Route 66: Flagstaff to Ash Fork
Many people travel along the Mother Road - better known as Route 66 - and the segment from Flagstaff to Ash Fork, Arizona has perhaps more history than the rest. This page is dedicated to giving the "ins and outs" of Route 66 along this stretch.
Flagstaff, Arizona
MILe 0.0 - Westbound route 66
Starting at the intersection of Humphreys Street and Route 66/Santa Fe Avenue in downtown flagstaff
mile 0.08 - mars hill turnoff
This intersection is interesting to say the least - to continue on Route 66, you need to bear left under the railroad underpass. HOWEVER, if you'd like to explore one of Flagstaff's most well-known sites, LOWELL OBSERVATORY, is dead ahead. If you have some time to spend in Flagstaff, this is an absolute must to visit!
mile 0.8 - galaxy diner
Before you embark on your westward trek, you should fill up two things - your gas tank (which there are several gas stations around here) and your fuel tank. If you want a Route 66 period dining experience, look no further than the Galaxy Diner. On occasion, the local car clubs will brush the dust off their historic vehicle and display them outside the Diner, adding to the atmosphere.
mile 4.9 - interstate 40 westbound
This is where Route 66 merges onto I-40, as the interstate was placed in the same location as the historic route.
Bellemont, Arizona
NOTE: The true mileages from Flagstaff via Route 66 are off at this point since you have to exit I-40 at Bellemont (Exit 185), turn left/south on Transwestern Rd, then left again onto E Bellemont Rd/W Old Route 66. The mile markers here include this additional drive distance.
mile 13.5 - old 1941 alignment of route 66 begins
This is the easternmost part of the original Route 66 that is not under Interstate 40 in the Bellemont section. You can see and drive on the original cement of this alignment. Make a U-turn at this point for the next mile marker.
mile 14.2 - pine breeze inn & Richfield gas station
Now heading west again, the Richfield Gas Station is still standing on your right side. Along with the Pine Breeze Inn behind it, they are only some of the few remaining structures still standing along the Route.
mile 14.8 - camping world
This is perhaps the only location along Route 66 in Arizona that repairs (and sells) RV's and tent trailers. Stop here if your recreational vehicle needs servicing!
mile 15.2 - grand canyon Harley-Davidson
This is the local Harley-Davidson shop in Northern Arizona. Stop in here if you didn't grab a lunch at the Galaxy Diner and check it out!
NOTE: From this point, you will turn right across the freeway toward the Pilot gas station, then left at the intersection to continue following Route 66 - the 1921 alignment.
mile 16.7 - flagstaff lava river cave/lava tubes
The forest (dirt) road on your right at this location is the southern access to this 3/4-mile-long lava tube. You will need to drive 7.8 miles on Forest Road 171 and turn right on 171B. Parking is about 0.4 miles down this road. BRING A FLASHLIGHT, WEAR STURDY BOOTS, AND WATCH YOUR HEAD!
mile 18.4 - route 66 auto tour interpretive sign
Pull out here for some information about Route 66 through this region of Arizona. There is a small parking area (large enough for most RV's) on the north side of Route 66 to read it.
Parks, Arizona
mile 19.6 to mile 20.8 - Brannigan park
You will pass through a wide, open meadow mostly on your right side that gives you sweeping views of Kendrick Peak to the north and the San Francisco Peaks to the northeast. The paved road turns to dirt at Mile 19.8, but is in good enough shape for most sedans to make it without a problem (except for some occasional washboard). The speed limit reduces to 15mph on the west end of Brannigan Park due to street-side housing for dust abatement. Please respect them and slow down!
mile 21.4 - highest point on route 66
Although it's the original 1921 alignment you're traveling down, it's still the official highest point on Route 66 at 7425 feet above sea level. No signs exist to document the exact location, but as you drive along this segment, it's obvious where it is. It's all downhill from here (mostly)!
