“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road”, Jack Kerouac wisely penned about his travels across America. He’s right: there’s something both opportunistic and wildly romantic about setting off on four wheels and hitting America’s vast open roads – and what better place to do so than Arizona?
Chock full of kaleidoscopic landscapes, red clay trails and pastel rock formations, The Grand Canyon State is almost otherworldly, something you might only recognise from America’s blockbuster movies or old country lyrics. From picture-perfect scenery to the Wild West side of Arizona legend, here are five of the state’s most incredible road trips that promise sensory stimulation like no other.
Route 66
Hit the iconic Route 66 in Arizona and you’ll traverse the state’s varied landscapes
(Visit Arizona)
Historic US Route 66—the Mother Road, also known as the Main Street of America—used to take drivers all the way from Chicago, Ill. to Santa Monica, Calif. along one continuous route. The ultimate road trip, Route 66 crosses the northern part of the state passing through small towns and rural areas. Arizona has some of the best-preserved stretches of Route 66 and still has more than 250 miles that are drivable, including the longest unbroken stretch from west of Ash Fork to the California state line, a total of 158 miles in length.
Starting your trip in western Arizona, visit the town of Oatman, a former mining town. Drive east along Sitgreaves pass in the Black Mountains and enjoy the stunning views as you head toward the city of Kingman. Here, you can learn Route 66’s history at the Arizona Route 66 Museum and then head across the street to eat at Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner. Thirty minutes east of Kingman is Hackberry. Originally a gas station on Route 66, it’s now a museum and gift. Just a forty minute drive further east is Grand Canyon Caverns, a popular stop during Route 66’s heyday. Continuing west, is the town of Seligman. Here is the home of Angel Delgadillo, known as the “guardian angel” of Route 66 in Arizona as he was instrumental in getting it designated a historical highway.
Continuing west, in the town of Williams, catch a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway train to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon or embark on the city’s Historic Route 66 Walking Tour. In the mountain town of Flagstaff, enjoy Route 66 like never before by running or biking on the non-motorized portion of the Mother Road that…
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