Route 66 Road Trip

Route 66 Possibilities await…

A classic, slightly sun-faded Route 66 roadside motel sign in bright turquoise and cherry red metal, featuring neon tubing and an arrow pointing toward an unseen parking lot. The sign stands beside a two-lane highway framed by dry grass, scattered cacti, and a distant water tower. Soft dusk light with a vibrant pink and orange sunset sky creates a warm, playful atmosphere, while the neon glows to life, casting gentle halos of color on the metal surface. Photographic realism, shot at eye level with the sign placed on the rule of thirds, background softly out of focus to emphasize the sign’s retro charm.

What to do, what to see, where to stop, what to photo op, who’s a friendly, who’s not, what to eat, where’s the derby, where’s a rodeo, where to exercise (jump rope, skate, pickle, run from snakes), learn to drive a tesla at the speed limit, learn to drive a tesla under the speed limit (you know who you are), when to wing it, when to keep driving…

Where does Route 66 Start and End?

Oklahoma possibilities…
* Oklahoma’s Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK — decade by decade history of the Mother Road with immersive exhibits
* National Route 66 & Transportation Museum, Elk City OK – a history walk thru

8 Texola Ghost Town — iconic end of OK photo stop on the OK and TX border

Texas possibilities…
* U Drop In Cafe & Tower Stations — OK & TX border — one of the most photographed buildings on Route 66
* Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo TX — a spray paint op on 10 Cadillacs buried nose first
* Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, TX — guessing vegetarian is not on the menu, but worth taking photos from the outside!
* MidPoint Cafe, Adrian TX — marks the midpoint of Route 66 (1139 miles to Chicago and 1139 miles to Santa Monica CA) — classic diner with homemade pies. Feeling tempted for pie!

New Mexico possibilities…
*Glenrio Ghost Town — right on border of NM and TX — and more photo ops where nature has taken over!
*Blue Hole, Santa Rosa — a crystal clear natural spring (81 feet deep) for a swimming diversion!
*Route 66 Auto Museum, Santa Rosa NM – classic cars and photo ops
*Tucumcari Murals – Tucumcari NM — art everywhere! 50 large scale murals celebrating route 66 history
*La Cita Restaurant, Tucumcari NM — vintage neon diner serving New Mexican classics! One of the oldest continuously operating Route 66 restaurants
*Nob Hill Route 66 District, Albuquerque NM — classic neon signs, retro motels, one of the best preserved urban route 66 stretches
*Continental Divide — near the NM – AZ border – another great photo op!

Arizona possibilities…
*Petrified Forest National Park, Holbrook AZ — the only National Park directly on Route 66…amazing views for an art paint moment!
*Wigwam Motel, Holbrook AZ – tee pee’s for overnight stays
*Music themed photo stops in Winslow AZ
*Meteor Crater, near Winslow AZ – massive meteor impact site, one of the best preserved craters on earth
*Downtown Flagstaff AZ – mountain town vibe, historic railroad streets, gateway to the Grand Canyon
*Williams AZ Historic Route 66 District – classic diners, neon and live western vibe, last town bypassed by I-40, frozen in time
*Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive IN – Seligman AZ – legendary roadside stop full of pranks, jokes and burgers
*Hackberry AZ General Store – one of the most photographed Route 66 stops, packed with vintage signs, cars and gas pumps
*Oatman AZ Black Mountains — where wild burros roam the streets. Old west mining town with wooden boardwalks

California possibilities….
*Needles, CA –first California stop after crossing the Colorado River. Classic desert town with vintage Route 66 vibes
*Amboy Crater near Amboy in the Mojave Desert – dramatic volcanic cinder cone in the Mojave desert. Short hike to the rim with amazing views
*Roy’s Motel and Cafe, Amboy CA – desert nostalgia and incredible photography

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