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 traveling during the summer months, this nice, cool detour will help you escape the heat. The 4.6-mile-long cave system is one of the Ozarks’ coolest (literally and figuratively) natural wonders, as well as an archaeological hotbed of Native American artifacts.
In Cuba you’ll find the iconic Wagon Wheel Motel, a 19-room historic Route 66 motel in operation since 1936. Don’t miss nearby vintage gas stations such as the Old Conoco Service Station and a Phillips 66 station.
There are so many Route 66 icons to see and experience while in Cuba, but it’s absolutely essential to take a tour of the famous Route 66 Viva Cuba Murals. Take a journey through the town’s history via 12 outdoor murals. For a more in-depth look, a narrated bus tour departs from the Cuba Visitor Center. A self-guided map is available at cubamomurals.com.
The 40-feet-tall rocking chair in Fanning, Missouri, was once Guinness-certified as the World's Largest Rocker. In 2015, it was bumped down to second place by an even larger chair in Casey, Illinois.
The Route 66 Museum is a fun stop where visitors can view a reconstructed retro motel room, a gas station, and a diner. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
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.
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.
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