Your First Trip on Route 66 in Arizona: What to Know

Discover the best attractions along Route 66 in Arizona, from quirky towns to natural wonders and historic stops.

We love road tripping in Arizona and we have taken numerous trips to different areas. Since we always arrive from California, we usually end up driving along the Historic Route 66, and over the years we’ve discovered so many fun and interesting stops along the way.

Route 66 is one the most famous highways in the world, running across the entire Unites States. It begings in Chicago, Illinois, and passes through eight different states before finally ending in Santa Monica, California. In total, it stretches of 2,448 miles (3,940 km).

Many people dream of driving the full lenght of Route 66, but if you can’t do the entire road at once, it’s still exciting to explore smaller sections. In Arizona especially, Route 66 offers plenty to see and experience.

In 1960s and 1970s, Interstate 40 was built to replace much of Route 66. Parts of it was constructed right on top of the old highway, but many original sections still exist as service roads or through small towns along the way. In some areas, it bypassed downtown areas or mountain routes altogether.

Every now and then, you can hop off I-40 to drive a stretch of the original Route 66 and stop at historic landmarks along the way. Here are all the places you should’t miss while driving Route 66 in Arizona:

Route 66 attractions in Arizona

Topock

Topock is the very first town you’ll hit when crossing into Arizona from California. The state line runs along the Colorado River, and you’ll find yourself in Arizona almost immediately after passing through the town of Needles.

In Topock, you’ll spot the classic Welcome to Arizone sign, a Route 66 marker, and an old rusty water tower proudly displaying the Route 66 logo. There’s no need to spend too much time sightseeing here, but these are fun little stops to snap a few photos for your road trip album.

If you’re driving the opposite direction, don’t forget that California has strict agricultural check and you can’t bring fruit from other states across the border. Just be aware that your car might subject to inspection.

📍Topock:Topock, AZ 86436

Oatman

Oatman is an old gold rush mining town tucked high up in the Black Mountains. The stretch of Route 66 leading there is narrow and winding, so plan to take your time on the drive.

What makes Oatman truly special are the tame wild burros that roam freely through town. When gold mining came to an end in the mid-1930s, miners released the donkeys that had once worked alongside them. Generations later, their descendants are still there, often wandering the main street in search of treats from visitors.

If you’re looking for an authentic Wild West experience, Oatman is a must. Yes, it is touristy these days and thrives on visitors, but stepping into town feels like traveling back in time. During peak season, you might even catch one of the staged gunfights right on the street.

Parking in Oatman can be tricky, so it’s best to arrive early in the morning. On the way up the mountain, keep an eye out for the rare Joshua trees growing along the roadside; usually seen in California’s Joshua Tree National Park. And before you head our, check the weather; in winter, Oatman sometimes gets a light dusting of snow.

📍Oatman: Oatman Hwy, Oatman, AZ 86433

Area 66

Area 66 is a quirky little stop in the town of Yucca. You’ll pass it if, for some reason, you decide not to take the original Route 66 up through the mountains toward Oatman and instead stick to Interstate 40. And trust me, you really can’t miss it as you drive by.

The site’s big dome-shaped building has had a few lives over the years: once a real estate office, later even a UFO museum. The museum reportedly told the story of the mysterious object that crashed near Kingman back in 1953. Sadly, the museum has since closed, but one of the buildings still house a small shop where you can pick up daily essentials and some UFO-themed souvenirs.

It’s a fun and quick stop if you’re looking to snap some fun road trip photos.

📍Area 66; 12716 Alamo Rd, Yucca, AZ 86438

Kingman

Kingman is a small city just east of Oatman, home about 33,000 people today and with deep roots in mining.

The best place to start exploring Kingman is its historic downtown, where you’ll find colourful murals and old buildings full of character. One highlight is Kingman’s Historic Powerhouse, once the city’s electricity hub before the Hoover Dam was built. Today, it serves as both the Visitor Center and the Arizona Route 66 Museum. A perfect starting point for your visit.

Downtown also has a small but charming Railroad Museum, another nod to the city’s past.

Kingman has made appearances in plenty of movies and TV shows, including The Big Bang Theory, The Sopranos, and Prison Break.

It’s a nice place to stop for a couple of hours; perfect for grabbing a bite to eat or stretching your legs. You’ll find a variety of restaurants, and we’ve especially enjoyed a meal at the retro Route 66-themed Mr. D’z diner.

📍Kingman: 120 W Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ 86401

Seligman

If you don’t have time to stop in every little town along Route 66 and need to pick just one, make it Seligman. Along with Oatman, it’s one of the few places that has truly preserved that Old Wild West feel, and the locals have turned Route 66 tourism into their livelihood.

In Seligman, you’ll find classic cars, quirky exhibits, souvenir shops, and fun little restaurants. Sometimes a tour bus or two will roll through, so depending on your timing, the crows can vary. But that’s all part of the charm.

You don’t need to spend a whole day in Seligman, but a couple of hours can easily slip by if you pop into few shops and grab some lunch. That’s exactly what we did. We stopped at the RoadRunner restaurant, and the food there was quite tasty.

📍Seligman: Rt 66, Seligman, AZ 86337

Ash Fork

The small town of Ash Fork was born when the railroad came through in 1882. It got its name from the ash trees that grew along the tracks. When Route 66 was later built to run through town, Ash Fork enjoyed its golden days.