mile 23.2 - the alignments of parks
On your right (north) side of the road, there will be a small dirt pullout with another interpretive sign for the Auto Tour. At this same location, you can observe three different alignment of Route 66. The main alignment (now a trail) is right behind the Auto Tour sign and marked by a wooden fence - this is the 1931 alignment. If you follow this 1-mile trail, you'll be walking on the same cement that saw perhaps millions of vehicles on their trek from east to west and vice versa. Along the trail to the south, you will also see an old 1921 alignment in the Parks area that is hardly more than a cleared path. As you drive further west, you will be staying on the most recent alignment built in 1941.
mile 24.3 - historic parks store
This is one of the few historic buildings along Route 66 that is still in use (as of this writing). This red building with historic "76" gas station sign above supplies locals with a basic food and small deli, and touts its listing on the Register of Historic Places. Stop by here and say hello, and pick up some supplies while you're at it (of course after getting some pictures).
Mile 26.8 - garland prairie vistA
Although named for the prairie well to the south of this location, the view is now, unfortunately, blocked by fully-grown Juniper and Ponderosa Pine trees. The vista, on the south (left) side of the road, is still an excellent location for a stop - including a public restroom and a couple picnic tables. If you walk from the parking area back to Route 66 and look back the way you came (to the east), you can get great views of the San Francisco Peaks lined perfectly up with 66 and in one of few areas that is original concrete exists. Likewise, if you walk west from the Vista about 1/4 mile down the road, you can catch some glimpses of Garland Prairie to the south. No camping at this location is allowed.
mile 27.9 - keyhole sink & oak hill snowplay area
The parking area on the south (left) side of the road is a perfect place to pull off the road and go for a hike! You have either the choice of climbing the hill above the parking lot (Oak Hill) and trailblaze up to a panoramic view in any direction you choose, or cross Route 66 to the trailhead of Keyhole Sink Trail, approximately 0.7 miles in length on a leisurely forest trail. This is a prehistoric site where there are numerous petroglyphs engraved on some of the walls of the canyon and, if you're there during the late Winter/mid-Summer seasons, you may be treated to a waterfall cascading down the far side of the canyon (leaving the petroglyphs inaccessible, however). No camping is allowed at this location.
Mile 29.8 - wagon wheel winery
After your decent into Pittman Valley, just before swinging north on 66 to avoid the freeway, there's an historic cabin that has recently been converted into one of Northern Arizona's only wineries. While they are not open to the public, you can still snap some shots of this nicely-renovated cabin erected during the heyday of Route 66.
mile 30.2 - four way intersection
This is perhaps one of the most interesting intersections found along Route 66 that intersects with modern roads. The first road on the south (left) side is an access to I-40, while the second is the continuation of Route 66, and the road straight ahead eventually heads north to forestland (and dispersed camping sites). However, on the north (right) side, there's another pullout for a third (and final) Auto Tour sign along this segment to pull out and read. If you cross to the south side of I-40, you can spend the night at Mountain Ranch Resort at Beacon Hill (open Spring to Fall).
Mile 30.7 - the grand canyon deer farm
At this location, you can stop and spend a couple hours feeding and petting a variety of animals including llamas, goats, and - of course - deer! The Deer Farm has been around since 1969 and many people have come through here. Check their website for hours and pricing, depending on the time of year you visit. Well worth the stop for making some memories, but be sure to keep your camera handy! When you're ready, continue west on this frontage road to follow Route 66.
Williams, Arizona
mile 34.2 - circle pines koa
If you're going to be spending some days around Williams (especially if you're visiting the Grand Canyon), the Circle Pines KOA east of Williams is a great mix of camping and getting a hotel room. Open during Spring through Fall months, this modernized campground sports hookups, a pool, playgrounds, and even a Go-Cart track.
mile 34.6 - great western trail sign
Right at the sharp southward turn, there's a small pullout with a sign indicating your intersection with the Great Western Trail that runs from Mexico to Canada, an OHV/ATV trail. To continue on Route 66, you will pass over I-40 again to now be on the south side.
