Route 66 Leg Three: Tulsa to Amarillo

Welcome to the self-proclaimed “Oil Capital of the World.” But there’s so much more to Oklahoma than just what’s underground—the Sooner State was also home to Cyrus Avery, known as the “Father of Route 66.” Avery was appointed to the federal board tasked with the creation of the Federal Highway System in the 1920s, and it was Avery who campaigned to have Route 66 pass through Tulsa.

The Desert Hills Motel is a 50-unit retro lodge that’s been recently renovated. The neon signage is vintage perfection, showcasing two large glowing green cactuses that have been welcoming road-weary travelers since 1953.

The Golden Driller, a giant, 76-foot-tall sculpture of an oil worker, was once put on display inside the International Petroleum Exhibition Building at the Tulsa Fairgrounds, which is said to have the world’s largest unobstructed interior volume.

Take a moment to explore Stroud, a small town that is known as “Oklahoma’s Winery and Grape Capital.” Here you can also find unpaved segments of the original road, built in 1915 and incorporated into Route 66 in the 1920s. Don’t miss the dirt section of the original Ozark Trail road and stop for a photo—and a BLT—at the iconic Rock Cafe.

The historic Rock Cafe is a classic Route 66 stop. Named for the sandstone rocks used in its construction, the cafe opened in 1939. Crews from Pixar stopped here while they were researching the movie Cars, and the popular eatery was also featured on the TV show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The cafe may be famous for its mouthwateringly golden-brown chicken-fried steak, but if you're in the mood for something sweet, try the Diet Doctor Pepper float.

Also in Stroud, you’ll find the retro-tastic Skyliner Motel. This Route 66 staple features a vintage neon sign pointing you in the right direction. The motel itself is family-owned and within walking distance of the Rock Cafe. After a long day of driving, check into the Skyliner and walk to the restaurant—but keep in mind they close at 6 p.m., so make it an early dinner. Then hit up the nearby StableRidge Winery for a glass of local vino.

As you drive through Chandler, take some time to see the town’s murals and visit the Lincoln Motel, which has been in continuous operation since 1939. You’ll also pass a historic Phillips 66 gas station and the Route 66 Interpretive Center, which is housed in a 1930s armory.

Chandler’s Lincoln Motel was built in 1939 and has one of those motor courts you see in old movies. The cottage-style rooms are clean and comfortable. Even if you don’t spend the night, it’s worth pulling over to take a photo of the 1950s neon sign.

Iconic Route 66 photo op alert. There isn’t anything to do at this filling station, but it’s worth a stop to snap a picture of the classic type B cottage-style gas station built by Phillips Petroleum Company in 1930. The fun green color will look great in your Instagram feed.

The Old Round Barn was built in 1898, predating the construction of Route 66. In the late 1980s, the roof collapsed, but with the help of a group of mostly senior volunteers called the Over the Hill Gang, the barn was repaired and reopened as a landmark in 1992. It claims to be Route 66’s only round wooden barn, and the ground level features historical displays and a gift shop.

After all that driving, you're probably thirsty. If carbonated refreshment is your jam, prepare to worship at the altar of the Pops Soda Ranch. Located just off Route 66 in Arcadia, POPS offers more than 700 sodas, sparkling waters, and shakes. Some of the more bizarre soda flavors include mustard, buffalo wing, ranch dressing, and sweet corn. There's a 66-foot-tall soda bottle out front, which lights up at night for a great photo op. This diner, gas station, and gift shop offers visitors several ways to “fill up.”

Oklahoma City is the state’s capital and the largest city you’ll pass through on Route 66 in Oklahoma. OKC is home to many museums, memorials, and motels, in addition to a few stops worth a detour from the main route. Don’t let the big city vibe distract you from the fact that you’re still in one of the most tornado-prone areas in the world. Since 1890, OKC has had about 150 tornados, so watch the skies and check the weather report if you’re headed through in the spring or early summer.

If you’re ready for a life-changing culinary experience, hit up Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies. These Oklahoma pies come from a tiny town called Springer, where Maude Pletcher perfected the family recipe and handed it down to her nine children. Decades later, Maude’s grandson started selling the pies in their struggling gas station restaurant. The shop now offers fruit, chocolate, pumpkin, and coconut cream pies, along with sugar free and savory pies.

Sid’s Diner in El Reno is renowned for its famous fried onion burger. What makes this burger so epic is both its size and its onions, which are caramelized directly into the ground beef. You may recognize this dish from the Travel Channel show Man v. Food.

Just 1 mile south of Hinton, you’ll find Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park. Native Americans used to set up camp here in the winter and it was also once a major stop for 19th century settlers heading west to California.

Lucille's Service Station—also known as Provine Station—is a classic Route 66 gas station known for its unusual design. Built by Carl Ditmore in 1929, there are only a few of these upper-story, porch-style stations left in the U.S. Ditmore sold his station to the Hamons family, and Lucille Hamons ran it for 60 years, earning it its current name.