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A Route 66 Itinerary - Page 1

US 66 From Illinois throughOklahoma

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This page has a detailed description of Route 66 through each of the states it crosses (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma), in a Town by Town and Mile by Mile itinerary.
In Itinerary (Page 2) we describe the itinerary in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

We detail the towns, distances asnd main attractions along the way. It will help you plan your US Highway 66 Road Trip.

The State by State Itinerary along Route 66: An outline for your U.S. 66 Itinerary with information on all the attractions, sights and landmarks along the road. Your trip detailed State by State, Town by Town.

The whole US Route 66 in one webpage.

Route 66: the itinerary

State-by-State Itinerary (IL, MO, KS & OK)

Click below to see a detailed itinerary through each state. The states are listed from East to West, and so are the towns in each state.

< Head West
California ¦ Arizona ¦ New Mexico ¦ Texas

Head East >
Oklahoma ¦ Kansas ¦ Missouri ¦ Illinois

One of Route 66 classic sights:

Vintage car parked by neon sign and office of the Blue Swallow Motel
Blue Swallow Motel and its classic neon sign, in Tucumcari NM

Maps of Route 66

Follow the itinerary in each state with our state-by-state map with the alignment of US 66:

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See our One Week Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary

We have put together a 1-Week Route 66 Road Trip Itinerary from Chicago to Santa Monica.

You can use it as a starting point for planning your own road trip.

Illinois

California ¦ Arizona ¦ New Mexico ¦ Texas ¦ Oklahoma ¦Kansas ¦ Missouri ¦ Illinois

Illinois

Towns located on the Illinois segment of Route 66

From East to West

Read all about ILLINOIS, its sights and landmarks.

Click on any town below to learn more about its attractions, history and more!

There are several alignments of Route 66 through Illinois, we have listed the 1926-1930 alignment towns separately as they lie on a separate alignment:

List of the 1926-30 Route 66 Towns East to West

This segment lies between Springfield and Staunton west of the later 1930-77 US 66:

Route 66 in Illinois

Chicago is the easternmost point of Route 66

Current mileage: 289 mi.

Some tours in Chicago

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Route 66 crosses the state with a Northeast - Southwest course, from Chicago to East Saint Louis, linking Lake Michigan with the Mississippi River.

Route 66 starts (or ends) in Chicago at the intersection of Jefferson and Jackson Boulevard. Grant Park is the official eastern terminus of Route 66. At the intersection of Jackson and Michigan you will find the End Historic Route 66 sign.

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End route 66 in Chicago

End of Route 66 in Chicago.
Rob Young

From the start (or end) of Route 66, (mile zero) in Chicago, by historic Grant Park take W. Adams St. west until reaching the diagonally oriented W. Ogden Ave, turn left (actually the alignment in 1926 was along W. Jackson Blvd., but it now runs west to east, that is why you must take the following street). Follow Ogden until reaching Lawndale Ave (11 mi.) and turn left along it. At Joliet Rd., take a right and just keep on it. It is the Historic US 66 in Illinois.

Take a detour along W 55 St and East Ave. to bypass a closed section and return to Joliet Ave (14.8 mi.). Pass under I-294 and at Exit 276B access I-55, this Exit marks the border of Cook County, where Chicago is located.

Take I-55 westwards and at Exit 274 leave it to visit Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket.

Follow I-55 to Exit 268, pass under I-55 and head SW along S. Joliet Rd.; it becomes N. Independence Blvd. (IL-53) in Romeoville. Follow IL-53 which overlaps with IL-7 (34 mi.) to Joliet.

Joliet and Wilmington

It becomes N. Broadway St. and crosses the Des Plaines River via Ruby St., then turns right along IL-53 through downtown Joliet (39 miles).

Follow U.S. 6 south; at 4th Ave. it becomes U.S. 52, cross I-80 and leave US 52 staying on IL-53 which splits towards the right. The road curves to the SW to reach the towns of Elwood (54 miles) and Wilmington (68 miles), where it turns west and crosses the Kankake River.

Gemini Giant close up in Wilmington Route 66

Gemini Giant, Wilmington

Historic Odell service station

Historic Service Station, Odell
Ivo Shandor

Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station in Dwight Route 66

Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station, Dwight. Jimmy Emerson, DVM

As IL-53 it heads SW going through Braidwood (78 mi.) and then Godley and Braceville.

It reaches Gardner (104 mi.), going through the town along IL-29, (Main St.) and turning south along Historic Route 66 just before reaching I-55.

Dwight & Odell

U.S. 66 runs on the eastern (south) side of I-55 next to the railroad. Near Dwight at 110 mi you will see the old paved surface of the original alignment of U.S. 66, to your right.

