Route 66 Travel in Arizona

Angel & Vilma Delgadillo's Route 66 Gift Shop & Visitor's Center in Seligman, Arizona (Staff Photo)

We have traveled Historic Route 66 across Arizona multiple times over the years, both eastbound and westbound. The route ran from the New Mexico border west to Topock, at the California border.

Arizona is one of our favorite Route 66 destinations, with many miles of original roadbeds still open, and minimal congestion on most segments.

The largest city on the route is Flagstaff, with only about 65,000 residents. Other stops along the way are smaller towns ... traffic is not a problem on Route 66 in Arizona!

Included on this page are a few of our favorite places and scenes along the Mother Road from the New Mexico border near Gallup through Holbrook, Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams, Ash Fork, Seligman, Peach Springs, Hackberry, Kingman and into Oatman.

Some of the journey is on I-40, which parallels the old Route 66 in many places. 

We always drive the segments of the Mother Road where it still remains. Exits from I-40 onto Route 66 are marked in many locales.

Driving time non-stop from Lupton (near Gallup) at the New Mexico border to Topock near the California border is about 6:10, less than a day's drive. But you probably want to split the trip up into at least two days, maybe more.

Major concentrations of lodging are found in Gallup, NM, Flagstaff, Williams and Kingman. Many other lodging options are available in other cities such as Winslow and Holbrook, as well as smaller towns.

Road Trips on Route 66 Across Arizona

Map showing Route 66 across Arizona from Lupton to Topock
(Click the map for an interactive version)

Get Out on the Highway: A Few Highlights Along Route 66 in Arizona

The drive from Gallup to Lupton, on the Arizona border, is only 24 miles on today's I-40. Continuing west, the old road passes through the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest, and then into Holbrook.

Entering Arizona, The Grand Canyon State
	The Tepee Trading Post at the New Mexico - Arizona state line at Lupton on I-40

The Painted Desert Shown here is signage at the Painted Desert marking the path of Route 66 through eight states, and through this area. It reads, in part ... "Gaze down the long road and listen. You may hear echoes of the past ... echoes of Route 66"

Remnants of Route 66 seen in this photo of the Painted Desert along with the rusted hulk of a 1930s Studebaker.	Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, near Holbrook... the only national park on Route 66
Read more about the Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert along Route 66

Holbrook, Arizona

Vintage view of the Wigwam Village No. 6, 800 Hopi Drive on U.S. 66, Holbrook, Arizona

Click to read more about Route 66 in Holbrook

Present day views of the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, one of the two remaining Wigwam Motels on Route 66

Joseph City, Arizona Opened in 1949, tourists on Route 66 have been drawn to stop and see what "HERE IT IS" was all about. The marketing campaign placed mileage signs along the highway counting down the distance to the gift shop and its oversized jackrabbit. Today, the Jack Rabbit Trading Post is "Still Hoppin on Route 66" and remains a popular stop with Route 66 travelers. The convenience store and curio shop is located at 3386 U.S. Route 66, about 5 miles west of Joseph City, AZ 86032 Be sure to take advantage of a photo op with the bigger than life-sized rabbit and the VW Rabbit! Read more at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post website

Arriving in Winslow, Arizona

The next stop is at Winslow, and the popular "Standing on the Corner" made famous by the song by the Eagles. The sculpture, and the mural, is a "must see" attraction and photo op!

Well, I'm a standing on a corner 
in Winslow, Arizona 
such a fine sight to see 
It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed 
Ford slowin' down to take a look at me! 

Welcome to Winslow, Arizona, and Historic Route 66

Standin on a Corner, in Winslow, Arizona

Click to read more about Route 66 in Winslow

A Stop at the Crater between Winslow and Flagstaff

The Barringer Crater This meteorite impact crater is located about 18 miles west of Winslow and 37 miles east of Flagstaff. It is 3,900ft in diameter and has a rim 148ft above the surrounding desert. Take I-40 Exit 233. Meteor Crater website

The Meteor City Trading Post The Center of the Route 66 universe ... It's out of this world! Opened in 1938. Accessible from I-40 Exit 239 (Meteor City Road). Currently being renovated Meteor City on Facebook

Flagstaff, Arizona

From Winslow, we travel west to Flagstaff, a great stopover with lots of lodging and dining options. Read details about Hotels in Flagstaff, Arizona

It is a convenient jumping off location for side trips to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Page and other Arizona attractions.

Visitor Center in Flagstaff The Flagstaff Visitor Center is a great place to find out more about Route 66 in Arizona, area attractions like Sedona and the Grand Canyon, and lodging options. You can also begin the "Walk This Talk - Route 66" tour here. It is located at 1 E Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff.

All roads including Historic Route 66 lead to Flagstaff ... or at least many do!

Click to read more about Route 66 in Flagstaff

A Stopover in Williams, Arizona

From Flagstaff the road passes through Williams, the jumping off point to the Grand Canyon, Ash Fork, and then into Seligman. Read more about hotels and lodging in Williams, Arizona.

The last section of Route 66 nationally was decommissioned through Williams in 1984, replaced by I-40.

Williams, Arizona mural ... Last town bypassed by I-40

Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum Located at 101 East Route 66. Lots of Route 66 memorabilia. Admission is free.

	Click to read more about Route 66 in Williams
Take a Route 66 side-trip from Williams or Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon Vista overlooking the Grand Canyon in Arizona

 

A Stop in Ash Fork, Arizona

Only 19 miles west of Williams is the town of Ash Fork.

One of the town's claim to fame is large number of stone quarries and stone yards in and around the town, with Ash Fork proclaiming itself "The Flagstone Capital of the World".

