I love a map. As a kid, one of my favorite books was a world atlas for kids my parents had bought me. Most of my childhood art projects were maps of fantastic lands I invented in my mind, and I spent hours poring over any map I could find. And you may notice now that Oklahoma Today is full of maps. They're not usually the kind you'd use to actually find your way somewhere—that's what GPS is for in the Year of Our Lord 2025—but they help orient the readers and the content in space and in our state.

So what an honor it was to get to be a part of the three-state-agency team that put together the latest iteration of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation map. This is the fold-out map we all know and love, the one we all used before we had phones in our pockets—and that many of us still do (I admit, I still love a paper map to find my way).

The new edition of the Oklahoma state map is dedicated to all things Route 66 in anticipation of next year's centennial. Photo by Nathan Gunter

ODOT and their amazing staff, of course, had the actual map covered. It was up to us, in anticipation of the Route 66 Centennial next year, to create the opposite-side panel, which features an artistic map with as many Route 66 icons as we could fit. There would've been no way to include all the amazing things the Mother Road offers on its more than 400 miles through our state (for more, pick up our soon-to-come 2025 Route 66 Guide and Route 66 Passport), but we tried to curate a selection of must-sees and vital community places. So here's a brief rundown of what you'll see on the 2025-2026 Oklahoma State Map:

Waylan's Ku-Ku and the Coleman Theater

Waylans Ku Ku in Miami. Photo by Nathan Gunter

Our eastern Route 66 gateway, the town of Miami (pronounced mi-am-uh) is a perfect introduction to Oklahoma fun and hospitality. Tour the gorgeous Coleman Theater; grab a burger at Waylan’s Ku-Ku; and shop in the picturesque downtown.

The Blue Whale of Catoosa

The Blue Whale of Catoosa. Photo by Saxon Smith

One of the Route’s favorite characters, the Blue Whale of Catoosa is a must-stop selfie spot. Hugh Davis built the lovable cetacean as an anniversary gift to his wife more than fifty years ago.

Stella Atom

Stella Atom at Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66. Photo by Saxon Smith

You'll see Tulsa's newest favorite cowgirl, Stella Atom, on the cover of the map. Stella stands proud in the Meadow Gold District at her home at Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66, one of the best shops on the Mother Road, which is run by one of our very favorite people in the world, Mary Beth Babcock, our 2011 Oklahoman of the Year.

Golden Driller

The Golden Driller at Tulsa Expo Square. Photo by Lori Duckworth

A beloved Tulsa landmark since 1966, the Golden Driller is 43,500-pounds and 76 feet tall, making him one of the tallest free-standing statues in the U.S. Stop by and see this Tulsa icon as he watches over Route 66.

Cain's Ballroom

Cain's Ballroom. Photo by Lori Duckworth

The legendary Cain’s Ballroom celebrated its hundredth anniversary in 2024, and it’s one of Oklahoma’s best places to see live music. This palace of song, made famous in the 1930s by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, is the heart of Tulsa’s famous music scene.

Greenwood Rising

Greenwood Rising. Photo by Lori Duckworth

For decades, the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre went largely untold nationwide. Visit Greenwood Rising to hear the story of Black Wall Street and the dark forces that led to its destruction.

Rock Cafe

The Rock Cafe in Stroud. Photo by Lori Duckworth

You probably know that Route 66 characters inspired those in the Pixar film Cars. But did you know Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Café in Stroud, was the inspiration for Sally Carrera? Stop by this Mother Road staple for excellent food and tons of memorabilia from the film.

Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center

The Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center. Photo by Saxon Smith

Take a drive through time down the Route from the 1920s to today at the Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler, where the Mother Road Video Experience narrates the history of this epic highway.

POPS and the Arcadia Round Barn

The Arcadia Round Barn. Photo by Saxon Smith

In Arcadia, stop off the Mother Road for a sip at POPS—you’ll know it by the giant neon soda bottle out front. And don’t miss the Arcadia Round Barn, with a historic museum, gift shop, and occasional live music. And be sure to stop up the road at the Chicken Shack for some grub!

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and FAM

The grand opening of the First Americans Museum. Photo by Lori Duckworth

Two museums, one ticket: For $25 per adult, visit both the First Americans Museum and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City to learn about some of the many cultures that define Oklahoma.

