ROUTE 66, AZ — ABC15 hit the road for a week-long journey across Arizona’s stretch of historic Route 66 in honor of the highway’s upcoming 100th anniversary!
From the New Mexico border to the edge of California, we explored one of the most iconic highways in American history, highlighting the people, places, and stories that helped define Route 66 and its lasting impact on the American West.
Our journey took us through historic stops like Petrified Forest National Park, where the original road still cuts through the desert, to classic roadside landmarks like the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook and the preserved neon nostalgia of Seligman.
We visited ghost towns like Two Guns, explored Route 66’s connection to Native communities in Peach Springs on the Hualapai Nation, and drove through the historic mountain curves of Sitgreaves Pass before reaching the Old West charm of Oatman.
Along the way, we looked at how Route 66 helped families during the Dust Bowl, fueled post-war travel and tourism, and continues to serve as a symbol of freedom, resilience, and the American road trip nearly a century later.
Day One: Winslow and Holbrook
ABC15's Craig McKee first made stops in Winslow and Holbrook along Arizona's Route 66.
He caught up with travelers who are revisiting the "Mother Road" decades later, and others who are making the journey for the first time, crossing off their Route 66 road trip from their bucket lists.
While some of Arizona's Route 66 has been replaced by Interstate 40, there's still history and charm in each stop — with shops, landmarks, and stories, paving each mile along the way!
Day Two: Two Guns, Meteor Crater, and Flagstaff
The Mother Road took us through the historic town of Two Guns, a stop at the Meteor Crater, and a final destination of Flagstaff.
This leg of the journey showcased Route 66's ties to space travel and discovery, including the unique tie Arizona's Route 66 has in the space race to the moon.
With so many historical landmarks, hotels, and gateways to the past, travelers get a new appreciation for this country and the roads that connect it all!
Day Three: Williams, Seligman, and Havasupai Nation
Towns along the western portion of Arizona's Route 66 are keeping the historic highway's legacy alive decades after being bypassed by Interstate 40.
Williams, the last town bypassed by the interstate, survived the loss of traffic by hosting car shows and offering vintage railcar rides to the Grand Canyon.
In nearby Seligman, barber Angel Delgadillo formed the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona 38 years ago to designate the road as a historic highway and put the forgotten town back on the map.
Further down the road, the small town of Peach Springs offers visitors an inside look into the Hualapai people and features the only dirt road that goes all the way down to the Colorado River.
The Havasupai Nation also shares a unique piece of the area's history by offering access to the largest dry cavern system in the United States, the Grand Canyon Caverns, which is the destination to over 250,000 visitors each year!
Day Four: Oatman and Sitgreaves Pass
We wrapped up our journey along historic U.S. Route 66.
We saw how one man is preserving a forgotten gas station, explored the rich history inside the Arizona Route 66 Museum, and took in the beauty of Sitgreaves Pass. We then stepped into the Old West in Oatman, where mining history, gold panning, and famous burros bring the Mother Road to life.
The final leg of this road trip through Arizona’s past is filled with hidden stories, quirky stops, and unforgettable sights.
Be a part of the Route 66 journey! Share your Route 66 memories, photos, and videos with us by emailing share@abc15.com.
PHOTOS: Celebrating 100 years of Route 66 with your adventures