Ash Fork was on the route of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in 1882, later the Santa Fe Railroad. It was named for the many ash trees growing at the town site. The Fred Harvey Escalante Hotel was built in 1907.

Route 66 brought a boost to the town’s economy. However, when the highway was widened in later years, many historic storefronts were demolished. Today, the town resides on the north side of I-40.

A popular attraction is the Ash Fork Route 66 Museum, located at 901 Old Route 66 and operated by the Ash Fork Historical Society. Phone the museum at 928.637.0204

Welcome to Ash Fork, Arizona on Historic Route 66

Ash Fork Route 66 Museum	Route 66 Museum Interior Exhibits
The Purple & White DeSoto on the roof ... DeSoto's Salon 327 Lewis Ave, Ash Fork	The Settlers Store, serving Route 66 since 1929 A Blast from the Past!

The Classic Route 66 Town: Seligman, Arizona

Seligman is located on Historic Route 66, between Flagstaff and Kingman, just north of the present-day I-40. It is situated at an altitude of 5,242', and has a population of about 450 residents. Its earlier roots was as a railroad town.

In 1987 Seligman became known as the “Birthplace of Historic Route 66”. Today, Seligman is home to numerous gift shops, restaurants and several small motels. Read more about motels and lodging in Seligman at TripAdvisor

When in Seligman, be sure to stop and visit Angel & Vilma Delgadillo's Route 66 Gift Shop & Visitor's Center. We've shopped there, and highly recommend it!

Seligman is truly a step back in time! It's a fun place to visit, with great photo ops.

The Aztec Motel and Gift Shop on Historic Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona

 

Angel & Vilma's in Seligman, Arizona

Click to read more about Route 66 in Seligman

In 1972, Angel Delgadillo moved his barber shop so that he could take advantage of the traffic on the new alignment of Route 66 through Seligman.

Business was good until September of 1978, when I-40 bypassed Seligman. To stimulate tourism, Angel, his wife Vilma, and other shop owners in northwest Arizona established the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona.

The Association was located in Angel's Barber Shop & Pool Hall.

His work helped make Seligman "The Birthplace of Historic Route 66".

Read more at www.Route66GiftShop.com

Elvis and friend on a break on Historic Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona

Route 66 from Seligman to Kingman, Arizona

On the road at Hackberry, between Seligman and Kingman on U.S. Route 66

 

Click to read more about Route 66 in Kingman

Arrival in Kingman Arizona on Route 66

Kingman is located on Historic Route 66, Interstate 40, U.S. Route 93, and Arizona Highway 68.

With its geographical location, it provides access to the gambling destinations of Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada, as well as the Grand Canyon, California, the Colorado River, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mohave, and Lake Havasu. It also is an Amtrak stop.

Popular attractions include the Historic Route 66 Museum and the Kingman Railroad Museum.

The Kingman area is served by about 35 hotels and motels, and over 100 restaurants, diners and cafes.

Kingman ... a popular stop on Route 66

Kingman Visitor Center ... Museum & Gift Shop

Driving from Kingman to Oatman, Arizona on Route 66

Olive Oatman Restaurant, Ice Cream and Saloon

The Route 66 stretch from Kingman to Oatman features numerous switchbacks, but is paved, albeit a bit narrow.

In the early years, this road was a challenge to navigate. However, today, anyone with even moderate mountain driving experience shouldn't have any problems.

Sitgreaves Pass, elevation 3,550 feet, lies between Cool Springs and Oatman.

The Drulin Hotel, built in 1902, did a brisk business to the area miners. This old hotel, renamed the Oatman Hotel in the 1960s, is the only historic two story adobe building in Mohave County.

Today, the popular small town of Oatman is an interesting stop, with numerous gift shops and small restaurants.

The Classy Ass Jewelry and Gifts, downtown Oatman, Arizona

Click to read more about Route 66 in Oatman

Oatman Hotel The Oatman Hotel, full-service restaurant and saloon. A classic since 1902. For more information, visit the Oatman Hotel on Facebook

 

Route 66 from Oatman to Topock

Route 66 continued from Oatman to Golden Shores and Topock, a distance of about 21 miles. The road then crossed the Colorado River and entered Needles California.

Route 66 Road Trips in Arizona
Holbrook to Flagstaff Seligman to Kingman Flagstaff to Seligman Kingman to Oatman

Travel Guides for Other States Along Route 66

Planning a Road Trip on Route 66? Here are trip planners for all eight states on The Mother Road ...

Arizona Route 66 Passport The Arizona Route 66 Passport is your guide into the heart of America. Cruise along the Mother Road, collecting stamps at locations along the way. Each passport comes with a free Traveler's Guide. It is published by the The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, a non-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation, protection, and promotion of both the surface, and the memories along Arizona’s portion of Route 66. Proceeds from the sale of Passports benefit this cooperative marketing initiative. Purchase an Arizona Route 66 Passport online or pick one up at one of the locations where stamps are given. More information about the Arizona Route 66 Passport Order the Arizona Route 66 Passport online Arizona Digital Route 66 Passport: Rock the Route The Arizona Office of Tourism launched in late August of 2022 the Digital Route 66 Passport. From Topock 66 on the Colorado River in the west to The Painted Desert Trading Post in the east plus miles of famous sights, shops, eats and towns in between, the free digital passport makes planning a Route 66-centric road trip easier than ever. There’s even the chance to win prizes by checking in and uploading photos through the passport. Access to the free digital map and passport is delivered instantly to phones and mobile devices after a quick sign-up.  Read how the Passport works and how to get one: Arizona Digital Route 66 Passport Read the Press Release here: Arizona Office of Tourism Launches Digital Route 66 Passport

Need More Help Planning Your Route 66 Trip?

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