Follow one of America’s most iconic highways on an unforgettable road trip through Missouri and Oklahoma, discovering the places, people and stories that have shaped the legendary Route 66.
Beginning in St. Louis, the gateway to the Mother Road, experience the city’s famous landmarks and Route 66 connections before heading west through Missouri’s charming communities and scenic Ozark landscapes. Discover historic towns, colourful murals, classic roadside attractions and the welcoming small-town character that has kept the spirit of Route 66 alive for generations.
Continue into Oklahoma, where the journey reveals another side of the Mother Road. Explore vibrant cities, nostalgic roadside landmarks and communities shaped by Western traditions, Native American heritage and the pioneering spirit of the American West. From Tulsa’s music and creative culture to Oklahoma City’s blend of history, heritage and modern experiences, each stop offers a new perspective on the stories that define this remarkable state.
Along the way, uncover Route 66 icons, discover local flavours and meet the communities that continue to celebrate the highway’s enduring legacy. From the Gateway Arch and Missouri’s Ozarks to Oklahoma’s open roads, cultural heritage and Western landscapes, this journey captures the heart and soul of America’s most famous highway.
Extend your adventure with additional time in Dallas Fort Worth or Grapevine, Texas, where you can experience authentic cowboy heritage, world-class attractions and the welcoming spirit of North Texas.
All of our itineraries are fully customisable and can be tailored to suit your individual preferences. Whether you’d like to start or end in a different city, upgrade your hotel accommodation, or add sightseeing excursions to enrich your experience, your Discover North America Travel Specialist is here to help.
This itinerary can also operate in reverse, starting in Sulphur and ending in St. Louis. Your Travel Specialist will be happy to tailor the route and travel arrangements to suit your preferred direction of travel, flight options, or schedule.
We don’t include international flights in our headline prices as standard, as we work with a wide range of scheduled airline partners and offer flexible options to suit your preferences. Factors such as departure airport, airline, travel class, travel dates, and seasonal promotions can all impact the final fare. Your Discover North America Travel Specialist will take the time to understand your individual requirements and source the best-value flights tailored to your itinerary.
Find out more about the process we follow here.
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Arrive into St. Louis during the mid-to-late afternoon and begin your Route 66 adventure in the city where the legendary highway begins its journey west.
After collecting your rental vehicle and checking into your hotel, take time to settle in before enjoying your first evening in the Gateway City. Depending on your arrival time, explore the surrounding neighbourhoods, take a relaxed stroll along the riverfront or enjoy dinner showcasing some of St. Louis’ famous local flavours.
Overnight: St. Louis
Spend a full day exploring St. Louis, a city that blends iconic landmarks, fascinating history and Route 66 heritage.
Visit the Gateway Arch, the symbol of America’s westward expansion, and explore the surrounding riverfront area. Discover St. Louis’ Route 66 connections, from historic neighbourhoods and roadside landmarks to a visit at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a beloved Route 66 icon serving its famous frozen treats since 1929.
Continue exploring the city’s museums, markets and cultural attractions before experiencing more of St. Louis’ culinary character, from legendary barbecue and toasted ravioli to its thriving craft beer culture.
Overnight: St. Louis
Begin following Route 66 west through Missouri, where small towns, roadside landmarks and local stories bring the Mother Road to life.
Make stops along the way in communities such as Pacific, where historic Route 66 landmarks offer a first taste of the highway’s character, before continuing to Cuba, known as the “Route 66 Mural City”. Here, colourful public artwork celebrates the people, businesses and stories that helped shape this legendary road.
Continue towards Fanning, home to the famous Giant Rocking Chair, one of Missouri’s most recognisable Route 66 photo stops, before travelling into the scenic Ozarks.
Arrive in St. Robert, a welcoming Route 66 community surrounded by forests, rivers and natural landscapes. Visit the Route 66 Neon Park, where restored vintage signs celebrate the businesses and personalities that helped make the Mother Road an American icon.
Overnight: St. Robert
Continue your Route 66 journey through the beautiful Ozarks, where winding roads, historic communities and natural landscapes showcase the character of Missouri.
Visit Lebanon, home to the Route 66 Museum, before continuing towards Springfield, officially recognised as the birthplace of Route 66 after the highway was named here in 1926.
Spend the evening exploring Springfield’s historic downtown, local restaurants and Route 66 attractions.
Overnight: Springfield
Spend a full day discovering Springfield and the surrounding Ozarks, where outdoor adventures, scenic landscapes and small-town experiences provide a different perspective of Missouri.
Explore attractions such as Fantastic Caverns, discover the city’s Route 66 heritage or venture into the Ozarks to enjoy scenic drives, lakes, hiking trails and charming communities.
This evening, enjoy Springfield’s welcoming dining scene before continuing your journey along the Mother Road.
Overnight: Springfield
Continue west along Route 66, leaving Missouri behind and entering Oklahoma, where the Mother Road takes on a new character.
