Road trip along Route 66 from Holbrook to Flagstaff, Arizona



Route 66 thru Holbrook and Winslow to Flagstaff

Standin on a Corner, in Winslow, ArizonaStandin on a Corner, in Winslow, 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 from Holbrook through Winslow to Flagstaff.

Let's start the trip ... near the Arizona border ...

Get Out on the Highway: Westward on Route 66

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 U.S. Route 66 from Lupton to Flagstaff, Arizona
Map showing U.S. Route 66 from Holbrook to Flagstaff, Arizona

 

 

Entering Arizona,
The Grand Canyon State
Arizona, The Grand Canyon State
The Tepee Trading Post at the New Mexico - Arizona state line
The Tepee Trading Post, near the New Mexico - Arizona state line on present-day I-40
66 Motel and Cafe, 1 mile east of Holbrook, Arizona


The Holbrook, Arizona Area

Holbrook began as a town of railroaders and cattlemen, outlaws and rugged lawmen. Today it is a city steeped in Native American culture, Hispanic roots and pioneers from all walks of life.

Today, the city has a population of about 5,000 residents. In this community is the heart of Navajo County, nearby are the beautiful Painted Desert and Petrified National Park.

For those with an interest in geology, Jim Gray's Petrified Wood Company is a fun stop. The Navajo County Historical Museum is well worth a visit as well.

Winslow lies 34 miles to the west.

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"

Route 66 sign and marker in the Painted Desert in Arizona


The Painted Desert near Holbrook, Arizona, directly on the path of Historic Route 66
Overlook at the Painted Desert in Arizona

Remnants of Route 66 can be seen in this photo of the Painted Desert in Arizona, along with the rusted hulk of a 1930s Studebaker.
The roadbed of Historic U.S. Route 66 can still be seen as it passes through the Painted Desert

 

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



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

Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona Classic Pontiac parked at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona


More scenes around the Holbrook area

Rainbow Rock Shop in Holbrook
Rainbow Rock Shop in Holbrook
Crystal Forest Campground
Crystal Forest Campground near Holbrook AZ and the Petrified Forest NP
Jim Gray's Petrified Wood Company
Jim Gray's Petrified Wood Company in Holbrook Arizona
Dinosaurs at Jim Gray's in Holbrook
Dinosaurs at Jim Gray's in Holbrook

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

The famous "Here It Is" sign for the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona, on Historic Route 66 Entrance to the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona, on Historic Route 66
Take a photo op on the famous larger than life rabbit, at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona, on Historic Route 66 A Volkswagon VW Rabbit at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona, on Historic Route 66


Arriving in Winslow, Arizona

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

Winslow is also the location of Fred Harvey's La Posada Hotel, which remains a popular lodging experience today. In addition to La Posada, several other hotels are available in Winslow.

A railroad town, Winslow is somewhat linear, stretching mostly east-west along the tracks. It is located about 58 miles east of Flagstaff, and 128 miles west of Gallup, New Mexico.

Welcome to Winslow, Arizona, and Historic Route 66
Welcome to Winslow, Arizona, and Historic Route 66

The Song

The song "Take It Easy" was written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey and recorded by the Eagles. The Standin' on the Corner Park features a two-story mural and bronze statue.

 

A new Glenn Frey tribute statue was dedicated and installed in the Corner Park on September 24, 2016.

It is estimated 100,000 visitors stand on the corner each year!

The red flatbed truck at the Standing on the Corner park in Winslow, Arizona

 

La Posada Hotel
Winslow, Arizona

In the 1920s, Fred Harvey wanted to build a major hotel in the center of northern Arizona that would become the finest in the American Southwest.

 

He named the hotel La Posada, "The Resting Place". It opened in 1930, and remains a popular lodging destination today, at 303 E. 2nd Street in Winslow.

The La Posada Hotel, a Fred Harvey masterpiece in Winslow

Outside view of the historic La Posada Hotel, in Winslow, Arizona

Route 66 Roadside Attraction sign: The historic La Posada Hotel, in Winslow, Arizona The historic La Posada Hotel, in Winslow, Arizona

 


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
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark

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

Meteor City Trading Post in Arizona between Winslow and Flagstaff


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
Flagstaff, Arizona

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

 

While traveling Route 66, make a side trip to the Grand Canyon ... click for details!

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.

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


Street scene in historic downtown Flagstaff
Street scene in historic downtown Flagstaff

 

While in Flagstaff, visit nearby Sedona, only a few miles to the south!
Sedona Arizona

 

Lodging Options Along Route 66

Read about travel to Holbrook, Arizona, with photos and traveler reviews at TripAdvisor

Hotels and lodging in Shamrock, Texas

Hotels in Holbrook, Arizona with traveler reviews and photos

Holbrook, Arizona Travel Guide

Holbrook, Arizona Restaurant Listings and Reviews

Hotels in Winslow, Arizona

Hotels in Flagstaff, Arizona


MORE ARIZONA ROUTE 66

Route 66 road trips across Arizona

Route 66 road trip to Holbrook, Arizona Route 66 road trip to Winslow, Arizona Route 66 road trip to Flagstaff, Arizona Route 66 road trip to Williams, Arizona
Route 66 Road Trip to Ash Fork, Arizona Route 66 road trip to Seligman, Arizona Route 66 road trip to Kingman, Arizona Route 66 road trip to Oatman, Arizona

Arizona Route 66 Passport

The Official 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 Official Arizona Route 66 Digital Passport ... and 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