Motor Thru Arizona

Motor Thru Arizona, The Grand Canyon, or The Cooper State. Arizona has the longest and most drivable parts of Route 66. Through Red Rocks, and old highway Arizona offers plenty of sights to see on The Mother Road.

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The Petrified Forest National Park

Coming from Gallup, New Mexico the first Route 66 site to see is The Petrified Forest National Park. Petrified National Park is the only National Park that contains a section of Historic Route 66. Take some time here. The beauty and natural wonders of The Petrified Forest are worth the time.

Holbrook

After you leave The Petrified Forest you drive into Holbrook. This is a great place to stop and spend the night at the Wigwam Motel. The Wigwam Motel is officially called Wigwam Village Motel No. 6, and next to the last Wigwam Village which is in San Bernardino, California.

Frank A. Redford was the man behind the creation of the Wigwam Villages. He created the first Wigwam Village in Horse Cave, Kentucky. This was a smaller prototype of the Wigwam Villages to come. The second Wigwam Village was in Cave City, Kentucky, and I stayed there when I was a child!

Chester Lewis, an Arizona motel owner, bought the rights for the Wigwam Villages and opened the remaining teepees over the next twenty years.

The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook is a fun place to stay, and it’s pet friendly so that makes it even better if you motor west with your pets!

Winslow

Coming into the town of Winslow you can’t miss The Jack Rabbit Trading Post. The famous Jack Rabbit Sign noting “It is Here” is iconic on America’s Highway.

Continuing on into downtown Winslow you will find a famous corner. The song “Take it Easy” was written by Jackson Browne and performed by The Eagles. The lyrics include “Standin’ on the corner in Winslow, Arizona” and it has become quite an attraction!

Glen Frye once said that the famous line came about because Jackson Browne’s car broke down in Winslow as he was heading to Sedona.

I’ve stood on that corner, just me and my husband, and years later our kids stood with us! It’s a fun stop on the way west.

Twin Arrows

Heading west before Flagstaff you will come to Twin Arrows, Az. The town itself is in ruins, but the famous Twin Arrows are still there. Twin Arrows was a former trading post along Route 66.

A Slight Detour

While not on Route 66, The Grand Canyon is a worthy detour. The vastness of the canyon and all the different wildlife you can see is worth the time off the Historic Route66. I know some call it just a bit hole in the ground, but the beauty of this big hole is breathtaking. And if you’re looking for a great way to explore The Grand Canyon, find your best deals Williams

Known as “the home of the best-preserved stretch of Route 66. Williams is small-town America. Williams was the last holdout in the I-40 bypass. There were court battles after court battles before Williams finally surrendered in 1984. Even though there was much opposition to the bypass when it surrendered the town of Williams held a celebration of Route 66. Bobby Troup was there to sing his famous song, “Get Your Kicks on Route 66, sung from atop the new freeway overpass!

There is nothing big town about it and it draws crowds year after year to sit back and enjoy small-town life. Williams really embodies the spirit of Route 66, from classic car shows to holiday parades, you will experience Route 66 in the best way possible in Williams.

Bearazonia

Located on Route 66 is Bearazonia, a drive-thru wildlife park. It’s a fun drive-thru to see wild animals. It’s not an original feature, but a fun trip nonetheless.

If you want more to do in Williams, check out these 66 suggestions here!

Kingman

Gas stations, curio shops, restaurants are just a few of the things that attract visitors to Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona. The Route 66 Museum is here as well. If you’re looking for a giant photo op the only place to go is to the Permanent Route 66 Drive Thru Shield. It’s a new attraction sure to attract Route 66 enthusiasts!

Oatman

Oatman, Arizona is famous for 3 things, a winding road that would make anyone cry, Burros in the street, and Route 66. Did I say Burros in the street? Yes, I did! These “wild animals,” are certainly an attraction by themselves. They are tame and love to steal ice cream from visitors! These burros are believed to be descendants of the burros that miners brought to Oatman and released when they were no longer needed.

Route 66 runs through Oatman onto the final town of Route 66 in Arizona, Topock. Trails Arch Bridge is an iconic bridge across the Colorado River, and was seen in the movie “Grapes of Wrath.”

Topock

Topock (pronounced TUH-pock) is where Route 66 crossed the Colorado River.

In 1952, Route 66 was realigned, bypassing Sitgreaves Pass and Oatman. Instead, it ran along level ground close to the railroad, to Kingman through Yucca.

Interstate 40 crossed the river in 1966 and replaced U.S. 66 in this area. The small settlement of Topock was bypassed as few cars left I-40 at Exit 1.

Motor to California

Leaving Arizona and motoring to California, the last state on Route 66. Click