Historic Route 66
Oklahoma's Route 66: Plan to Motor West

Departure: Ribbon Road, Oklahoma
Destination: Sand Hills Curiosity Shop, Oklahoma
Time to allow: 1 day

The Oklahoma Route 66 Byway is an internationally renowned destination that offers a diverse selection of quality accommodations and attractions for travelers of all ages and interests. All sections of the corridor are accessible and well marked making trip planning and navigation easy and enjoyable. There is a common theme and feel to the corridor that travelers find interesting and recognizable and which creates the longing to return. The economic climate is robust and businesses work together to achieve the common vision of the Route 66 community. Route 66 is enjoyable any time of year with 38 communities and designated ambassadors to help you plan and experience the best of Route 66. Many landmarks provide great photo opportunities. Enjoy the best places to eat, sleep and play.

Day 1

  • Start: Ribbon Road

    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    The original alignment of Route 66 is a national landmark. Built in 1922 by The Oklahoma Department of Transportation, this unique and fragile stretch of road links Miami to Afton and was paved only 9 feet wide including its concrete edges. The section totals six miles and can still be driven with care. Route 66 stencils remain along the road. The traveler can touch, feel, drive, and experience the road in its original glory. Not only is this a great opportunity for photos but the landscape provides a great pastoral experience of rolling hills and the open prairie.

  • Stop 2: The Coleman Theatre

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 5 mi (8.0 km)
    Directions:

    From the Ribbon Road, travelers follow Route 66 to the community of Miami, Oklahoma. The Coleman Theatre is located at 103 N. Main Street in Miami, OK 74354.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    Miami’s crown jewel, the Coleman Theatre, is a Spanish Mission Revival-style structure built in 1929 by George L. Coleman, Sr. as a vaudeville and movie theater. In 1989, the theater, suffering from years of neglect, was given to the city of Miami by the Coleman family and has since undergone extensive renovation. This structure draws tourists from a national audience due to its significant history and notable architectural style. The byway traveler can tour the inside of this breathtaking facility and experience the theatre as it was during the 1920s and 30s along Route 66. The outside architecture of this Route 66 icon is as stunning as the inside. The Coleman stands as a majestic legend along Route 66.

  • Stop 3: The Blue Whale

    From previous stop: 1 hour 6 minutes / 72.95 mi (116.7 km)
    Directions:

    Start out going South on US Main Street. Turn left onto Steve Owens Blvd. Merge onto Will Rogers Turnpike at I-44 W. (portions toll). Merge onto OK-266 W via Exit 248 toward Port of Catoosa. Take the OK-66 ramp toward Catoosa. Turn left onto OK-Route 66 and end at the Blue Whale.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    Travelers will be delighted to see the giant whale along the Mother Road. It is a focal point having become one of Oklahoma’s great landmarks. Travelers can stop, walk on the whale, and capture great photos. Campgrounds, boats, restrooms and fun are a splash away. This is a great family-centered recreational stop that is famous for Route 66 and connects the traveler to the era of Route 66.

  • Stop 4: The Round Barn

    From previous stop: 1 hour 30 minutes / 103.1 mi (165.0 km)
    Directions:

    Starting out going West on Ok-66 toward E Apache Street, merge onto I-44 West (potions toll) Take the Ok-66 exit. End at 11250 E. Highway 66 in Arcadia, OK 73007-9122
    Suggested time at this stop: 45 minutes

    The Round Barn is one of the famous Route 66 treasures. Open to the public, the bottom floor is a museum and gift shop. The round walls tell the story of Route 66 and the construction history of the barn. The second floor is available for events and special gatherings. The circular form of the barn presented special problems as each rafter would have to be green lumber and soaked in water. The rafter was then shaped in a special jig to form the exact curve of the roof. It is an amazing architectural wonder seen today only on Oklahoma’s Route 66. The location of this historic landmark is perfect. Route 66 helps set the stage for this circular marvel. As the byway traveler winds through the countryside, there are many farms, hills and picturesque experiences.

