Route 66 Flagstaff to Oatman: The Complete Itinerary and Best Stops (2026)

There is something about Route 66 that pulls at you. So many of our European friends have the Mother Road on their Southwest bucket list that I felt obligated to explore it myself. As someone who really enjoys history, I wanted to take on bits and pieces of this iconic road to revisit some of its stories. And there has never been a better year to do it. In 2026, Route 66 turns 100 years old, first established on November 11, 1926, so the whole road is buzzing with centennial energy.

For this Route 66 itinerary, we started from Flagstaff and continued all the way to Oatman. Below you will find every stop worth making, how far apart they are, where to eat and stay, how to handle the famous Oatman Highway switchbacks, and of course, the burros. Mr. Misadventures and I are road trip fanatics and packing pros, and this is one of our favorite stretches of the Southwest.

The Route 66 Flagstaff to Oatman Itinerary

Here is the full run of stops at a glance. Distances and drive times are approximate and don't include the hours you will happily lose taking photos.

How Long Does the Drive Take? Day Trip or Overnight

You can drive Flagstaff to Oatman in about four hours without stopping, but that misses the entire point. Give yourself a full day to hit the highlights, or split it into two days if you like to linger. If you only have one day, start early from Flagstaff and treat Seligman and Oatman as your anchor stops. If you have two, spend a night in Seligman or Kingman so you reach the Oatman Highway with fresh eyes and good light.

Our own trip from home to Flagstaff to Oatman and back covered 523 miles and took us about 12 hours. We packed our own lunch, snacks, and drinks and stopped for gas twice.

Flagstaff, Your Home Base

Flagstaff is the ideal home base while exploring Route 66. Sitting in the cool pines at 7,000 feet, it has the most hotels, restaurants, and gas of anywhere on this stretch, which makes it the smart place to start or end. We took some photos at the Visitor Center where they have the cool Route 66 sign, as well as tons of info inside. From here, point yourself west, and the Mother Road unspools in front of you.

Williams, Gateway to the Grand Canyon

From Flagstaff, our first stop was Williams. They have a nice stretch of vintage Route 66 buildings, restaurants, and signs. Plus a large sign perfect for selfies and Instagrams. When we first arrived, a bunch of tourists were doing just that, so we drove around town, made a few stops, and then circled back to get our own shot.

Williams is known as the gateway to the Grand Canyon because it's where you get on the train that takes you to the National Park for the day. I am a big proponent of this because it means fewer cars in the park. The system is really convenient. You take the train to the park, use the bus system to visit the park, and either stay overnight in the lodge or return to Williams the same day.

Good to know: Williams is the last classic Route 66 town before the road gets remote, so top off your gas and grab a coffee. If you have extra time, Bearizona Wildlife Park is right off the interstate.

At this point in the trip, I took over driving. When Mr. Misadventures is on the hunt for photos, he isn't the most reliable driver (sshhhh), so I drove while he shouted instructions: “Stop! Pullover! Backup!” Trust me, it's routine for me at this point. At least I was doing this in the lap of luxury.

Our next stop was Ash Fork. Personally, I say skip it. Blink, and you miss it anyway. There is a Route 66 museum, but it isn't open on the weekend!

Seligman, the Birthplace of Historic Route 66

Luckily, Seligman made up for it. We arrived at the main attraction, Historic Seligman Sundries, at the same time as two giant coach buses full of tourists speaking every language you can imagine. It amazes me that people from all over the world come to visit this practically abandoned road, all because of its legendary golden days. Seligman earns its bragging rights: this is the town where barber Angel Delgadillo helped launch the movement to save the old road, which is why you will see it called the birthplace of Historic Route 66.

Two stops you should not skip: Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive In, a wonderfully goofy roadside institution for a burger and a laugh, and the shops around Historic Seligman Sundries and the Copper Cart, both stuffed with vintage things, souvenirs, and coffee. It is fun to explore and great for photos.

There are 2 stores next to each other, the Copper Cart, both with tons of vintage “things” as well as souvenirs, coffee, etc. It is fun to explore and great for photos.

I was reminded that Paris is only 5,769 miles away. Standing in front of that sign, it feels a lot farther! No matter where you turn, you will not forget you are on Route 66. These towns take pride in their little piece of the Mother Road.

Where to stay: Of all the towns on this route, Seligman is the best overnight option if you are not staying in Flagstaff. It has several motels and restaurants, clean wide streets, and a fair amount to explore.

The retro signs we passed throughout the day were pretty cool. This one in Seligman as we headed out of town. I'd say of all the spots we visited on this particular itinerary, Seligman is the best town to stay in (if you aren't staying in Flagstaff). It has several motel and restaurant options, clean wide streets, and a fair amount to explore. It is a good overnight option if you want to stay on Route 66.

