Luxe Courts
De Luxe Courts, 4500 NW 39th Street, U.S. Highway 66, Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Nu Homa Motel
Nu Homa Motel - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Major Court
The Major Court at 3200 NW 39th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Classen Cafeteria
Classen Cafeteria, where U.S. Highway 66 crosses the famous Classen Boulevard at 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Flamingo Motel
Flamingo Motel on Highways 66 and 77, just north of the State Capitol, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University

Route 66 Road Trips in Oklahoma

Kansas to Tulsa
Route 66 Road Trip westbound from Kansas to Tulsa

Tulsa to
Oklahoma City
Route 66 Road Trip westbound from Tulsa to Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City to
Texas
Route 66 Road Trip westbound from Oklahoma City to Texas


MORE OKLAHOMA ROUTE 66

Route 66 Road Trips Across Oklahoma

Route 66 road trip to Miami, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Chelsea, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Catoosa, Oklahoma
Route 66 road trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Chandler, Oklahoma
Route 66 road trip to Yukon, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Weatherford, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Clinton, Oklahoma
Route 66 road trip to Elk City, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Sapulpa, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Erick, Oklahoma
Route 66 road trip to El Reno, Oklahoma Route 66 Road Trip to Vinita, Oklahoma Route 66 Road Trip to Arcadia, Oklahoma
  Route 66 Road Trip to Claremore, Oklahoma

More About Travel in Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau

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

Oklahoma Route 66 Association