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. 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, 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 Oatman is 5:45, less than a day's drive. But you probably want to split the trip up into at least two days.

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

 

Road Trips on Route 66 Across Arizona: Options

Map showing Route 66 across Arizona from Holbrook to Oatman

 

We have the trip across Arizona Route 66 divided into four major segments ... select your area of interest for more details!

 

Route 66 Road Trips in Arizona Holbrook - Winslow - Flagstaff Flagstaff - Williams - Seligman Seligman - Hackberry - Kingman Kingman - Oatman

 

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.

Map showing towns along the U.S. Route 66 from Gallup, NM to Seligman, AZ

Entering Arizona, The Grand Canyon State

The Tepee Trading Post, near the New Mexico - Arizona state line on present-day I-40

Remnants of Route 66 and an old rusted Studebaker can be seen in this photo of the Painted Desert in Arizona

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"

Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona

Traveling to 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

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 trips to the Grand Canyon, Sedona and other Arizona attractions.

Route 66 visitors center in Flagstaff

All roads lead to Flagstaff ... or at least many do!

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 Williams, Arizona Located at 101 East Route 66. Lots of Route 66 memorabilia. Admission is free.

 

A Quick Stop in Ash Fork, Arizona

The Purple & White DeSoto on the roof ... DeSoto's Salon, 327 Lewis Avenue, Ash Fork, Arizona, along Historic Route 66

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

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.

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 Hotel and Gift Shop on Historic Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona

Angel & Vilma's Seligman, Arizona 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 between Seligman and Kingman on U.S. Route 66

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.

Welcome to Kingman, Arizona, and Historic Route 66

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

 

Route 66 Road Trips in Arizona Holbrook - Winslow - Flagstaff Flagstaff - Williams - Seligman Seligman - Hackberry - Kingman Kingman - Oatman

 

Travel Guides for Other States Along Route 66

Planning a Road Trip on Route 66? Here are trip planners for the major segments ...