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.
Walnut Canyon National Monument is a geological wonder. Established in 1915 to protect ancient cliff dwellings, the National Park Service took over the 3,600 acres in 1934. Step inside curved canyons, ascend towering cliffs, or hike the Rim and Island Trails. Remember to wear decent walking shoes and bring plenty of water.
Grab dinner at Diablo Burger if you're craving fresh food. The burgers are all made with open-range, antibiotic-free beef raised on local ranches.
An inspiration for Disney’s Cars, Seligman has retained its historic charm, working hard to preserve the early 20th century buildings that line Main Street, Railroad Avenue, and Chino Street. Throughout town you'll see old-timey cars parked in front of businesses, which makes for great photo ops.
The largest motel in Seligman is the Stagecoach 66 Motel. It has some great neon out front, a few themed rooms (including one inspired by Cars), an onsite pizza joint with a bar and pool table, plus WiFi and coffee and pastries in the morning. Even if you don't stay the night, snap a picture with the sign and chat up locals in the bar over a cold beer.
The Historic Seligman Sundries is located in one of the town's oldest buildings, which dates back to 1904. It's utterly adorable and has been a dance hall, a theater, a trading post, and a soda fountain. It was refurbished in 2005, and a lot of the signs hanging up inside are authentic vintage artifacts uncovered during the renovations. Sit at the counter, which used to serve as a soda fountain, and enjoy a coffee or bottled soda.
The Historic Route 66 Motel is a small, authentic motor lodge that maintains an old-school charm while offering modern amenities.
The Roadkill Cafe sets itself apart from other retro diners on the route by being totally strange. The menu features dishes such as Bad-Brake Steak, Fender Tenders, Splatter Platter, Swirl of Squirrel, and Highway Hash. The same building houses the O.K. Saloon, which features Wild West memorabilia and pays tribute to Arizona's rough and tumble past.
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.
Known for bantering back and forth with his customers, Juan would often joke, “Do you want cheese on that cheeseburger?” He passed away in 2004, but his spirit lives on at the Snow Cap today.
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.
Angel and Juan are regarded in such high esteem that when Disney/Pixar’s John Lasseter wanted to learn more about Route 66 for his movie Cars, he went to Angel for a history lesson. The friendly barber told the tragic tale of how traffic all but dried up after I-40 opened. Both brothers are listed in the credits of Cars, and if you stop by Angel’s Barbershop, you’ll see a signed Toy Story sketch hanging on the wall.
Hackberry General Store is a travel photographer’s playground. You may not find gas here, but you will find vintage gas pumps, beautiful signage, a diner, and old, rusty cars to photograph to your heart’s content.
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.
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.
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