Oklahoma Highway 66: Catoosa to Tulsa

Take a quick but classic ride down one of Oklahoma’s most iconic stretches as we follow Oklahoma Highway 66 from the Blue Whale of Catoosa into the eastern edge of Tulsa. Though only about three miles long, this segment blends Route 66 nostalgia with the shifting suburban landscape of northeastern Oklahoma, offering a bite-sized taste of America’s Main Street.

We begin our journey at the legendary Blue Whale of Catoosa, one of the most beloved roadside attractions along the Mother Road. This smiling aquatic oddity has greeted travelers since the early 1970s and remains a popular photo stop and picnic area. From here, we ease onto Oklahoma Highway 66, heading southwest through the gentle grades and commercial strips that define the Catoosa corridor. A quick note—our intended turn onto the historic alignment of Route 66 comes up a bit sooner than expected, so we overshoot it slightly before correcting course by turning west onto Pine Street. This short detour reconnects us with the original two-lane blacktop that once carried cross-country travelers from Chicago to Santa Monica.

As we swing back onto the old Route 66 alignment, the character of the road becomes immediately more intimate. No longer just a modern arterial route, this stretch narrows and settles into the rhythm of local travel. Brick buildings and small businesses give way to newer developments as we reach the intersection with 193rd Avenue—also signed as OK-66. Here, under the shadow of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, we make a left turn to head south again. This intersection marks an interesting crossroads of old and new: vintage motels and gas stations once dotted this area, but now they sit alongside casinos and big-box chains, offering a snapshot of how Route 66 continues to evolve with the times.

Continuing south on 193rd, we approach the sprawling interchange with Interstate 44, one of the busiest junctions in eastern Tulsa County. The towering ramps and signage here contrast sharply with the smaller scale of Route 66, but the alignment remains intact—and proudly so. We stay on course just a block further, ending our short trip at the intersection with Admiral Avenue. Though only a brief segment of the highway, this drive captures the layered story of Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66—where iconic landmarks, updated corridors, and living history all share the same stretch of pavement.