mile 34.9 - route 66 into williams
Once you have crossed over I-40, the first road on your right (west) side will be the continuation of Route 66. Again, if you're spending a few days in the area of Williams, the paved road heading south accesses some of the Kaibab National Forest, including the Whitehorse Lake and Dogtown Lake campground/fishing/hiking areas. Visit their website for more details about what there is to do and see!
mile 35.8 - Amtrak "station"
This three-way intersection is the access point to the Williams Amtrak "train station", more really of a meeting point as there is no real platform. However, if you're taking Amtrak to/from this location, this will be where you do it. Go straight to continue down Route 66.
mile 36.8 - bearizona
On your left (west) side of the road, there will be a gateway arch over a one-way inbound lane that says "Bearizona". This is Northern Arizona's only drive-through wildlife park, boasting Mountain Goats, Burros, Buffalo, Wolves, and, of course, Bears (black bears, to be exact). If you don't feel like driving through, you can still drive to the walk-through area to see Otters, baby Bears, Porcupines and more, plus hit the gift shop and grab a souvenir! If you enjoyed The Deer Farm, you'll equally enjoy Bearizona! Once you're ready to continue, you'll be turning left onto Highway 64/Route 66 heading into Williams.
mile 38.9 - downtown Williams: Grand Canyon blvd & Railroad ave
Williams, Arizona - one of the few small towns along the Mother Road that is still thriving! This intersection is at the heart of Williams and, depending on what you want to do, gives you access to them all.
The Williams Visitor Center is on the northwest (left) corner of this intersection if you want some local information, including more about the Kaibab National Forest, the City of Williams, and surrounding areas. Large parking lot for even the largest RV and trailer to park comfortably.
If you want to ride the Grand Canyon Railway up to the Grand Canyon for the day, you would turn north (right) on Grand Canyon Blvd and cross the tracks; the station is on the left. At the least, there's an historic steam locomotive and some railway cars parked next to the depot to snap some photos.
If you want to cruise around downtown on foot, pull in one of the diagonal-parking spots and start walking! There are PLENTY of small restaurants, shops, and historic sites for about a 1-mile stretch of the town. The world-famous Sultana Theatre is on Route 66 (one-way eastbound side) at 301 W Route 66, for one. Stop by the Williams Visitor Center for more details.
Mile 40.3 - Route 66 access turnoff
At this point, you're nearly out of Williams and just about to head onto the interstate. However, at this small intersection on the south (left) side, is the true Route 66 alignment. Aside from a visit to the Kaibab Ranger Station and some upscale housing, there aren't many historic sights along this short 2-mile out-and-back detour, so this segment is not included in the mileage count here. Once you're ready to continue westward on Route 66, follow the signs for I-40 West. As before, I-40 was laid on top of the old Route 66 alignment and is no longer visible, so we have to go on the freeway.
mile 45.5 - devil dog road
At Exit 157 on I-40, take the sharp U-turn exit to access another segment of Route 66. This is only an accessible segment of Route 66 and does not pass through to another access to the freeway. You will need to return here to continue further on Route 66.
Once you exit the freeway, turn south (right) to pass under the freeway and make another south (left) turn at the next stop sign. This maintained forest road accesses the 1931 Route 66 alignment about 0.4 miles down; turning east (left) will get you to a great hiking/biking trailhead to access a nearly-impassible segment of the Route nearly 0.4 miles from this intersection.
Turning west (right) will get you a bit further, but there are few sites beyond here of major interest. However, it is a nice 5.6-mile round-trip down one of the least-traveled segment of historic Route 66. At the end of the road (before it turns to dirt), you have great views looking west to where you'll be heading. When you're ready, turn around here and head back to the Devil Dog exit.
NOTE: The mileage counter here does not include these side trips, so subtract your mileage from this detour to the mile markers listed here.
Ash Fork, Arizona
mile 52.2 - welch road
At Exit 151, take the sharp L-turn exit for Welch Road. Although this appears to be a remote highway exit, it is home to one of the longest, least-used segments of Route 66 in the area. Note this road is rather rocky and rough, so most sedans may not be able to make it due to clearance issues.
There are two alignments of Route 66 visible in this area - the 19