Are you itching to embark on a great American road trip? Look no further than Route 66. This iconic and historic road winds through captivating small towns, nostalgic diners and natural parks. The southwestern portion of Route 66 is considered to be one of the most captivating sections of the highway. This region of New Mexico and Arizona has so much natural beauty, many friendly locals and family-owned restaurants.
Here are all of the spots I recommend adding to your southwestern Route 66 itinerary:
- Albuquerque, NM
- Continental Divide, NM
- Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
- Holbrook, AZ
- Winslow, AZ
- Flagstaff, AZ
New Mexico
Albuquerque
Albuquerque makes a great starting point for your Route 66 southwest road trip! The city is filled with vintage diners and nostalgic sites along the route. These are the highlights:
- Owl Cafe—The Owl Cafe is my favorite Route 66 stop in Albuquerque. This place just oozes retro charm and hospitality. Order the green chile cheeseburger with sweet potato fries—New Mexico is known for them!
- 66 Diner—authentic 50s diner on Route 66; known for their burgers, shakes and retro desserts; one of the cutest stops on the route!
- Historic Old Town Albuquerque—founded in 1706; one of the best places for shopping and dining in Albuquerque
For in-depth Albuquerque tips, visit my New Mexico travel guide here.
Continental Divide
The Continental Divide is a great stopping point along your Route 66 road trip. This is the point in the continent where rainfall divides, either draining into the Atlantic or the Pacific. The views of Gallup’s Red Rock State Park are so beautiful, too.
Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest is located right off Route 66, but it’s one of the least-visited national parks. John Muir found this place to be especially healing and peaceful after losing his wife, and he treasured all the beautiful crystals and canyons that are so unique to this corner of Arizona. He dedicated some of his later years to protecting this tranquil spot and establishing Petrified Forest as a national park.
Before heading to Petrified Forest, make sure you check the hours! We were unfortunately too late to visit because the park closed at 5:00pm that day. It’s worth noting that Petrified Forest is not open 24 hours a day like most national parks and closes quite early (the park closes to prevent theft of the rare petrified wood present throughout the park).
Here are the highlights of Petrified Forest:
- Blue Mesa—1-mile hiking trail through the badlands of Painted Desert; beautiful photo opportunity
- Painted Desert—the best view in Petrified Forest; 1-mile hiking trail through the Painted Desert
- Crystal Forest—one of the best spots in the park for seeing petrified wood; 3/4 mile dog-friendly hiking trail
The admission fee is $25, but I highly recommend snagging a National Parks Annual Pass for $80 if you plan on visiting three or more national parks during your road trip or during the span of a year. Those admission fees add up quickly, and the pass is a huge cost saver.
Holbrook
Holbrook is home to one of the most iconic stops along the route: the world-famous Wigwam Motel. This iconic vintage motel opened in 1950 and boomed during the Route 66 golden age in the fifties and sixties. All of the rooms are individual teepees and their design even inspired the Cozy Cone Motel in the Pixar movie Cars! I loved getting to explore the Wigwam during golden hour and while capturing some editorial shots. Many major magazines and brands have shot campaigns at the Wigwam Motel.
This place makes you feel you’ve been transported into another decade. My dad told me that this stretch of Route 66 was unchanged from the seventies and he felt like no time had passed at all since he was here last. It’s as if we had stepped back into 1973 for a few hours. You just can’t find this level of retro nostalgia in very many places, which makes this stretch of Route 66 a major highlight.
Winslow
Winslow is the cutest vintage Arizona town made famous by The Eagles hit song “Take it Easy.” The entire town embraces its seventies music heritage—it truly felt like I stepped back in time during the few hours I spent in Winslow. There are delicious local diners, old-fashioned ice cream shops and quaint shops. Stop for a bite to eat at RelicRoad Brewing, and make sure you snap a photo while “standin’ on the corner in Winslow, Arizona.”
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is the perfect stopping point on your Route 66 road trip adventure. I love Flagstaff’s laidback vibe, delicious food scene and stunning natural beauty. I actually have an entire travel guide for Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon linked here, but if you only have one day to spend in Flagstaff, these are a few highlights you shouldn’t miss:
- Salsa Brava—amazing Mexican restaurant located right on Route 66; a personal favorite of Guy Fieri
- Lowell Observatory—one of the best observatories in the country; Pluto was discovered here!
- Grand Canyon National Park—a must-see when you’re in Flagstaff; one of my favorite national parks!
- Downtown Flagstaff—lots of cute brunch spots, “haunted” hotels, and street art murals
- Arizona Snowbowl—beautiful mountain views with a scenic chairlift
Pin It!
