Drive Arizona’s Route 66 and explore Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and more on this 7-day road trip itinerary.
Drive Arizona’s Route 66 and explore Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and more on this 7-day road trip itinerary.
Zany. Eclectic. Bizarre. These are just a handful of the words that have been used to describe Route 66 since its inception in 1926. One hundred years of evolution is preserved in roadside attractions like Froella, the Giant Elephant; The Nut House; Big Bill; and Stella Atom, the new space cowgirl in Tulsa. Take your time stopping at each of these iconic statues for a more leisurely trip.
From stepping inside tipis to throwing tomahawks, the hands-on experiences offered in Bartlesville will help demystify themes most of us have only heard about through pop culture.
From aliens to Bigfoot, Route 66 has over 2,400 miles of history and mystery to uncover. From sacred spirits to mysterious crash sites and extensive cave systems, you’ll find it all on the Mother Road.
Route 66, also known as the Mother Road and America’s Main Street, starts in Chicago, Illinois and stretches 2,448 miles all the way to California. If you don’t have weeks to spend exploring the whole thing at once, this seven-day sample itinerary along the Illinois-Missouri-Kansas section is the perfect way to satisfy your appetite for a road trip adventure.
When you make Williams your Arizona basecamp, you’ll find outdoor adventure, Indigenous experiences, and Southwestern charm await in every direction. In this spoke-style itinerary, Williams is your home base and each day you’ll explore in a new direction. Discover everything from the magnificent sights of the Grand Canyon to ancient dwellings and national forests.
Relive the nostalgia of the Mother Road while creating new memories in its centennial year! Kick off your journey in Holbrook, a town where Route 66 nostalgia meets natural wonder. Stay at the Wigwam Motel, a charming retro accommodation featuring teepee-shaped rooms. Spend your afternoon exploring Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert, both brimming with ancient, colorful landscapes. End the day with a visit to Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Co. for unique souvenirs. The whole trip will provide you with a vibrant mix of experiences just like this across the state of Arizona.
Arizona’s stretch of Route 66 is more than just a highway—it’s a journey through time, culture, and landscapes that inspire and connect us. From thrilling outdoor adventures to quiet moments of nostalgia, this historic route offers something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly getaway, motorcycle road trip, or a solo adventure, Route 66 reminds us that the journey truly is the destination.
Route 66 is a road trip rite of passage. If you don’t have weeks to spend exploring the whole thing at once, this sampling of stops along the California-Arizona section of the Mother Road is the perfect way to satisfy your appetite for a road trip adventure.
Route 66 is a living time capsule of a bygone era that brings to mind open roads as far as the eye can see, pit stop diners, and buzzing neon signs. This spirit of the great American road trip has endured, inspiring generations of wanderlust. While original attractions of Route 66 live on, they complement fresh additions to continue to usher motorists along “the Mother Road” for an unforgettable adventure.