23+ UNIQUE stops on Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City! 

Last updated on July 24th, 2026

Ready to get your kicks? We’re sharing 23+ fun and unique stops on Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City! 

One of our favorite ways to see the United States is by road trip. And we can’t think of a more classic US road trip than Route 66!

Route 66 was one of the original US highways and may be the most famous highway in America. The route ran 2,248 miles from Chicago, Illinois through Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to Santa Monica, California. And during the 1930s, it was a primary route for those who migrated west. 

Over the years, US Route 66 experienced many changes and improvements. And in 1985 it was removed from the US highway system and was completely replaced by segments of the interstate highway system.

Watch us road trip on Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City, where we check out many of the spots listed in this guide!

Today, you can no longer drive Route 66 from start to finish uninterrupted. But there are still sections of the highway that are being kept alive with many fun and quirky roadside stops. 

And Oklahoma’s portion of Route 66 is no exception! In fact, Oklahoma has one of the longest stretches of Route 66, with over 400 miles. During our time in Oklahoma we were able to experience the 119 mile stretch of Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City. And it was an absolute blast!

Want to experience this nostalgic road trip for yourself? In this guide we’re sharing 23+ fun stops to make on Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City!

23+ Unique stops on Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City

Along the portion of Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City you can expect to find small towns, super quick roadside stops, unique sculptures, museums, funky gift shops, delicious eats, and so much more. There are tons of things to do! But for the sake of this guide, we’re focusing on the stops we loved, plus others that we hope to check out next time.

In the Google Map above, you can see all of the stops pinned and their proximity to one another. Some of these stops are located directly on Route 66, while others are a short detour. And in the list below, the stops are in order from east to west, which is how we did the road trip. But you can easily do it in reverse! 

1. Blue Whale of Catoosa

Cost to visit: FREE!

Oklahoma may not be on the ocean, but you can still see a whale. The Blue Whale of Catoosa that is! This iconic Route 66 landmark in Oklahoma is 20 feet tall and 80 feet long and was built by a zoologist named Hugh S. Davis. It was completed in 1972, after two years of welding and applying hand-mixed cement, one five-gallon bucket at a time.

And it has been a popular place for visitors ever since! 

You used to be able to swim here, which is no longer allowed, but you can still check out the whale! During our visit we were able to walk inside the whale and climb up onto his tail and into his head. It’s a quirky, quick stop that is a must-do in our opinion!

Note: This stop is technically northeast of Tulsa in Catoosa, but it’s very close and is the perfect spot to start your road trip!

3. Mother Road Market

Fun fact: Mother Road is a nickname for Route 66, which was given to the road by John Steinbeck in his book The Grapes of Wrath. And one of our favorite stops along Route 66 is the Mother Road Market, Oklahoma’s first food hall!

This food hall has a super cool indoor and outdoor space, with food stalls of all sorts of cuisines. We especially recommend & Tacos (for birria tacos) and Doktor Custom for their picanha sandwich.

This sandwich is loaded with tender steak, a special salsa, cheese, and greens. And it is one of the best sandwiches we have ever had! They only serve it on Thursdays though. So if you can, visit on a Thursday! 

But besides food, it also has a full bar, a Route 66 themed mini golf course, shops, and murals to check out! 

4. Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66

Cost to visit: Free, but we highly recommend supporting this local shop. 

Next up on Route 66 is Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios! It will be hard to miss, as the shop has a giant 21 foot space cowboy Muffler man outside named Buck Atoms!

While posing for a photo with Buck (he was dressed as Buckula during our visit) is worth the stop alone, the real beauty of this place is when you go inside. It is easily one of the coolest shops we have ever been to! Here you can find tons of Route 66 souvenirs. But instead of tacky, cheap products, everything is high quality, with many being locally made. There are also some vintage items in here too, plus a vintage store out back!

The star of our experience though was the owner Mary Beth. She is one of the friendliest, most upbeat people we’ve ever met! She gave us so many helpful tips not only for Route 66, but also for Oklahoma as a whole. 

5. Meadow Gold Sign

Cost to visit: FREE!

Just down the street from Buck Atom’s, at the corner of Route 66 and Quaker Street, you can see a massive neon Meadow Gold Sign. This 30 foot by 30 foot sign has persevered through its original building being demolished and is still shining bright after almost 100 years.

6. Center of the Universe

Cost to visit: FREE!

Did you know that Tulsa is the Center of the Universe? Well, at least that’s what they say. We have been to a few places that claim this, so we are hesitant to believe it. But we figure if we go to all of them, one of them has to be correct, right?

You can find Tulsa’s version of the Center of the Universe in the city’s Arts District, which is a super cool area to walk around. It is marked by a partially brick circle on a bridge that goes over railroad tracks. And while it may not look like much, it’s what it does that makes this worth the stop.

If you stand on the circle and make noises, they’ll be echoed back at you louder! We tried this a handful of times and it truly works. Although we aren’t sure the true reason for this phenomenon, it did provide us a few minutes of entertainment!

8. Woody Guthrie Center and Bob Dylan Center

Cost: $12 for entrance into Woody Guthrie, $15 to enter the Bob Dylan Center, or $22 for entrance into both.

