Shortest Stretch to Longest Stretch

Hey everyone! If you’ve been following along with our Route 66 adventure, you know we’re all about chasing that nostalgic Mother Road vibe. Sorry it’s taking this long to keep you up to date on our journey, we have been encapsulated by Yellowstone National Park, but that’s for a later post… or posts :) But, this leg felt extra special — a quick zip through Kansas’s famous 13-mile stretch before easing into Oklahoma for a couple of nights to slow down and really experience it.

Entering Kansas: Blink and You Might Miss It (But Don’t!)

After Joplin, MO and our overnight farm stay, we crossed the state line and suddenly we were in Kansas on historic Route 66. At just 13 miles long, it’s the shortest segment of the entire route, but wow — they pack a lot into it. No interstate ever fully replaced this part, so it still feels wonderfully authentic. We took the bicycle route 66 into Kansas, cruising through Galena first. With its mining-town history and that iconic Cars on the Route stop (you can’t miss the Tow Mater-inspired truck for photos!).

One of our favorite stops on Route 66 so far is in Galena, KS. When you think about Route 66 most people focus on the road and roadside attractions and forget about the people, the locals that make Route 66 what it is. Aaron at Gearhead Curios was the epitome of Route 66. He bought an old gas station and turned it into a piece of art. Not to mention, the bathroom… work. of. art. Literally. He hand crafted every aspect of the bathroom from old car parts and garage items. He is quite the innovative genius. His energy just added to the masterpiece of Gearhead Curios.

We rolled into Baxter Springs next, the last town before Oklahoma. Not much was open due to it being Monday. The small-town feel and Route 66 pride here were exactly what we’ve come to love on this trip. Even though it’s short, driving these 13 miles felt like a victory lap — windows down and soaking up the sunflower state’s corner of Americana.

Crossing into Oklahoma: Longer Roads, Bigger Vibes

As soon as we crossed the border, the landscape opened up and we were officially in Oklahoma — home to the longest drivable stretch of Route 66. The road immediately welcomed us with that classic mix of small towns, quirky attractions, and endless horizon.

Our first stops included the visitor center in Miami, then Vinta for some photo ops that seemed to be brand new (including a new dog park!) The drive felt smoother in places and bumpier (in that fun, historic way) in others, reminding us why people still seek out the original alignment instead of the interstate.

Tulsa had a short stretch of really cool shops, and even had their own mini passport adventure. Each store had its own personality, in an almost mystical way. It really felt like stepping into different universes as you walked into each store.

After a quick stop in Stroud we settled in for our first night in Oklahoma. We stayed at Route 66 Bowl in Chandler. The bowling alley parking lot and dining area were full of iconic gas signs and Route 66 memorabilia. It definitely felt like a step back in time.

Day Two: Country Roads

The next day, we decided against stopping anywhere in Oklahoma City, and boy, were we happy. We started in El Reno and explored the tiny town that seemed to have a lot of construction. Then came Wetherford. I regret not booking The Space Museum for a Harvest Host stay. It was one of the coolest museums I have ever been to. You can actually get up close to the machinery and see how it works and what it looks like. And they're dog-friendly!

The Route 66 Museum in Clinton was almost missed by us, and I really would have regretted it. It took you through the decades on Route 66. What people wore, drove, ate, listened to, it was a museum that truly made time travel reality. The people working in the museum were welcoming and excited to share their history with us. This museum was also dog-friendly, 10 points for Oklahoma!

Our second and last night in Oklahoma was at Deep Creek Ranch. It was a quaint, tiny, homey RV park. It had a few spots and a fenced area for Margarita to run around without a leash for the first time in a while. They had a laundry facility, showers, and were part of a beautiful project to help with suicide prevention. 10/10 would recommend and will definitely be staying again!

Short as Kansas was, it delivered big on charm and that sense of accomplishment. Oklahoma immediately felt like it had more to explore, but the stops we made and the people we talked to made it feel whole. If you’re planning your own Route 66 trip, don’t skip Kansas just because it’s quick — it’s worth every mile. And give yourself time in Oklahoma; there’s so much to see without rushing.

Next up: (hopefully soon) TEXAS!!!

xoxo

H, D, M

safe travels