Fly and drive route home planning, Tulsa to Philadelphia, 12/2-6

I've bought a Boxster S from AAZCD-Jon, picking it up from him near Tulsa OK on 12/2.  This is the first fly and drive for my wife, and first for me in a long time as we have usually just towed things home.  We have some PTO to use so are going to take our time getting home by Wednesday.  It's about 1500 miles, so we can split it into 400 mile or so days.  Would like to get off of the interstates for at least some parts, but happy to make some time through some of the more boring sections

Here's the basic itinerary I have in mind, if you have any suggestions or a route that might differ, or any suggestions for things to see or places to stay anywhere in this general vicinity, please say so!

When we leave Tulsa we need to briefly go to Arkansas and Kansas, to check them off the list, and then I'm thinking about following some of Rt 66 into MO.  Potential to stay in the Ozarks?  

From there, through St. Louis to see the arch and have some BBQ, then continue to the Louisville area to Lexington and make some stops on the KY bourbon trail, as that's new to us.  Unsure where to make the stop here.  From the bourbon trail, then back roads through WV to the general Roanoke area to pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway and eventually to Skyline Drive as I've driven up and down I81 so many times but always in a hurry and always wanted to try the nice roads through the mountains.  

Staying somewhere along the Blue Ridge the last night, then it should be an easy ride back to home.  

Suggestions are appreciated.  Interesting historical sites that don't take hours, nice views/drives, interesting hotels, breweries, places to eat, or local oddities all appreciated. 

I mentioned it in the minor rants thread, but Missouri Hick BBQ in Cuba, MO used to be really good.

For tourist stops that don't have to take too long:

If you are into that sort of thing, Springfield, MO is the home of Bass Pro and has a massive store there.

Maramec Spring Park near St James, MO is really great.

Rolla, MO has a (relatively) small Stonehenge replica on the edge of campus along Hwy 63.

Cahokia Mounds in western IL is a cool piece of Native American History.  It's a little out of the way if you are planning on hitting I-64, but not terrible.

December.

How does the weather forcast look? How far south do you have to stay so as to not expose the rust free car to road salt?

In reply to Sonic :

I took a similar route on my way from Pennsylvania to Texas. I used this app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/route-66-navigation/id1271779151 helped find some interesting towns and sights along 66 from MO to OK. My favorite stop was Galina KS, which has turned its main street into Radiator Springs from the Cars movie, and the Uranas Fudge Factory to satisfy your inner 12 year old with a lifetime supply of butt jokes. 
 

Thanks for the ideas so far, please keep them coming. 
 

John, I'm considering that, and if weather takes a turn then we might need to call an audible and go further south.  I'm not worried about the car getting dirty or a little salty, this one is driver quality, which is a reason we got it as we already have a diva of a car with our NSX.  

In reply to Sonic :

I was near the KY Bourbon trail at one point too,  visited Abe Lincoln's birthplace and the National Corvette Museum. 

If you take I-70 stop in Wheeling, WV for DiCarlos pizza or hold out for a Primantis sandwhich in Washington, PA. 

There's an old submarine exhibit if you drop down to Muskogee, OK. It tried to escape back to the ocean, but they caught it. You can spend the night on it with advance planning.

Big Brutus near West Mineral, KS if you like big shovels. Galena/Rt 66 is cool for a while. Otherwise, I'd skip KS. There are better parts of it than that corner. (I live here, I can say that)

I would highly recommend spending time in Branson, MO. Catch a show or 3, go to Silver Dollar City for the Christmas magic.

Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston or Ozark, MO, "home of the throwed rolls". Google it, it's a thing.

If you go to the Arch in St. Louis, make time to go up in the cars, and the museum underneath. Advance time slot ticket required. Riverboat is right there. There's a lot to do in that town, depending on your interests

National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, along with a Lost River Cave tour. Lost River Pizza nearby is fabulous and great car/moto decor, usually has some racing on the TVs. Lots of caves in MO and KY. Kentucky Horse Park, Churchill Downs if you like horse stuff.

Try to hit the National Corvette Museum. If you take i-40 to Nashville and head north from there you go right by it.

Scotty Con Queso said:

hold out for a Primantis sandwhich in Washington, PA. 

So much this.

FYI. Driving through the MO Ozarks is like time traveling. Four hours driving and you're only 1 hour closer to home.

Big Brutus is super cool.  I went there a year or so ago and it was worth every penny of the $11 I spent.  

https://bigbrutus.org/

It is self guided so you can see as much or as little as you want.  I was there by myself on a cold Sunday, it was very erie to walk through the whole thing and its just creaking and quiet.  

You can also roll through Picher, OK.  The most toxic town in America.  

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/picher

Not a ton to see in 2023 since it has most been demo'd but its just a super weird and desolate little corner of the world.  

Not to be negative, but do you have AAA and a decent level for towing?  You won't get home but maybe to a hotel near uhaul.

Lamberts Cafe is fun -I thought the food was good too.

There is a Precious Moments Chapel/Museum near Springfield, MO that is kind a bit different - stop if you grew up in the 80's and happen to be 2 miles away. 

I recently did a similar trip.  Spending a day in Bentonville is worth it if the weather is dry and you're ok with renting some bikes.  There are plenty of hotels in the area. 

Oh yeah, forgot to mention - if you like root beer (and old school fast food burgers), stop at Webers while you're in Tulsa.  Best non-homemade root beer I've ever had.

Check the date codes on the tires. 

If you go near corvette museum also consider the factory tour - it's fun.

https://www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant.com

I might try to stay in Eureka Springs, AR. Quaint little town, TONS of good roads in that part of the country. You can stay at the Crescent Hotel, they have a great rooftop bar and do ghost tours. 

If you're taking 70 through parts of PA, feel free to hop off the Smithton exit, make a right, and look for the blue house with the excursion in front on your right. 

+1 for Eureka Springs if you are planning to stay off the Interstate at first. It could be a nice easy stop for the first night. From there, you could head towards Springfield and get I44 or take back roads towards Paducah, KY.

If you head towards Paducah, stop at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston, MO - I haven't been since the 1990s, but reviews still look good.

*tires are 2022 date and hardly any miles.