The good news is that traveling Route 66 in downtown Tulsa is about to become a little easier with the installation of a new traffic circle at the intersection of 11th and Elgin. The bad news is that traveling Route 66 in downtown Tulsa is a little harder while the traffic circle is being constructed. Westbound travelers should have no trouble staying on the path, but 11th Street is closed to eastbound traffic at the moment, so you’ll have to make a detour if you’re heading that direction.

Fear not — we’ve scouted three alternate routes, all of which will take you around the construction and through some historic areas. Here are your options:

Option 1: (Basic detour) At the construction zone, turn left on Detroit Avenue, then right on Sixth Street – which will take you past a beautifully restored cottage-style Phillips 66 station that now serves as an Avis rental office — and continue east to Peoria Avenue. Turn right on Peoria, then make a left on 11th Street to pick up Route 66 again.

Option 2: (Blue Dome detour) When you reach the construction zone, turn left on Detroit Avenue and proceed north to Second Street to follow the 1926-1932 alignment of Route 66. Turn right on Second and follow Second through the Blue Dome District, named for its unique domed gas station. Just past Frankfort Avenue, get in the right lane and stay there past the I-244 on-ramp to swing right onto Norfolk, then left onto Second. Stay on Second until you reach Peoria Avenue. Turn right on Peoria and left on 11th to return to the post-1932 alignment.

Option 3: (1926-1932 alignment of Route 66) Follow the directions for Option 2, but instead of turning when you reach Peoria, continue east on Second Street to Lewis Avenue. Turn left on Lewis, then right on Admiral Boulevard just past the Circle Cinema. Follow Admiral Boulevard east to Harvard Avenue, then turn left on Harvard, cross the interstate, and turn right on Admiral Place. Follow Admiral Place to the traffic circle at Mingo. Turn right on Mingo and left on 11th to follow Route 66 out of Tulsa.

Please don’t be discouraged by the construction. It will benefit our beloved 66, and as we all know, detours and side trips are part of the adventure. The paths listed above will take you past some of the nicest architecture and best restaurants in Tulsa. Pick one that sounds promising, and don’t forget to stop and say hello to us here at the Campbell if you’re in the neighborhood!