Arizona boasts one of the most iconic stretches of Route 66, filled with historic landmarks, quirky roadside attractions, and breathtaking desert scenery. This guide will help you make the most of your journey along the Mother Road in Arizona.
1. Starting Point: Topock
Your adventure begins at Topock, near the California border. This small town marks the entry point into Arizona’s legendary stretch of Route 66. Before heading out, snap some photos at the Old Trails Bridge, a historic span over the Colorado River.
- Dining and Lodging:
- Hotel Topock66 (📍14999 Historic Route 66) - operates as a combined hotel + full‑service restaurant + marina resort.
2. Oatman: The Wild West Experience
Next, take the scenic, winding road to Oatman, a former gold mining town turned tourist attraction. Here, you’ll encounter wild burros roaming the streets, staged Old West gunfights, and plenty of unique souvenir shops. Don’t forget to stop by the Oatman Hotel (📍181 Main St), where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard reportedly honeymooned.
3. Kingman: The Heart of Route 66
- Kingman Visitor Center (📍120 W Andy Devine Ave) - a historic Powerhouse building turned Route 66 hub, offering free travel information, maps, and an all‑American‑made gift shop. It also houses the Arizona Route 66 Museum, the Electric Vehicle Museum, and the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona Gift Shop, making it one of the most comprehensive Route 66 stops in Arizona.
4. Hackberry
Continuing east, stop by the Hackberry General Store (📍11255 E. Route 66) - This roadside gem is packed with nostalgic memorabilia, vintage cars, and Route 66 souvenirs. It sits on Historic Route 66 between Kingman and Seligman , in the tiny community of Hackberry, Arizona.
5. Seligman: Birthplace of Route 66 Revival
- Angel & Vilma Delgadillo’s Route 66 Gift Shop & Visitor’s Center (📍22265 W Old Highway 66) - A landmark shop and informal visitor hub.
- Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In (📍301 W Chino Ave) - a fun, quirky dining experience and take in the town’s many colorful murals and signs.
6. Williams: Gateway to the Grand Canyon
Williams is not only a great Route 66 stop but also the gateway to the Grand Canyon. The town features classic diners, old-school motels, and attractions like Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum (📍101 E Rte 66). If time allows, take the Grand Canyon Railway for a scenic detour.
- Williams Visitor Center (📍200 W Railroad Ave) - It operates inside the historic Santa Fe Freight Depot, a 1901 railroad building restored and repurposed as the town’s primary tourism hub.
- Dining:
- Cruiser’s Café 66 (📍233 W Rte 66) - A 1930s filling station turned retro Route 66 café, glowing with neon, packed with memorabilia, and serving smoked BBQ, burgers, and classic American comfort food.
- Lodging:
- The Lodge on Route 66 (📍200 E Rte 66) - A restored 1938 family‑owned motel with retro charm, modern comfort, and free breakfast.
- Grand Canyon Railway Hotel (📍235 N. Grand Canyon Blvd.)
7. Flagstaff: Mountain Town Charm
Flagstaff offers a mix of Route 66 nostalgia and outdoor adventure. Visit the Museum Club (📍3404 E Rte 66), a historic roadhouse, and stroll through downtown’s vintage neon-lit streets. For nature lovers, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument are short detours worth exploring.
- Flagstaff Visitor Center (📍1 E Rte 66) - Located inside the restored Santa Fe train depot, a historic landmark on the Mother Road.
- Dining:
- Galaxy Diner (📍931 W Route 66) - All‑day breakfast, comfort‑food classics, and 100+ milkshake flavors.
- Lodging:
- Motel DuBeau Travelers Inn (📍19 W Phoenix Ave)
- Weatherford Hotel (📍23 N Leroux St)
- Hotel Monte Vista (📍100 N San Francisco St)
8. Winslow: Standing on the Corner
No Route 66 trip is complete without stopping in Winslow to stand on the corner made famous by the Eagles' song, “Take It Easy.” The Standin’ on the Corner Park (📍66 W 2nd St) features a statue and mural dedicated to the song. Also, check out La Posada Hotel, a beautifully restored 1930s railroad hotel.
- Winslow Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center (📍523 W 2nd St) - housed in the Historic Lorenzo Hubbell Trading Post.
- Dining & Lodging:
- The Turquoise Room (📍303 E 2nd St)– inside La Posada Hotel. A preserved Fred Harvey–era dining room inside the 1930 Mary Colter–designed La Posada.
9. Holbrook
Holbrook is home to the famous Wigwam Motel (📍811 W Hopi Dr), where you can sleep in a teepee-shaped room. Don’t miss the nearby Petrified Forest National Park, a stunning landscape filled with colorful petrified wood and unique rock formations.
- Navajo County Historical Society Museum (📍100 E Arizona St) - Located inside the Historic Navajo County Courthouse serves as Holbrook’s official visitor center. It is explicitly described as an “Official Arizona Visitor Information Center”.
- Dining:
- Studio 66 Café (📍2226 Navajo Blvd) - Serves breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, and coffee.
- Lodging:
- Wigwam Motel (Wigwam Village No. 6) (📍811 W Hopi Dr) - Built in 1950, one of only three surviving Wigwam Villages in the U.S.
10. Final Stop: Lupton
Just before crossing into New Mexico, stop at Lupton, where you’ll find classic roadside trading posts selling Native American crafts and souvenirs. It’s the perfect place to pick up a keepsake from your Arizona Route 66 adventure.
- Painted Cliffs Welcome Center / Arizona Welcome Center (📍I‑40 West Extension 359) - a visitor stop at the Arizona–New Mexico border, located at the base of Lupton’s famous red cliffs.
- Tee Pee Trading Post (📍Accessible via I‑40 Exit 359)- 60‑foot‑tall teepee structure. Sells Native American jewelry, pottery, blankets, Route 66 souvenirs, cigars, and herbal items.
- Yellowhorse Trading Post (📍359 I‑40)- Known for handmade jewelry, carved figurines, and its long‑running family legacy.
Road Trip Tips:
- Best Time to Travel: Spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather.
- Fuel Up: Gas stations can be sparse in certain stretches, so plan accordingly.
- Pack Essentials: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a camera for all the incredible sights.
- Take It Slow: Route 66 is all about the journey, so embrace the slower pace and enjoy the nostalgia.