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Route 66 Section 3: Tulsa to Amarillo

Green Country icons, Oklahoma City classics, and wide‑open plains on the road to Amarillo.
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Trip Length
4 days, 4 nights
Route Distance
360 mi
Stops
4
Section 3 carries Route 66 west from its birthplace in Tulsa through northeastern Oklahoma’s Green Country, across Oklahoma City’s multi‑alignment Route 66 corridors, and into the wide‑open landscapes of western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Expect beloved roadside mascots, legendary diners, art‑deco cities, neon‑lit drive‑ins, and classic plains scenery before arriving in Amarillo—home to some of the Mother Road’s most famous food and big‑sky landmarks.

AdventureGenie, KOA, and Open Roads have partnered to bring travelers a special collection of Americana Road Trips, highlighted by the Route 66 Centennial celebration.

This series features six curated Route 66 segments that can be enjoyed individually for shorter adventures or combined into one unforgettable cross-country journey along the Mother Road.

In addition, the collaboration includes trips centered around six featured cities and the stories that shaped America, honoring our nation’s Semiquincentennial — 250 Years of American History.

Whether you're exploring iconic roadside stops, rediscovering America’s culture, or planning the ultimate long-haul adventure, this partnership makes it easier than ever to travel confidently, comfortably, and creatively.

Who Will Love This Trip
  • Route 66 travelers who want iconic roadside attractions paired with major cities.
  • Food lovers chasing legendary diners and Texas‑size classics.
  • Photographers drawn to neon, murals, and wide‑open plains.
  • Road trippers who enjoy campground‑anchored stops with clustered highlights.
Routing Information

Follow historic Route 66 alignments where signed, especially through Tulsa and Oklahoma City; use I‑44 and I‑40 selectively between attraction clusters for efficiency.

Trip Tips

Many Route 66 attractions have limited or seasonal hours—calling ahead is strongly recommended, especially in smaller towns.

Oklahoma City has multiple historic Route 66 alignments; exploring more than one corridor reveals how the road evolved over time.

Western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle feature long, open stretches—fuel up early and plan food stops in advance.

Check the Route 66 Centennial event calendars for festivals, car shows, and special celebrations happening along this section of the Mother Road.

