A Route 66 Itinerary Page 2

State-by-State Itinerary (TX to CA)

Click below for the itinerary across each state (they are listed from East to West).

One of Route 66 classic sights:

Maps of Route 66

Follow the itinerary in each state with our state-by-state map with the alignment of US 66:

Texas

Texas, click on any town below to for full details (including main Landmarks & attractions).

Towns located on the Texas segment of Route 66

Click on the towns below to place them on the itinerary (towns are listed from East to West).

Route 66 in Texas

Trivia: Adrian is the midpoint of the original Route 66

Current mileage: 189 mi.

Tip: See our Texas Route 66 map, with the location of each town, and links on the map that give full details on attracions, sights, Route 66 icons and more.

Visit Itinerary Page 1 for the itinerary through the previous states (Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois).

Route 66 crosses the Texas Panhandle with an East to West direction, from Texola on the Oklahoma Border to Glenrio on the NM - TX state line.

The original Route 66 nowadays is mostly the frontage road of I-40. The 1920s segment can be found in the Jericho Gap (dirt), where there is a part that is missing, so you will have to go along I-40.

Another missing segment is west of Landergin, where you will have to keep on I-40 to reach Glenrio.

There still is a segment west of Conway is protected as a Historic Site.

From: Texola, OK to Shamrock, TX

From Texola in Oklahoma (mile zero), take the main road westwards. At the Texas state line (0.6 miles) it becomes Spur TX 30 which becomes the south service road of Interstate 40, and is the Historic Route 66 alignment. It crosses a "Historic Bridge" over the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railroad (6.6 miles).

It becomes Business Loop I-40 at the interchange with I-40 (13.6 miles) and enters Shamrock as East 12th St.

At the northeastern corner of Main (U.S. Hwy 83) and E. 12th St. is a "classic": Conoco Tower Station (15 mi.)

Historic Art-Deco Conoco service station Shamrock.
Clinton Steeds

From: Shamrock to McLean

Leave Shamrock westwards along Bus I-40 (West 12th St.) which becomes State Spur 556. Ignore the road that leads (16 miles) to the right to I-40's north service road and keep on straight along the southern service road of I-40. Caution at the exit from I-40 (16.5 mi.) Head straight, at the crossing of Farm to Market Rd. 1547 (20.3 miles) is the access which leads into Lela on the north side of I-40 (Exit 157).

Head west, and (34 mi.) pass under I-40 to the north side frontage and turn left along 1st St. into McLean.

McLean

Phillips 66 service station at McLean
David Spigolon

Visit its Historic Commercial District (Listed in the National Register of Historic Places) on First St. and the Phillips Service Station (36 mi).

From McLean to Conway

Head west. At TX-273 (37 miles) turn left along TX-273 and pass I-40 (Exit 142). Take the south service road of I-40 westwards (37.2 miles) turn right at Co. Rd. 26 and left to go west on I-40s South Frontage Rd.

The service road becomes TX-271 Loop W. at I-40 Exit 135 (44 mi.), and then 3rd Street of Alanreed.

Visit its Texaco station and (45 miles) keep west along the S. Frontage Rd. at Exit 132 you must leave the old road. The Jericho Gap begins here and it is very difficult to follow the old US 66 (a dirt road).

Go west on I-40 to Exit 124 (55 mi.) and there take TX-70, cross to the south side of I-40 (here is the old Jericho Cemetery, a few miles SW of the Exit.

Otherwise keep stay with I-40 westbound and take the overpass at Exit 121 to continue along the south frontage road of I-40 west.

Groom

Leaning Water Tower, Groom

It is famous for its 198 foot tall Giant Cross, and its Leaning water tower. At Exit 114 (66 mi.) the I-40 Frontage Road becomes I-40BUS and goes into Groom (Front St.), then it meets I-40 at Exit 110 (70 mi).

Head West on the South service road westwards, at CR-O (to your right which heads to I-40's Exit 98), begins the Historic US 66 segment, which now is TX-207 and heads straight towards the west.

Conway

Just ahead (83 miles) you meet FM 2161 (old US-66) which goes to Amarillo. Here is Conway. Turn right on TX-207 towards I-40 to visit (at Exit 96) the "kitschy" Buggy Farm.

From Conway to Amarillo on Historic US 66

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places

This segment of US 66 was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Head west along FM 2161, (Historic U.S. Highway 66), it meets I-40 at Exit 89, end of the historic segment.