  • Stop 5: POPS

    From previous stop: 5 minutes / 1 mi (1.6 km)
    Directions:

    The Round Barn and POPs are within viewing distance of each other. From the Round Barn, travel west along Route 66 less than 1 mile to POPS. POPs is located on the south side of Route 66.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    Leaving the pastoral setting of the Round Barn, the visitor can make the short trip to Oklahoma’s newest Route 66 legend. This unique stop offers travels a store, gas station, and restaurant all in one. Visitors can’t miss the giant pop bottle that stands at the entrance. Especially fun at night, the giant neon soda pop bottle stands tall and invites the traveler to stop and enjoy one of the 440-plus types of soda pop in the store.

  • Stop 6: Capitol Building on Route 66

    From previous stop: 23 minutes / 19 mi (30.4 km)
    Directions:

    From POPs, travel West on Route 66/OK-66 toward N Westminister Road. Continue to follow OK-66w toward N. Westminister Road. Continue to follow OK-66 W. Merge onto I-35s/OK-66 W via the ramp on the left toward Oklahoma City/Downtown. Keep Right to take I-44 w/OK-66 via Exit 130 towards Lawton/Amarillo. Merge onto N. Lincoln Blvd via Exit 128 A toward the state capitol. Turn left on to NE 18th Street. Turn left onto N Lincoln Blvd.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour 15 minutes

    This is one of only two state capitol buildings located along Route 66. Unique in its own right it is the only state capitol with a working oil rig on site. Inside the capitol, visitors can explore not only the history of Route 66 but connect the road to our western heritage and Native American culture.

  • Stop 7: Gold Dome and Milk Bottle Building

    From previous stop: 5 minutes / 2 mi (3.2 km)
    Directions:

    From the Oklahoma State Capitol, take the westbound NE 23rd street ramp and merge onto NE 23rd Street and end at the Gold Dome Building. The Milk Bottle is across the street.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    The Gold Dome building is a geodesic dome in Oklahoma City located along Route 66. The Gold Dome building was the fifth geodesic dome constructed in the world, a design patented by the famous architect, Buckminster Fuller. Across the street from the Gold Dome you'll find Joe Goode's Milk Bottle. Famous for his “pop art” milk bottle paintings and cloud imagery, the Milk Bottle represents the birth of pop art culture along Route 66. Several artists were a part of this movement, which shocked many Americans and the world of art would change forever. Joe Goode used the Milk Bottle in many signature pieces to show unique art forms. The Milk Bottle can be found along Route 66 as the entrance to the paseo art district.

  • Stop 8: Lake Overholser Truss Bridge

    From previous stop: 15 minutes / 8.64 mi (13.8 km)
    Directions:

    Leave the Gold Dome Bank, head north on N. Classen Blvd toward N Military Ave. Turn left onto NW 36th street. Turn right on N. Pennsylvania Ave. Take a slight left to take the I-44 ramp. Merge onto I-44 W/OK 66 W. Exit 123B toward Warr Acres/Bethany and turn left on Council Road. You will end at the bridge.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    As the traveler begins to journey west along Route 66, the Lake Overholser bridge is a great mixed through truss bridge built in 1924. It is one of the few of its size and kind still in existence anywhere along Route 66. It stands over Lake Overholser, one of the major water supplies for Oklahoma City.

  • Stop 9: Route 66 Murals

    From previous stop: 29 minutes / 23.34 mi (37.3 km)
    Directions:

    From the Lake Overholser Bridge, turn right onto N Rockwell Ave. Turn left onto NW 39th Expressway/OK 66W. Continue to Follow OK-66 W. Follow Route 66 West to El Reno. Turn left onto Wade Street. Follow to the corner of E Wade Street and I/40/Br.US-81/OK-66.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    Travelers will be delighted by murals created along the main street along Route 66 in Oklahoma. Communities such as El Reno, Yukon, and Edmond keep the Route 66 tradition alive. Many of the murals are maintained to their original likeness.

