Celebrating Route 66 Centennial! Must See Stops, Stays, and Eats in Arizona
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Arizona's iconic Route 66 with travel writer Roger Naylor as he shares the best stops, hidden gems, historic towns, and local favorites along the Mother Road.
From Winslow and Flagstaff to Seligman, Oatman, and Petrified Forest National Park, discover where to stay, what to eat, and the must-see attractions for an unforgettable Arizona road trip.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a weeklong adventure, this episode is packed with Route 66 travel tips, fascinating history, and inspiration for exploring one of America's most legendary highways.
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If you've ever dreamed of taking a classic American road trip, there's no better time than now to experience Arizona's stretch of Route 66. With the iconic highway celebrating its 100th anniversary, travelers have even more reason to explore the historic towns, quirky roadside attractions, and unforgettable scenery that make the Mother Road so special.
In this episode of the This Travel Tribe Podcast, Arizona travel writer and author Roger Naylor shares the fascinating history of Route 66, why Arizona played such an important role in saving it, and the best places to stop along the way.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a weeklong adventure, here's how to experience one of America's most iconic road trips.
Why Route 66 Is So Special
Route 66 officially opened on November 11, 1926, stretching more than 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles through eight states.
Originally, it served two important purposes:
Help move goods across the country
Support small towns and local businesses along the route
Over the decades, Route 66 became much more than a highway.
It carried families west during the Great Depression, transported troops and supplies during World War II, and eventually became the road of family vacations, classic diners, neon signs, and unforgettable road trips.
Although Interstate highways eventually replaced much of Route 66, Arizona became the state that helped save its legacy.
How Arizona Saved Route 66
One of the most inspiring parts of Route 66's story happened in the small town of Seligman.
After Interstate 40 bypassed the town, local barber Angel Delgadillo refused to let Route 66 disappear. He gathered business owners from across northern Arizona and formed the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona in 1987.
Their efforts convinced the state to officially designate Arizona's remaining highway as Historic Route 66, creating the model every other Route 66 state would later follow.
It's a reminder that sometimes one passionate person really can make a lasting difference.
Route 66 Stops You Won't Want to Miss
Navajo Nation & Petrified Forest National Park
As you begin your journey from eastern Arizona, you'll hop on and off sections of the old highway while passing trading posts, sandstone cliffs, and wide-open desert landscapes.
One stop you absolutely shouldn't skip is Petrified Forest National Park.
Highlights include:
The only national park that Route 66 ever passed through
Painted Desert overlooks
Ancient petrified logs
Scenic hiking trails
Route 66 historic markers
Fascinating dinosaur fossils and Triassic history
You'll also notice plenty of dinosaur statues throughout nearby towns like Holbrook, a fun reminder that this area continues to be one of the country's richest dinosaur fossil regions.
Winslow: More Than Just a Song
Most travelers know Winslow thanks to the Eagles' famous song Take It Easy.
Today you can:
Stand on the famous corner
Visit the mural and bronze statue
Explore Old Trails Museum
Enjoy local restaurants and shops
One of the true highlights is La Posada Hotel.
Originally opened in 1930, this beautifully restored Harvey House hotel is considered one of the finest historic hotels in the Southwest. With gorgeous gardens, incredible architecture, and one of Arizona's best restaurants, it's worth planning an overnight stay.
Flagstaff: A Mountain Escape
Flagstaff is one of Arizona's best summer destinations and deserves several days if your schedule allows.
Things to do include:
Explore historic downtown
Visit Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered
Take an underground history tour
Visit local museums
Enjoy dozens of excellent restaurants
Stay in beautifully restored vintage motor lodges
Nearby attractions include:
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Wupatki National Monument
Arizona Snowbowl
Endless hiking opportunities
If you're traveling during summer or fall, the cool mountain weather is a welcome break from Arizona's desert heat.
Williams: The Classic Route 66 Experience
If there's one town that perfectly captures classic Route 66 charm, it's Williams.
Every summer evening, downtown comes alive with:
Wild West gunfight reenactments
Live music
Neon signs
Ice cream shops
Local boutiques
Historic diners
Unlike many small towns, the shops stay open late, making it easy to spend an entire evening wandering downtown.
Williams is also the gateway to Grand Canyon National Park, making it one of the best places to base yourself for a few nights.
Seligman: The Birthplace of Historic Route 66
Seligman is one of the quirkiest and most memorable towns along the highway.
It's famous for:
Colorful roadside shops
Classic diners
Vintage signs
Historic barber shop
Route 66 memorabilia
This is also where the movement to preserve Historic Route 66 began, making it an essential stop for anyone interested in the road's history.
You'll quickly notice that Route 66 attracts visitors from all over the world, with international tour buses frequently stopping in town.
Grand Canyon Caverns
Just west of Seligman is one of Arizona's most unique attractions.
Grand Canyon Caverns offers visitors the chance to explore one of America's largest dry cave systems.
You can:
Take guided cave tours
Eat lunch underground
Learn about the cave's fascinating history
It's one of those unexpected roadside attractions that perfectly fits the Route 66 experience.
Kingman
Kingman serves as the largest city along western Arizona's Route 66.
While here, be sure to visit:
Arizona Route 66 Museum
Historic Powerhouse Visitor Center
Local restaurants
Hiking trails
Kingman also makes an excellent overnight stop before continuing west.
Oatman: Arizona's Wild Burros
No Route 66 road trip would be complete without visiting Oatman.
This former gold mining town is famous for the wild burros that freely roam the streets.
Visitors can:
Feed the burros hay cubes
Watch Wild West gunfight shows
Browse local gift shops
Explore historic buildings
The burros are descendants of the animals once used in the area's mining operations and have become one of Arizona's most beloved roadside attractions.
The Scenic Drive Through Sitgreaves Pass
Between Kingman and Oatman lies one of the most beautiful drives on Route 66.
This stretch features:
191 winding curves
Mountain overlooks
Incredible desert scenery
One of the most photographed sections of Route 66
Motorcycle riders especially love this scenic drive, but it's unforgettable for anyone making the journey.
How Long Should You Spend on Arizona's Route 66?
Roger recommends giving yourself about a week if you want to fully enjoy everything the route has to offer.
That gives you time to visit nearby attractions like:
Grand Canyon National Park
Sedona
Canyon de Chelly
Meteor Crater
Wupatki National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument
If you're short on time, you can still enjoy a fantastic three-day road trip covering Arizona's entire Route 66 stretch while hitting many of the highlights.
Where to Stay Along Route 66
One of the best parts of traveling Route 66 is staying somewhere with personality.
Instead of chain hotels, Roger recommends choosing locally owned properties whenever possible.
Some memorable options include:
Wigwam Motel in Holbrook
Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff
Earl's Motor Court in Winslow
La Posada Hotel in Winslow
Restored vintage motor courts throughout Seligman and Williams
These unique accommodations become part of the experience and help support the small communities that keep Route 66 alive.
Celebrating Route 66's 100th Anniversary
Throughout the centennial year, many Arizona communities are hosting special events celebrating Route 66.
Look for:
Classic car shows
Route 66 festivals
Community celebrations
Historic exhibits
Live music events
It's one of the best years to experience this legendary highway.
Listen to the Full Episode
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If you're planning an Arizona road trip, this conversation is packed with even more stories, local recommendations, and fascinating Route 66 history.
Roger Naylor also shares tips from his book, Arizona Route 66 Road Trip, which includes recommendations for where to stay, where to eat, and the best attractions in every Route 66 town across Arizona.
Whether you're a longtime road trip lover or exploring Route 66 for the first time, Arizona offers one of the most memorable sections of the entire Mother Road.