Stay on FM 2161, cross I-40 and drive west on the N. Frontage Rd. (93 mi.) at Exit 85 head NW into Amarillo:

Cross BL 40 towards the south, and keep on FM 2575 (which runs on the north side of I-40), cross CR A (94 miles), which then becomes NE 8th Ave. follow it until it ends (918 miles) with a sharp right curve becoming B Ave.

The original alignment of US hwy 66 kept straight west but the airport was built and the road no longer exists. You have to detour around the airport by taking B Ave. north until it meets BL-40 ⁄ US 60 - E. Amarillo Blvd. (99.2 mi.) turn right along it.

Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo
Credits

At Folsom Rd. (102 miles) take a left along Folsom and go south until Triangle Drive (old U.S. 66) which is cut ahead by Lakeside Drive ⁄ TX 335 (103 miles), go right to E. Amarillo Blvd and head west along it.

On Tirangle and Amarillo Blvd. is the Historic Triangle Motel. Stay on Amarillo Blvd. which at N. Pierce St. (US 87) reaches downtown Amarillo (28.5 mi.)

Amarillo

Keep on straight along Amarillo Blvd till you reach Pierce St. (US 87) in the center of the city (107 mi.) of Amarillo.

Turn south on Pierce St. (US 87) take a left, bridge over railroad and (108 mi.) turn right onto SE 6th Ave. (TX-279) it becomes SW 6th Ave. and goes through the Historic Sixth Street District.

Go left onto Bushland Ave (113 mi) pass the Golf Course and under Bell St. (114 mi.) to head left onto W. Amarillo Blvd. (I-40 Buss).

The road curves softly until crossing Coulter St. (5.8 miles), adopting a westward direction. After crossing TX-335 it reaches Soucy, passes in front of the Historic Helium Plant (8.5 miles) and before reaching the "S" curve under the old railway line, the old alignment takes a right 118 miles) onto Indian Hill Rd.

Cadillac Ranch

The Cadillac Ranch is to the south of I-40 (119 mi.) You can only reach it from I-40 (See how to reach Cadillac Ranch).

At Hill Dr. (121 mi.) turn left, haed west on I-40 westwards. At Exit 57, (14.7 mi.) you will reach Bushland. Stick to the North frontage road of I-40 passing Wildorado (131 miles), at Exit 49.

Vega

Head west and at Exit 37, the road goes on straight, as I-40 Business W ⁄ US-66 reaching Vega (145 mi), keep straight along Vega Blvd., passing I-40's Exit 35.

At Exit 28, (152 mi.) are the remains of what once was the town of Landergin.

Adrian

Midpoint of Route 66

After Exit 23 - 22, the road becomes I-40 Business again, entering Adrian (158 mi).

Midpoint Cafe, Adrian, Texas
Peer Lawther

After Adrian, at Exit 18, Co. Rd. 18 was Gruhlkey if you keep west on the Service Road it will end and as a dirt track head north; this is the old alignment of US hwy 66, which followed the now abandoned Rock Island Railway. It curves south again meeting I-40 at Exit 15, in the past, the road crossed what is now the Interstate, following the railway tracks south and then west.

You should get on I-40 at Exit 18. To the south of the Interstate you will see the old road next to the now lifted railway tracks.

Keep on I-40. You will see the dirt Route 66 to the south, as the South Service Road. Take Exit 0 (72.5), cross over I-40 and on the south side.

Glenrio's historic district, Art Moderne Café
Worldbuilder

Glenrio

After the overpass you will meet ("T" crossing) US 66 running east - west. Take a right and reach Glenrio (73.1 mi from Amarillo) at the Texas - New Mexico State Line.

Total Texas Route 66 mileage: 183 mi.

>> Book your Hotel in Texas

New Mexico

See our page on New Mexico.

NM Towns on US 66

Towns located on the New Mexico segment of Route 66, in an Alphabetical list

Route 66 in New Mexico

Current mileage: 392 mi.

See our New Mexico Route 66 map, with the location of each town, and links on the map that give full details on attracions, sights, Route 66 icons and more.

New Mexico is the state with most mileage along Route 66. It is followed by Arizona with 388 mi.

At Albuquerque, two alignments of Route 66 cross each other, The the "Old" Santa Fe Loop went through Vegas and Santa Fe, the other (after 1938), bypassed them.