  • Stop 10: Bridgeport Pony Bridge

    From previous stop: 26 minutes / 32 mi (51.2 km)
    Directions:

    Starting West on E. Wade street along OK-66 travel toward S Bickford Ave. Turn Right onto S Choctaw Ave and continue along OK-66. Stay on Route 66 (OK-66) traveling toward CR-#1020. Turn right and continue to bridge.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    When Route 66 was first built, this spot in Bridgeport was the western end of two safe water crossings over the Canadian River. The Pony Bridge at the Canadian River is 3,944.33 feet long and contains 38 pony trusses. Completed July 1, 1933, this historic steel tress bridge was featured in the 1939 classic film, “The Grapes of Wrath.”

  • Stop 11: Lucille's Roadhouse and Old Lucille's Station

    From previous stop: 20 minutes / 22 mi (35.2 km)
    Directions:

    From Bridgeport, travel west along OK-66 (Route 66) to Airport Road in Weatherford. Take the Airport Road exit, Exit 84 toward the Stafford Airport. End at Lucille’s Roadhouse.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Lucille’s Roadhouse is at a T-intersection of Route 66 and Airport Road on the east edge of Weatherford, Oklahoma. Lucille’s Roadhouse lets the traveler see the original roadhouse as it was in the heyday of Route 66. Then they can travel 1 mile down Route 66 and eat at the new Lucille’s Roadhouse. It was built in 2006, but has the same old-style atmosphere as the great diners. The inside of Lucille’s is Route 66-themed, from the tables to tapestry.

  • Stop 12: Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

    From previous stop: 20 minutes / 19 mi (30.4 km)
    Directions:

    Travel south on N. Airport Road toward E Main Street/E Davis Street. Merge onto OK-66. Travel along Route 66 and end at 2229 W Gary Blvd in Clinton, OK.
    Suggested time at this stop: 3 hours

    The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum gives travelers the opportunity to explore the history of Route 66. Exhibits begin with the World’s Largest Curio Cabinet filled with Route 66 treasures. Following the introduction gallery, the museum tells the story of Route 66 by decade. With 10,000 square feet of exhibit space, there are seven galleries beginning with the 1920s and traveling to the 1970s. Visitors experience music, culture, and a trip down America’s Main Street complete with cars.

  • Stop 13: National Route 66 Museum and Old Town Museum Complex

    From previous stop: 30 minutes / 28 mi (44.8 km)
    Directions:

    Start out at W. Gary Blvd. Merge on w. Gary Blvd. Proceed west and then south on Choctaw Avenue to Neptune Drive south until it turns west into West Commerce Road. West Commerce Road goes for 3.5 miles to I-40 frontage road which is Route 66. Travel through Canute along Route 66 to 3rd Street and the museum.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Take a step back in time at the National Route 66 Museum and Old Town Museum Complex located in the heart of Elk City. The museum focuses on the people who lived, worked, and traveled the Mother Road and offers visitors a road pattern to travel through all eight states that Route 66 traverses.

  • Stop 14: Sayre (Beckham County) Courthouse

    From previous stop: 18 minutes / 15 mi (24.0 km)
    Directions:

    Starting out going east on I-40 BR E/E OK-66 E/Van Buren AVE toward E B Ave. Make a u-turn I-40 BR W/E on OK -66 W. Turn left onto OK-s/N Main Street.
    Suggested time at this stop: 45 minutes

    The Beckham County Courthouse is one of the most identifiable structures along all of Route 66 in Oklahoma. The courthouse was also featured in the movie, "The Grapes of Wrath."

  • End: Sand Hills Curiosity Shop

    From previous stop: 15 minutes / 18 mi (28.8 km)
    Directions:

    From the Sayre (Beckham County) Courthouse, merge onto I-40 W. Take the OK-30 exit, toward Eric/Sweetwater. Turn left onto OK-30 to Route 66 and Sheb Wooley Ave. Stay straight until you reach Main Street/N1740 County Road. End at 201 S. Sheb Wooley Ave in Erick.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    This is an unbelievably surreal experience in the heart of Erick, Oklahoma. Harley and Annabelle (the “Mediocre Music Makers”) will show visitors around their shop in the self-professed Redneck Capitol of the World.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 369.03 miles / 590.4 km
Total Travel Time: 6 hours 12 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 16 hours 45 minutes