Keep on U.S 66, which skirts around Dwight (111 mi.) site of the Ambler Texaco Station pictured above.

US 66 as frontage road of I-55 enters Odell along N. West St. (121 miles). Don't miss its Standard Oil service station (Historic Site) on S. West St. and Deer St., shown above.

Leave the later 1940s US 66 and go through the town along the original 1926 course of U.S. 66.

South of Odell US 66 runs beside I-55 once again, they separate (127 miles) near Pontiac.

Pontiac

Route 66 Mural on brick wall in Pontiac Illinois

Mural in Pontiac, Illinois. Ivo Shandor

Once again leave the later alignment of Historic US 66 and take the old 1920s alignment through town: right onto Pontiac Road (131 miles) and south down N. Division St., west along W. Lincoln Ave. and then again south along N. Ladd St.; you will reach the center of Pontiac(139 mi.),

Don't miss the town's Route 66 Murals.

You will cross Tuttle Creek and at W. Reynolds St. take a left onto Historic US 66 and leave town. The highway runs to the SW passing throughs Chenoa, (142 mi.). Leave US 66 to cross the town via N. Morehead St. Take a right at US 24 to return to Historic US 66.

Again you'll follow I-55 into Lexington (150 miles), go through it along Parade Rd, Main St. and S. Grove St. and return to Historic US 66 (152 mi.)

It keeps next to I-55 all the way to Towanda (159 mi.), home of the deadly Dead Man’s Curve.

Route 66 then head towards Normal and Bloomington.

Normal & Bloomington

Later alignments of US 66 circled around both towns along their eastern and southern sides (now the I-55 Bus. Loop.) We will describe the original 1926 alignment into Normal and Bloomington:

After reaching Veteran's Pkwy (I-55 Bus. Loop) (163 mi.) keep straight ahead, the road curves west and becomes Shelbourne St. west. Take a left along Henry St. south (164 mi.) which curves into Pine St. west and ends at N. Linden St., where you must take another left southwared, until Willow St. (165 miles). Turn right on Willow St. which will meet US Bus. 51 (166 miles). Turn left and pass through Illinois State University, heading southwared through Normal.

Visit Sprague’s Super Service, a Historic Site and head south into Bloomington.

At Olive St. is the center of the city (168.5 miles) head south and turn right at the crossing with S. Veterans Parkway (I-55 Bus. Loop) (170 mi.) and take a right onto Fox Creek Road (171 miles) to cross I-55. US 66 is the west frontage road all the way to Mc Lean (184 miles), passing though Shirley and Funks Grove.

Cross McLean along N. Fisher St., Main St. and Dixie Rd., head SW to reach Atlanta (190 mi.)

Atlanta

Drive through it along Arch St. and admire the Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog.

Keep on Historic U.S. 66 and (198 mi.) cross I-55 at its Exit 133 to enter Lincoln.

Muffler Man Holding Hot Dog in Atlanta Route 66

Muffler Man Holding Hot Dog in Atlanta

Abe Lincoln on a cart gigantic statue

Abe Lincoln sits on a Wagon, Lincoln.

Lincoln

Lincoln has plenty of Classic sights: leave Historic US 66 and take Kickapoo St., then west along Keosuk St. and southwest again via Sangamon St, taking 3rd St. west and Stringer Ave. to meet Historic Route 66 SW of the town (204 mi.)

As you approach I-55's Exit 123 turn left along Historic U.S. 66. It keeps a SW course going though Broadwell (211 mi.), Elkhart (215 mi.) and Williamsvillle (221 miles) where you will have to access I-55 South at Exit 109 along Stuttle Rd.

Leave I-55 at Exit 105 towards Sherman, along I-55 Business Rd. (227 mi.). Pass through it and head south into the State Capital City of Springfield.

Springfield

There are several alignments in Springfield which we describe in our Springfield, some go through the city (current I-55 Bus), others skirt it as the Historic US 66 Bypass (IL-29), and all meet on the south side of Springfield (where Stevenson Dr. meets I-55 Bus.; from there head south.

Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield Route 66
Sonrise Donuts neon sign, in Springfield IL

Route 66's 1926 alignment forks to the southwest in Springfield, going through the towns of Chatham, Auburn, Thayer, Girard and Carlinville, it meets the later alignment in Staunton.

Below we describe the later 1930s course south of Springfield:

Rabbit Ranch, Staunton Ill.

Cars buried in the ground, Route 66 at Henry's Rabbit Ranch, Staunton, Illinois.

Go south, pass the exchange between I-55 and I-72; At I-55's Exit 88 (245 miles) take Palm Rd. South, to reach US 66 which is the western frontage road of I-55.

Pass Divernon (254 mi.) and Farmersville (263 miles). After Waggoner, at IL-24, you will switch to the east Frontage Road (278 mi.), reaching Litchfield (281 miles).

