Oklahoma has the longest stretch of Route 66 within its borders, with over 400 miles of the famed Mother Road. Two of the best destinations on the route are located in the state too: Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Located only about 120 miles apart, taking a road trip from Oklahoma City to Tulsa makes for a fun and easy drive with lots of interesting stops on both ends and in between.
With fun roadside attractions, must-see stops, amazing hotels, and delicious restaurants, you can use this Oklahoma City to Tulsa Route 66 itinerary to craft your road trip between the two cities. It’s the perfect road map for for a three-day weekend or to get the most out of your visit to Oklahoma for the AAA Route 66 Road Fest.
The AAA Route 66 Road Fest is the ultimate Route 66 experience. This inaugural weekend-long event puts you face-to-face with FUN in various engaging forms all the way up until the Route 66 Centennial celebration in 2026! Expect lines of collectible cars competing in juried car shows, an array of vintage and modern RVs, and autonomous self-driving shuttles that give test-ride passengers like you a taste of the future of mobility. The whole family can enjoy activities like the Route 66-themed putt-putt course, Pinewood Derby competitions, virtual reality, interactive art, local pop up shopping, and even robotics and drones. The MUST-SEE attraction is the Route 66 Journey Exhibit. This nostalgia-inducing interactive exhibit takes you through each decade in the Mother Road’s rich history. To top it all off is the Road Fest Music Experience, an outdoor concert that will feature local and regional artists and national touring headliners!
2022 Route 66 Road Fest: OKC, June 18-19 & Tulsa, June 25-26.
Sponsored Content
Oklahoma City to Tulsa Route 66 Itinerary Day 1: Oklahoma City
On day one of this Oklahoma Route 66 itinerary, you’ll arrive in Oklahoma City, check into your classic motel, do a little exploring, and eat some of the best food in OKC.
Sunnyside Diner
916 NW 6th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Every good road trip starts with a good meal. Sunnyside Diner in Oklahoma City has a full menu of breakfast and lunch favorites made with fresh ingredients and a a “thick slice of home-cooked happiness.” Try the well-portioned chicken fried steak and eggs or the skillet cinnamon roll with warm icing.
Overholser Mansion
405 NW 15th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Henry Overholser is considered to be the “Father of Oklahoma City.” In 1903, he built the city’s first mansion for him and his wife. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Today it is owned by the Oklahoma Historical Society and managed by Preservation Oklahoma, Inc. Admire the the Queen Anne and Chateauesque architectural styles from the street and reserve a tour to see the inside.
Classen Inn Motel
820 N Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK
Classen Inn was originally built in 1963 and is a classic example of Googie architecture inspired by geometry and space. The motel has recently been renovated and brought back to life with cheeky vintage-inspired decor, modern amenities, and fun murals. The motel offers a comfy night’s sleep after a long day on Route 66 and plenty of fun photo ops.
The Jones Assembly
901 W Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK
Spend your night wandering around the Film Row District to check out the variety of shops, restaurants, and bars. Finish your night with dinner, drinks, and live music at The Jones Assembly. The industrial-chic venue serves regional American fare (try the chicken fried carrots!) and craft cocktails.
Oklahoma City to Tulsa Route 66 Itinerary Day 2: Oklahoma City to Tulsa
Day two of this Oklahoma City to Tulsa Route 66 Itinerary is a full day of traveling. You’ll spend the morning checking out some of the best Route 66 sites in Oklahoma City, then travel across 120 miles of Oklahoma Route 66 before arriving in your destination: Tulsa.
HunnyBunny Biscuit Co.
429 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK
Start your day off with a filling breakfast at HunnyBunny Biscuit Co. Located right on Route 66 in Oklahoma City, this restaurant offers scratch-made biscuits with a variety of options. Try a Basic Chick sandwich with fried chicken and honey, a Nashville with hot sauce and pickles, or an Elvis with peanut butter, banana, and bacon. You can also order biscuits and gravy, chicken pot pie, and more.
Tower Theatre
425 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK
Right next to HunnyBunny Biscuit Co. is the Tower Theatre. This historic performance site 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.
Wheeler Ferris Wheel and OKC Sign
1701 S Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK
This local landmark and gathering place is a must-stop attraction when visiting Oklahoma City. Get a bird’s eye view of the city by taking a ride on the 100-foot tall ferris wheel that was relocated from Santa Monica Pier. Then stop for Instagram-worthy selfies in front of the giant OKC sign.
Taco Nation
1741 Wheeler Street, Oklahoma City, OK
Before hitting the road towards Tulsa, stop for lunch at Taco Nation. Known as having “OKC’s west coast spin on tacos” the menu is full of delicious options like carnitas, steak, or crispy artichoke-filled tacos, chicken nachos, chips and guac, and churros.
Pops 66
660 U.S. Rte 66, Arcadia, OK
It’s time to hit the road! After a morning of exploring in town, hit the road to travel Route 66 from Oklahoma City to Tulsa. One must-see stop along the Route is Pops 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia. The centerpiece of Pops is a 66-foot-tall soda bottle, appropriately called “Bubbles,” made of stacked steel hoops and thousands of LED lights. You can also stop into Pops 66 for a hamburger steak or to peruse the 700 plus sodas on display for purchase.
