Mile 1728 — 2129

Arizona

Q: How long is Route 66 through Arizona?

Arizona's stretch of Route 66 is 401 miles (645 km), from Lupton at the New Mexico border to Topock at the California border.

Q: What is the best time to drive Arizona Route 66?

October through April for desert sections, May through September for Flagstaff and Williams at higher elevations.

Q: What are the must-see stops on Arizona Route 66?

Standing on the Corner Park, Seligman's Snow Cap Drive-In, Grand Canyon Railway, Wigwam Motel, Oatman Highway, Petrified Forest, and Meteor Crater.

Q: Can I drive from Arizona Route 66 to the Grand Canyon?

Yes — the South Rim is 60 miles north of Williams on Route 66. Drive up in an hour or take the Grand Canyon Railway.

Desert Highways & Grand Canyon Country

401 Miles of Adventure

Arizona's 401 miles of Route 66 deliver the most visually dramatic scenery on the Mother Road — from the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest to the cool pines of Flagstaff and the wild burros of Oatman. This is where Seligman saved Route 66 from extinction.

401

Miles

Cities

20+

Attractions

100

Years

Featured Guides

Essential Arizona Reading

CENTENNIAL 2026

Arizona Route 66: The Complete 2026 Centennial Guide

Arizona's 401 miles of Route 66 deliver the most visually dramatic scenery on the Mother Road. In 2026, the state celebrates the Centennial with new heritage signage, desert festivals, and restored roadside landmarks.

January 15, 2026

FEATURED

Seligman: The Town That Saved Route 66

When I-40 bypassed Seligman in 1978, barber Angel Delgadillo refused to let Route 66 die. His 1987 campaign created the Historic Route 66 Association and sparked a global preservation movement.

January 20, 2026

MUST DRIVE

Oatman Highway: The Most Scenic Drive on Route 66

The twisting two-lane road from Kingman to Oatman through the Black Mountains is widely considered the most scenic stretch of original Route 66 pavement anywhere on the 2,400-mile highway.

February 1, 2026

ICONIC

Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona

How a 1972 Eagles song written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey transformed a small Arizona railroad town into one of Route 66's most visited destinations.

February 10, 2026

LANDMARK

Grand Canyon Railway: Steam Trains from Williams

Since 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway has carried passengers from Williams to the South Rim. Revived in 1989 after decades of dormancy, it remains one of the best ways to reach the canyon.

February 15, 2026

QUIRKY

Wigwam Motel & Petrified Forest: Holbrook's Route 66

Sleep in a concrete teepee built in 1950, then drive through 225 million years of geological history at Petrified Forest National Park — all from one small Arizona town.

February 20, 2026

Your Route 66 Journey

Follow the road west — from the Painted Desert to the Colorado River. Each stop has our curated picks for attractions, food, and hidden gems.

Stop01

Mountain Town

Flagstaff

Flagstaff sits at 7,000 feet elevation in the shadow of the San Francisco Peaks, making it one of the coolest stops on Route 66 — literally. This International Dark Sky City is home to Lowell Observatory, a thriving downtown craft beer scene, and Northern Arizona University. Route 66 runs right through the historic brick-lined downtown.

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Lowell Observatory

Where Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh. Lowell Observatory offers stargazing sessions, telescope viewing, and exhibits on astronomical history high above Flagstaff.

$17 adults

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Lowell Observatory

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Museum of Northern Arizona

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Historic Downtown Flagstaff

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Stop02

Birthplace of Historic Route 66

Seligman

Seligman is where Route 66 was saved from oblivion. When I-40 bypassed the town in 1978, barber Angel Delgadillo founded the Historic Route 66 Association in 1987 and sparked a global preservation movement. Today Seligman is a perfectly preserved snapshot of 1950s roadside America — and the inspiration for Pixar's Radiator Springs.

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Seligman Historic District

The Snow Cap Drive-In (opened by Juan Delgadillo in 1953), Angel's Barbershop turned souvenir shop, and a row of vintage signs and motels make Seligman the most intact Route 66 town in Arizona.

Free to walk

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Seligman Historic District

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Stop03

Gateway to the Grand Canyon

Williams

Williams was the last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by I-40, on October 13, 1984. Today it thrives as the gateway to the Grand Canyon's South Rim (60 miles north) and home to the Grand Canyon Railway, which has carried passengers to the canyon since 1901. The neon-lit main street is pure Route 66.

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Grand Canyon Railway

Steam and diesel trains have carried passengers from Williams to the Grand Canyon South Rim since 1901. The railway was revived in 1989 after decades of dormancy and offers a scenic, car-free way to reach the canyon.

$67 adults, $40 children (coach class)

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Grand Canyon Railway

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Stop04

Heart of Historic Route 66

Kingman

Kingman anchors the western end of Arizona's Route 66 with its excellent Route 66 Museum and serves as the gateway to the legendary Oatman Highway — the most scenic driving stretch on the entire Mother Road. The restored Historic Beale Hotel offers atmospheric lodging on the original alignment.