Litchfield

Drive through town along Old Rte. 66 (access it with a left at N. 13th Ave.), dont' miss the classic Ariston Cafe (Historic site). At Co. Rd. 1000 a right and a left will keep you southbound along US 66 (285 mi.), towards Mt. Olive.

Soulsby Service Station

Soulsby Service Station, Mt. Olive. Pechristener

As you enter Mt. Olive (289 miles) you canstay on Old Route 66 and bypass the town, or drive through it (city center 291 miles). Stop at the Soulsby Service Station, a Historic Site (see image).

Staunton

After crossing the railroad, take the right fork (295 mi.) passing under I-55 along Old 66 into Staunton, drive along its eastern side (297 mi.).

Keep south until Williamson Rd. forks to the right (299 miles), take this road which will meet IL-4 (300 mi.) and then take a left southbound. IL-4 meets I-55 at Exit 33, but stick to the west frontage Road, US 66 (303 miles).

The road will take you through Hamel (307 mi.), keep SW along IL-157, which will take you to Edwaredville.

At the crossing with IL-143 (315 miles), take a right and keep along IL-157 westwards and then SW, cross the S. University Dr. (321 miles) and continue along Chain of Rocks Road, crossing over IL-255 near its Exit 30. Keep your westerly course till IL-111, (324 mi.).

Many Route 66 Alignments

West of Hamel there are several Route 66 alignments in Illinois, and on the other side of the Mississippi River in Missouri too.

From our Hamel page you can follow these alingments and the towns along them.

There were 4 different bridge crossings across the Mississippi River, and at least 4 alignments into East St. Louis and St. Louis. In this itinerary we will skip those going south into East St. Louis and take the 1930s - 50s alignment, across the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Which is the northernmost of these alignments.

Chain of Rocks Bridge

Chain of Rocks Bridge from Illinois to Missouri. Historic Site.

Keep west along the same road leaving IL-111 behind. The road meets the railway tracks (325 miles), and you must access I-270 to cross the tracks at Namekoi Rd. Right after crossing the railroad, take the exit to Old Alton Rd., turn right and pass under I-270, then a left to meet the W. Chain of Rocks Rd. which crosses the navigation channel of the Mississippi River (328 mi.) and keeps west.

Chain of Rocks Bridge

At 330 mi, you will reach the end of the road at the Chain of Rocks Bridge with its bend in the middle. It does not allow heavy vehicle traffic. At this point Route 66 crossed the Mississippi River.

To cross the River you will have to go back along the same route, to IL-3, (332 miles), take a left and at Exit 3B head West along I-270, crossing the Mississippi River and leaving Illinois, to enter Missouri (335 mi.), which we describe below.

Missouri

Missouri - Best Route 66 sights

California ¦ Arizona ¦ New Mexico ¦ Texas ¦ Oklahoma ¦ Kansas ¦ Missouri ¦ Illinois

Towns located on the Missouri segment of Route 66

List of Route 66 Towns in Missouri from East to West:

Route 66 in Missouri

Current mileage: 313 mi.

Route 66 crosses Missouri with a Northeast to Southwest course, from St. Louis, on the Mississippi, by the Illinois state line all the way to Joplin next to the Kansas State line.

>> Book your Hotel in Missouri

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St. Louis

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The Arch at Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis, Missouri. Daniel Schwen

Illinois segments near St. Louis: Route 66 had several alignments through East Saint Louis and St. Louis. We described the northernmost one, used in the 1930s to 1950s, across the historical Chain of Rocks Bridge.

There were other alignments to the south, with four different bridges crossing the Mississippi River:

Read about all the Route 66 alignments in St. Louis.

As the Historic Chain of Rocks Bridge is closed for car traffic, we will enter Missouri from Illinois on I-70, via the "New Chain of Rocks Bridge" (you can see the old bridge to the south of the new one).

From the middle of the Bridge (state line and mile zero) head west and leave the Interstate, to the right at Exit 34, take a left onto Riverview Drive, southwared. At Bellefontaine Rd, (4.5 miles) turn left onto N. Broadway Ave, at Calvary Cemetery, take a right onto Calvary Ave. (6 mi.) and at W. Florissant Ave, turn left, southwared.

Pass under I-70 and continue towards the center of Saint Louis. Florissant Ave. ends at Mullanphy Ave. (11 mi.), follow the latter east and curve into N 13 St., left onto Cass Ave., and then right onto N. Tucker Blvd., southbound.

Keep on Tucker Blvd. crossing I-64 (U.S. 40) (13 miles) and cross the exchange between I-55 and I-44; the road keeps a southwesterly course becoming Gravois Ave. (14.2 mi.) known as Historic Route 66 and MO-30.

