How much do you love road trips in Arizona? Honestly, it's my favorite way to explore the state! I love packing the kids and myself into the car and hitting the open road as we look for adventure and several notable stops along the way. Oftentimes, however, we spend several hours in the car no matter how long or short the trip is. That's why an Arizona road trip scavenger hunt may be necessary to pass the time, especially with kids. To prevent as much of the question, "Are we there yet?" being uttered by either one of my kids, we often play a scavenger hunt game as I drive. Here are a few things I thought would be fun to add to a scavenger hunt on the road:
1. A Canadian license plate
Typically we see Canadian license plates from British Columbia and Alberta so you could add each one to your scavenger hunt. Or add all provinces for an extra challenge! Especially during fall through spring, our friends from the north come down in droves to escape the extreme cold and enjoy our mild weather during that time of year. As someone who knows plenty of Canadians who vacation here in AZ, I see Canadian license plates all the time!
2. A Welcome to Arizona sign
Whether you're coming in from another state or you're traveling close to one of our border states or Mexico, you may spot one of these pretty "Welcome to Arizona" road signs.
3. A miles to Phoenix highway sign
No matter where you are in the state, you'll probably encounter a sign stating how many miles until you arrive in Phoenix. Whether it's 100, 50, or even 25 miles, there's surely a sign for that somewhere along the freeways (depending on the direction you're driving in, of course)!
4. A vintage neon sign
There are so many cool, funky neon signs all around the Grand Canyon State. I absolutely love spotting them with their vintage appeal. Whether it's an old motel, a car dealership, a restaurant, or whatever, see how many of these vintage beauties you can spot along your travels!
5. Rock Springs Cafe sign
Along the I-17, there are plenty of signs telling travelers they are getting close to the world famous Rock Springs Cafe. And if you're tempted to get off the freeway and stop by, we don't blame you! This is a popular roadside stop for a reason. Oh, and do yourself a favor and indulge in a slice of pie while your here!
6. A Route 66 sign
Historic Route 66 runs in the northern part of the state between Seligman in the east and Kingman in the west. It even runs through towns like Flagstaff and Williams. Wouldn't it be fun to see how many Route 66 signs you can spot?
7. A National Park sign
Home to 22 national parks, you'll certainly encounter a few park signs no matter where you are in the state. Between the Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Tonto National Forest, and more, you can certainly check off several parks' signs in your travels.
8. Trading Posts
Roadside trading posts are big around the state of Arizona, especially when you're driving through reservation land. See what kinds of trading posts you'll find, whether jewelry, frybread, or pottery, and maybe stop to make a purchase and support a local vendor!
Are you ready to embark on an Arizona road trip scavenger hunt? What else would you add to the list? Let us know!
Before you head out on a road trip around Arizona, take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Essentials Packing List for everything you need!
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