Route 66 crosses the state of New Mexico from Glenrio on the Texas border to Gallup in the higher region of western NM. The old alignment runs mostly parallel to I-40.

Glenrio

From Glenrio (Historic Site and Ghost Town) on the Texas state line (mile zero), follow gravel surfaced Route 66 west.

You'll cross San Jon River (7 miles), meet I-40 and follow its South Service Road (15 mi). Go by San Jon (18 mi.)

At Exit 335 (38 mi.) go into Tucumcari via I-40 Bus. Loop (E. Tucumcari Blvd).

Tucumcari

Must-see places: the Blue Swallow Motel, Cactus Motor Lodge, Odeon Theater, Mesalands Dinosaur Museum and the famous Teepee Curio Shop. A place to savour the vintage feeling of Classic Route 66.

From downtown (41 miles) keep west and at US 54, take a left and get onto I-40 westwards at Exit 329 (44 miles).

Old Route 66 continues but is cut off: to the North of I-40, as W. Tucumcari Blvd. and later at mile 70, you can spot it as the South Frontage Road which is inaccessible here.

Get off I-40 at Exit 321 take South Service Road, west it passes to the north side of the freeway (56 mi.).

Drive past Montoya (63 miles) see the Historic Richaredon Store. Next is Newkirk (75 mi.) followed by Cuervo where it passes to the south side again (Exit 291 - 84 mi.) here cross I-40 and turn right after the bridge.

The road forks, the right branch heads back to I-40 (Frontage road). Take the left fork. Its SW course leaves I-40 behind. Turn right onto NM-156 (91 mi.)

You'll reach I-40 and U.S. 84 (100 miles) at Exit 277. Follow US 84 to enter Santa Rosa (102 mi.)

Santa Rosa

Car Museum in Santa Rosa
Tony Hisgett

See the Club Cafe neon sign, theRoute 66 Auto Museum. Head north on U.S. 84 and west along I-40 at Exit 273. At Exit 267 (119 miles) to your right is NM 379: the original 1920s alignment through Santa Fe. At the next Exit 256 (NM 219 departs north to Santa Fe with US. 84, following the 1930s alignment).

Stick to I-40 which runs straight west, crosses some low hills and meets US 285 (158 mi.) at Clines Corners.

Trivia: 158 miles to the SW along U.S. 285 is Roswell, of UFO fame.

Original Route 66 through Santa Fe: "Santa Fe Loop"

The 1926 to 1937 Route 66 ran in a wide circle, from Clines Corners to Romeroville, Pecos reaching Santa Fe and then curving south, through Santo Domingo, Algodones to reach Albuquerque and continue south to Suwanee.

We decribe this original alignemnt in detail in our Santa Fe Loop web page.

Santa Fe

Historic Place: Oldest Church in the US, San Miguel Mission, Santa Fe. A. Whittall

There are plenty of Attractions & sights in Santa Fe.

It is the state capital and an ancient Spanish colonial town: Visit St. Francis Cathedral and the Palace of the Governors. Take in its typical building style.

Getting back to the 1937 alignment:

Clines Corners Sign, Alan Levine

At Cline Corners stay on I-40 west until Exit 197 (179 miles) to enter Moriarty along I-40 Bus. Loop. Visit the Sunset Motel and Jr.'s Tire shop.

Go through town until just before Exit 194: take a left and a right to follow NM-333 west, it runs south of I-40. Drive by Edgewood (189 mi.) and at Montezuma Heights hills begin. Take the 1930s-40s alignment by crossing to the north of I-40 (Exit 181 - 194 miles). Follow Sedillo Hill Rd. (NM-306) which arches north, and then south, crossing I-40 again (198 miles), get on I-40 at Exit 178 go west.

At Exit 175, cross south again and take N-M-333 west, it is the "Old US 66" through Tijeras (202 mi.) Here US 66 crosses the Cibola National Forest and the Salt Missions Trail. At (225 mi.) drive by Carnuel and again, to the south of I-40 head into Albuquerque.

Neon Sign of the Zia Motel. Albuquerque

Albuquerque

US 66 becomes (229 miles) Central Ave. NE

The city has plenty of sights and landmarks: Nob Hill district with the Nob Hill Business Center and the Valentine Diner Police Substation.

Classic Route 66 motels such as the El Vado Auto Court Motel, De Anza Motor Lodge, Tewa Lodge and Luna Lodge.

