SAPULPA, Oklahoma – The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum has been awarded a more than $1 million grant for its expansion project that will grow the facility.
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce earmarked $1,080,000 for the expansion project as part of its Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place in January and an opening date is expected in fall 2026.
The 5,000-square-foot expansion of the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum and 2,000-square-foot plaza 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.
“The experience will be so much better to have the ability to travel around the museum instead of back and forth in wings,” said Museum Founder Richard Holmes. “Also, a plaza around the gas pump and doors to allow visitors to interact with the giant sign will be game-changing.”
The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum opened in 2016. The museum is known for its photo-friendly 66-foot-tall replica gas pump in front of the building. Visitors from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries have visited and enjoyed the museum.
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In honor of the Mother Road’s Centennial in 2026, the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum will be open every day of the week. The museum will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
ABOUT THE HEART OF ROUTE 66 AUTO MUSEUM
Located on historic Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum showcases a variety of cars, motorcycles and memorabilia. It is located at 13 Sahoma Lake Road in Sapulpa. For more information, visit heartofroute66.org.
