Day 4 of our Route 66 adventure was packed with iconic stops, friendly faces, and some of the most memorable roadside attractions we’ve seen so far!
We started our morning in Springfield, Missouri, with a visit to the Springfield Route 66 Visitor Center. Before hitting the road, we continued our painted rock tradition by leaving Painted Rock #2 behind for a lucky traveler to discover. It’s been such a fun way to leave a little piece of our journey along the Mother Road.
From there, we headed west to Joplin and stopped at the Joplin Route 66 Visitor Center. This stop quickly became one of our favorites of the trip! Not only were the staff incredibly welcoming and enthusiastic, but they also gave us the best swag haul we’ve received so far. We left with a tote bag, a coffee mug, stickers, and several other Route 66 goodies. The hospitality alone made the stop worthwhile, and it perfectly captured the friendly spirit that makes Route 66 so special.
Soon after, we crossed from Missouri into Kansas. While the Route 66 stretch through Kansas is short, it’s packed with charm. We stopped in Galena, where we posed for photos with the famous Cars-inspired characters that pay tribute to the town’s connection to the beloved movie. Of course, we couldn’t leave without hiding Painted Rock #3 for another future traveler to find.
Our next stop took us to the quaint town of Riverton. We spent some time browsing a charming local store before crossing the historic Rainbow Bridge, one of the most recognizable landmarks along this section of Route 66. The bridge provided the perfect setting for another photo opportunity and the hiding spot for Painted Rock #4.
As we entered Oklahoma, we made our way to one of the most iconic roadside attractions on the entire route: the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Seeing this legendary landmark in person was every bit as fun as we’d imagined. It’s easy to see why it has become one of the most photographed attractions on Route 66.
The adventure continued in Tulsa, where we visited the Land of the Giants. Standing beneath the towering figures of Buck Atom, Stella Atom, and Meadow Gold Mack was an unforgettable experience. These larger-than-life icons perfectly embody the quirky, nostalgic spirit that makes Route 66 such a unique road trip.
Before calling it a night, we made one final stop at the Route 66 midpoint marker in Oklahoma. There was something special about standing at the halfway point of our journey through the state, reflecting on all the incredible places we’d already visited and looking forward to what still lies ahead.
With another full day of memories made, we finally rolled into Edmond for the evening, ready to rest up and prepare for whatever adventures Day 5 has in store.
Every mile along Route 66 continues to surprise us with hidden gems, fascinating history, and wonderful people. We can’t wait to share the next chapter of our journey, so be sure to follow along as we continue exploring America’s most legendary highway!
Life with Mary and Jay 