This last stretch of the Mother Road—from western Arizona to the coast of California—is pretty lengthy, but there are plenty of detours and attractions to break up the drive.
Before Route 66, travelers primarily headed west by train. In 1908, the El Garces opened in Needles, providing a stop for rail passengers. The Classical Revival-style depot included a hotel and Harvey House restaurant; it was the height of luxury, unusual for a town as small as Needles. In 1949, as Route 66 was at its peak, El Garces closed its Harvey House and the railroad used it as offices through the 1980s. The city purchased the building in 1999 and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. After extensive renovations, El Garces is now open for guided tours.
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.
Amboy Crater, a 250-foot-tall symmetrical volcanic cinder cone, was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973. Its 24 square miles of lava flows surround the crater and you can hike by lava lakes, basalt flows, and collapsed lava tubes.
Zzyzx (formerly known as Soda Springs) is located at the end of Zzyzx Road, a 4.3-mile-long rural road off Interstate 15. Once the site of a health resort, it's now home to the California State University's Desert Studies Center. This strange oasis is worth a visit, and not just for its bizarre name.
Although it’s a Route 66 icon, the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs is actually the second incarnation of the original cafe, which was located in Bagdad, a town between Amboy and Ludlow. The Newberry Springs cafe was renamed Bagdad Cafe when a Route 66 film was shot in the area. Filming wrapped, but the name stayed.
The historic Ludlow Cafe is renowned for its home-cooked food. Housed in a charming A-frame building, the cafe is conveniently located across the street from a gas station and next door to a hotel.
Built in 1954, Peggy Sue’s is set against the dramatic backdrop of the Calico Mountains. The ambiance will make you feel as if you’ve just stepped into an episode of Happy Days and the food portions are generous.
If Oatman and its wild burros were a bit too rowdy for your taste, Calico Ghost Town might be a better bet. It's a bit touristy and maintained by the regional park system, but it has a nice campground and several old buildings to explore, including museums, shops, and restaurants.
Barstow Station is a reliable pit stop for food and people watching. The fourth largest seller of lottery tickets in California is also a good place to stock up on booze or last-minute souvenirs.
Established in 2000, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum is one of the final museums on the route dedicated to its history. Housed in the historic Casa del Desierto Harvey House, the building makes for a great photo.
The Western American Railroad Museum showcases outdoor displays, locomotives, and other huge pieces of railroad machinery.
At the Bottle Tree Ranch, you’ll find about 200 “trees” made of colorful bottles. The found art displays shimmer in the sun alongside bird feeders, road signs, gas pumps, bicycles, and cars.
Congratulations! You have reached the end of the Mother Road—and by now you know it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey. But whether the Santa Monica Pier is your ending or starting point, take some time to celebrate and reflect. With more than 2,000 miles of classic neon, motels, larger-than-life roadside attractions, museums, diners, and countless colorful characters, it should be obvious why the allure of Route 66 is as strong as ever. The road may look different today than it did decades ago—or even yesterday—but that’s all part of the fun.
Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.