Route 66 in Arizona

Route 66 Travel in Arizona

Traveling Route 66 in Arizona offers a journey packed with iconic stops, quirky attractions, and breathtaking scenery. Starting in the east, visitors can explore Holbrook, home to the nostalgic Wigwam Motel and close to the stunning Petrified Forest National Park. Moving west, Winslow invites fans of classic rock to “stand on the corner” made famous by The Eagles. In Flagstaff, travelers can enjoy a vibrant downtown, historic railroad district, and access to scenic wonders like Walnut Canyon and the Lowell Observatory.

Further along, Williams offers classic diners, neon signs, and the Grand Canyon Railway, making it a great base for a trip to the Grand Canyon. In Seligman, considered the birthplace of Route 66 preservation, colorful storefronts and kitschy roadside attractions celebrate the road’s heyday. Kingman features a must-see Route 66 Museum, while Oatman, a former mining town, is famous for its wild burros and staged gunfights. Each stop on Arizona’s stretch of Route 66 captures a unique piece of Americana, offering a nostalgic and unforgettable road trip experience.

About Arizona

State Facts

Some interesting and useful facts to know about Arizona:

1. Statehood: Arizona became the 48th state of the U.S. on February 14, 1912—Valentine’s Day!
2. Grand Canyon: It’s home to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Diverse Geography: Arizona isn’t all desert—there are mountains, forests, canyons, rivers, and even snow in places like Flagstaff and the White Mountains.
4. Native American Heritage: Arizona has 22 federally recognized Native American tribes, and the state includes large reservation lands like the Navajo Nation.
5. No Daylight Saving Time: Most of Arizona doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time, except for the Navajo Nation.
6. Sonoran Desert: Arizona is home to the Sonoran Desert, where the iconic saguaro cactus grows naturally.
7. Route 66: A famous portion of Historic Route 66 runs through Arizona, with stops in towns like Winslow, Seligman, and Kingman.
8. Meteor Crater: Near Winslow, you’ll find the best-preserved meteor impact site in the world—about 50,000 years old and nearly a mile wide.
9. Petrified Forest: Arizona is home to the Petrified Forest National Park, filled with colorful fossilized trees dating back over 200 million years.
10. Monsoon Season: Arizona experiences a monsoon season in the summer (usually July–September), with sudden storms, heavy rain, and dust storms.
11. Copper State: Arizona is sometimes called the “Copper State” because of its large copper production—it’s one of the top producers in the U.S.
12. Tourism: Major attractions include Sedona’s red rocks, Havasu Falls, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and Tombstone, a historic Old West town.
13. Population Centers: The capital and largest city is Phoenix, which is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
14. University Hub: Arizona is home to major universities including Arizona State University (ASU) and University of Arizona (UA).
15. Unique Wildlife: Arizona has a wide range of wildlife, from roadrunners and rattlesnakes to javelinas and Gila monsters—a venomous lizard found only in the Southwest.

Arizona’s History

Arizona has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. Long before European settlers arrived, the land was home to Native American civilizations such as the Hohokam, Ancestral Puebloans, and later, tribes like the Navajo, Hopi, and Apache. Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s, and the area became part of Mexico in 1821 after Mexico gained independence from Spain. Following the Mexican-American War, the U.S. acquired the region in 1848, and Arizona officially became a U.S. territory in 1863. It was the last of the contiguous states to join the Union, achieving statehood on February 14, 1912. Arizona’s history is marked by its Native American heritage, frontier roots, mining booms, and its development into a modern, fast-growing state.

Geography

Arizona boasts a remarkably diverse and dramatic geography that showcases everything from arid deserts to towering mountains and deep canyons. Located in the southwestern United States, the state is divided into three main geographic regions: the Colorado Plateau, the Transition Zone, and the Basin and Range region. Each of these areas offers unique landforms, ecosystems, and natural features that contribute to Arizona’s rich landscape.

In the northern part of the state lies the Colorado Plateau, a high, flat region that spans much of the Four Corners area. This region is home to some of Arizona’s most iconic landmarks, including the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The plateau also features deep river gorges, red rock formations, and expansive mesas. Elevations in this area are generally high, leading to cooler temperatures and more forested areas, especially around Flagstaff and the Kaibab National Forest.

South of the Colorado Plateau is the Transition Zone, a narrow strip of rugged mountains and valleys that runs diagonally across the state. This region acts as a natural bridge between the high plateaus and the lower deserts. The Mogollon Rim, a steep escarpment that marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau, is a prominent feature here. It creates a dramatic change in elevation and is covered in dense pine forests and scenic cliffs.

The southern part of Arizona falls within the Basin and Range region, characterized by broad desert valleys separated by isolated mountain ranges. This region includes the Sonoran Desert, one of the hottest and most biologically diverse deserts in North America. Here, iconic saguaro cacti dot the landscape, and the terrain consists of rocky hills, sandy plains, and dry riverbeds. Cities like Phoenix and Tucson are located in this region, where the climate is hot and dry for much of the year.