If you’re a fan of either Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan, you’ll want to check out the Woody Guthrie Center and Bob Dylan Center in downtown Tulsa! While these two centers are separate, they are right next to each other and have a discounted joint admission.

In both museums you can find different artifacts from the artists, including some handwritten lyrics, instruments, and so much more.

9. Gathering Place

Cost: FREE!

Another spot in Tulsa that isn’t quite located on Route 66, but is well worth the detour is the Gathering Place. This is a free 70 acre park along the Arkansas River with multiple playgrounds, unique structures, gardens, FREE paddle boat and kayak rentals, sports courts, a skatepark, urban trails, and so much more. There is truly something for all ages!

We spent a couple hours wandering around here and it is one of the coolest city parks we have been to in the US!

10. Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza and Neon Sign Park

Cost: FREE!

The Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza is named after Cyrus Avery, who is one of the most important people in the creation of Route 66. Because of his efforts, he is known as the “Father of Route 66.” 

At this plaza you can read more about him and the creation of Route 66, as well as see the “East meets West” statue. This statue depicts a fictional encounter between a land-run settler’s wagon and a Ford Model T, driven by Cyrus Avery. 

Also at the plaza you’ll find flags from each of the eight states that Route 66 passes through. And if you go across the highway you’ll find the Neon Sign Park, which has three big neon signs. If you come at night you can see them lit up! 

Note: Parking is limited in this area, but we parked here to access the plaza.

12. Sapulpa, Oklahoma

One of the best things about Route 66 is that it takes you through small towns that you may not visit otherwise. And Oklahoma’s portion of Route 66 goes right through Sapulpa, which was such a hidden gem!

This charming, historic town has a nice downtown where you can pop into shops, grab a bite to eat, or some coffee at CTX Coffee (which we loved!). There are also interesting side streets to explore. Beyond just wandering around, there are a couple Route 66 related stops that we recommend stopping to see!

Waite Phillips Filling Station

Cost: FREE!

The Waite Phillips Filling Station in Sapulpa is another well taken care of Route 66 relic. This old gas station is a blast from the past!

During specific hours, you can go inside some of the buildings, but it was closed during our visit. It’s still worth walking by real quick when in Sapulpa! 

Route 66 Christmas Chute

Cost: FREE!

If you visit Route 66 around the holidays, you must check out the Route 66 Christmas Chute. This is a Christmas celebration with 800 foot canopies, covered in ornaments in 10 different themes, right down Route 66.

The road turns into a pedestrian zone, so you can safely wander the streets, admiring the different decorations. You can meet Santa, grab food from a food truck, and rent a private clear igloo.

The celebration begins in mid November with events every weekend! We visited during their inaugural year (2022) as they were setting up and got to talk to one of the founders of the event. It was a huge community effort to put it together!

13. Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum and World’s Tallest Gas Pump

Cost: Free to visit the gas pump, but the museum has a $6.50 fee for adults (children under 12 are free).

Ever wanted to say you’ve stood next to the world’s tallest gas pump? Well just outside of Sapulpa at the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum you can!

This is a replica of the type of gas pump commonly in use when Route 66 became a national highway in 1926. It was meant to be 66 ft tall, but ended up being a bit taller. 

Besides the gas pump, you can also go into the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum. The museum houses rare cars, car memorabilia, and other Route 66 artifacts. We didn’t go inside the museum, but from what we could see in the windows, it looks super neat! 

14. Rock Creek Bridge

Cost: FREE!

While Route 66 today is not exactly like it was many years ago, the Rock Creek Bridge in Sapulpa is a steel truss bridge from 1924 that was along the original Route 66. And what is neat about it is that it has brick paving, which we have never seen before on a bridge!

This is a super short stop. We just parked our van along the side road and walked across the bridge. But since Route 66 is quite a bit different these days than in the past, it was fun to see what it would’ve been like back in the day. There is also a cool mural here too!

16. Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma

One of the most iconic cafes along Route 66 in Oklahoma is the Rock Cafe in Stroud. It was built by Roy Rives in the 1930s and legend has it the colorful sandstone exterior was bought by Mr. Rives for only $5, as it was leftovers from a construction project.

The cafe flourished for decades and has survived the decommissioning of the road, plus a disastrous fire in 2008, and still remains a popular spot for travelers. 

If you’ve seen the Pixar movie Cars then you’ll especially love this spot. The current owner Dawn Welch inspired the character Sally Carrera. There is tons of movie memorabilia inside and outside the Rock Cafe!

17. Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum

Cost: Donation based

If motorcycles are your thing, then you have to check out the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum! This former DX gas station, built in the 1920s, houses over 120 motorcycles, a collection of vintage toys, and tons of Route 66 memorabilia.

18. The Butcher BBQ Stand

For some of the best BBQ along Route 66, pop into The Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston! The owners of this spot won the Jack Daniel’s World Championship and have been on “BBQ Pitmasters” and “BBQ Pitmasters Allstars” a combined 5 times.

As big BBQ lovers, this spot came highly recommended to us, but we ran out of time on our road trip. It’s at the top of the list for the next time we’re road tripping Route 66 though!