At the crossing with Chippewa St. (MO-366) (17 miles) take a right along MO-366 and follow it through Malborough (where the once famous Coral Court Motel stood), and Crestwood, followed by Sunset Hills and Fenton. The road will lead you (27 mi.) to I-44's Exit 276, use it to access I-44 westbound.

You will pass the "Ghost Town" of Times Beach, evacuated in 1983 due to dioxin contamination, by the Meramec River; it is now the Route 66 State Park (37 miles).

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Eureka

former Key Cafe, Villa Ridge neon sign

Key Cafe - Villa Ridge neon sign.
Best Western Hotels

When you reach Eureka (39 mi.), visit its Meramec River U.S. 66 Bridge (Historic Site). Continue along I-44 and leave it at Exit 261 (41.5 miles) in Allenton, cross to the south of I-44 and take a right onto Business Loop 44, which becomes Ossage St. as it enters Pacific (visit the Historical Site of the Red Cedar Inn) Cross the center of the city (46 miles) and keep on westwards along Bus. Loop 44 which is the south frontage road of I-44.

At its intersection with U.S. 50 (I-44 Exit 247) keep straight along the West frontage Road, which is U.S. 66, at Exit 242, cross to the south side of I-44 (63 mi.) and take a right along N. Commercial Ave. all the way through St. Clair and passing its center (66 miles).

Keep straight at the access to I-44 Exit 253, (51 mi.) along The CO Rd 100, Historic Route 66, which crosses to the west of I-44 (52 miles) and passes by Villa Ridge.

Downtown Pacific, Missouri

Downtown Pacific, Missouri

At Co. Rd. 30 go right and then cross I-44 at its Exit 239 and take a left along its north Frontage Road (U.S.66).

At Hwy W, (74 mi.) cross to the East of I-44 (Exit 230), at Stanton (you can take a short side trip to the Meramec Caverns from here).

Turn right and keep along the south Frontage Road towards Oak Grove Village and then go through Sullivan (80 miles), and keep SW along W. Springfield Rd, and the South Service Rd., passing through Bourbon (86 mi.) along Historic Route 66. The road becomes the South Frontage Rd. again, passing by a "ghost town": Hofflins and 3.5 mi. ahead, entering Cuba passing through its business district (98 miles).

Cuba

Cuba is famous for its murals, stop and enjoy them, also visit the Wagon Wheel Motel, a Historical Site.

Cuba Mural City, Missouri

Cuba, Mural City, Missouri

View of the world’s largest rocking chair, Route 66 in Fanning, Missouri

The world’s 2nd largest rocking chair, Fanning, MO
Abe Ezekowitz

Leave the town along Historic Route 66, passing through Fanning, which has the World's Second Largest Rocking Chair. Just ahead, next to Exit 203 follow US 66 as it becomes the South Frontage Rd. again. (103 mi.), passing by Rosati and through St. James (111 miles). As the old US 66 passed to the north of what is now I-44, you must also cross I-44. So take a right along Co. Rd. 8 and pass I-44 at its Exit 195 and take a left along the N. Outer Rd. westbound, which you will follow until meeting U.S. 63 (121 mi.) north of Rolla.

Rolla

Take a left, southward, cross I-44 and follow Co. Rd .70 through Rolla (123 miles). Visit its "Stubby Stonehenge" monument. Continue along Kingshighway, cross U.S. 63 and at the roundabout east of I-44, take Martin Springs Dr. (it is MO-7100) west. It becomes Eisenhower St. through Doolittle (130 mi.).

Hooker Cut

The large rock road cut just east of the bridge over the Big Piney River is the famous "Hooker Cut", which when cut in the 1940s, was the deepest road cut in Missouri and the whole US with 90 feet.

Keep west, it becomes Outer Rd. W. (MO-7300) through Newburg which ends as a dead end at Arlington you can avoid that by taking I-44 west at Exit 176 (133 miles). Leave the Interstate at Exit 172 (137 mi.) and keep on the N. Outer Rd. through part of Jerome, Powellville and Clementine, till you reach Exit 169 (142 miles) and cross I-44 to its south side and take a right onto Z Road which is US 66. Here the 1940s four-lane divided highway through Hooker Cut begins.

It passes by Hooker and Devil's Elbow (147 miles) named after a sharp bend of the Big Piney River -here you can take the 1926-41 alignment or keep on the later one. Ahead, at Exit 163, on the north side of the freeway is Morgan Heights on what used to be the 1926-41 alignment of Route 66. Keep westbound the road becomes I-44 Bus. Rd., crosses I-44 and goes through St. Robert (150 mi.)