The Historic Old Town of Albuquerque with its XVIII Century San Felipe de Neri Church Church. Downtown with the historic Kimo Theater, the vintage 66 Diner and Maisel's Indian Trading Post.

Keep along Central Avenue, which crosses I-25 (217 mi.) to enter the oldest part of the city; it Becomes Central Ave NW, and on the corner of 47h St (219 miles) Route 66 crosses itself: it crosses the old 1920s alignment that came from Santa Fe. This is the "Old Town" of Albuquerque.

As you head west out of town along thee Nine Mile Hill don't miss Grandview Motel, and Americana Motel among others... Get your kicks in Albuquerque's Route 66!

Historic Kimo Theater, Albuquerque NM.
A. Whittall

Indian Chief decoration, Maisel's Indian Trading Post
A. Whittall

Follow Central Ave. as it curves to cross the Rio Grande (221 mi.), it approaches I-40, but don't enter it. Cross to its north side along Atrisco Vista Blvd. and follow the N. Frontage Road west at Exit 149. (228 miles). Enter I-40 at Exit 140 (238 mi.). Leave I-40 at Exit 126 (251 miles) and go south until meeting Old US Hwy 66, at Suwanee; follow it west.

At Suwanee you'll meet NM-6 from the east; it is the 1926-37 US66 alignment coming from Albuquerque through Los Lunas, Peralta and Isleta.

Dead Man's curve at Laguna

Dead Man's Curve, Laguna. A. Whittall

The road heads NW course crosses to the north of I-40 (261 mi.) becoming Indian Service Rd 522. Drive by Mesita along this Old Route 66 and see two landmarks: the Owl Rock and the 180° Dead Man's Curve before reaching Laguna.

Laguna Pueblo

Stop at the historic (1699) Laguna Pueblo and Saint Joseph Church both listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Cross San Jose River (268 mi).

Pass Paraje, the "eastern gateway" to "Sky City": the historic Acoma Pueblo.

Avoid I-40, stick to NM-124 to drive by Cubero (277 mi.) and reach San Fidel (281 mi.)

San Fidel

Sands Motel Neon Sign, Grants

Stop by the Historic Acoma Curio Shop and the Ruins of the Whiting Bros. Gas Station.

Go west, cross I-40 at Exit 96 along NM-124, passing McCartys. At mile 289 black basaltic lava flows and Anzac Rd. (dirt and gravel) forks to the left; it is the 1920s alignment, you can drive it or keep to NM-124 and merge with Anzac Rd. further west, where NM-124 crosses I-40 again and heads into Grants (296 mi.)

Grants

The "Uranium Capital of the World" has many Route 66 icons: the Wayside Motel, Sands Motel and Grants Cafe, the New Mexico Mining Museum and the site of The Old Fort Wingate near San Rafael.

Some amazing outdoors too!: lava flows and sandstone cliffs at El Malpais National Conservation Area (don't miss the La Ventana Rock Arch), the El Malpais National Monument and El Morro National Monument.

After Grants comes Milan (302 mi.) US 66 is now NM-122, and is I-40s North Frontage Rd. To the south is Bluewater with the Historic Bowlin's Old Crater Trading Post, followed by Prewitt and Thoreau.

Thoreau & Continental Divide

At Exit 53 (329 mi) is Thoreau. See Roy T. Herman's Garage and Service Station and go west on NM-122 at Exit 47 you will reach Continental Divide.

At 7,245 ft. (2.209 m) is is the continental watershed: rainfall goes west to the Pacific or east to the Atlantic from this point.

The 1930s alignment merges with I-40 here take the freeway till Exit 36 (346 mi.) and at Exit 33: Wingate with its Historic Old West Fort Wingate. Close by are two ghost towns: Coolidge and Perea.

Pass Church Rock village (352 mi.) and Rehoboth and at Exit 26 (357 mi.) head into Gallup.

Gallup

Neon Signs and Main Street (US 66) in Gallup
Wolfgang Staudt

Route 66 crosses the town, intersects its Main street (361 mi.) as Route 66 (I-40 Bus. Loop).

There is plenty to see: Red Rock Park, venue for rodeos, bull-riding, the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial and the Red Rock Balloon Rally, the Classic Route 66 El Rancho Hotel, the 1928 El Morro Theatre and the Lariat Lodge.