Stop in Carthage, one of Missouri’s most photogenic Route 66 towns, before crossing the state line and exploring communities such as Miami, where historic buildings, roadside attractions and classic Americana capture the spirit of the highway.
Arrive in Tulsa, a city where Route 66 meets music, art and creativity.
Overnight: Tulsa
Spend a full day discovering Tulsa, one of Route 66’s most fascinating cities.
Explore Route 66 landmarks such as Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios, discover the city’s artistic heritage at the Philbrook Museum of Art, or enjoy time at Gathering Place, one of America’s most impressive urban parks.
Continue your exploration with a visit to the Woody Guthrie Center, celebrating one of America’s most influential folk musicians, before experiencing Tulsa’s thriving food scene and live music venues.
Overnight: Tulsa
Continue your Route 66 adventure towards Oklahoma City, stopping at some of the Mother Road’s most recognisable landmarks along the way.
Begin with the famous Blue Whale of Catoosa, one of Route 66’s most photographed roadside attractions, before continuing through historic communities including Claremore, home of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
Continue west towards Arcadia, where you can visit the beautifully restored Round Barn, one of Route 66’s most iconic structures, before stopping at POPS, famous for its giant illuminated soda bottle and more than 700 varieties of soda.
Arrive in Oklahoma City, where Route 66 heritage combines with Western traditions, Native American culture and a vibrant modern city scene.
Overnight: Oklahoma City
Spend your first full day discovering Oklahoma City’s unique stories.
Explore Route 66 landmarks within the city, including the Gold Dome and Uptown 23rd District, before visiting the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where the history and culture of the American West come to life.
Continue to the First Americans Museum, where immersive exhibits share the history, traditions and contributions of Oklahoma’s Tribal Nations.
This evening, enjoy Oklahoma City’s neighbourhoods, restaurants and entertainment districts.
Overnight: Oklahoma City
Use Oklahoma City as your base to explore more of the surrounding Route 66 communities and discover the landscapes, stories and roadside attractions that continue to define this legendary highway.
Begin your day following Route 66 west from Oklahoma City towards El Reno, a historic community known for its connection to the Mother Road and its famous onion-fried burgers. Explore the town’s Route 66 landmarks before continuing towards Hydro, home to the Lucille’s Service Station and Roadhouse, one of the most iconic remaining Route 66 landmarks in Oklahoma.
Continue to Weatherford, where you can discover the story of American aviation pioneer Thomas P. Stafford at the Stafford Air & Space Museum, showcasing an impressive collection of aircraft, spacecraft and Oklahoma’s contribution to aviation history.
For a taste of classic Route 66 nostalgia, continue towards Clinton, home to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Explore exhibits celebrating the history of the Mother Road, from the early days of cross-country travel to the communities and characters that helped make Route 66 an American icon.
Return to Oklahoma City in the late afternoon, enjoying dinner in one of the city’s neighbourhoods or experiencing more of its growing food and entertainment scene.
Overnight: Oklahoma City
Leave Oklahoma City behind and continue south into Western Oklahoma, where cowboy traditions and frontier stories come to life.
Visit the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, where interactive exhibits reveal the history of cattle drives, cowboys and the legendary trail that helped shape the American West.
Spend time exploring Duncan’s historic downtown before enjoying an evening in this authentic Oklahoma community.
Overnight: Duncan
Leave Duncan behind and continue south-east towards Ardmore, entering a region where Native American heritage, scenic landscapes and welcoming communities reveal another side of Oklahoma.
Along the way, discover the cultural heritage of the Chickasaw Nation with a visit to the Chickasaw Cultural Center, one of the region’s most significant attractions. Through immersive exhibits, traditional displays and a recreated Chickasaw village, learn about the history, traditions and achievements of the Chickasaw people and their continuing connection to the land.
Continue towards Sulphur, where the natural beauty of Chickasaw National Recreation Area provides an opportunity to experience Oklahoma’s landscapes. Explore peaceful walking trails, historic springs and scenic waterways, with the park offering a relaxing contrast to the open landscapes experienced earlier in the journey.
Depending on timing, continue to Tishomingo, the capital of the Chickasaw Nation, to discover more about the region’s heritage. Visit the Chickasaw Council House Museum and the Chickasaw National Capitol Building, the former seat of Chickasaw government, before continuing to Ardmore.
Arrive in Ardmore, a welcoming community located between Oklahoma City and Dallas Fort Worth. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a stroll through the historic downtown area, visit the Greater Southwest Historical Museum or relax at Lake Murray State Park, Oklahoma’s largest state park, known for its scenic shoreline, forests and outdoor recreation.
Overnight: Ardmore
Today marks the end of your Route 66 adventure through Missouri and Oklahoma.
After breakfast, continue your onward journey to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport or speak with a Discover North America Travel Specialist about extending your holiday with additional time in Dallas, Fort Worth or Grapevine, Texas.
From the Gateway Arch and Missouri’s Ozark landscapes to Oklahoma’s Route 66 communities, Native American heritage and Western traditions, this journey reveals the heart and soul of America’s legendary Mother Road.