385.2 miles, from the town of Lupton on the Arizona-New Mexico border to Topock near California. Arizona is home to the longest remaining stretch of uninterrupted Route 66, which is 157.87 miles from Seligman to Topock.
Route 66 will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2026!
Route 66 in Arizona stretches from Topock to Lupton.
Topock, Oatman, Kingman, Hackberry, Valentine, Truxton, Peach Springs, Seligman, Ash Fork, Williams, Flagstaff, Winona, Winslow, Joseph City, Holbrook, Lupton
A nonstop journey driving along Route 66 in Arizona takes approximately 7 hours. For a full experience of the route in Arizona, we suggest at least three days! The entirety of the route can leisurely be explored in one week.
Route 66 stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica- 2,448 miles! During the Great Depression, “Okies” traveled Route 66, escaping the Dust Bowl and heading for western promise. The route served as the greatest manpower mobilization in the history of the nation during the war years, and by the time the 1960s came along, Route 66 had become the epitome of American road travel.
Route 66 became a symbol of independence and freedom, and it became forever immortalized in America's consciousness through pop-culture tributes such as John Steinbeck's book The Grapes of Wrath, Bobby Troup's famous song Route 66, and the CBS television series Route 66.
However, Route 66 was bypassed with the Federal-Aid Highway Act. Route 66's last stretch in Arizona was bypassed when I-40 was completed in 1984. In 1985, Route 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System. Many communities along Route 66 in the United States deeply suffered, with so many longstanding businesses forced to shut down due to a lack of travelers. In 1987, Angel Delgadillo, from Seligman, formed the Route 66 Association with the intention of lobbying the State to establish Route 66 as a historic highway, hoping that would bring back tourism and traffic to his small town. Through his efforts, the seeds for the revival of the Mother Road were planted. Over the years, the Association’s efforts have resulted in Arizona’s segment of Route 66 being designated as an Arizona Historic Road, a National Scenic Byway, and attaining All-American Road status, the highest National designation possible.
Additionally, Disney Pixar's Cars (released in June 2006) inspired a whole new generation of Route 66 enthusiasts! The Disney film took inspiration from many Arizona Route 66 communities, with the Cozy Cone Motel based off the Wigwam Motel, Radiator Springs Curios inspired by the Hackberry General Store, and the iconic “Here It Is!” billboard.
There is so much to see and explore along Route 66 in Arizona! From historic and famous roadside attractions like the giant jackrabbit at Jack Rabbit Trading Post to a new oddity like the Poozeum in Williams, there's one thing for certain- your Route 66 journey is sure to be unforgettable. Arizona's portion of the Mother Road honors the history of the past while stepping into the future of new technology with the Angel Delgadillo StoryFile exhibit and the Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory.
Check out our itineraries for more road trip inspiration- from hiking along Route 66 to dining recommendations! You can also view our digital travelers guide and we'll even mail one to you- free of charge! Don't forget to follow us on Facebook & Instagram where we're always sharing road trip inspiration.
Do you have any more questions about Route 66 in Arizona? Please reach out to us! We are always happy to help. Happy motoring!
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