Take a day tour to Visit Zuni Pueblo and Grants via El Morro National Monument and the "Badlands".

The town's name is mentioned in the song Route Sixty-six (Get your kicks on Route 66).

At Exit 16, I-40 to the north, follow NM-118 west (366 mi.) through Defiance, take a sharp right (388 mi.) to cross I-40 and go west along NM-118. At Exit 8, US 66 crosses to the north side again passing Manuelito at Surrender Canyon. Becoming I-40 Service Road again (378 miles) and crossing the Arizona state Line to become Grant Rd. Mileage to this point (379 mi.).

Arizona

Towns located on Arizona's Route 66

List of Route 66 Towns in Arizona from East to West:

See our page on Arizona.

Some of the towns located on the Arizona segment of Route 66

Route 66 in Arizona

Current mileage: 388 mi.

Abandoned Cars, Route 66, Arizona

Visit our Arizona Route 66 map, with the location of each town, and links on the map that give full details on attracions, sights, Route 66 icons and more.

Route 66 crosses the state of Arizona from Lupton on the New Mexico state line to Topock on the Colorado River next to California. The old alignment runs mostly parallel to I-40 or is buried under the freeway, except for a long intact "historic" stretch between Seligman and Flagstaff.

Trivia: Williams, AZ was the last point on all of US 66 to be bypassed by an Interstate highway.

Lupton to Holbrook

From the New Mexico state Line, mile zero, go west along Grant Road until Exit 359, where you should cross to the South Frontage Rd. of I-40 and head west (0.5 miles). Pass by Lupton. Just west of Exit 351, (8.5 mi.) at the fork go left along Allentown Rd. and then right along Apache County Road 7240, it is the 1920s alignment of Route 66.

Near Houck (Exit 348) is Historic Querino Canyon Bridge.

When you reach US 191 by Sanders (21 miles) cross I-40 (Exit 339) turn right on North Frontage Rd towards Chambers.

Pass by Navajo. Stay on the N. Frontage Rd. (Pinta Road) and enter the Petrified Forest National Park, with its Historic Painted Desert Inn.

"The Tepees" Blue Mesa region, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
A. Whittall

At Exit 303, you can stay on I-40 until reaching Holbrook, or test your luck on the old 1920s dirt surfaced US. 66: at Painted Desert Indian Center (59 mi.) take the south Frontage Rd. west. It becomes Goodwater Rd., Coyote Rd., crosses to the north of I-40. Go left (65 mi.) along Pima St. in Sun Valley, in the outskirts of Holbrook.

Holbrook

Take exit 289 onto I-40 Bus. Loop (73 mi.) into Holbrook. You will leave town along US 180 (W. Hopi Drive).

Historic Wigwam Motel in Holbrook
Austin Whittall

Visit the South Central Av. Commercial Historic District with the Bucket of Blood Saloon

Route 66 classics: Historic Wigwam Motel (Wigwam Village Motel Holbrook), Rainbow Rock Shop with its dinosaur statues, Vintage Route 66 motels and Joe & Aggie's Cafe.

Get onto I-40 West at Exit 285 (78 miles). Old US 66 alternates as south and north frontage Rd. Leave I-40 at Exit 277 into Joseph City along hwy 40B, its Main St. was US 66. (87 mi). Visit two Route 66 icons: Howdy Hanks and Ella's Frontier Trading Post on Main Street. Get on I-40 at exit 274. After 6 miles stop at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post,with its famous "Here it is!" billboard.

Here it is! billboard. Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Joseph City, AZ

Leave I-40 at Exit 264 (98 mi.), follow Hubbard Rd. (on the north side of the Interstate, west) it will merge with I-40 at Exit 257 (105 miles), cross to the south side and enter Winslow along I-40 Bus. Loop (E 3rd St.).

Winslow

Follow US 66 through the center of the town (109 mi) and visit its classic landmarks: the Travel Lodge Motel, the Navajo Lodge the Bazell Modern Court, the Marble Motel (still open), Entré Restaurant, also open, the historic Hubbell Trading Post, the last Harvey House: La Posada Hotel. Its natural setting is awesome, check the nearby Little Painted Desert.

The "Standing on a Corner" mural and statue, Winslow
Austin Whittall

At Exit 252, (112 mi.) get on I-40 west. The N. Frontage Rd. is the old US 66 (dirt road here). Pass by Leupp Corner and the now defunct Meteor City.

