Quirky Stops & Photo Ops: Drive Route 66 From Arizona to Kansas

Embark on a road trip along historic Route 66 through the Southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, ending in the Midwestern state of Kansas. Along the way, document your journey with images of natural wonders in national parks and eccentric oddities in small towns – from fossils and rock formations to neon signs and larger-than-life sculptures. Enjoy accommodations where the décor and hospitality are reminiscent of days gone by. Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona; rent a car and drive three hours to Winslow, Arizona, to begin your journey.

Southwest Flair and Desert Air in Arizona

Your road trip officially begins in Winslow, Arizona, at the corner of Kinsley Avenue and East Second Street. Here, you’ll find “Standin’ on the Corner” Park, so named for the lyric “standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona,” from The Eagles’ hit song, “Take It Easy.” It’s an ideal spot to photograph the giant Route 66 badge in the middle of the intersection. After a long day of travel, stay in style at one of the USA’s most treasured and historic properties, La Posada Hotel. Just a few blocks from the famous corner, this 1929 gem was designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, also famous for her buildings near the Grand Canyon. Wander the on-site gardens, check out the incredible art collection, and dine on contemporary Southwestern cuisine at the highly rated Turquoise Room.

When you’re ready to get back on the road, myriad photo ops await just 30 minutes away in Holbrook, Arizona. Cruise through town and you’ll spot old-school motels, diners and shops (even a few long-closed ones) still showing off ultra-cool vintage signs made for retro-feeling shots. Head just east of Holbrook to Stewart’s Petrified Wood Shop. You can’t miss the gigantic green dinosaur sculpture marking the shop’s location. Stop for the photo; stay to browse geographic oddities like a 255-million-year-old piece of petrified wood.

Next stop is Petrified Forest National Park, where you’ll see more fossils from the Triassic Era. Drive through the park in an hour, or park and hike on the trails for swoon-worthy photos against the surreal backdrop of the Painted Desert. Shade is scarce and the sun is strong, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat, and remember to pack in and pack out, leaving everything in the park just as you found it. Just before the New Mexico state line, make one last stop in Lupton, Arizona, at the roadside attraction known as Chief Yellowhorse (Hole in the Wall). This natural cave formation was once home to a historic Navajo trading post, and today eccentric sculptures dot the property, making for quirky photo ops. Next up, your drive continues into New Mexico.

Enchanting Finds in New Mexico

As you cross the state border into New Mexico on Route 66, your first stop is the small town of Gallup. Take in the sights downtown, including murals inspired by the town’s history and culture. Browse gift shops for authentic Navajo-made pieces like handmade beaded crafts and woven blankets. Back on the road, enjoy gorgeous desert vistas across New Mexico; it is one of the most scenic drives in the USA.

As you near Albuquerque, take a short detour up the Turquoise Trail to Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park. This one-of-a-kind folk art museum is built from more than 50,000 glass bottles and packed with hand-carved, animated miniatures that make for delightfully quirky photos. Plan ahead: It’s open seasonally, April through October, Friday through Monday.

Back on the road, about two and a half hours east of Albuquerque, you’ll find Tucumcari, which is laden with Route 66-themed nostalgia. Grab a photo with the Route 66 monument sculpture and shop for souvenirs at Tee Pee Curios. Stay overnight in Tucumcari at the Blue Swallow Motel. Its glowing neon sign is one of the most iconic and photographed on all of Route 66, a nod to the era when many businesses along the route were bedecked in the glow of neon advertisements. Next up: The great state of Texas.

Leave Your Mark in Texas

Route 66 served as a vital artery in Texas during the mid-20th century, and plenty of fun stops still stand to welcome travelers today. Outside the city of Amarillo, Cadillac Ranch is an outdoor art installation where you can walk through rows of graffiti-covered Cadillacs half-buried in sand. Buy a can or two of spray paint and leave your own piece of Route 66 history: Visitors are welcome to add to the colorful creations. For overnight accommodations, check out the Big Texan Motel in Amarillo. Its bright, multicolored façade and Old West-themed rooms make for great photos. And its proximity to the Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery, home of the 72-ounce filet, is also a bonus.

Once you’re well fed and rested, hop back on the road east for a stop at the Conoco Tower Station & U-Drop Inn Café in the city of Shamrock. Also known as the “Taj Mahal of Texas,” it’s home to a souvenir shop, cafe, visitors center and plenty of Route 66 history. Art Deco enthusiasts will appreciate the distinct details of this architectural gem, from the two towers to a fantastical façade of green, gold and pastel pink. If you happen to drive by at night, the dazzling neon lights accent this jewel box of a building. When you’re ready, the journey continues into Oklahoma.

Larger-Than-Life Attractions in Oklahoma

Oklahoma holds a sizeable stretch of the Mother Road and there are several iconic photo stops along the way. In Oklahoma City, don’t miss the looming neon sign over the Tower Theatre, the massive bottle on top of Milk Bottle Grocery and the shiny geodesic roof of The Gold Dome building. Just northeast of Oklahoma City, stop for “food, fuel and fizz” at Pops 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia. Visit this diner and service station at night to see a gigantic 21-meter-tall soda bottle illuminated outside. At the diner inside, enjoy burgers, sandwiches and a plethora of vintage and modern sodas and candy to fuel your trip. About an hour and a half east in Tulsa, don’t miss the 6-meter-tall sculpture standing outside Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios. He’s a refurbished version of one of the remaining mammoth-size fiberglass figures once ubiquitous along Route 66 known as “Muffler Men.” Nearby, don’t miss the chance to explore the award-winning Mother Road Market, where you can eat, drink and shop your way among more than 20 vendors. Next stop is the Blue Whale of Catoosa, just outside Tulsa in Catoosa, Oklahoma. This 6-meter-tall, 24-meter-long sculpture was handmade using welded metal and cement as a place for the artist’s grandkids to play and swim. You can’t swim there now, but you can walk onto and through the whale for photos. For the final stops of your journey, drive northeast into the Midwestern state of Kansas.

Service Stops and Cute Shops in Kansas

Kansas may have the shortest stretch of Route 66, but it’s got plenty of quirk and Americana. From its friendly façade, you can tell the Route 66 Visitors Station in Baxter Springs once welcomed travelers as a service station. Snap a photo, then head to the Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum to see an exhibit about Route 66. Continue on to nearby Riverton for a stop at Nelson’s Old Riverton Store, a family-owned grocery and deli listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Order a custom sandwich from the acclaimed deli, then check out the store. It’s stocked with a variety of Route 66 memorabilia from shirts to holiday ornaments. Next, head to Main Street in the nearby city of Galena, home to another vintage service station, Kan-O-Tex, also known as Cars on the Route. The building’s retro appeal has made it a Route 66 landmark since opening in 1934. Outside, you’ll see the “Tow Tater” truck, a prime photo-op for fans of the Pixar movie “Cars.” Inside, grab a sandwich to-go before flying home from Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Kansas City, Missouri, about 270 kilometers or three hours from Galena.