Day 4: Carthage MO to Oklahoma City OK
Postcard from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
I see a pattern: sun in the morning, rain in the afternoon.
This was one of the longest stretch, 268 miles, so I left with the sunrise to avoid the expected storms in Oklahoma. The electric blue sky and the sleepy traffic were a welcomed companion while driving out of Missouri into Oklahoma via the little pretty Kansas belt.
Oklahoma was long straight roads, one of the weirdest attraction I’ve ever seen, fields and cows.
Till Tulsa.
I guess the suddenly gloomy sky didn’t help but the 70 miles connecting Tulsa to Chandler were something else. No more charming cities, no more memorabilia or well preserved roads. Nothing to remember or celebrate here. The forgotten America.
From that point was just pouring rain and scary growing brown rivers till I reached another sunny finish line in Oklahoma City.
Driving from Carthage to Oklahoma City Cheat Sheet
Accommodation in Oklahoma City
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, 931 E Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104. Modern, new, clean and quiet acommodation, a stone’s throw away from downtown Oklahoma City
Where to eat and what to see between Carthage MO and Oklahoma City OK
- The Blue Whale of Catoosa, 2600 SH 66 (btwn Apache & Old Highway 66)
Catoosa, OK 74015. hands down one of the weirdest tourist attraction I’ve ever seen but the story behind it, is very romantic. Look it up. - Cars on the Route, Kan-O-Tex Service Station, 119 N Main St, Galena, KS 66739 an old service station that hosts several vehicles, including the truck that inspired the character “Tow Mater” in the movie Cars.
- Route 66 Mural, 700 S Main St, Galena, KS 66739 yet another photo opportunity.
- Tucker’s Onion Burgers, 324 NW 23rd St (at Hudson) Oklahoma City, OK 73103 I am spoiled with good burgers in Chicago, but I have to admit this one was pretty good. And unique.
Driving from Carthage to Oklahoma City FAQ
There are 233 miles that become 268 miles if you want to drive as much as possible on the historic Route 66.
Taking the shortest route it would takes 3 and half hours to drive from Carthage to Oklahoma City. It took me 6 hours due to some stops for pictures and gas.
Driving from Carthage to Oklahoma City you meet multiple iconic attractions such as the Blue Whale of Catoosa and the Cars on the Route.
There are two main attractions between Carthage and Oklahoma City: The Blue Whale of Catoosa, one of the weirdest point of interest I’ve ever seen in my life and the funny and cute Cars on the Route.
It really depends on the season. In summer you can drive from Carthage to Oklahoma City with any car. The road are well maintained and fully paved.
Route 66 pictures: photos taken from Carthage to Oklahoma City
My itinerary on the Route 66
- Route 66 the ultimate American road trip
- Day 1: Chicago to Springfield
- Day 2: Springfield to Cuba
- Day 3: Cuba to Carthage
- Day 4: Carthage to Oklahoma City
- Day 5: Oklahoma City to Amarillo
- Day 6: Amarillo to Tucumcari
- Day 7: Tucumcari to Santa Fe
- Day 8: Santa Fe to Gallup
- Day 9: Gallup to Bluff
- Day 10: Bluff to Chambers
- Day 11: Chambers to Sedona
- Day 12: Sedona to Kingman
- Day 13: Kingman to Barstow
- Day 14: Barstow to Santa Monica
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