There’s something about Route 66 in the Oklahoma City metro that just hits different. It’s not one “place” — it’s a ribbon of stories stitched through neighborhoods, neon, bridge steel, diners, old alignments, and the kind of roadside icons that make you pull over even when you swear you won’t.

Route 66 officially came to life in 1926 as part of the first federal highway system, built by connecting roads that already existed. And Oklahoma City wasn’t just a dot on the map — the route passed right through, shifting alignments over the decades as the city grew and car culture exploded. That constant “change and adapt” is part of what makes the Bethany-to-Arcadia stretch so fun to photograph: it’s vintage Americana living right beside modern OKC.

That’s exactly what our Red Dirt Photographers PhotoDrive is about: rolling through the OKC metro’s Mother Road chapter together, cameras ready, eyes open, and plenty of time for those “wait—stop the car” moments.

We proudly partner with Bedford Camera & Video — your best source for all things photography, from cameras and lenses to lighting, printing, rentals, and the kind of real-world advice you only get from folks who live this craft every day. Bedford Camera is the local industry leader, supporting working pros and first-time shooters alike with hands-on service, classes, and a community-first mindset that keeps Oklahoma creators growing. And here’s a fun Route 66 tie-in: the OKC store location at 3110 N May Ave sits right along the Mother Road’s story through the metro — so when you’re chasing Oklahoma’s icons, you’re never far from a place that can help you capture them.

Quick Details

PhotoDrive OKC – Route 66 Edition
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Start / Briefing: 2:00 PM at Route 66 Park (Bethany area)
Dinner: Chicken Shack in Arcadia around 7:00 PM

We’ll do a quick welcome + briefing at the start, then caravan east along Route 66 through the metro, ending the day with food, laughs, and photo talk at Chicken Shack.

Important: The exact route and stop-by-stop driving sheet will be handed out at the PhotoDrive briefing, so everyone’s on the same page and nobody gets left behind.

Route 66 in OKC

Bethany’s Route 66 heartbeat runs straight through town — a classic “road town” that grew up alongside travelers headed into Oklahoma City. From there, the route moves through the metro past some of the most photogenic remnants of the golden age of American road travel: vintage roadside architecture, old bridge engineering, and pockets of neon that still know how to glow at dusk.

As we head toward Arcadia, the city texture starts to loosen its grip and the road opens up. That transition is the magic: one minute you’re photographing old urban Route 66 landmarks, the next you’re chasing big-sky silhouettes and roadside icons that feel straight out of a road trip film.

The Vibe

Here’s the vibe of the day — quick, punchy highlights without turning this into a mile-by-mile schedule:

• Route 66 Park (meetup + kickoff)
• A few classic OKC metro Route 66 landmarks, the kind of spots that scream “Americana”, like The Owl Court.
• Arcadia icons like the Round Barn area + that unmistakable Route 66 energy
• Dinner + hang time at Chicken Shack (~7 PM)

Again: we’ll hand out the official route + stops at the start so you can relax and just enjoy the drive.

Open to everyone

This PhotoDrive is open to everyone—you don’t have to be a “serious photographer,” and you don’t even have to have a fancy camera. Bring your phone, bring your DSLR, bring your instant camera, bring your curiosity.

We are happy to answer photography questions along the way, but this event is really about something bigger: a social afternoon of discovery and wonder, shared with friends (and future friends) who love Oklahoma.

It’s also family-friendly, so feel free to bring your crew.

Get Comfy

This is a caravan-style PhotoDrive, which means you’ll be traveling in your own vehicle the whole time. So make it comfortable:

• Dress for the weather + layers for sunset
• Bring water/snacks
• Charge your phone, clear a memory card, pack an extra battery
• Throw on comfortable shoes for quick hop-outs and short walks
• And most importantly: settle in and enjoy the ride

New Flickr group

We’ve also started a Red Dirt Photographers Flickr group as an easy way to share images, swap edits, and keep the conversation going between PhotoDrives and meetups. Post your Route 66 favorites, your backroad finds, your small-town main streets—if it’s Oklahoma, it belongs there. It’s meant to be a friendly, no-pressure space for easy sharing and discussion of all things Oklahoma.

Why the PhotoDrive?

This isn’t a race and it’s not a classroom. It’s a shared road day — a moving photo hangout — where we chase light, textures, signage, Americana, and the little surprises Route 66 always delivers.

We’ll see you at 2:00 PM at Route 66 Park… and we’ll earn that Chicken Shack dinner together around 7:00 PM.