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Explore Kingman attractions

Stop05

Standing on the Corner

Winslow

Winslow earned a permanent place in American pop culture when the Eagles released 'Take It Easy' in 1972, written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey. The Standing on the Corner Park draws thousands yearly. Nearby, La Posada Hotel — designed by Mary Colter for the Fred Harvey Company in 1930 — is one of the finest historic hotels in the Southwest. Meteor Crater is 35 miles west.

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Standing on the Corner Park

The famous corner from the Eagles' 'Take It Easy' (1972, written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey) features a life-size bronze statue and a trompe-l'oeil mural of a girl in a flatbed Ford. One of the most photographed spots on all of Route 66.

Free

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Standing on the Corner Park

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Meteor Crater

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Stop06

Petrified Forest Gateway

Holbrook

Holbrook is the gateway to Petrified Forest National Park, where 225-million-year-old petrified wood litters a 28-mile scenic drive through the Painted Desert. In town, the Wigwam Motel — built by Chester Lewis in 1950 — lets you sleep in concrete teepee rooms, one of the most photographed lodgings on Route 66.

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Wigwam Motel

Built by Chester Lewis in 1950, this iconic motel features 15 concrete teepee rooms arranged in a semi-circle. Each room is fully modernized inside while preserving the kitschy exterior. One of the most photographed lodgings on Route 66.

Rooms from $75/night

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Wigwam Motel

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Petrified Forest National Park

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Stop07

Gold Mining Ghost Town

Oatman

Oatman is a former gold mining town now populated by free-roaming wild burros that wander the main street accepting carrots from tourists. Daily gunfight reenactments and mine tours add to the Wild West atmosphere.

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Oatman Ghost Town

This former gold mining town is home to free-roaming wild burros — descendants of miners' pack animals. Daily gunfight reenactments on Main Street, gold mine tours, and rustic saloons make Oatman a quintessential Route 66 experience.

Free (mine tours ~$12)

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Oatman Ghost Town

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Oatman Hotel

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What's Happening

Arizona Events 2026

MAY1

Route 66 Fun Run — Seligman to Topock

location_onSeligman to Topock, AZ

$75 per vehicle

The annual Route 66 Fun Run sends hundreds of classic cars along the original Route 66 alignment from Seligman through Kingman to Topock on the California border. Three days of car shows, parties, and open-road cruising.

SEP25

Winslow Standin' on the Corner Festival

location_onDowntown Winslow, AZ

Free

Winslow's annual celebration of Route 66 and the Eagles' legacy features live music, classic cars, art vendors, and the famous Standing on the Corner Park. Multiple stages with tribute bands and local artists.

Travel Tips

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Beat the Arizona Heat

Summer temperatures on the desert sections can be extreme — Oatman regularly reaches 120°F in July. However, Flagstaff sits at 7,000 feet and stays cool even in summer (highs around 80°F). Plan desert stops for early morning or late afternoon, and carry extra water.

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Grand Canyon Day Trip from Williams

Williams is just 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Drive up in the morning or take the Grand Canyon Railway (departs 9:30 AM, returns 5:45 PM). Either way, it's an easy day trip from your Route 66 base.

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Best Time to Visit Arizona Route 66

October through April is ideal for the desert sections (Kingman, Oatman, Holbrook, Winslow). May through September is perfect for Flagstaff and Williams at higher elevations. The Route 66 Fun Run in May is the marquee event.

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Oatman Highway Driving Tips

The Oatman Highway from Kingman is steep, winding, and narrow with sharp switchbacks over Sitgreaves Pass (3,550 ft). Not recommended for RVs or large trailers. Take it slow, use lower gears on descents, and watch for wild burros on the road.

Frequently Asked

Arizona Route 66 FAQ

How long is Route 66 through Arizona?expand_more

Arizona's stretch of Route 66 is 401 miles (645 km), running from Lupton at the New Mexico border to Topock at the California border. It passes through 6 major towns including Flagstaff, Seligman, Williams, Kingman, Winslow, and Holbrook.

What is the best time to drive Arizona Route 66?expand_more

October through April is ideal for the lower desert sections (Kingman, Oatman, Holbrook). May through September is perfect for the higher elevation stops like Flagstaff (7,000 ft) and Williams. Summer temperatures in Oatman can reach 120°F, while Flagstaff stays in the 80s.

What are the must-see stops on Arizona Route 66?expand_more

The Standing on the Corner Park in Winslow, Seligman's Snow Cap Drive-In, the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, the Oatman Highway with its wild burros, Petrified Forest National Park, and Meteor Crater.

Can I drive from Arizona Route 66 to the Grand Canyon?expand_more

Yes — the Grand Canyon's South Rim is just 60 miles north of Williams, which sits directly on Route 66. You can drive up in about an hour or take the historic Grand Canyon Railway (departs 9:30 AM daily, returns 5:45 PM). It's an easy day trip.