Celebrating the Centennial of Route 66 - The Middle Part

MIDDLE STATES OF ROUTE 66: Oklahoma, Texas

If you have ever wondered how Route 66 acquired the nickname “The Mother Road”, here is the backstory!

The nickname came from author John Steinbeck. He coined the term in his 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Grapes of Wrath, to describe the highway as a primary lifeline for Dust Bowl refugees migrating west to California.

OKLAHOMA: 432 miles - The State with the Longest Stretch of Route 66

The state of Oklahoma has the longest continuous stretch of the Mother Road of any of the 8 states it passes through. The route enters the state in the northeast corner near Quapaw, runs southwest through Tulsa and Oklahoma City, and exits near Texola.

A few of the landmarks to visit as you travel on your Route 66 road trip include:

• Blue Whale of Catoosa: This is a quirky, iconic roadside attraction built in the 1970s. It is perfect for photos. It is located just east of Tulsa at Catoosa, Ok. The attraction is quite literally a ‘blue whale’ built of concrete and iron. This waterfront structure has become one of the most recognizable attractions on old Route 66.
• The Golden Driller in Tulsa is a 76-foot statue of an oil worker. It was originally erected for the 1953 International Petroleum Exposition. The statue depicts an oil worker leaning on an oil derrick. It is the seventh-tallest statue in the United States. 
• The Arcadia (OK) Round Barn was built by a local farmer in 1896 and has become one of the landmark tourist attractions along the stretch of Route 66 in Oklahoma near Oklahoma City. . It has a unique architecture. 
• National Route 66 Museum Complex in Elk City, OK features exhibits, classic cars, and a peek into the golden age of American road trips. Another interesting tourist stop on your Oklahoma Route 66 road trip.

TEXAS - 186 Miles - The State with the Midpoint of Route 66

Route 66 across Texas generally parallels Interstate 40. The route features quirky art installations, ghost towns, and classic diners, with Amarillo serving as the major hub along the way.

Start by visiting the restored Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café in Shamrock. Then on to McClean, Texas to see the Devil's Rope Museum, which showcases a massive, quirky collection of barbed wire, and the first Phillips 66 station in Texas.

MIDPOINT: The official geo-mathematical midpoint of historic Route 66 is located in Adrian, Texas, at exactly 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles.

In Amarillo you will find 13 blocks of vintage architecture, as well as antique shops and local dining. Don’t miss the infamous Cadillac Ranch, then treat yourself to a massive steak at The Big Texan Steak Ranch.

Summary

Having finished the middle section of your road trip of Route 66, you will next enter the last stretch of the three western states, taking you to the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica.

Related Links:

• Route 66 Centennial - The Beginning
• The End-of-the-Road on Route 66

*This Travel Review was written by Wednesday Elf 

**All photos are courtesy of Pixabay & Wikipedia

Sightseeing along Route 66 in Oklahoma and Texas:

ROUTE 66 AND OKLAHOMA PARKS ADVENTURE GUIDECheck PriceRoute 66 - 20 Points of Interest in TEXASCheck PriceRoute 66 in Texas (Images of America)Check Price