Take Exit 233 (130 mi.) south and head towards Barringer Crater with its Meteor Crater (just 6 mi south of I-40).

At Exit 233, on the southern tip of the RV Camp is Route 66 with a NW - SE direction, go right. Enjoy the old road which at Exit 230 (134 mi.) reaches Two Guns. Get back on I-40 west after seeing the sights: Canyon Diablo gorge with a 1915 Route 66 Canyon Diablo Bridge listed in the National Register of Historic Places and a eerie Apache Death Cave and very nearby, the Canyon Diablo ghost town.

At Exit 219 is Twin Arrows (145 mi.) Trading post, a landmark.

To your right is US 66 (Now AZ-394), inaccessible from I-40 unless you drive back east along it by getting off at Exit 211 (154 mi.)

Drive I-40 to Winona and then AZ-394 Townsend - Winona Rd. See the Historic Walnut Canyon Bridge.

Suddenly after all that arid desert, green pine trees appear on the hills.

Grand Canyon Colorado River
A. Whittall

Winona and Flagstaff are both mentioned in the song Get your kicks on Route 66

Go straight until meeting US 89 and take a left (164 mi) into Flagstaff:

Flagstaff

US 180 meets I-40 Bus. Loop, passes the historic Railway Station (172 mi.) in downtown Flagstaff; head south side and exit westwards.

Outdoors in the forest: Those interested in the outdoors and history can visit Coconino National Forest, Ruins of Elden Pueblo the Red Rocks State Park, Wupatki National Monument and the Sunset Crater National Monument or head even further to see the Monument Valley Navajo Park and the Grand Canyon National Park.

Some classic sights: Western Hills Motel, Motel 66 and the Dean Eldrege Museum (Museum club)

The General Store, Parks AZ
Austin Whittall

Science fans can visit the Lowell Observatory from where former planet Pluto was discovered, and the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Some of the classic Route 66 sights are: Historic Downtown District

Get on I-40 at Exit 191 west (178 miles). At Riordan, Exit 190 is the Arizona Divide the highest point of the road in Arizona with 7335 ft (2.237m)

Just north of Flagstaff is Humphrey's Peak, an extinct volcano (12,633 ft. - 3.853 m), the highest point in Arizona, and site of the Arizona Snowbowl ski center.

You can reach Williams along I-40 or follow the old Route 66: take Exit 185 at Bellemont, visiting the Pine Breeze Inn, and then head north along Hughes Ave. and left onto Historic Old Hwy 66 - Branningan Park Rd.(184 mi.) Leave Exit 178 behind, pass by Parks visiting the Parks General Store, (192 miles).

Route 66 the Main Street, Williams
A. Whittall

Go west, pass Exit 171 (198 miles) and keep along Deer Farm Rd. until Exit 167 (203 miles), there cross I-40 and follow AZ-51A west to Bearizona Park (210 mi.) and turn left towards Williams.

Williams

DeSoto's Beauty and Barber Shop, Ash Fork

Drive its historic downtown Williams (212 mi.), the Railway Station with its steam engines is an interesting sight. The trains go up to the Grand Canyon.

There are many motels to visit along the Urban Route 66 in Williams: El Pinado Hotel, Bethel's Motel, Sun Dial Motel, Norris Motel, Bell Aire Motel, Westerner Motel, Thundirbird Motel, El Rancho Motel among others.

Get back onto I-40 west at Exit 161, go west to Exit 145 and enter Ash Fork (229 mi.) along Lewis Ave., return to I-40 at Exit 144.

At Exit 139 (236 miles) leave I-40 to drive the longest stretch of intact road surface of US 66 in the U.S.: "Arizona Historic Route 66", listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Head west towards Seligman.

Seligman

Drive through Seligman along Chino St. (254 mi.) stop at Delgadillo's Historic Route 66 visitor Center (Mr. Delgadillo promoted the AZ Route 66 Association).

Seligman's Central District is a Historic Site.

Route 66 the Main Street, Seligman
A. Whittall

Some "must see sights" in Seligman: Snow Cap Drive-In, Old Richfield Service Station, Court Deluxe Motel, Historic Seligman Sundries, Historic Cottage Hotel.

The road passes by the Grand Canyon Caverns (279 miles), and reaches Peach Springs (291 mi.)