View of Hooker Cut, Route 66
Hooker Cut, just east of Devil's Elbow, click on image for Street View

Waynesville

At Waynesville (152 miles), visit the Historical Pulaski County Courthouse. Leave town and go south (Hwy 17 - US 66) and at Exit 153, (158 mi.) cross to the south of I-44 at Buckhorn and stay on Hwy 17 or try the 1926-1930 alignment and visit Laquey. When MO-17 forks (161 mi.), take the right along AB Hwy - Route 66, westwards passing through Gascozark and one mile ahead Hazelgreen now on the S. Frontage Rd. of I-44. The bridge over Gasconade River (170 miles) is not open for cars, so you have to get onto I-44 before: at MO-133, Exit 145, at Gascozark (168 mi.). Head west along I-44.

At Exit 140, leave I-44 and at MO-T take a left and a right, to take the South Service Rd. westwards (173 miles). At MO-F Exit 125, (179 mi.) the road crosses to the North of I-44, reaching Lebanon (186 miles) via Route 66 (I-44 Bus. Loop).

Lebanon

Munger Moss Motel's classic neon sign on Route 66 in Lebanon MO
Munger Moss Motel's classic neon sign on old Route 66 in Lebanon, Missouri
Marcin Wichary Click image for street view

Continue along I-44 BL, first west and then south but, when you reach I-44 at Exit 127 don't enter, stick to the North Frontage Rd. (US.66) (MO-W) through Caffeyville and then cross to the south-east side of I-44 towards Phillipsburg at Exit 118 (197 miles).

Take a right along MO-CC (US-66 & South Frontage Rd.); pass Conway (202 miles). The road runs towards the south, well to the east of I-44, passing through a ghost town: Sampson.

It goes through Niangua and then Marshfield (215 mi.). Stick to MO-CC (US-66) as it approaches I-44, and passes through Red Top and Strafford (228 miles) and becomes Co. Rd. 744 follow it towards Springfield.

Springfield "the Birthplace of Route 66"

There are three sites that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places: Gillioz Theatre, the Rock Fountain Court and The Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque. Don't miss the plaque on the Park Central Square, which dedicates Springfield as "the Birthplace of Route 66".

Co. Rd. 744 passes by Springfield on its northern side and intersects with U.S.160 (242 mi.). Take a left along U.S. 160 south to pass along the western side of Springfield.

Old US 66 close to Carthage

As you approach Carthage, just before County Lane 110, (293 miles) on the right side of the road is the old paved road surface of U.S. 66. At County Lane 118, it crosses to the south as Old 66 Blvd. joining Co. Rd. 66 further ahead by Kellogg Lake.

Gary's Gay Parita Sinclair Gas Station in Paris Springs Junction, Missouri

Gary's Gay Parita Sinclair Gas Station, Paris Springs openroads.com

At I-44 Bus. Loop, in SW Springfield (244 mi.) go right, cross I-44 and keep along Co. Rd. 266, passing through Halltown (259 miles), followed by the ghost town of Plano. When you reach the access to Co. Rd. 96 (261 mi.), keep straight on the "old" road, pass through Paris Springs and the road will curve following Johnson Creek to the SW. Cross Co. Rd. 96 and continue (Co. Rd. 266 becomes MO-N) for 1⁄2 mi. take a right across the old bridge on Lawrence Rd. (MO-2062), pass Spencer and join Co. Rd. 96. Go left (west). See the map above, this is shown with the black line. The road passes through two small communities: Heatonville and Albatross and then reaches Phelps (274 miles). Then come two more small communities: Rescue and Plew before reaching Avilla. The road keeps on SW and reaches Carthage (309 miles).

Carthage

Drive In Theatre, Carthage Missouri

66 Drive-In Theatre, Route 66, Carthage, Missouri.

Visit its Historic Site: the 66 drive-in theater. Take a right on Central Ave. and a right on Garrison Ave. and pass through the town (310 mi.). Take a right again along Route 66, cross I-49 (311 miles) and head west towards Joplin.

Joplin

The town's name is mentioned in the song Route Sixty-six (Get your kicks...)

As in all big towns, Route 66 had several alignments into and through Joplin. We will describe only one of them (Read about the other alignments through Joplin).

After leaving Carthage follow Route 66 and cross I-49 at its exit 46 (315 mi.). This is the 1926 alignment which crosses Carterville (319 miles). Take a right along the Main St. and head for Webb City, where it becomes Broadway (320 mi.); take a left along S. Orongo St. to 14th. St. then a right and at Route 66, I-49 Bus. Loop, a left. Take a right at E. Zora St., and a left at N. Florida Ave., a right on Utica St. until reaching Euclid Ave. which runs towards the SW. (324 mi.). At N. St. Louis Ave. go left until Broadway St. (turn right) until you reach Main St. and take a left through the center of the city (327 miles).

