Officials with the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, broke ground on a more than $1 million expansion project on Monday.
The project will increase the museum’s space by 5,000 square feet, with an additional 2,000 square feet devoted to a plaza.
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce earmarked $1.08 million for the expansion project as part of its Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program.
The opening date for the expansion is expected in the fall. The museum will remain open throughout the construction.
The expansion will allow the museum to showcase even more of the historic legacy of Route 66, featuring vintage vehicles and Mother Road artifacts, and to provide a new venue for hosting events.
“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 the museum’s executive director, Lina Holmes.
This year 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 from: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Visitors from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries have visited the museum, including many taking a picture of the 66-foot-tall replica gas pump in front.
Located just off historic Route 66, 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.
(Courtesy image of the construction of the Heart of Route 66 Museum’s expansion by Ridgeline Aerial Services)