City officials, multiple news outlets and more than two dozen interested individuals gathered outside the world’s tallest gas pump to watch as officials with the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum broke ground on an expansion project of more than $1 million.
A decade after the original museum opened, the iconic Route 66 attraction is already undergoing the dirt work for a growth of about 5,000-square-feet, with an additional 2,000-square-feet will be devoted to a plaza near the large gas pump.
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce earmarked $1,080,000 for the expansion project as part of its Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program. The opening date for the expansion is expected in fall 2026. The museum will remain open throughout the construction process.
“2026 is such an exciting time for the museum, not only for the Centennial of the Mother Road, but also for its expansion project which will be completed in time to celebrate the museum’s own milestone: its 10th anniversary!” said Museum Executive Director Lina Holmes.
Museum president and founder Richard Holmes called it a “dream come true” to finally have this expansion marked for completion. “We’ve been working a long time,” he said.
The expansion will allow the museum to showcase even more of the historic legacy of Route 66, featuring vintage vehicles and Mother Road artifacts, as well as provide a new venue for hosting events.
Richard Holmes also said that, despite concerns, the museum would remain open during the construction, except where required. “Even then, we’ll only be closed a day or two, hopefully,” he said.
The museum has become a must-see stop in Sapulpa for Route 66 travelers, but has also become a big draw for classic-car enthusiasts who want to not only see the cars, but drive one; the “Model T Experience” the museum began offering last year continues to be extremely popular, often selling out well in advance and remaining booked for months.
2026 marks the 10th year the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum has been in operation and the 100th year for Route 66. In honor of these celebrations, the museum will be open every day of the week in 2026: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Featured image by Sheri Ishmael-Waldrop