Get Your Kicks on the Route 66 Capital Cruise!

Image from visittulsa.com/parade

If you could be part of setting a Guinness World record while seated in your classic car, why wouldn’t you? About 4,000 people from 43 states and a few other countries have decided to take part in the potentially record-breaking classic car parade set for May 30. 2026 is the 100th anniversary of Route 66, and Tulsa is in the middle of the action! This weekend, get your kicks on Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise!

Route 66 Highway, also known as The Mother Road, was established in 1926 and ran 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Route 66 became a major route for westward migration, especially during the Dust Bowl, when people were fleeing westward. Route 66 featured fun, quirky stops along the way with distinctive architecture and roadside attractions. The use of Route 66 began to diminish in the mid-20th century as the Interstate Highway System provided more efficient travel. Speed and efficiency have their place, but Route 66 remains a popular attraction. I’ve traveled much of it from Chicago to New Mexico, and I’ve loved seeing the unique attractions along the way!

One of the Muffler Man statues along Route 66. This 19-foot Paul Bunyon is in Illinois.

To commemorate the 100^th anniversary of Route 66, there will be activities throughout the year. The Capital Cruise will be a significant part of the celebration as it attempts to set the Guinness World Record for the largest parade of classic cars. For the purpose of this world record, a classic car is defined as a car from 1996 or before. The other requirements include registering in advance and having a valid driver’s license and auto insurance.

The car parade will begin at 8 a.m. at Expo Square, then head to 11th and travel 5.5 miles along historic Route 66. The classic cars will travel slowly, providing a perfect viewing experience for spectators along the way. At the University of Tulsa, there will be food trucks, a bounce house, and a kids’ market! Come be a part of history, whether as a driver or a spectator!

Caroline will be driving her ’79 Corvette in the Route 66 Capital Cruise!

I recently spoke with a participant in the upcoming Route 66 Capital Car Cruise to learn what motivates people to take part in the car parade. Caroline Fedelle (who happens to be my daughter) is driving her 1979 Corvette in the Capital Car Cruise this weekend. She said she’s excited to be part of a historical and possibly record-breaking event. She’s looking forward to seeing all the other vintage automobiles and also the sights along the way. Her ’79 Corvette is her dream car, which she has invested a lot of time, attention, and money in to keep running beautifully. Her husband shares her passion for classic cars and drives a ’72 Plymouth Duster. They are both looking forward to experiencing parts of Route 66 during its Centennial year.

Buck and Stella Atom, 21-foot-tall statues, are located at 1347 East 11th Street in Tulsa!

If you haven’t driven any of the Route 66 historic highway, I urge you to experience it this year. Start with the 11th Street Bridge just west of Riverside Drive. When you drive 35mph eastbound on that short stretch, you will hear Woody Guthrie’s song, This Land is Your Land! If you aren’t up for a trip out of town, there are numerous attractions along 11^th Street right here in Tulsa! If you’re willing to go a short distance, you can visit the iconic blue whale outside of Catoosa. If you’re feeling adventurous and ready for a road trip, get ready to explore the Mother Road by following one of the many Route 66  interactive maps. But don’t think you’ll be alone, expect some crowds during this year’s 100th anniversary of Route 66 Highway!

Major Tom is a 30-foot statue along Route 66 in Weatherford, Oklahoma, that pays tribute to NASA astronaut Thomas Stafford.