Where This Awesome Arizona Weekend Road Trip Will Take You Is Unforgettable
By Monica Spencer|Published May 06, 2016
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
The Mother Road lived a brief yet fulfilling life from 1926 to 1985. Route 66 quickly became the most iconic road in the country. It inspired music, film, literature, and enticed many across the country to travel the long stretch of highway in pursuit of adventure or a new life. It created new towns, new attractions, and new lifestyles.
After the road was retired in 1985 when Interstate 40 was built, two generations have missed out on what it means to “get your kicks on Route 66.” Thankfully, however, portions of the highway continue to exist as it was built. That’s especially true for here in Arizona where detours off the 40 take you into little towns, ghost towns, and some pretty crazy attractions.
You could probably spend a whole week or two exploring every Route 66 attraction that sits between Topock and Lupton but most people don’t have time for that. That’s why we designed this trip along Route 66 that can easily be done in a weekend and is customizable depending on where in the state you live. We’re just going to highlight the stops you absolutely must see along the route headed from east to west.
So pack your bags, gas up, and get ready to see a quirky side of Arizona that usually goes unseen!
Route 66 once ran through this national park and allowed people to get a brief glimpse if they decided to just drive through it. Today, there's a small monument dedicated to the highway.
This motel is one of the most iconic images of Route 66 and a modified version was featured in the Pixar film "Cars." Although shaped more like tipis than wigwams, they evoke a romanticized image of the West that certainly drew the attention of many.
Although it is now closed, this trading post was once marketed as "The Best Little Stop" on both Route 66 and the 40. It is still standing and is a reminder of the quirky sights trying to entice travelers from the highway.
Located in little Peach Springs, Grand Canyon Caverns is home to the largest dry cave in the country. They offer several tours that wind through the caverns, including a ghost walk that may pique the interest of all you paranormal fans.
Situated in what looks to be an old gas station, this general store is a monument to Route 66 and old gas station memorabilia. If you're looking for some souvenirs of the old highway, this is one of the places to stop.
I believe that no trip is complete without learning something about the places you're traveling through. If you're looking for a place to learn more about the history of Route 66, this is one of the best places to learn about how the road influenced the lives of many.
This former mining town almost became a ghost town in the 1960s. Today, though, it is a major tourist attraction complete with Wild West tours, Americana imagery, and wild burros.
The ending point for the Arizona section of Route 66, the Old Trails Arch Bridge was one of spots to travel across the Colorado River to California. Movies like "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Easy Rider" featured this bridge. Today, travelers can no longer travel on the bridge because it now holds a gas pipeline.
I have to say, that was rough choosing just a handful of places to visit along Route 66 but I think these are the most iconic sites. What’s your favorite spot to visit along Route 66?
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