Peach Springs

This is Indian territory, it is part of the Hualapai Indian Reservation; visit the Peach Springs Trading Post, Historic Site. Head west to Truxton (288 mi.), see Frontier Motel and Café, pass through Valentine (309 mi.

Hackberry

Stop at Hackberry with its Hackberry General Store, on the right (314 mi.) is worth stopping at. It was a general store and now is a gift -curio shop.

At 320 mi. the road turns to the SW at Antares (see the Giganticus Headicus). Drive straight into Kingman where US 66 becomes E. Andy Devine Ave and crossing I-40 (337 miles).

Kingman

The town's Commercial District is a Historical site.

Hill Top Motel Neon Sign, Kingman

Some Route 66 classics in Kingman: El Trovatore Motel, Casa Linda Café, Arcadia Lodge, Astro - Space Age Motel, Cool Springs, Travelodge Motel, Brandin' Iron Motel, Hill Crest Motel, Hill Top Motel, Ranchito Motel, Pony Soldier Motel.

US 66 passes the Historic Powerhouse (341 mi.), and turns to the south becomes the south Frontage Rd. of I-40 and at Exit 44, crosses to the west of I-40. Turn right along AZ-10, Oatman Rd and head SW. (346 mi.).

The road reaches the Black Mountains (359 mi.) and crosses them in a very snaking course, with sharp curves, left and right zig-zagging up and down. Sitgreaves Pass (3,652 ft.), is the summit. The worst part is over, when the road turns south again (368 mi.), and runs along the western slope of the mountains.

Oatman

US 66 reaches Oatman (370 miles), an old gold mining town. Visit the Durlin (Oatman) Hotel Historic Place.

Leaving the mountains you enter the desert again in "Wild Springs wilderness" you reach Topock (390 mi.) and the segment ends at Exit 1 of I-40 at 395 miles, get on the freeway and Head west.

I-40 crosses the Colorado River; to the south is the Old Trails Arch Bridge (Historic Site). As you cross the river you leave Arizona and enter California">California. Mileage to this point (396 miles).

California

Towns located on the California segment of Route 66

From East to West

CALIFORNIA, click on the towns below to learn more about them.

Route 66 in California

Current mileage: 318 mi.

Route 66 crosses California from the Colorado River to the Pacific coast, from Needles to Santa Monica through the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles.

Kelso Dunes in Mohave Preserve California, "Mike" Michael L. Baird

We will start in the middle of the bridge on I-40, over the Colorado River, (mile zero), at the Arizona state line.

The original Route 66 bridge is the steel arch bridge just south of I-40. It is a Historic bridge, and it appears in the movie "Grapes of Wrath".

You are entering the driest part of the trip, the Mojave Desert region, which was the toughest on both drivers and vehicles in the old-days. Keep on I-40, which turns north, towards Needles.

Leave I-40 at Exit 148, (6 miles) turn west and then north along Five Mile Road, and then north along U.S. 95, pass under I-40 (at Exit 144) and enter Needles.

Needles

Visit the Historic site El Garces. Go through the town (13 mi.) and follow Broadway St. (US 66), follow it, and take a left at Needles Highway, pass under I-40 and keep north, the road (River Road) crosses I-40 again (Exit 141 - 16 mi.), follow the fork left along the National Trails Highway and return to I-40 at Exit 139 (18 mi.)

Goffs

Leave I-40 at Exit 133 (24 mi.) go north along U.S. 95 ant (30 mi.) take a left along Hwy 66 into Goffs (45 mi.) heading SW to cross I-40 at Exit 107 (55 mi.) at Fenner. Here it meets the National Trails Highway and both head SW by Essex.

Roy's Cafe & Motel, Amboy
Photographers nature

Then come Chambless and Amboy (94 mi.), through the desert, with mountains to the north and south.

Amboy

Stop by the classic Roy's Cafe and Motel. The dark cinder cone of Amboy Volcano is to the south of Route 66 next to Amboy. The road skirts its lava field and turns NW passing by Bagdad and reaches I-40 by Exit 50 in Ludlow (122 mi.)

Amboy Crater, Amboy, California.

Ludlow

At Ludlow, cross I-40 and turn left along the north frontage Rd. (National Trails Highway).

Bagdad Cafe, Newberry Sgs.
V. Villamón

Route 66 crosses to the south side of I-40, then crosses the railroad, heading west south of I-40. After Exit 23 it passes by Bagdad Cafe, reaching Newberry Springs, and crosses I-40 at Exit 18 (154 miles).