19. OK County 66

Cost: FREE!

Founded by John Hargrove after he retired, OK County 66 – John’s Place shares miniature versions of major Route 66 attractions across the country. You’ll find iconic representations of the Twin Arrows in Arizona, a Wigwam motel room, and even a replica of the Blue Whale of Catoosa.

You’ll find quirky items all over the property. And the owner John and his dog are very sweet!

20. Arcadia Round Barn

Cost: FREE!

Another unique attraction along Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City is the Arcadia Round Barn. This barn was built by local farmer William Harrison Odor in 1898 and we hear it was built in a round shape because tornadoes would just go around it, although there is no scientific proof to back this up.

And to create this round shape, William would soak wood and then bend it into curves. While you can just observe the barn from the outside, we recommend going upstairs to see the curved wood walls and ceilings. It is really impressive!

21. Pops 66 

Cost: Free to visit, but you will want to buy a soda!

As you drive down Route 66, inching closer to Oklahoma City, you’ll notice a giant soda sculpture on the side of the road. This is Pops 66, a store, diner, and gas station that also happens to be home to tons of different flavors of soda. Including some very strange ones!

We picked up a few crazy flavors and had a fun time trying to stomach them! Hands down the worst was the ranch dressing flavor. 😝

22. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Cost: $15 (adults), $10 (students), $5 (kids age 6-12)

One of the first Route 66 sites you’ll come across in Oklahoma City is the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. And it is a must visit in Oklahoma! 

It is the nation’s premier museum of western history, art, and culture. There are exhibits on the American cowboy, rodeos, Native American culture, and Western performers, plus an outdoor area that shows recreations of different Native American living structures. 

We spent a few hours here while exploring Oklahoma City and learned a ton! 

23. Oklahoma State Capitol

Cost: FREE!

We love visiting state capitols when traveling around the United States and close to Route 66 in Oklahoma City is the Oklahoma State Capitol! And what makes this capitol building unique is that it’s the only capitol surrounded by working oil wells. The capitol is free to visit and if you visit on a weekday (between 9 AM-3 PM), you can go on a free guided tour.

24. Tucker’s Onion Burgers

When in Oklahoma you gotta try the iconic onion burger! Onion burgers are burgers with grilled onions smashed into the patty. They are nicknamed Depression Burgers because they were created during the Great Depression. Beef was expensive and onions were cheap, so they smashed a ton of onions into a burger patty to cut down on costs. And it has been an Oklahoma staple since! 

In Oklahoma City, we recommend going to Tucker’s Onion Burgers, which has a few locations around the city. The onion burgers were delicious! Even Kathryn, who doesn’t like onions, really enjoyed it!

Tucker’s is technically not on Route 66, but is worth the detour. If you want to visit an onion burger spot that is actually on Route 66, head to Sid’s Diner in El Reno, about 35 minutes west of OKC.

25. Explore more of Oklahoma City

There are tons of additional things to do in Oklahoma City, including immersive art experiences, more museums, insanely delicious food, great parks, whitewater rafting or skiing (yes, you read that right!), and an NBA game. To plan your time in Oklahoma City, check out our guide to the best things to do in OKC as well as our Oklahoma City Weekend Itinerary!

Tips for driving Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City

Don’t follow Google Maps

Since Route 66 is no longer a continuous highway and is also not the fastest route, Google Maps will not automatically take you on it. You will need to instead follow Route 66 road signs (there are lots!), look for Route 66 painted on the road, and look at a map to determine where to go. 

Out in the country, it’s pretty straightforward, but in Tulsa and Oklahoma City themselves, it can be a bit confusing where to go.

Get the Official Oklahoma Route 66 Passport

One really neat thing that Oklahoma Tourism has created is a Route 66 passport! You can get a physical version of this passport by ordering it online (it’s free!) or get a digital version. This passport features a bunch of stops that you can get stamps at. And if you complete them all, you can get a special Route 66 Oklahoma coin! 

Not every stop in this guide is in the passport, but many of them are! 

When is the best time to drive Route 66?

One great thing about Route 66 is that you’ll see so much varied scenery along the way. The route passes through cornfields, midwest plains, desert, and peaks of the Continental Divide. With the changing scenery you’ll also experience drastic changes in climate and weather.

You can drive this route year round, but the best time to drive Route 66, specifically the Tulsa to Oklahoma City portion, is April-May and September-December. This is when the weather is a bit more bearable in Oklahoma. The summers can get really hot! 

How long do you need to drive from Tulsa to Oklahoma City on Route 66?

The distance between Tulsa and Oklahoma City on Route 66 is only about 120 miles. And it could be driven in less than two hours if you don’t make any stops. But you won’t want to pass up all of these quirky and fun stops! 

In our opinion, the Tulsa to Oklahoma City portion is best enjoyed with 1-3 days. One day would give you the chance to hit many roadside stops, while two to three days would give you more time for longer stops, like museums.

We drove Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City over two days. Here is our exact itinerary!

Ready to get your kicks?

Pin this guide to help you plan your Tulsa to Oklahoma City Route 66 road trip!