This Midwestern City Has Been Named the Official Capital of Route 66
The Mother Road is mothering.
Extending from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 has been an integral part of the US transportation system since it was first established in 1926. With pop culture mentions that span decades, from the (Get Your Kicks) Route 66 song by Nat King Cole and Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath to movies like No Country for Old Men and Cars, Route 66 has gripped the curiosity of the masses, even as it transformed from an effective means of commute to a scenic cross-country road trip.
One of the most important parts of any Route 66 road trip is the long expanse through Oklahoma. You know, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain? With 28 miles spent traversing Tulsa.
In fact, after two years of research and countless surveys conducted by the Tulsa Route 66 Commission, Tulsa has been granted the official title of Capital of Route 66.
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission’s motivation to get this copyright approved by the federal government was to cement T-Town’s legacy as a vital part of Mother Road. “Route 66 is an integral part of Tulsa’s identity. To have this official designation is an exciting day for Tulsa, our region, and the state of Oklahoma,” says Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum.
Next time you’re traveling along the storied, 28-mile stretch of Route 66 in Tulsa, make sure to check out the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza (which displays bronze statues of Cyrus Avery aka “The Father of Route 66”), Mother Road Market food hall, Decopolis Discovitorium art deco museum, and Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios quirky gift shop. Additionally, those who don’t shy away from hours of running can sign up for the annual Williams Route 66 Marathon and Half Marathon in Tulsa.
Reddit also has you covered when it comes to recs along Route 66 in Tulsa, with commenters suggesting everything from picking up a Route 66 passport (where “all the places in there that you visit will give you a stamp”) to loads of micro breweries to drop by. And, of course, TikTok never ceases to churn out plenty of travel inspo—search under #tulsaroute66.
If you ever plan to get your kicks in Tulsa, now’s the time.