Go past Dagget (166 mi.) and when you reach Nebo St. you must take a left to return to I-40 (168 mi.) because although US 66 keep on straight, it enters the Marine Base.

Get on I-40 at Exit 5 and leave at Exit 2 - 171 mi.), pass under I-40 and take East Main St. entering Barstow (173 mi.)

Barstow

Barstow and San Bernardino are both mentioned in the song Route Sixty-six (Get your kicks...)

The Torches Motel, Barstow

At Exit 1, follow Main St. cross I-15 and head west. Visit the Historic Harvey House Railroad Depot and see all the iconic Route 66 motels in town.

The road arches round Barstow, crosses CA hwy 58 and takes a Southwesterly course. It will pass through small towns of Lenwood (179 miles), Helendale> (197 miles), and Oro Grande (205 mi.)

It becomes North D St. and passes under I-15 at Exit 153, entering Victorville (210 miles).

Take a right onto Seventh St. south and at Exit 150 join I-15 as frontage road, heading SW into the mountains to cross "St Andreas Fault".

They then curve south through San Bernardino National Forest. You can take Exit 129 (234 mi.) and follow Cajon Boulevard across the pass. Re-enter I-15 at Exit 124, Kenwood Ave. towards San Bernardino. After the interchange of I-15 with I-215 keep right and exit again, onto Cajon Blvd. (242 mi) to enter San Bernardino.

San Bernardino

The later "Post-1930s alignment" followed Kendall St. and then south along North E. St. until W. 5th St. where it turned west again.

It was on N. E St. that McDonald's opened their first Hamburger store

There are many motels and old gas stations in town, but don't miss the Wigwam Village #7 Historic motel.

Cajon Blvd. turns into Mount Vernon Ave. take it south until W. 5th St. and take a right (252 mi.) . At Lytle Wash Creek it becomes Foothill Blvd. (CA 66).

The road goes through Rialto, Fontana (259 mi.) and Rancho Cucamonga (268 mi.) with a westerly direction.

It keeps on west through a chain of towns: Upland, Claremont (275 mi), heads NW at La Verne to cross CA 210 and go through Glendora (284 mi.)

After Asuza it becomes Huntington Dr. through Monrovia (with Historic Aztec Hotel).

It crosses I-210 (Exit 33 - 294 mi.) becoming Colorado Blvd., on the south of the Interstate. Passes through Lamanda Park and into Pasadena (302 mi.).

Pasadena

There are many classic sights in Pasadena such as the Foothill Boulevard Milestone, Howard Motor Company Building, Colorado Street Bridge, Bekins Storage Co. and the Rialto Theatre (South Pasadena).

At this point there are several alignments of Route 66 into Los Angeles: the original 1926 one that ended in downtown Los Angeles, later 1930-40s variants through Northeast Los Angeles, and the late 1940s ⁄ 50s road which we describe below:

In downtown Pasadena turn left onto Arroyo Parkway southwared which becomes CA 110 and in South Pasadena turns west as Arroyo Seco Parkway (which is a Historical Place). It passes on the north side of Montecito Heights, and right in front of the Dodger Stadium and take Exit onto US 101 N, (right - 311 miles), this is the Hollywood Freeway.

At Exit 7, leave US 101 towards Santa Monica Blvd. (315 mi.) and take a left along Santa Monica Blvd. (CA 2) Here you will meet the 1930s and 40s alignment again.

Hollywood

The Boulevard takes you through the heart of Hollywood and West Hollywood, and then it takes a southwesterly direction through Beverly Hills and passes under I-405 (325 mi).

End of Route 66: Santa Monica

Original US 66 ended in downtown Los Angeles (1926) it was later moved to the Pacific Coast Highway (then US 101 Alternate) which is current SR 1, in Santa Monica, California.

It heads towards the sea, through Santa Monica. Where it used to end, on Lincoln and Olympic Blvd. in the 30's and 40's.

But don't turn left on Lincoln Blvd. Keep straight ahead to its western terminus, on Ocean Avenue, 0.3 miles north of the Santa Monica Pier. End of Route 66. (396 mi.).

There is plaque at Ocean Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd. that dedicates US 66 as the Will Rogers Highway.

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Banner image: Hackberry General Store, Hackberry, Arizona by Perla Eichenblat.

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