Kimberly Stange is planning a new tour centered around Route 66, and for her, it all starts – and ends – with Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma is such a great destination,” says Stange, who, with her husband, Trenton, co-owns Compass Coach in Cedar Springs, Michigan, a longtime United Motorcoach Association Member. “You can do Route 66, explore Oklahoma history, visit the Pioneer Woman, and even tie in (the 2023 Oscar-nominated film) Killers of the Flower Moon. There’s so much you can incorporate into a seven-day itinerary.”
With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026 fast approaching, operators like Stange are preparing to seize what could be one of the most in-demand travel opportunities in decades. The Mother Road, commissioned in 1926, stretches more than 2,400 miles across eight states. But Oklahoma claims the longest uninterrupted segment—a nostalgic thread that winds past diners, motels, museums, and monuments that speak to the soul of the open road.
“I think the Route 66 interest is going to be huge,” Stange says. “Everyone who travels with me grew up with it. It’s nostalgic, it’s fun, and I think everyone will want to be part of it.”
Memorial is key stop
Stange’s vision for a Route 66-themed tour was sparked during the 2025 UMA EXPO in Oklahoma City, which included a tour hosted by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. During the one-day trip, UMA Members experienced the different aspects of Oklahoma.
One of the most emotional moments came at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, dedicated to the 168 people killed in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
“The biggest tip I would offer to planners is to do both the outdoor symbolic Memorial and the Memorial Museum, combining those two together,” says Tina Gilliland, Chief Experience Officer at the Memorial. “You remember, honor, and understand what happened here, and then the museum takes you through to modern day.”
The memorial includes the Reflecting Pool, the Field of Empty Chairs, and the Survivor Tree, a stately American elm that survived the attack and has become a symbol of hope. Inside, the museum offers a self-guided tour with layered storytelling, archival materials, and optional extensions like survivor-led “Stories of Hope,” behind-the-scenes archive tours, and a civility workshop called “A Better Conversation.” The memorial created Better Conversations as a way for individuals to come together and discuss sensitive or controversial topics in a civil manner.
While the 25th anniversary of the bombing fell during the height of COVID in 2020, the 30th anniversary in April 2025 is already drawing attention.
“We’re seeing a high level of engagement now from both returning visitors and the next generation of families impacted,” Gilliland says.
Stange visited both the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum—which showcases Native American and cowboy art—and the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. While she found both stops incredible, the Memorial left the deepest impression.
“I thought the two places we visited were amazing,” she says. “I absolutely think either museum would appeal to my travelers.”
Discovering region’s history
For Barbara Curtis of Two Step Limousine in Littleton, Colorado, outside Denver, the UMA EXPO marked the start of a new chapter. After years in the chauffeur business, her family-owned company added motorcoaches in 2018 and now is expanding into motorcoach tours, beginning with an upcoming trip to Branson, Missouri.
“The UMA show has opened our eyes to several opportunities to accomplish our goals which leads to great success down the road,” Curtis said.
Oklahoma is high on her list for future itineraries.
“There’s a lot in Oklahoma City, especially with all the Native American history,” she says. “I didn’t realize there were so many tribes until we got here. That’s what you learn when you go out on the road.”
Todd Stallbaumer, Consumer and Trade Marketing Director, at the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, says Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to lead the Route 66 centennial celebration. The state offers more than 400 miles of the iconic road and has invested in preservation, signage, and community-driven events to draw group travelers.
“We often say you can do Route 66 from beginning to end without ever leaving Oklahoma,” he says. “Cyrus Avery, the Father of Route 66, was from Tulsa. That history is embedded here.”
The state’s Group Itinerary Toolkit, available at TravelOK.com/group, provides ready-made itineraries, presentation materials, and escort notes for tour operators—complete with timing guides and marketing resources.
“There’s probably a dozen or so itineraries just for groups,” Stallbaumer says. “We make it easy for companies to take an idea and turn it into an experience.”
Discovering travel opportunities
Another advantage: seasonality and affordability. While Oklahoma isn’t a winter destination, its travel window runs from late March to early November, with peak foliage in early November. Plus, the cost of attractions and accommodations remains lower than many traditional group-tour markets.
“Things in Oklahoma are typically cheaper than a lot of the larger destinations,” Stallbaumer says. “We kind of under-promise and over-deliver on our experience.”
New infrastructure is also expanding group options. The recently opened OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City, developed by the Chickasaw Nation, features year-round entertainment, luxury lodging, and easy access to the First Americans Museum and riverfront trails.
Oklahoma City will also host several 2028 Olympic events, including canoe slalom and softball, adding to its international tourism visibility.
Kimberly Stange sees 2026 as an opportunity not just to fill buses, but to help passengers reconnect with a shared cultural legacy.
“The storytelling potential is amazing,” she says. “This isn’t just sightseeing, it’s about reliving a piece of our history in a really personal way.”
She’s designing her seven-day trip to include classic Route 66 stops like the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Round Barn in Arcadia, and Clinton Route 66 Museum, along with cultural experiences like the First Americans Museum and Pioneer Woman Mercantile. She’s also looking into themed nights with live music, vintage dress-up stops, and photo scavenger hunts to keep things interactive and memorable.
“It’s not just about old signs or vintage cars,” she says. “This anniversary gives people a chance to revisit a piece of their own history.”
Photos by Jill Kelly of Terrapin Blue.