Arizona’s geography is not only visually stunning but also supports a wide variety of plants, animals, and outdoor recreation opportunities. From snow-capped peaks and cool pine forests to sun-drenched deserts and colorful canyons, the state’s landscape is as varied as it is beautiful. This diversity makes Arizona a unique and fascinating place to explore.

Climate

Arizona has a predominantly arid and semi-arid climate, characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and low annual rainfall. The southern part of the state, including cities like Phoenix and Tucson, experiences extremely high temperatures in summer, often exceeding 100°F (38°C). In contrast, the northern highlands, including Flagstaff, have a cooler climate with occasional snowfall in winter. Arizona also experiences a summer monsoon season, typically from July to September, bringing brief but intense thunderstorms and localized flooding.

The Climate Along Route 66 in Arizona

The climate along Route 66 in Arizona varies greatly due to the state’s diverse geography, offering travelers a range of weather conditions as they journey from east to west. Starting near the New Mexico border, towns like Lupton and Holbrook sit in the high desert and typically experience dry, sunny weather with warm summers and chilly winters. As Route 66 continues west, elevations rise in areas like Flagstaff, where the climate shifts dramatically—this mountainous region has a cooler, alpine climate with snowy winters and mild summers, a sharp contrast to Arizona’s desert stereotype.

As travelers descend toward Williams, Seligman, and Kingman, the weather becomes warmer and drier, especially in the spring and summer months. These areas can see daytime summer highs in the 90s°F (32–37°C), but nights often remain cool due to elevation. Further west, the route approaches the Mojave Desert near Oatman and Topock, where the climate becomes truly desert-like. Summers here are extremely hot, with temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F (38°C). Overall, Route 66 in Arizona spans a range of climates—from cool mountain air to blazing desert heat—offering both challenges and beauty for road trippers year-round.

Where to Stay in Arizona

Lodging in Arizona by city.

Towns Located on Route 66 in Arizona

List of Route 66 Towns in Arizona from east to west

A List of Route 66 Attractions in Arizona

Attractions Listed in the National Register

Historic Querino Canyon Bridge
Route 66 Canyon Diablo Bridge
Historic Route 66 Bridge iin Winona
Trails Arch Bridge 1916-947 in Topock

Other Sites: Hotels, Districts, and More

Historic Painted Desert Inn in Holbrook
South Central Avenue – Commercial Historic District in Holbrook
Bucket of Blood Saloon in Holbrook
Historic Navajo County Courthouse & Museum in Holbrook

Hubbell Trading Post in Winslow
La Posada Hotel in Winslow
Winslow’s Historic Commercial District
Flagstaff Historic Downtown District

Williams Historic Downtown District and Urban Route 55
Historic Valentine School
The Kingman Commercial Historic District
This historic Durlin Oatman Hotel in Oatman

The Famous Burrows of Oatman, Arizona

Classic Route 66 Motels

Chieftain Motel in Chambers

The Copper State Motel in Ash Fork

Holbrook Motels

Woods Inn
Hiway House Motel
Brad’s Motel
Western Motel
Whiting Motel

Winslow Motels

Travel Lodge Motel
Navajo Lodge
Bazell Modern Court
Marble Motel

Flagstaff Motels

Weatherford Motel
Downtowner Motel
L Motel
Lane Motel
Western Hills Motel

Williams Motels

Fray Marcos Hotel
Grand Canyon Hotel
El Pinado Hotel
Bethel’s Motel
Sun Dial Motel

Seligman Motels

Court Deluxe Motel
Historic Cottage Hotel
Supai Motel
Aztec Motel
Bill-Mar-Den Stagecoach Motel

Truxton Motels

Frontier Motel and Cafe
Barker Apartments
The Orlando Motel
Chief’s Motel
Ranchero Motel

Kingman Motels

Siesta Motel
El Trovatore Motel
Arcadia Lodge
Astro Space Age Motel

Yucca Motels

Joshua Motel and Cafe
Whiting Bros. Motel and Gas Station

Classic Service Stations

Former Shell Station in Kingman
Cool Springs Station on Route 66 in the Black Hills

Historic Districts

Holbrook – South Central Avenue Commercial District
Winslow’s Historic Commercial District
Flagstaff Historic Downtown District
Williams Historic Downtown District
Seligman Historic Downtown District
The Kingman Commercial Historic District

Bridges

Allentown
Canyon Diablo Railway Bridge
Historic Route 66 Bridge at Twin Arrows
Route 66 Bridge in Seligman
Crozier Canyon Bridge in Valentine

Trading Posts, Cafes, Shops, and Stores

The Painted Desert
Painted Desert Trading Posts in Holbrook
The Petrified Forest National Park