Historic Route 66 All American Road – AZ
Details
- DesignationAll-American Road (2005/2009)
- Intrinsic QualitiesHistoric, Natural
- LocationIl, MO, OK, NM, AZ, CA
- Length152 of 12040.6 total miles
Overview
The charm, the history, and the atmosphere that make up "The Mother Road" brings travelers from all over the world to experience America down a stretch of highway where "anything goes" is literal.
Story of the Byway
Route 66 fans know that the Arizona’s stretch of this historic road is the heart and soul of the “Mother Road.” The preservation of this old highway, once known as America’s Main Street, began here and continues today. No other state can match the scenery of Arizona’s western landscape. Rugged mountains. Desert, pine forests, and rolling grasslands where pronghorns graze along Burma Shave signs. You will find small town with mom-and-pop diners, vintage motor courts, neon signs, and classic roadside attractions. Allow plenty of time for stops and photo ops.
Driving Directions
Driving across the top third of Arizona on Route 66, the road runs parallel to or joins Interstate 40 from Lupton on the east side of the state to Topock on the west side. The route goes through desert areas, national forest and mountains. Be prepared for all types of weather and temperatures, making sure to have bottled water on hand.
Points of Interest
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Oatman
Village in the Black Mountains where two prospectors hit it big.
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Power House Museum (Kingman)
)- Built in early 1900’s to supply power to mining camps.
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Grand Canyon Caverns
Located a few miles east of Peach Springs, the caverns lie 210 feet below ground level. They are among the largest dry caverns, meaning they lack water, so stalagmites and stalactites are rare.
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Keepers of the Wild Nature Park (Valentine)
Home to over 150 exotic and wild animals that were rescued from lives of neglect or abuse including a grizzly bear, tigers, leopards, cougars, monkeys. Birds, reptiles, wallabies, hoof stock, and a variety of indigenous wildlife.
Itinerary
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Caverns and Canyons
Day 1
Starting in Kingman, go west on Historic Route 66 for 22 miles to reach Giganticus Headicus. Stop to take pictures of this 14-foot green tiki head, a popular icon of the route. A few miles further pull into Hackberry General Store to explore endless memorabilia or stop at Keepers of the Wild, a rescue sanctuary for abandoned exotic animals. A few miles east of Peach Springs is Grand Canyon Caverns, where you can amble through the largest dry cavern in the United States. Continue south on Route 66 to enjoy lunch in Seligman, the town where the historic route began. Settle into one of many accommodations before exploring the historic town.
Day 2
Grab breakfast before continuing east on Route 66 to arrive in Williams. Ride the Route 66 Zipline, then head for Bearizona, a drive-thru wildlife park. Enjoy lunch in town before driving an hour to reach the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
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