Must-See Stops Along Arizona’s Route 66

Nothing embodies iconic American travel like a drive along Route 66, the famed Mother Road stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica. Arizona’s stretch offers quirky roadside stops, dramatic desert scenery, and family-friendly experiences.

Start in Kingman, about a 90-minute drive from Las Vegas, at the Historic Route 66 Museum. Exhibits show the road’s history through photos, artifacts, and a short film.

Across the street, Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner serves up classic burgers, fries, and root beer with a side of retro vibes.

Head east to Seligman, the town that inspired Disney’s Cars. Neon signs, kitschy storefronts, and playful attractions like Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In will keep the whole family entertained. Your small soda may come in a medicine cup, but quirky surprises are part of the fun!

Continue to Williams, known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” Explore neon-lit diners, browse local shops, and punch your ticket on the Grand Canyon Railway, a steam-powered train that chugs across ponderosa pine forests and wide-open prairies to the South Rim.

Further east, stop at Meteor Crater, one of the world’s best-preserved meteor impact sites. Rim views and interactive exhibits captivate all ages. Then, swing by Winslow, where you too can be “standin’ on the corner in Winslow, Arizona,” as the Eagles song goes.

Finish up at Petrified Forest National Park. Route 66 cuts through colorful badlands and fossilized forests.

Hike the Painted Desert Rim Trail, explore The Teepees and Blue Mesa, and follow the Giant Logs Trail at the Rainbow Forest Museum to see massive logs. It’s a hands-on history and geology lesson for the whole family!

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