Hackberry, a Perfect Photo Stop

After Seligman, we were able to drive for a long stretch off the interstate as we headed to Hackberry. The star here is the Hackberry General Store, a gloriously cluttered old gas station draped in vintage signs, rusted cars, and Route 66 memorabilia. Grab a cold drink and a souvenir. It is great for photos, though it doesn't offer much to do. I did have a nice conversation with a French couple I ambushed coming out of the store. Turns out the gentleman organizes tours for French people visiting the Southwest. Small world!

Kingman, the Heart of Route 66

From Hackberry we drove into Kingman. It is a decent-sized town with lots of hotels and restaurants, and Route 66 runs through a large stretch of it. Kingman calls itself the Heart of Route 66, and it is worth more than the fuel stop we usually make there. 

If you have time, dig into the road's history at the Arizona Route 66 Museum inside the Powerhouse Visitor Center, grab a milkshake at the neon-lit Mr D'z Route 66 Diner, or book a retro night at the El Trovatore Motel. Kingman is also your last real chance to fuel up, eat, and use a proper restroom before the Oatman Highway, so take it.

The Oatman Highway and Sitgreaves Pass

We were impatient to get to Oatman. You'll see why in a bit.

However, a little obstacle stood in our way.

After Kingman, we had another nice chunk of road off the interstate and stopped at the historical marker at Cool Springs Station, where we learned about this portion of the road that stretched through the Black Mountains. I was unfamiliar with this section, used between 1926 and 1984 as the primary east-to-west artery. The road through the mountains was very winding and narrow. This is the stretch people mean when they say the Oatman Highway is not for the faint of heart. It climbs and twists over Sitgreaves Pass with tight switchbacks, steep drop-offs, and very little shoulder.

I did get out, read the history, and check out the mountainscape, despite the picture above! This was me waiting for Mr. Misadventures to take some shots, not knowing he also captured this one of me being the patient wife. It was 90 degrees outside, and the car was air-conditioned, so you know what my priorities were!

I was completely unfamiliar with this portion of the road that was used between 1926 and 1984 as the primary east-west artery. The road through the mountains was very winding and narrow, and I was thankful for every bell and whistle on the Enclave which helped me navigate through Sitegreaves Pass and beyond.

Safety and RVs: Take it slow, use your low gears on the descent, and honk on blind curves. Large RVs and anything towing a trailer should avoid this section and reach Oatman from the Golden Valley side instead, since the passes are too tight for big rigs. If you are in a car, you are fine, just unhurried.

We stopped at the peak and really enjoyed the incredible lava-capped mesa views. And I could relax my grip on the steering wheel! But I don't look too freaked out, though, right?!

Oatman and Its Wild Burros

Coming down the backside was less picturesque because there is still an active mining operation, but we quickly forgot this as we were distracted by our arrival into Oatman.

And our greeters were waiting.

Oatman is an old gold mining town that boomed around 1915 when miners struck a fortune. Within a year, the population grew to more than 3,500. Today fewer than 150 people live here. When the miners left, they left their burros behind, and they have been here ever since.

Every morning the burros come down from the hills looking for food. They wander the streets and greet the tourists, then head back to the hills before sunset. The residents have named them all, and some are total characters.

Feeding etiquette: Vendors sell official burro pellets and alfalfa cubes, usually a couple of dollars a bag. Please do not feed them human snacks or carrots, which have too much sugar, and be aware the Bureau of Land Management now discourages feeding the burros at all. They are wild animals, so watch fingers and keep dogs close.

These burros are the town's savior.

Beyond the burros, Oatman puts on free staged gunfights in the street around midday, most days, though summer heat can change the schedule. Step inside the historic Oatman Hotel, once the Durlin Hotel, where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned in 1939 and where the walls are papered with thousands of signed dollar bills. Cool off with a treat at the Glory Hole Soda Fountain and browse the old shops.

On the way out, we took a moment to enjoy the beautiful Black Mountain views. It would make a great sunrise or sunset shot. Spring means the cacti and ocotillos are in bloom, which we loved.

Spring means the cacti and plants are in bloom. Love the ocotillos, which we also saw a lot of in Borrego Springs.

Best Time to Drive This Stretch of Route 66

Spring and fall are ideal, with mild temperatures and, in spring, blooming ocotillos and cacti along the road. Summer can be brutally hot in the lower desert around Oatman, often well into the 90s or higher, which can also cut the midday gunfight shows short. Winter is quiet and cool, and the higher country around Flagstaff and Williams can see snow, so check conditions before you go. Whenever you visit, start early to beat the coach tours and get the best light for photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Drive the Mother Road?

This stretch from Flagstaff to Oatman is my favorite kind of road trip, equal parts history, kitsch, big desert views, and burros licking your car window. Our Route 66 adventures have already taken us from Flagstaff to the Petrified Forest and from Flagstaff to Oatman, and our next leg will carry us on toward Havasu, Needles, and the California coast. With 2026 marking Route 66's 100th birthday, there really is no better year to point your car west and go find your own misadventure on the Mother Road.

How about you? Have you done any of Route 66? Is it on your bucket list? Do tell!

For a visual summary of this post, check out my Flagstaff to Oatman on Route 66 web story!

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