The top things to do on a Route 66 road trip

Roy's is located along a desolate stretch of the Mother Road in the tiny desert town of Amboy. The motel, cafe, and gas station has appeared in numerous movies and is one of the best photo ops along the entire route. The iconic neon sign has recently been restored so it looks great day or night.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a ghost town more real—or more alive—than Oatman. Located at the edge of Arizona on Route 66 and perched 2,700 feet above sea level in the Black Mountains, Oatman is a strange place run by wild burros.

In 1908, gold was discovered in the Black Mountains and many prospectors flocked to Oatman to stake their claims. For the remainder of the 19th century, mining in the area steadily decreased, and in 1921, a fire ripped through town, destroying most of the buildings. I-40 bypassed Oatman in the early 1950s, and nearly a decade later, it was a virtual ghost town.

But the people of Oatman fought to survive and now the town has more than 40 shops, eateries, and other attractions including Wild West reenactments, gunslinging shows, annual bed races, a sidewalk egg fry contest, Gold Camp Days, the International Burro Bisket Toss, and a yearly book fair and bake sale.

Another classic Arizona road food stop is Mr D'z Route 66 Diner. The retro diner prides itself on its home-cooked food and family-friendly vibe. Try the chicken fried steak and wash it down with a root beer float.

When Juan and Mary Delgadillo opened the Snow Cap Drive-In on Route 66 in Seligman in 1953, they probably didn’t anticipate it becoming a worldwide tourist attraction. More than 60 years later, Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In is one of the most sought-out Route 66 destinations. Built with scrap lumber from the Santa Fe railroad yard, the Delgadillo family constructed the drive-in on an absolute shoe-string budget.

To attract travelers, Delgadillo took a 1936 Chevy, cut the top off, and decorated it with every weird paint color and doodad he could find, including a Christmas tree in the back. The plan worked and it’s still one of the most photographed pieces of Route 66 Americana.

The drive-in isn’t the only iconic Route 66 location in the Delgadillo family. Juan’s brother, Angel, made his mark on the Mother Road with his barber shop (now a gift store). Angel, affectionately known as the “guardian angel” of Route 66, founded the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona in 1987, a move that would quickly be imitated in other states along the route.

Grab a bite to eat at Rod's Steak House, known for its homemade rolls, steaks, and desserts. Located about an hour from Grand Canyon National Park, Rod’s has been a Route 66 icon since 1946.

The resurgence of Winslow didn’t start entirely on the corner. During the town’s heyday as a stop for steam locomotives, Fred Harvey wanted to build a landmark hotel in Winslow. With a price tag that would equal nearly $40 million today, La Posada Hotel was completed just after the stock market crash. It would only be open for 27 years, eventually having most of its fine furnishings sold at auction, but efforts to save the Winslow icon were eventually successful.

Facing the threat of demolition for several decades, the La Posada Foundation and the new owners of the property finally restored La Posada Hotel to its former glory as the Jewel of the West. The foundation changed their name to the Standin’ On the Corner Foundation and took on their next project, helping to make the now-famous park a reality.

This classic Route 66 restaurant is best-known for its homemade red and green chile sauces. Even if you’re not hungry, it’s worth stopping for a photo in front of the building, which features a hand-painted map of Route 66.

The historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup was built by Joe Massaglia in 1936 and has been featured in dozens of old Hollywood movies. The Western-style hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features wagon-wheel headboards and suites named after famous Hollywood Western stars. Even if you don't spend the night here, at least pull over to check out the epic hunting lodge-inspired lobby, which is full of antiques and Native American decor. The onsite restaurant makes a delicious green chile enchilada, a tasty margarita, and the crispiest pancakes you’ll find along the route.

For an authentic Route 66 meal, make a pit stop at the 66 Diner in Albuquerque, where you can load up on burgers, fries, strawberry shakes, and the biggest banana split you've ever seen. The 66 Diner doesn't just serve authentic 1950s-style food, but goes out of its way to look the part. Retro touches include chrome tables, a jukebox loaded with period-appropriate 45 records, and wait-staff in 1950s outfits. The sundaes here are comically giant—the banana split has eight scoops of ice cream, so get it to share.

The iconic Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari has been open since 1939. As far as vintage neon signage goes, it doesn't get much better than the Blue Swallow's classic sign. If you can, stick around until dusk, it’s worth the wait. And there’s a reason for the classic “Tucumcari Tonite!” campaign—there’s no better place to stop for the night. Many rooms at the Blue Swallow come with their own garage, so you can stow your car, grab a lawn chair, and sit outside to bask in the glow of the iconic neon.

One of the last remaining curio shops in Tucumcari, Tee Pee Curios is not only awesome from the outside, but the inside is packed with all the Route 66 souvenirs, pottery, shirts, and jewelry you could ever want. Stop by after dark to check out the beautiful neon sign, one of only a few along this stretch that still lights up at night.