In Joplin's Schifferdecker Park visit the famous Mineral Museum.

At 7th St. (MO-66) go right, a: Take a left along W. Old 66 Blvd. (the 1926 alignment) to the State Line and leave Missouri, to enter Kansas (333 miles).

The later alignments followed MO-66 to the state line, and continued as KS-66 into downtown Galena KS, where both alignments met at Main St.

Kansas

Kansas

Towns located on the Kansas segment of Route 66

From East to West

KANSAS, click on the town to see the towns located along Route 66.

Route 66 in Kansas

Current mileage: 13 mi. The shortest segment of US 66 in any state.

Interactive Route 66 map in Kansas

See our Kansas Route 66 map, click on the map's links for full details on attracions, sights, Route 66 icons and more.

Route 66 crosses the southeastern corner of Kansas.

1930 Phillips 66 Gas Station in Baxter Springs, Kansas

1930 Phillips 66 Gas Station in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Kevin

We describe the alignment starting on the border with Missouri, near Joplin following W. Old 66 Blvd. from the State Line (mile zero) wher it changes its name to Front St.

Galena

Follow it to Main St. on the northern side of Galena (1.3 mi.), take a left along Main Street into Kansas Route 66 Historic District-East Galena. At 7th St.(KS 66) turn right.

The road runs to the west, crosses Spring River and entering Riverton (5 mi.)

Riverton

Visit the Williams' Store, a Historical Place.

At the west of the town, the alignments split at U.S. 400 - Alt US 69: the later one follows U.S. 400 - Alt US 69), but the 1926 road keeps on west. Follow it to the Historic Bridge, over Brush Creek (7.5 mi.): the Rainbow Curve Bridge is the last Marsh Arch Bridge of all Route 66, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After the bridge, the road curves south towards Baxter Springs.

Only remaining marsh arch bridge on Route 66

Only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on Route_66, Riverton, Kansas. Marcin Wichary

Baxter Springs

US 66 enters the town (10 miles) and curves left to meet again with Alt US 69. Take a right. The road passes through the central part of the town. Visit the Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas, a listed Historic Place.

The road leaves town, curving around a Walmart (the 1926 alignment went behind it, along Roberts Rd. on the east and W 30th St. on the south). Keep straight until you reach the Oklahoma state line (13 miles). Route66 keeps on southbound, along Alternate US 69 towards Commerce in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

California ¦ Arizona ¦ New Mexico ¦ Texas ¦ Oklahoma ¦ Kansas ¦ Missouri ¦ Illinois

See our page on Oklahoma.

Some of the towns located on the Oklahoma segment of Route 66

Click on the towns below to place them on the itinerary (towns are listed from East to West).

Route 66 in Oklahoma

Current mileage: 376 mi.

Vintage Hole in the Wall "cottage style" Conoco Station

Hole in the Wall Conoco Station, Commerce OK. The White Pelican

See our Oklahoma Route 66 map, with the location of each town, and links on the map that give full details on attracions, sights, Route 66 icons and more.

Route 66 crosses the state from its Northeastern tip, to its western - central area, passing through the large cities of Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

From the Kansas state line (mile zero), follow Alt. US 69, which passes through Quapaw (5 miles), site of the mysterious Spook Lights on Route 66, turns west and joins US 69, and as such runs westwards to Commerce (10 mi.)

Commerce

Ribbon Road, a 9-foot-wide paved 1920s Route 66 in Miami Oklahoma

The 9 foot wide 1920s Route 66 "Ribbon Road", Miami
Jimmy Emerson, DVM

It turns south through the town as Mickey Mantle Blvd. (the 1920s alignment took a right on D St. and another on Main St. meeting current alignment south of town). See its vintage service stations: Dairy King and Conoco Hole in the Wall. US 66 takes a southwared course as US 69, passing through the center of Miami (15 miles) along its Main St.

Miami

Visit the Miami Marathon Oil Company Service Station and the Coleman Theater (Historic Places). If you keep on south along the Main St. it becomes the "old" alignment of US 66 known as the "Ribbon Road", it runs between Miami and Afton.

Route 66 and Chelsea Oklahoma

World's Largest Totem Pole. Abe Ezekowitz

Keep south till 3rd Ave. and take a right along Route 66 (US 69), westwards, crossing the Neosho River, and passing through the tiny town of Narcissa, don't miss the 1922 Ribbon Road only 9 feet wide, see the monument, on E-140 North of the town.

Cross I-44 - Will Rogers Turnpike, Toll Road (27 mi.) and US 60 to reach Afton (30 miles). US 66 continues with US 60 south and then takes a sharp curve to the west (35 mi.). It then crosses I-44 (Exit 249) and enters Vinita (45 miles).

