Route 66 from Flagstaff to Williams, Ash Fork and Seligman

San Francisco Peaks, north of Flagstaff, Arizona

We have traveled Historic Route 66 from New Mexico and into Arizona multiple times over the years, both eastbound and westbound.

Some of the journey is on I-40, which parallels the old Route 66 in many places. We drive the segments of the Mother Road where it still remains. Exits to Route 66 are marked in many locales.

Included below are a few of our favorite places and scenes along the Mother Road through Flagstaff, Williams, and Ash Fork, to Seligman.

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.

Map showing U.S. Route 66 from Flagstaff thru Williams to Seligman, Arizona

Flagstaff, Arizona All roads lead to Flagstaff ... or at least many do! Many highways pass through the city, including Route 66, I-40, I-17, and US Highway 180.

It is located at 1 E Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff.

Route 66 Visitors 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.

Route 66 Murals in Flagstaff
Route 66: Will Roger's Highway	Route 66" America's Highway

Street scene in historic downtown Flagstaff

While in Flagstaff, travel a bit to the south ... Side Trip from Flagstaff to Sedona

A Stopover in Williams, Arizona and the Grand Canyon

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 Williams, Arizona was founded in 1881, and is today known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon".

Shown below is a mural in Williams ... Last town by-passed by I-40 on October 13, 1984.

Location and Access to Grand Canyon National Park The park is located about 270 miles east of Las Vegas, and about 75 miles northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona. Grand Canyon Railway unloading passengers at the park There are two access routes to the Grand Canyon, the most popular one being Highway 64 north from Williams, located on Interstate 40 and Route 66. Another option is taking Highway 64 west from its junction with U.S. 89 at Cameron. Those visitors approaching the park from Flagstaff will take U.S. Highway 180 northwest from Flagstaff to Valle, and then U.S. 64 north to the park. Another mode of transportation into the park is via the Grand Canyon Railway, which runs from Williams, Arizona directly into the park. The railroad has operated since 1901. The South Rim of the canyon, with an elevation of about 7,000 feet, is open year-round, while the North Rim is open only part of the year, during the warmer months. Read more about a Route 66 Side Trip from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon

Scenes Around Williams, Arizona
Pete's Gas Station Museum	Grand Canyon Hotel in Williams
Williams Railroad Station	Bearizona in Williams

Visitor Information Center in Williams

Lodging and Dining Options in Williams

Hotels in Williams, Arizona with traveler reviews Restaurants and dining in Williams Attractions and things to do in Williams, Arizona

Stopping in Ash Fork, Arizona on Route 66

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 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 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.

Welcome to Seligman ... "Birth Place of Historic Route 66"

Its earlier roots was as a railroad town. Originally Seligman was called “Prescott Junction” because it was the railroad stop on the Santa Fe Railroad mainline junction with the Prescott and Arizona Central Railway Company.

In 1886 it was renamed Seligman, after Jesse Seligman, one of the founders of J.W. Seligman Co. of New York, who helped finance the railroad lines in the area.

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.

Angel & Vilma's in 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".

We've shopped there, and highly recommend it!

Read more at www.Route66GiftShop.com

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

 

Lodging Options Along Route 66

Hotels in Flagstaff, Arizona hotels and traveler reviews Hotels in Williams, Arizona Seligman, Arizona hotels and lodging

 

MORE ARIZONA ROUTE 66

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

Other Travel Destinations Near Route 66