Resources
KOA: Travel Route 66 in 6 Parts – Section 3 (Tulsa to Amarillo)
KOA: The Best Food on Route 66
KOA: 20 Things You Have to See on Route 66
KOA: The Ultimate Guide to Route 66
Route 66 Centennial
Table of Contents
Stop 1: Tulsa, OK
1 day, 1 night stay
Description - Tulsa
Tulsa is the birthplace of Route 66, where businessman Cyrus Avery first envisioned the Mother Road as a national highway connecting Chicago to Los Angeles. Today, Tulsa remains one of the most complete Route 66 cities anywhere, with vintage neon, Muffler Men, historic music venues, and classic diners all concentrated along 11th Street. This is the ideal place to fully immerse yourself in Route 66 culture before heading west.
Top Things to Do - Tulsa
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 – A modern Route 66 icon and home to Tulsa’s Muffler Man, offering shopping, photo ops, and pure roadside fun right on 11th Street.
Cain’s Ballroom – One of America’s most legendary music venues, deeply tied to Tulsa’s cultural identity and still hosting live shows today.
Ike’s Chili – A longtime Route 66 restaurant favorite known for classic chili and an old‑school atmosphere that feels unchanged by time.
Tulsa Route 66 corridor (11th Street) – Neon signs, murals, vintage motels, and roadside businesses make this stretch feel like Route 66 in its purest form.
Tulsa, OK Activities
  • Route 66 corridor exploration
  • Live music and nightlife
  • Neon and mural photography
  • Historic dining
RV Campgrounds Near Tulsa, OK
  • Tulsa NE / Will Rogers Downs KOA Journey
Resources
Tulsa NE / Will Rogers Downs KOA Journey
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Stop 2: Oklahoma City, OK
1 day, 1 night stay
Description - Oklahoma City
Route 66 winds through Oklahoma City along multiple historic alignments, revealing a capital city rich in Western heritage, Native American history, and roadside Americana. From major museums to quirky landmarks, OKC offers one of the most diverse Route 66 experiences in the state.
Top Things to Do - Oklahoma City
First Americans Museum – A powerful cultural stop honoring the 39 Native Nations based in Oklahoma, providing essential context for the land Route 66 crosses.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – A cornerstone of Western history, art, and storytelling, with immersive exhibits and a recreated frontier town.
Milk Bottle Grocery – A tiny, wedge‑shaped building topped with a giant milk bottle, now one of Oklahoma City’s most photographed Route 66 landmarks.
Historic Route 66 corridors – Explore NW 23rd Street and Classen Boulevard to experience different eras of the Mother Road.
Oklahoma City, OK Activities
  • Museum visits
  • Historic Route 66 driving
  • Roadside photography
  • Cultural exploration
RV Campgrounds Near Oklahoma City, OK
  • Oklahoma City East / Choctaw KOA Holiday
Resources
Oklahoma City East / Choctaw KOA Holiday
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Stop 3: Western Oklahoma Route 66 (Elk City & Clinton)
1 day, 1 night stay
Description - Western Oklahoma
As Route 66 pushes west, towns grow farther apart and the scenery opens into classic plains country. Western Oklahoma preserves the spirit of the Mother Road through museums, drive‑ins, and restored landmarks that celebrate both nostalgia and resilience.
Top Things to Do - Western Oklahoma
National Route 66 Museum (Elk City) – Part of a five‑museum complex, this stop walks travelers through every state Route 66 crossed, blending memorabilia, vehicles, and immersive exhibits.
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum (Clinton) – One of the most celebrated Route 66 museums anywhere, featuring classic cars, diner recreations, and rotating exhibits.
Lucille’s Service Station – A lovingly restored station honoring Lucille Hamons, the “Mother of the Mother Road,” and a symbol of Oklahoma’s Route 66 preservation movement.
Western Oklahoma Route 66 (Elk City & Clinton) Activities
  • Route 66 museum visits
  • Historic roadside stops
  • Scenic plains driving
  • Photography
RV Campgrounds Near Western Oklahoma Route 66 (Elk City & Clinton)
  • Elk City / Clinton KOA Journey
Resources
Elk City / Clinton KOA Journey
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Stop 4: Amarillo, TX
1 day, 1 night stay
Description - Amarillo
Amarillo marks your arrival in the Texas Panhandle, where Route 66 meets big skies, bold flavors, and some of the most famous roadside attractions in America. This is cattle country, car‑culture country, and classic Route 66 spectacle all rolled into one unforgettable stop.
Top Things to Do - Amarillo
Cadillac Ranch – Ten Cadillacs buried nose‑down in a field, covered in layers of spray paint from travelers around the world. Bring paint and leave your mark.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Home of the legendary 72‑ounce steak challenge, this over‑the‑top Route 66 restaurant is as much a spectacle as a meal.
Amarillo Museum of Art – A cultural counterpoint to roadside kitsch, offering rotating exhibitions and a peaceful break from the highway.
Historic Route 66 in Amarillo – Cruise the city’s remaining Route 66 stretches to spot neon signs, vintage motels, and classic diners.
Amarillo, TX Activities
  • Iconic Route 66 photo ops
  • Legendary Texas dining
  • Art and culture exploration
  • Plains sunset watching
RV Campgrounds Near Amarillo, TX
  • Amarillo KOA Journey
Resources
Amarillo KOA Journey
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Itinerary structure and primary stop flow based on KOA’s Route 66 in 6 Parts – Section 3, expanded with KOA Route 66 food and attraction guides and Route 66 Centennial event resources.

Route 66 Section 3: Tulsa to Amarillo
Green Country icons, Oklahoma City classics, and wide‑open plains on the road to Amarillo.
Length
4 days, 4 nights
Distance
360 mi
Stops
4
Section 3 carries Route 66 west from its birthplace in Tulsa through northeastern Oklahoma’s Green Country, across Oklahoma City’s multi‑alignment Route 66 corridors, and into the wide‑open landscapes of western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Expect beloved roadside mascots, legendary diners, art‑deco cities, neon‑lit drive‑ins, and classic plains scenery before arriving in Amarillo—home to some of the Mother Road’s most famous food and big‑sky landmarks.

Who Will Love This Trip

  • Route 66 travelers who want iconic roadside attractions paired with major cities.
  • Food lovers chasing legendary diners and Texas‑size classics.
  • Photographers drawn to neon, murals, and wide‑open plains.
  • Road trippers who enjoy campground‑anchored stops with clustered highlights.

Routing Information

Follow historic Route 66 alignments where signed, especially through Tulsa and Oklahoma City; use I‑44 and I‑40 selectively between attraction clusters for efficiency.

Table of Contents
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