Introduction
In 1926, the Bureau of Roads created the Federal Highway System and Route 66 was created from existing local, state and federal roadways hobbled together to create what the Route 66 Highway Association touted as the “the shortest, best and most scenic route from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles." Businesses popped up along the route to serve travelers, but it hit its heyday after World War II when rationing ended, car ownership increased and the family roadtrip became wildly popular.
After serving as the "main street of America," Route 66 was decomissioned after 59 years and replaced by Interstate 40 — it gradually fell out of use and into disrepair — drivers instead opting for the newer, faster highway.
Route 66 may have represented the past, but to many it was forever in their memories and immortalized in American culture. Thanks to the preservation efforts of Angel Delgadillo, the main founder of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, Arizona can claim the longest stretch of the original Route 66 in the United States — stretching 385.2 miles from the town of Lupton on the Arizona-New Mexico border to just west of Kingman near California.
Whether heading west to east or east to west on the Mother Road, be sure to check out the quirky landmarks and destinations of Arizona’s Route 66 below:
Rock the Route Check-in Challenge
At nearly 100 years old Route 66 — the Main Street of America — evokes memories of roadside attractions, rock on the radio and road trips with the family where the journey was as much fun as the destination.
In Arizona remains the longest stretch of the original Route 66 in the U.S., where you’ll find a wigwam-shaped motel, a petrified forest, kitschy shops, a street corner dedicated to an Eagles song, and so much more. Now, it’s your turn to visit these and other unique landmarks with the Route 66 Check-in Challenge Passport and interactive map.
As you visit each location, be sure to check in and be automatically entered to win cool prizes from the Arizona Office of Tourism and the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. Every check-in counts as an entry, so the more places you explore the better your opportunity to win:
- 4 Check-ins = A Route 66 Sticker Pack
- 7 Check-ins = A Retro Route 66 Magnet
While you’re exploring Route 66, be sure to share or upload your photos using #RockTheRouteAZ and we may float a Random Act of Sunshine into your DMs.
Winners of prizes will be notified via the passport portal.