But things slowed down once I-40 bypassed the town and the trains switched to newer tracks farther away. Eventually, the downtown nearly died out, so today you’ll mostly see old storefronts and closed businesses.

If you do stop, check out the free Ash Fork Route 66 Historic Museum, run entirely by volunteers, or just drive through the center to admire old buildings. One of the best is Arizona’s very first Texaco station, which now amusingly houses a hair salon.

In Ash Fork, we followed old Route 66 as far as we could, until it literally ended in someone’s backyard. A little farther on, though, we found a spot where it picked up again.

📍Ash Fork: 314 Lewis Ave, Ash Fork, AZ 86320

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Over 700 years ago around 50 to 200 Sinagua Indians lived in this area as they had discovered that the cliffs can provide them great shelter. Erosion had carved many caves and holes into the cliffs and it was easy to build rooms in them. These cliff dwellings occupied by Indians are also called pueblos.

It is not known for sure why the Indians eventually left the canyon but they left behind over 80 cliff dwellings that visitors can see by taking a trip to Walnut Canyon National Monument.

Walnut Canyon is an interesting short stop for those who are interested in history. And the views from the trails to the canyon are amazing!

📍Walnut Canyon National Monument: 33237 N Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Meteor Crater

Arizona’s massive Meteor Crater was born some 50,000 years ago when a blazing fireball lit up the sky and a giant meteor slammed into the earth. The impact left behind a crater over a kilometer wide and wiped out nearly all vegetation in the area.

Today, this giant hole in the ground is said to be the best-preserved meteorite crater in the world, drawing attention of both scientists and curious travelers. Even the Apollo 11 astronauts trained here before heading to the moon.

The Meteor Crater & Barringer Space Museum is now a popular attraction that people travel far to see. We loved our visit, not just to the crater itself but also to the museum, which we found absolutely fascinating. You don’t stumble upon a sight like this just anywhere!

📍Meteor Crater: I-40 Exit 233, Winslow, AZ 86047

Petrified Forest National Park

Route 66 Alignment is inside the Petrified Forest National Park, and a visit there is absolutely worth it. This highly underrated park features amazing trails among petrified trees, colorful rock formations, and ancient petroglyphs. It was a real surprise to us, and we really enjoyed our time there.

When we saw an old 1932 Studebaker, we knew we had arrived at the spot were the original Route 66 once crossed the park. There’s no hiking required; it is a fun little stop and a great photo op.

Behind the old rusted car there was a line of telephone poles. That marks the exact path of original Route 66.

📍Petrified Forest National Park: Exit 311, Interstate 40, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028

Wigwam Village

Wigwam Village is an iconic 1950s motel where the “rooms” are actually concrete teepees. These Wigwam motels first became popular back in 1930s, when they started popping up across the Unites States. At their peak, you could find them in Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Arizona and California.

Today, the Wigwam motel in Holbrook, Arizona is one of only two left standing. Spending a night there was such a fun experience even if it’s not exactly luxury. What it does give you is that nostalgic Route 66 vibe, complete with vintage American cars parked out in front.

The only other Wigwam Motel that is still in operation is in San Bernardino, California.

📍Wigwam Motel: 811 W Hopi Dr, Holbrook, AZ 86025

Is driving Route 66 in Arizona worth it?

Driving along Route 66, especially in Arizona is so much fun because there is so much to see. It is definitely worth it, and the more time you have to spend there, the better experience you will have.

We keep going back time after time, and we always find something new along the road that we didn’t notice on our previous trips. And these are just the things right by the Route 66, there so many amazing parks and historical sites if you’re willing to make small detour.

Where to stay on Route 66?

We’ve spent the night in several spots along the Arizona stretch of Route 66. Most often, we’ve chosen Flagstaff; it has the best hotel selection and is roughly halfway across the state. Our favorite there has been Aiden by Best Western.

We’ve also stayed at the quirky Wigwam Motel and in the town of Williams. Williams is popular choice since it’s the getaway to the Grand Canyon. Despite being a small town, it offers a few great hotels like The Historic Grand Canyon Hotel and Best Western Plus Inn of Williams. Just make sure to book early as the rooms in Williams tend to sell out fast.

Another great stop is Kingman, big enough to offer a range of accommodation options. We recommend Best Western Plus King’s Inn and Suites or Best Western Plus a Wayfarer’s Inn & Suites. They both include breakfast in the room rate.

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Route 66 is such a fun experience, and we highly recommend driving through it if you’re in the area. It also serves as a gateway to some of the region’s most famous sights such as Grand Canyon National Park, and beyond that to Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend. Depending of course, on which direction you’re coming from.

Many travelers head this way from Las Vegas and then use Route 66 as part of a loop through the parks and lansmarks. And there’s definitely no shortage of them around here!

We usually arrive from California, where the Route 66 stretch also has some cool spots worth seeing. My personal favorites have been the site of very first McDonald’s, now home to a small museum, and the wonderfully retro Peggy Sue’s Diner.

Some day we would love to drive through the whole Route 66. So far we have done Route 66 in California, Arizona and parts in New Mexico. But it also goes through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. Driving all the way from Chicago to Santa Monica would be an amazing experience.

Have you ever dreamed of road tripping Route 66? Or have you already done it?