Vinita

Stop at the McDougal Filling Station and then go through town turning SW along Wilson St. (US 60 & 69). US 69 splits to the left and US 60 to the right (49 and 50 miles), keep straight along OK-66 highway through the tiny hamlet of White Oak and the town of Chelsea (63 mi.) with its Historic site, the Chelsea Motel.

OK-66 heads SW through Bushyhead (69 mi.), and Foyil (72 mi.) where you should stop at the "The World's Largest Totem Pole", a Historic Site.

Along OK-66 you'll reach Claremore (82 mi.): visit the Will Rogers Museum and, after crossing the Verdegris River you enter Catoosa.

Catoosa

Big Blue Whale, Route 66, Catoosa, Oklahoma

Big Blue Whale, Route 66, Catoosa, Oklahoma

Don't miss the Big Blue Whale, (right beside the highway, 92.6 mi.). Leave the town behind and take a left on N 193rd E Ave (Co. Rd. 167) passing I-44 and turning right on E 11th St. (96.3 miles) towards Tulsa.

Tulsa

OK-66 runs with a westerly course, crossing I-44 and US 169 and US 75 (109 miles), entering the center of the city of Tulsa via E 10th St.

Tulsa has several historic sites on the National Register: The Circle Theater, Vickery Phillips 66 Station and 11th Street Arkansas River Bridge.

Follow OK-66 as it forks on the left at S. Denver Ave., crossing US 75 & US 64, heading towards the Historic bridge across the Arkansas River as Southwest Blvd., keep along this road as it crosses US-75, and then I-244 to its northern side (113 mi.).

Vickery Phillips 66 Service Station
Vickery Phillips 66 Service Station, Tulsa
W. R. Oswald

Sapulpa to Luther

SW Blvd becomes Frankona Rd. and runs along the north of I-44, at 122 mi. it crosses to the south to merge with OK-66 and go through Sapulpa, which it enters via OK-33 (E. Dewey Ave.) taking a sharp right turn. The Historic #18 Bridge at Rock Creek.

vintage Phillips 66 Chandler

Phillips 66 Station, Chandler

Stay on OK-33 until it forks right towards I-44, then carry on straight along OK-66 through Kellyville (131 mi). US 66 crosses to the north side of I-44 (137 miles), leaves the interstate and heads west. Then it turns south to cross I-44 and enter Bristow (145 miles) down its Main St. See its Historic Landmarks like the Texaco Service Station.

US 66 turns right along W 4th Ave. and heads west passing through Depew (253 mi.) and south of I-44 : Stroud (164 mi.). Don't miss the Historic Rock Café or the dirt surfaced original Ozark Trail road.

Take Route 66 west to Davenport (171 miles) with its Brick Paved Broadway Street (listed as a Historical Place), and Chandler (177 mi.); visit the Phillips 66 Station. Follow OK-66 west, passing through Warwick (185 miles) and its Historic Historic Seaba's filling staton. Just west, it crosses to the north of I-44 (188 mi.) going through Wellston and crossing its Historic Bridge. Then comes Luther (197 miles) with the Historic Threatt Filling Station and Arcadia (205 mi.).

Round Barn, Arcadia, Oklahoma

Round barn on U.S. 66, Arcadia, Oklahoma

Pops Restaurant giant neon soda bottle, Route 66, Arcadia

Pops Restaurant, Route 66, Arcadia, Oklahoma

Arcadia

Visit the Historic Round Barn and the Futuristic Pops 66.

US66 -now US77 crosses I-35 (at Exit 141) to enter Edmond's downtown area. Turn left along Broadway (214 miles), see the blue hippo and follow US 77 into Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City has many interesting US 66 landmarks, one is pictured below, the Historical Milk Bottle Grocery

The town's name is mentioned in the song Route Sixty-six (Get your kicks on Route 66).

giant Milk Bottle above roof of historic Grocery in Oklahoma City Route 66
The Milk Bottle Grocery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Leave US 77 at N. Kelley Ave. Exit (217 mi.) and go south along N. Kelley until reaching I-44 (222 miles), get onto it at Exit 128B westbound and immediately leave it (right) at Exit 128A, onto N. Lincoln Blvd., southbound.

This road will take you straight south right into the center of the city, by the State Capitol (225 mi.). Follow Lincoln Blvd., to the right and take a right turn along NE 23rd St. until reaching N. Classen Blvd. (227 miles), turn right along Classen heading north.

There were many alignments through Oklahoma city, this is one of them.

At NW 39th St. turn left (west) (228 mi.), pass N. Young Blvd, turn right under I-44 to its north side, then turn left along its North Service Rd, get onto I-44 at Exit 124. Head west. Leave I-44 and go straight along NW 39th Expwy. (Route 66), which passes by the north shore of Lake Overholser. At North Canadian River: Historic Lake Overholser Bridge.

