Next up is St. Louis, Missouri, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, a stretch that some travelers consider the heart of Route 66. It’s where east meets west, linking up the Midwest with the West Coast. Much of this stretch is on I-44, which means lots of exits and county roads, but the scenery is often beautiful. When possible, we’ll point out places where you can hop on and off the original parts of Route 66.
If you're coming in from Joplin heading west, your first stop in Kansas should be Cars on the Route, a restored Kan-O-Tex service station formerly known as 4 Women on the Route. Along with snacks and sandwiches, here you can shop for antiques and Route 66 memorabilia made by local artists. Outside is a lineup of old trucks on display, including one that inspired the Tow Mater character in Disney’s Cars.
Hop over to the Galena Mining and Historical Museum to learn all about the region’s rich mining history. The hours of the museum vary, but it’s a fun stop full of newspapers from yesteryears and other antiques, including a collection of Model Ts and Model As in the back garage. The people of the historical society work tirelessly to push Galena’s Route 66 history.
Heading out of Galena you’ll hit the small town of Riverton, home to the Old Riverton Store. The building is a replica of the original building that was destroyed by a tornado in the 1920s. Here’s another chance to buy both souvenirs and sandwiches.
Ending this leg at the Blue Whale makes for a Route 66 highlight, but you’ve still got plenty of attractions—and more than half of the Mother Road—ahead of you. No longer the road of desperation as described by John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath, you’ll nonetheless be following in the footsteps (or rather, wheel ruts) of thousands of Okies who once traveled West along Route 66 in search of greener pastures. There are more driveable portions of the old Mother Road in Oklahoma than in any other state, so get comfortable and don’t forget to stick your hand (or head) out the window to enjoy the wind as it comes sweeping down the plain.
Banner Photo Credit: ShawnaBrenner
Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.