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.
Springfield, Missouri, United States
Springfield is known both as the "Queen City of the Ozarks" and the "Birthplace of Route 66." Located in south-central Missouri at a strategic crossroads, Springfield was a railroad hub, home to a bloody Civil War battle, and played an important role in the birth of the Mother Road. Route 66 was aligned through the city in 1926, realigned in 1936, and funneled travelers to the many motels and businesses located along the way until I-44 bypassed the city in 1958.
If you need a break from driving, pull over at the Fantastic Caverns in Springfield and explore an underground world. North America's only completely ride-through cave tour is absolutely worth the 55-minute tram ride.
Don’t miss the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven hotel in Springfield. This classic roadside hotel has been a Mother Road fixture since 1938. There are several great photo ops around the hotel, including an old-school fire truck and vintage gas pumps. One of the hotel’s claims to fame is that Elvis Presley stayed here, and if it’s good enough for The King, it’s good enough for all of us.
By this point, you’ve likely passed a few drive-in theaters, and it’s worth stopping at one to catch a movie. The 66 Drive-In in Carthage is a great surviving example of postwar outdoor theaters. Situated on a 9-acre, scenic plot of land, just about three miles from downtown, the drive-in (with a 66-foot-high screen, playground, and Art Deco concession stand) opened in 1949.
If you’re more into beans than brews, hit up Mother Road Coffee in Carthage. In addition to espresso and Italian sodas, you’ll find a great selection of pastries and friendly baristas.
Galena, Kansas, United States
Galena is one of the most well-preserved towns along Route 66. Home to the Kan-O-Tex gasoline station from Disney’s Cars, the Murals of Galena, and a 1952 Will Rogers Marker, Galena was once a successful mining town. The town was hit hard by the Depression and violent miner strikes. Later, when the town was bypassed by I-44, tourists stopped visiting, the mines closed down, and the population dropped. Today, several historic buildings around town offer a peek into Galena’s rocky past.
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.
Clanton’s Cafe is an iconic Route 66 restaurant, best-known for its breakfast and local cuisine. Menu highlights include the world-famous chicken fried steak and calf fries (also known as Rocky Mountain oysters)—home-cooked comfort food at its best.
Stop at the Totem Pole Park in Chelsea to check out the World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole. This 14-acre park, consisting of 11 structures, was the brainchild of Ed Galloway, a retired art teacher. There are more than 200 bas-relief images on the totem pole, including Native American motifs, symbols, and animal figures.
At the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, you’ll find artifacts, memorabilia, and speeches from the actor, vaudeville performer, cowboy, humorist, newspaper columnist, and social commentator himself. You can even watch Rogers’ movies in the on-site theater. This is a special spot for all the Will Rogers superfans out there (yes, they do exist).
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: Flickr/Nicolas Henderson