US 66 enters Yukon (240 miles). Keep west, US 81 joins Route 66. Head north, into El Reno.

El Reno

Stop by its Historic Sites: Avant Service Station, the Jackson Conoco Service Station and a real Old West US Cavalry Fort: Fort Reno.

Take US 81 and OK-66. Turn left onto Sunset Dr. - I-40 Bus Loop (254 mi.) westwards. At (258 mi.) signs say Fort Reno Visitor Center and also the brown shield of US 66. Head west along it, it runs to the north of I-40, and crosses US 270 (263 mi.).

The old 1926 alignment of Route 66, took a right here, passing through Calumet (5 mi to the north) and Geary, meeting the 1930s alignment further west near the Historic Canadian River Bridge. Keep westbound along the 1930s alignment of Route 66.

Provine Service Station, Route 66, Hydro Oklahoma

Provine Service Station (Lucille's Place), Hydro

At US 281 Bus, take a right (270 miles) until Jones Rd. NW, turn left, to the West, (272 mi.). You will meet US 281 (274 miles); turn left as the road (also OK-8) heads west to past just south of the "ghost town" of Bridgeport (280 mi.)

It then becomes the North Service Rd of I-40 (290 miles) going by Hydro (291 mi.); visit its Historic Provine Service Station (Lucille's Place).

Continue west along the I-40 Service Road to Weatherford (298 miles), along E. Main St. (see the Blair's Log Cabin built in 1892) and turn right along E. Main St. (I-40 Bus Loop) into the town; leaving it along S. 4th St.

The road turns west (OK-54) and becomes I-40s Frontage Road, crossing to its south side at Exit 71 (309 mi.); keep west until N2290 Rd, where you return back to the north side of I-40 (311 miles) along I40 Bus. Loop, and enter Clinton (314 miles).

Clinton

modern museum in Clinton

Route 66 Museum in Clinton

Visit its Historic Site the 1937 Y Service Station and the Route 66 Museum.

The road enters Clinton along W. Gary Blvd. and ends at I-40 - Exit 65, west of the town (317 mi.). At Exit 62, leave I-40, and get on its south side, head west along the Service Road, (319 mi.); at Exit 57, cross to the north of I-40 (324 miles), keep along the Service Road, reaching a "ghost town" Foss (328 mi.) (visit the "jail cell"); cross to the south at Exit 50 and enter Canute (335 miles) with its Historic Canute Service Station, the vintage Kupka's Service Station and the 1918 Canute Jail.

Elk City & Sayre

Once again cross to the North side of I-40 (N2050 Rd) (338 miles) and head west into Elk City visiting: Historic Casa Grande Hotel and its Museum Complex. Cross OK-34 and turn left and then right along I-40 Bus Loop, through the town (341 miles). It rejoins I-40 at Exit 32 (350 mi.); drive west along the service road; at Exit 25, turn right along I-40 Bus Loop into Sayre (359 miles).

Turn left along 4th St. to drive through it and visit the Historic Beckham County Courthouse, the Champin Service Station and the Sayre Downtown Historic District.

Then take I-40s North Service Road (362 mi.) west to drive by Hext. U.S. 66 passes to the south of I-40 (Exit 20 - 371 mi.), turns west into Erick along Roger Miller Blvd. (375 mi.). See the Roger Miller Museum and the vintage West Winds Motel.

Old bar in Texola, Oklahoma

Old bar in Texola, Oklahoma

Texola

Go west along Route 66 after I-40 Bus Loop turns north, stay on E1240 Rd. all the way to Texola (382 miles), the last town in Oklahoma along U.S. 66; see the Jail and the Historic Magnolia Service Station. leave the small town along OK-30 which turns to the northwest and crosses the State Line into Texas (383 mi.). At the Texas state line, the road will become Spur TX 30 and head towards I-40, and Shamrock, TX.

Visit Itinerary Page 2 for the itinerary through the following states (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California).

Disclaimer

Mileage indicated above is approximate. These itineraries do not substitute for a roadway map. Road Trip Journeys takes no responsibility nor can be made liable for any errors, omissions, nor for user's safety and in no way warrants the safety or suitability of the suggested routes. Always drive carefully and obey road signs, Highway Code and police officers indications.
Although we have made an effort to make all information as accurate and updated as possible due to the diversity of changes that can occur anytime in an area we apologize for any inaccuracy you may come across.
When driving these itineraries, carefully compare information mentioned in them, or displayed on any pertinent maps, to all available navigation sources, including information from street signs, visual sightings, and GPS. We welcome you sending us information whether for an update or a suggestion.

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Banner image: Hackberry General Store, Hackberry, Arizona by Perla Eichenblat.

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