After our recent visit to the new Rock Creek Bridge park in Sapulpa, we made a stop at the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum before heading downtown for taiyaki. The museum opened in August 2016, thanks to the efforts of attorney Richard Holmes and other car enthusiasts. You can read all about the process they went through to create the museum on their website — but in summary, it was originally going to be the Tulsa Auto Museum. However, after years of being unable to find the perfect location in Tulsa, the city of Sapulpa reached out about an available space. It was a win-win — Sapulpa got a new Route 66 attraction (in a decommissioned armory), and the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum came to fruition. (Following some building renovations, of course!)
Inside the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum
The first room you enter is the gift shop. After purchasing our tickets, museum staff handed us a scavenger hunt. This provided an extra level of interaction with the museum, and it was fairly challenging, too! But when we needed help, help was provided.
After leaving the gift shop, you’ll reach a hallway lined with memorabilia. Eventually I realized that the floor is decorated to look like a road — which probably took me longer to realize than you’d expect. Down the hallway to the left is a room full of beautiful classic cars. Each car has a nice sign detailing the type and year of the car, who owns it, and a little info about it. We had fun discussing which car we’d want to drive out of all of them. Joss went with the 1970 Barracuda.
On the other side of the hallway are a few different rooms, including an office and two display areas. In the larger space, you’ll find a military display. According to the website, this is a tribute to the building’s former use as an armory. There are also some impressive-looking engines, racing gear, and more.
My favorite vehicle was the salmon-pink, 1958 Messerschmitt — a “3-wheeled bubble car.” So cute!
Looking to the future
Earlier in April 2026, the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum held a groundbreaking for a planned 5,000-square-foot expansion to the museum. In addition, they will build a 2,000-square-foot plaza that will allow visitors to get closer access to one of the museum’s main features: the world’s tallest gas pump! Right now, the gas pump is very visible — from outside a fence. So this will be a welcome addition. The expansion also features a viewing area that will be full of natural light. See a rendering below:
According to the press release, the expansion is expected to be finished in fall 2026. Construction will not affect the museum’s operating hours.
Getting there + Admission
The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum is right off of Route 66, just west of downtown Sapulpa. Thanks to the giant gas pump, it’s very hard to miss! The exact address is 13 Sahoma Lake Rd., Sapulpa.
It is currently open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays from 12-4 p.m…