A Journey Through Time on Route 66
If you’re traveling the legendary Route 66 through Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton is an essential stop. Known as one of the finest and most immersive Route 66 museums in the country, this vibrant, multimedia attraction offers visitors an engaging look into the people, places, and pop culture that shaped the most iconic highway in America.
A Journey Through Time on Route 66
If you’re traveling the legendary Route 66 through Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton is an essential stop. Known as one of the finest and most immersive Route 66 museums in the country, this vibrant, multimedia attraction offers visitors an engaging look into the people, places, and pop culture that shaped the most iconic highway in America.
A Journey Through Time on Route 66
If you’re traveling the legendary Route 66 through Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton is an essential stop. Known as one of the finest and most immersive Route 66 museums in the country, this vibrant, multimedia attraction offers visitors an engaging look into the people, places, and pop culture that shaped the most iconic highway in America.
About the Museum
Location: 2229 W Gary Blvd, Clinton, OK
Hours: Open daily (except major holidays)
Admission: Affordable prices for adults, seniors, and children. Group rates available.
Operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, the museum opened in 1995 and quickly earned a reputation as a top-tier destination for travelers and history buffs. Housed in a sleek red-and-white Art Deco-style building right off Business I-40, it captures the essence of Route 66 while preserving its stories for future generations.
What Visitors Can Expect
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is not a static display of artifacts—it’s a thematic, decade-by-decade journey through the life of the Mother Road. Each room recreates the culture, style, and mood of a specific era from Route 66’s storied past. Expect a mix of sights, sounds, and interactive experiences.
1. 1920s: The Birth of the Mother Road
Your journey begins in the 1920s when Route 66 was commissioned in 1926. This room explains how the highway was born out of America’s growing need for reliable transcontinental travel. Exhibits focus on early road construction, travel difficulties, and the promise of freedom on wheels.
Highlights:
- Original road maps and signage
- Photos of early highway development
- Display on Cyrus Avery, the “Father of Route 66”
2. 1930s: Dust Bowl and Migration
The museum vividly brings to life the Great Depression era, when thousands of families fled the Dust Bowl in search of better lives out west. Route 66 became the road of hope and heartbreak.
Highlights:
- Grapes of Wrath-style migrant scenes
- Period radios playing news broadcasts
- Display on Oklahoma’s role in westward migration
3. 1940s: World War II and Wartime Travel
The 1940s gallery captures how Route 66 became a vital corridor during World War II, transporting soldiers, equipment, and civilians. You’ll learn how military bases and war industries along the route changed the face of many towns.
Highlights:
- Military transport vehicles
- War posters and propaganda
- Stories of soldiers and homefront travel
4. 1950s: The Golden Age of Route 66
This is the museum’s most colorful and nostalgic section—the post-war boom era when the open road symbolized freedom, prosperity, and family vacations.
Highlights:
- A full-size classic car with tailfins
- A walk-in 1950s diner with neon lights and a jukebox
- Rock and roll music playing through authentic radios
- Chrome signs, vintage menus, and drive-in movie memorabilia
5. 1960s–1970s: Decline and Bypass
The museum also tells the sobering story of Route 66’s gradual decline after the construction of Interstate highways. Exhibits explain how bypasses devastated local economies and how the road was eventually decommissioned.
Highlights:
- Decommissioning signs
- Interviews with displaced business owners
- Artifacts from shuttered motels and diners
6. The Legacy Room: Preserving Route 66
The final gallery is all about the present and future of the road. You’ll meet the preservationists, roadies, and nostalgic travelers who’ve kept the spirit of Route 66 alive.
Highlights:
- Modern Route 66 travel videos
- Interactive map of preserved sites
- Profiles of famous Route 66 enthusiasts
Museum Gift Shop
Before leaving, stop by the Route 66 Museum Gift Shop, one of the best-stocked Mother Road stores in the country. It offers:
- Route 66 signs and apparel
- Books, maps, and travel guides
- Vintage-inspired souvenirs and décor
Whether you’re a collector or casual visitor, you’ll find the perfect memento of your Route 66 adventure.
Accessibility and Visitor Tips
- Ample parking and RV access
- Wheelchair accessible
- Air-conditioned—great for hot Oklahoma days
- Combine your visit with other Clinton attractions like McLain Rogers Park or a stroll down historic Main Street
Final Thoughts
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton is more than just a roadside stop—it’s a full-sensory journey through one of America’s most cherished highways. Whether you’re traveling coast-to-coast or taking a day trip through western Oklahoma, this museum offers inspiration, education, and an unforgettable experience that captures the heart of Route 66.
