Route 66 Through Arizona

Arizona claims over 400 miles of the Mother Road, and driving Route 66 across the state is one of America's great road trip experiences. The highway enters from New Mexico near Lupton, winds through the painted landscapes of the Navajo Nation, and eventually crosses the Colorado River at Topock before slipping into California. Along the way, it threads through small towns that have preserved the spirit of mid-century travel with neon signs, vintage motels, and diners serving honest, hearty food.

Holbrook makes a perfect first stop, where the Wigwam Motel lets you sleep in a concrete teepee just as travelers did in the 1950s. Nearby, Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert showcase millions of years of geological history in vivid bands of crimson, purple, and gold. Further west, Winslow earned a permanent spot in pop culture thanks to the Eagles song 'Take It Easy,' and Standin' on the Corner Park commemorates the moment with a life-size bronze statue and a mural.

Flagstaff serves as the route's mountain oasis, with its historic downtown, craft breweries, and proximity to the San Francisco Peaks. Heading west, Williams bills itself as the 'Gateway to the Grand Canyon' and retains more of its original Route 66 character than perhaps any other town in the state. The restored downtown is packed with retro shops, steakhouses, and the Grand Canyon Railway depot.

The stretch from Williams to Seligman is pure nostalgia. Seligman is widely credited as the birthplace of the Route 66 revival movement, and its roadside attractions, quirky gift shops, and Angel Delgadillo's famous barbershop draw pilgrims from around the globe. Driving this road is not about getting somewhere fast. It is about savoring the journey, pulling over for a photo, and letting the romance of the open highway work its magic.