We had an amazing out west adventure this past summer! We saw and learned so much. I definitely believe that this is a trip everyone should take at least once in their lives. We hit some of the best roadside stops along Route 66 and here are some of what we saw in Arizona!
First, here are some great resources to check out before your trip:
Now, here are some of our highlights!
Grand Canyon
We started off in the west and drove east through Route 66. Given our direction of travel, we started Arizona with Grand Canyon National Park.
Cost: $35 per vehicle for Grand Canyon only or $80 for one year National Parks Pass that gets you into almost all of the National Parks in the US (America the Beautiful pass). We got the America the Beautiful pass and it was well worth the cost!
Free Options: For example, there are some entrance-free days at the Grand Canyon, such as Veteran’s Day and National Park Week (April 16 in 2022).
More Free Options: Best of all, fourth graders and military get free annual National Park passes!
We did some easy hiking around the top of the canyon.
It was an almost unrealistic view and such an amazing experience!
Now, back on to Route 66 we go!
Flagstaff Pit Stop
Next, off to Flagstaff! My husband was super excited about traveling down Route 66. He has talked about doing in the past and I snuck it into this trip without him being aware at first. We hit some major stops along the way, but we also hit some small stops like this one in Flagstaff.
Cost for the Route 66 Tourist Center: FREE
There was such a wide variety of unique souvenirs along Route 66. This stop had special Route 66 “Route” Beer! At least there are fun and creative souvenirs throughout the trip!
Actually, we stayed overnight in Flagstaff too. I had booked hotels on the first leg of our journey through South Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah, but did not during the second leg of our journey. We relied on Expedia, Hotels.com, or other travel sites to help us find hotels along the way, depending on when we were done driving for the day.
It worked out really well for us to have the first few nights already planned out and then the end of the trip more flexible!
Meteor Crater
If you are looking for unique Route 66 roadside stops, this is one of our favorites!
Mile marker #223!
Meteor Crater was one of the stops along our Route 66 journey. It was actually the biggest surprise for us. I thought it would be neat to see and say we have been there. One of those let’s-just-check-it-off-the-list stops. However, we all really enjoyed it!
After driving a bit off the main highway, we found the Visitor’s Center!
COST: $24 for adults, $13 for kids ages 6-12, and $20 for seniors. However, they give discounts of some sort for fire, police, and military. Specifically, the day we visited, my husband was given free admission for being a firefighter.
The inside of the building contained video presentations, historical information, and interactive activities.
It was fun and we learned a lot. I am one who loves the educational aspects of travel, so learning new things is a huge bonus for me!
They even have one meteor out that you are allowed to touch! (I enjoy touching things…so here I am with the meteor!)
Next, we headed outside! The actual meteor crater is outside behind the visitor’s center.
Winslow, Arizona
We stumbled across Winslow, Arizona.
Mile marker #255!
I’m not super good with directions and maps and somehow we managed to miss Meteor Crater when we passed it the first time. We drove through Winslow and had to turn around to go back to Meteor Crater. However, we got some neat pictures along the way!
Cost: FREE
The downtown area is set up around the Eagles song and it’s super cute!
Here’s my husband! He really enjoyed this accidental stop!
Petrified Forest & Painted Desert
Lastly, before we were out of Arizona, we stopped by the Petrified Forest National Park!
Mile marker #311!
We had hit several National Parks along the way and decided to make a stop here. This ended up being a fantastic choice because it was an amazing place to visit and we missed a huge traffic jam just past this exit.
Cost: $25 per vehicle for the Petrified Forest only or $80 for one year National Parks Pass that gets you into almost all of the National Parks in the US (America the Beautiful pass). Again, the America the Beautiful pass was well worth the cost for us!
Free Options: As I mentioned above, fourth graders and military get free annual National Park passes!
They had a small area dedicated to Route 66.
The rest of the National Park was full of historical information, petrified wood, and simply the beauty of nature!
Pro tip: Start at one side of the park and drive through it! So, if you are going the way we went, go out of your way a little to go into the west entrance! Don’t make my mistake! I assumed since the park had two entrances they would equally access the park. Nope! We had to end up backtracking through the park to make sure we saw everything we wanted to see.
We really enjoyed our trip out west. Taking Route 66 back home was a fun way to go and it allowed us to take as few or as many stops as we wanted to stretch our legs. By this time, we had been on the road for over ten days! It was a very enjoyable adventure and I would love to do it again in the future!
BONUS: Don’t Miss Route 66 through Texas!
Sneak peek of my upcoming post…
Specifically, our Favorite Stop! The Big Texan!!
You May Also Enjoy:
Roadside Attractions in South Dakota
The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List
Buffalo Bill Dam
I still can’t believe that I have yet to visit the Grand Canyon! I have been to Vegas so many times and every time I plan on doing an excursion there I never do. One day! And that Meteor Crater looks super cool too. Great Route 66 road trip stops!
The Grand Canyon is definitely worth the stop! It was our first time there and it was amazing!
What a great list! I’d love to follow it!
Thanks! There were so many fun spots to visit!
We have always wanted to do a Route 66 road trip! Someday! Looks like you had a great time.
It is absolutely worth the trip! It was so much fun! I love all of the fun roadside stops!
We loved the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest when we were there last year. I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic when we got to the car.
I love the way the telephone poles that followed Rt. 66 are still there marking the path.
I agree! It was such a neat place. We stumbled there by accident and I’m so glad we did!
How fun! Route 66 passes through my hometown of Joplin, MO. It sounds so interesting to do a road trip along this historic highway.
It was a really fun experience. My husband has been wanting to do it for years and I didn’t really have an interest, but there was so much to see and do! I would definitely recommend it and we plan to do it again sometime. We did not see near everything that was available along the way!
That’s educational. Just wonder why only 4th graders were free:))
I think it’s because the fourth grade is the year they study US history for the first time (or maybe state history)?? I know the park pass is free that year due to it going along with the topic studied!
Definitely some iconic stops through AZ!
I agree! It was such a neat trip! I had no idea how much there was to see and do!
Route 66 is such a fun route!
It is! We had such a good time! I love all of the fun roadside stops!
I want to go out west so badly! Love your Arizona pictures.
It is definitely worth the trip! And thank you!
I have ALWAYS wanted to do Route 66. This has just whetted my appetite. Thanks for the beautiful pictures!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was such a great time! I never had any interest, but now I’m not sure why I didn’t. It was a very enjoyable trek!
Love road stops like this!! So many fun places to see and a great way to break up a long drive!
I agree! I love the normal and the unique roadside stops!