Oklahoma Honors Toby Keith with New Expressway

The late country star's hometown of Moore will see a new roadway named after him.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has approved the naming of a new expressway after country music legend Toby Keith. The Toby Keith Expressway will run south of Oklahoma City, connecting the cities of Moore and Norman, which was Keith's hometown. The honor celebrates Keith's life, patriotism, and impact on Oklahoma and the nation, though it has faced some controversy due to the singer's previous opposition to turnpikes.

Why it matters

Toby Keith was one of the most prominent and patriotic country music stars of his generation, known for hits like "Should've Been a Cowboy" and "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)". Naming a major roadway after him in his home state is a significant tribute that will help cement his legacy for future generations.

The details

The Toby Keith Expressway is expected to be completed by 2030. While some of Keith's diehard fans have raised eyebrows at the decision, as the singer was vocally anti-turnpike in the years before his death in 2024, his family says he came around on the issue before he passed away. Keith's widow, Tricia, and son, Stelen, have expressed that while the roadway will displace some friends and families, they recognize the economic value it will bring to the Moore/Norman area.

  • The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority approved the naming of the Toby Keith Expressway on March 3, 2026.
  • The expressway is expected to be completed in full by 2030.

The players

Toby Keith

A legendary country music singer-songwriter who passed away in 2024 at the age of 62 after a battle with stomach cancer. He was known for his patriotic anthems and had 20 number-one hits during his career.

Tricia Keith

Toby Keith's widow, who has expressed mixed feelings about the new expressway but recognizes its economic value to the local area.

Stelen Keith

Toby Keith's son, who has assured fans that his father was in favor of the turnpike before his passing.

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What they’re saying

“He was for the turnpike before his passing.”

— Stelen Keith, Toby Keith's son (KFOR in Oklahoma City)

“It's a bittersweet, you know, for our friends and families that were displaced. But at the end of the day, we knew the economic value that it was going to have and what it was going to bring to the Moore/Norman area, both.”

— Tricia Keith, Toby Keith's widow (Unspecified)

“We think it's a lasting legacy piece for our father.”

— Stelen Keith, Toby Keith's son (Unspecified)

What’s next

The Toby Keith Expressway is expected to be completed in full by 2030.

The takeaway

Toby Keith's enduring legacy as a patriotic country music icon will be cemented with the naming of a major expressway in his hometown, ensuring his impact on Oklahoma and the nation will be felt for generations to come.