Route 66 Interpretive Center
400 E 1st St, Chandler, OK
The Chandler Armory, an Art-Deco military building, is now home to a Route 66 Interpretive Center. Step inside this interactive museum to explore displays and watch videos and learn more about the history of Route 66 and the part Oklahoma played in forming the Mother Road. The Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center is also home to an 8,000 square foot event space and the Oklahoma Route 66 Association.
Bristow Historical Train Depot & Museum
1 Rail Road Place, Bristow, OK
Bristow, Oklahoma is located near the railroad track that linked Sapulpa and Oklahoma City. The Historical Train Depot has been restored and features original 1923 wood floors, a ticket counter, and a Frisco Train caboose. Inside there is a small museum with railroad items and outside is a town square plaza perfect for lounging in the afternoon.
Patriot Cafe
1004 E Dewey Ave, Sapulpa, OK
Before arriving in Tulsa, stop in Sapulpa. The town has several fun Route 66 attractions, like the Route 66 Auto Museum, the World’s Tallest Gas pump, and several vintage gas stations. If you’re getting hungry, stop into Happy Burger or Patriot Cafe for a yummy, overflowing hamburger and fries.
Downtown Tulsa
When you arrive in Tulsa, take the evening to explore downtown. Visit the Center of the Universe (a mysterious circle where noises are echoed back louder), Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa Theater, and The Boxyard.
Hotel Indigo
121 S Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK
Spend the night at Hotel Indigo. This unique boutique hotel has an industrial design inspired and murals inspired by the Tulsa neighborhood. You might even get a room with a special surprise: a headboard mural of a famous Tulsa and Route 66 attraction: the Golden Driller. Before bed head up to the top floor to get a drink at the rooftop bar: Roof 66.
Oklahoma City to Tulsa Route 66 Itinerary Day 3: Tulsa
On the last day of this Route 66 itinerary you’ll spend the day in Tulsa visiting some of the most iconic Route 66 attractions.
Prospect Local Bar and Kitchen
121 S Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK
Start your day in Tulsa with a good elevated American breakfast at Prospect Local Bar and Kitchen conveniently located inside Hotel Indigo. Choose between a menu of savory breakfast tacos and omelets and sweet french toast and flapjacks.
Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza & Route 66 Neon Sign Park
1450 Southwest Blvd, Tulsa, OK
Cyrus Avery is known as the father of Route 66. He created the route while a member of the board appointed to create the Federal Highway System. His legacy is celebrated in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza. One of the centerpieces of the plaza is a large bronze sculpture entitled “East Meets West.” Created by artist Robert Summers it depicts the Avery family traveling west in a Ford Model T and encountering an eastbound horse-drawn wagon. Also, look for the Route 66 Neon Sign Park full of restored vintage neon signs of iconic Route 66 locales.
Meadow Gold Sign
1324 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK
This giant Meadow Gold sign was erected in 1934 when Meadow Gold Dairy installed it at 11th & Lewis. For decades this sign served as a landmark in Tulsa, even though the business was long gone. In 2009, the sign was restored and moved to a dedicated pavilion. Check out the sign then explore the shops in Meadow Gold District, including Decopolis and Southwest Trading Company.
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios
1347 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK
Past meets present at Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66. In 2019, they unveiled their very own larger-than-life fiberglass mascot: Buck Atom. This Space Cowboy Muffler Man was a brand-new muffler man crafted from a mold and modeled after the retro roadside attractions. Wearing a space suit, kerchief, a cowboy hat with a space visor, and carrying a bright silver rocket ship, Buck is part muffler man, part cowboy, part spaceman, and all fun.
Shops at Mother Road Market
1102 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK
The Mother Road Market in Tulsa is Oklahoma’s first food hall and the place to stop on your Route 66 road trip to fulfill just about anything you’re craving for lunch or dinner on the Mother Road. Stop at the Shops at Mother Road Market for some premiere local shopping, visit Tulsa’s new Visitor Center, then grab some lunch.
Gathering Place
2650 S John Williams Way East, Tulsa, OK
Stretch your legs and end your time in Tulsa at the Gathering Place. The Gathering Place opened in Tulsa in 2018 as a “vibrant and inclusive space, where diverse communities could come together to explore, learn and play.” The award-winning 66.5-acre park features fun playground experiences, nature walks, and more.
The AAA Route 66 Road Fest is the ultimate Route 66 experience. This inaugural weekend-long event puts you face-to-face with FUN in various engaging forms all the way up until the Route 66 Centennial celebration in 2026! Expect lines of collectible cars competing in juried car shows, an array of vintage and modern RVs, and autonomous self-driving shuttles that give test-ride passengers like you a taste of the future of mobility. The whole family can enjoy activities like the Route 66-themed putt-putt course, Pinewood Derby competitions, virtual reality, interactive art, local pop up shopping, and even robotics and drones. The MUST-SEE attraction is the Route 66 Journey Exhibit. This nostalgia-inducing interactive exhibit takes you through each decade in the Mother Road’s rich history. To top it all off is the Road Fest Music Experience, an outdoor concert that will feature local and regional artists and national touring headliners!
2022 Route 66 Road Fest: OKC, June 18-19 & Tulsa, June 25-26.
Sponsored Content
Pin this 3-day Oklahoma City to Tulsa Route 66 Itinerary to save for later:
