
Weird Things Along Route 66 In Arizona
Route 66 runs, mostly, from Chicago to California with segments crisscrossing Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Arizona's stretch has some pretty cool stuff.
Route 66, aka the "Mother Road" and "America's Main Street" among other nicknames, was 2,448 miles long highway and took travelers between Chicago and California. I say "was" because, today, some segments are no longer useable.
Most of it's still there though and it's a cool trip back in time to a totally different America.
The interstate system we know today began construction in the 50's and that initiated the almost painfully slow demise of Route 66. It was officially, fully decommissioned in 1985.
The interstates offered smoother roadways, more lanes and quicker travel. Gas stations and motels sprung up alongside it eliminating the need for travelers to wander very far from the interstate. You could exit, grab what you needed and get right back on the road without exploring.
Some of the businesses and attractions along Route 66 were popular enough to still be sought by travelers and others were able to move closer to the interstate. The rest, one by one, slowly faded into oblivion.
A wave of nostalgia spurred new interest in the highway and, as people began to reuse the now "grand" mother road, many attractions opened back up to the delight of those tired of the same old, same old, "cookie cutter" gas stations, restaurants and motels.
Now, there are lots of retro air B 'n B's, diners, Mom 'n Pop shops and charm. Loads of charm lives in these areas that seem frozen in time. I've been on the stretch from New Mexico to Arizona, here's something cool I found along the way. (If you don't get the sign and the truck, you don't know the song ...)
You can also visit these quirky places:
- The Arizona Route 66 museum in Kingman. Arizona was the first state to form an association dedicated to preserving Route 66's heritage.
- Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner - Listen to oldies music while you enjoy a tasty snack and sip a house made root beer.
- The Oatman Hotel - Movie stars Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their honeymoon here. Oatman, apparently, was THE place to be back in the day.
About 85% of Route 66 it is still drivable. Many parts now go by different names and highway numbers but it's usually marked somehow, by sign or on the pavement, with a Route 66 emblem like that one.
Tell the boss you need a long weekend, gas up and take a drive back to a cooler, warmer and fuzzier America.
Cool, Historic And Weird Things Along Route 66 In Texas
Gallery Credit: Dubba G
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Gallery Credit: Kery Wiginton
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