How Many Days for Arizona?
Arizona's 401 miles of Route 66 run from the New Mexico border near Lupton to the Colorado River crossing at Topock. This stretch features some of the most iconic Route 66 scenery — the Painted Desert, Meteor Crater, Standin' on the Corner in Winslow, Flagstaff's pine forests, the Grand Canyon detour, Seligman (the birthplace of Route 66 preservation), and Oatman's wild burros. Here's how to plan your time.
1The Express Run — 2 Days
You can drive Lupton to Topock in about 5.5 hours on I-40, but you'll miss everything. A quick 2-day trip: Day 1 covers Lupton to Flagstaff (230 miles) with stops at the Petrified Forest, Holbrook's Wigwam Motel for photos, Standin' on the Corner in Winslow, and Meteor Crater. Day 2 takes you from Flagstaff to Topock (170 miles) through Williams, Seligman, Kingman, and Oatman. It's fast but covers the essentials.
2The Sweet Spot — 3–4 Days (Recommended)
Day 1: Lupton to Holbrook — Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park (half day), Wigwam Motel photo stop, Holbrook's Route 66 murals. Stay in Holbrook.
Day 2: Holbrook to Flagstaff — Standin' on the Corner Park in Winslow, La Posada Hotel tour, Meteor Crater ($25, 2 hours), Walnut Canyon National Monument. Stay in Flagstaff.
Day 3: Flagstaff to Kingman — Grand Canyon day trip (optional, adds a full day), Williams depot, Seligman Route 66 strip (Angel Delgadillo's barbershop), Hackberry General Store, Kingman Route 66 Museum. Stay in Kingman.
Day 4: Kingman to Topock — Cool Springs Station, Oatman wild burro town, Goldroad ghost mine, Sitgreaves Pass (hairpin mountain road), cross the Colorado River into California.
3The Deep Dive — 5–7 Days
This pace lets you spend a full day at the Grand Canyon (South Rim is 80 miles north of Williams), explore Flagstaff's historic downtown and brewery scene, linger in Seligman chatting with the locals, and take the scenic Sitgreaves Pass drive at sunset. You'll have time for the Navajo Nation stops near Lupton, the Homolovi Ruins near Winslow, and the hidden hot springs near Kingman. Arizona rewards slow travel with the best scenery on Route 66.
4Overnight Recommendations
Night 1: Holbrook — Wigwam Motel ($75–95/night) to sleep in a concrete teepee, or budget motels ($50–70). Night 2: Flagstaff — downtown hotels near Heritage Square ($100–160/night) for walkable dining. Night 3: Williams — the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel ($90–140/night) if you're doing the Grand Canyon. Night 4: Kingman — El Trovatore Motel ($55–75/night) for vintage Route 66 charm.
lightbulbPro Tips
3–4 days is ideal, but add a day if you want to visit the Grand Canyon — it's only 80 miles from the route.
The Seligman-to-Oatman stretch is the most scenic driving on all of Route 66 — don't rush it.
Sitgreaves Pass from Oatman is a narrow, winding mountain road — drive it during daylight with a full tank.
If you only have one day, prioritize Winslow, Seligman, and Oatman — they capture Arizona Route 66's soul.