Tower Theatre

Tower Theatre Photo by Nathan Gunter

Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum

Oklahoma National Memorial Museum. Photo by Lori Duckworth

If there’s one must-see place in Oklahoma City, it’s the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, honoring the 168 lives lost and many more that were changed during the tragic attack of April 19, 1995.

Green Chile Kitchen Route 66

Green Chile Kitchen Route 66. Photo courtesy Green Chile Kitchen Route 66

In Yukon, stop for an incredible meal at Green Chile Kitchen 66, where classic American flavors blend with delicious green chiles for some truly one-of-a-kind dishes. Be sure to save room for green chili apple pie.

El Reno, the Onion Burger Capital

Sid's Diner in El Reno. Photo by Lori Duckworth

You can’t travel Route 66 in Oklahoma without having an onion burger—it’s our state’s biggest culinary contribution to the Mother Road. Stop in El Reno, the home of the onion burger, where Sid’s, Johnnie’s, and Robert’s serve delicious nostalgia daily.

Roman Nose State Park

Roman Nose State Park. Photo by Lori Duckworth

Wander the canyons, hit the links at an eighteen-hole golf course, and enjoy a comfy room at the lodge at Roman Nose State Park, one of Oklahoma’s original state parks—and one of its most beloved.

Pony Bridge

The Pony Bridge in Bridgeport. Photo by Saxon Smith

Built in 1933, this bridge originally was called "the most pretentious engineering project ever undertaken by the Oklahoma Highway Commission." With its thirty-eight camelback pony trusses and its almost 4,000 feet of length—the better part of a mile—this beloved span made its film debut in The Grapes of Wrath.

Lucille's Roadhouse

Lucille's Service Station in Hydro. Photo by Saxon Smith

In Hydro, stop for a photo at Lucille’s Service Station, a historic Mother Road stop and one of only two upper-story, out-thrust porch style stations left on Oklahoma’s stretch of 66. Then head into Weatherford or Clinton to dine at the eateries named in its honor.

Stafford Air and Space Museum

Stafford Air and Space Museum. Photo by Nathan Gunter

Get up, up, and away at the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford, a Smithsonian-affiliated repository of all things aviation and space exploration.

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Photo by Lori Duckworth

Experience the history of Oklahoma's stretch of Mother Road at one of the best museums in the country dedicated to the subject. Experience Dust Bowl migration, sit at a corner booth in a 1950s cafe, and take in all the sights and sounds of Route 66 in this iconic space.

Foss State Park

Foss State Park. Photo by Lori Duckworth

With camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and any kid of outdoor activity you could imagine—want to lay under a palapa on the beach? They've got that too!—this state park just off the Mother Road is the perfect place to get some fresh air and exercise before getting back in the car.

National Route 66 & Transportation Museum

The National Route 66 & Transportation Museum. Photo by Lori Duckworth

Part of Elk City's sprawling and fascinating museum complex, this is the national nexus for all things Mother Road. There are numerous sights and artifacts, a giant kachina doll near the door named Myrtle, and the chance to take a "drive" along Route 66 in a pink Cadillac.

Beckham County Courthouse

Beckham County Courthouse. Photo by Lori Duckworth

Another Route 66 icon that took a starring turn in The Grapes of Wrath, this iconic building is one of the few county courthouses in the nation to sport a large dome on its top.

**Maps are free of charge and will be available statewide mid-Spring at any Tourism Welcome Center, by calling 1-800-652-6552 or by visiting TravelOK.com/Brochures. The map can be viewed on the ODOT website www.oklahoma.gov/odot under Business Center>Map & Data Portal>General Maps. **

Written By

Nathan Gunter

A sixth-generation Oklahoman, Weatherford native, and Westmoore High School graduate, Nathan Gunter is the magazine's editor-in-chief. When he's not editor-in-chiefing, Nate enjoys live music, running, working out, gaming, cooking, and random road trips with no particular destination in mind. He holds degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of Oklahoma. He learned how to perform poetry from Maya Angelou; how to appreciate Italian art from Terisio Pignatti; comedy writing from Doug Marlette; how to make coconut cream pie from his great-grandma; and how not to approach farm dogs from trial and error. A seminary dropout, he lives just off Route 66 in Oklahoma City.