Arizona's Route 66 – the lifeline of America

Route 66, known as the ‘Mother Road’, is a nostalgic reminder of days gone by. Arizona’s stretch of the “66” is dotted with small towns full of quirky attractions, colourful history, historic signs and roadside diners, and is set amidst some of the South West’s most beautiful landscapes.

America Unlimited is the leading tour operator for your bespoke and personally tailored trip to the USA and Canada. Be inspired by our Arizona tours, including Route 66 and the Grand Canyon; America Unlimited would be delighted to plan your perfect dream holiday in Arizona.

In 1926, the Bureau of Roads established the Federal Highway System, and Route 66 was created from existing local, state and federal roads to form “the shortest, best and most scenic route from Chicago via St Louis to Los Angeles”. Numerous businesses sprang up along the road to cater to travellers, but it experienced its heyday after the Second World War, when rationing ended, the number of cars increased and family road trips became very popular. After serving as “America’s Main Street”, Route 66 was decommissioned after 59 years and replaced by Interstate 40 – it gradually fell into disuse and disrepair – as drivers opted instead for the newer, faster motorway.

Route 66 may be a thing of the past, but for many it remains etched in their memories and has become immortalised in American culture. Thanks to the efforts of Angel Delgadillo, the principal founder of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, Arizona can claim the longest stretch of the original Route 66 in the United States: it stretches 620 kilometres from the town of Lupton on the Arizona-New Mexico border to just west of Kingman, near the California border.

Among the best-known towns along the route are Winslow, with its famous Standing on the Corner Park; Flagstaff – the second-highest town in Arizona; Williams – also known as the gateway to the Grand Canyon, Seligman – where the Americana of days gone by is preserved, Hackberry with the legendary Hackberry General Store, and of course Kingman, whose Route 66 Museum chronicles the history of the Mother Road. The stretch between Seligman and Kingman in particular is considered the most colourful, kitschy and, at the same time, the most authentic and nostalgic, and it is an essential part of any Route 66 road trip.

Whether visitors are travelling along the Mother Road by car, camper van or motorbike, there are countless quirky sights and destinations along Route 66 in Arizona that are definitely worth a visit.

Image: Hackberry General Store – credit Dan Shewmaker, Image: Seligman Mural – credit Simone Kreckel for AOT, Route 66 Flagstaff Visitor Centre – credit Flagstaff CVB, Williams – Williams Downtown – photo credit Arizona Office of Tourism, Seligman – credit S. Kreckel for AOT