The last part of our road trip takes us through New Mexico, Arizona and on to the California Coast where the designated ending to Route 66 is at the Santa Monica Pier.
THE LAST THREE STATES OF ROUTE 66:
New Mexico, Arizona, California
NEW MEXICO - 487 Miles
Of the original 400+ miles of Route 66 across New Mexico, 265 miles are still drivable. Running parallel to Interstate 40, this drivable, historic stretch connects iconic boomtowns like Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, Grants, and Gallup. Travelers can experience vintage neon signs, classic motels, and deep Indigenous and Spanish heritage.
Highlights include the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, the Blue Hole, an 80-foot artesian spring, in Santa Rosa, the Nob Hill district, filled with vintage diners and local events in Albuquerque, and the McKinley County Courthouse (The Heart of Indian Country) in Gallup.
ARIZONA - 401 Miles
Check out the Petrified Forest National Park in NE Arizona. Spend a night in a vintage concrete teepee in Holbrook (AZ). Stop at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City and the Powerhouse Museum in Kingman, known as the “Heart of Historic Route 66”.
Conclude your Arizona Mother Road trip in Oatman, as you enjoy a mountain drive through the Black Mountains.
CALIFORNIA - 314 Miles
From the Arizona border at Needles, the Route 66 Road Trip includes over 300 miles through the Mojave Desert, past historic ghost towns and those iconic roadside diners. Barstow offers a desert oasis featuring the ‘Mother Road Museum’.
You will pass through San Bernardino, Pasadena & Los Angeles, then follow Colorado Boulevard directly to the Ocean. The official “End of the Trail”, complete with a sign, is at the Santa Monica Pier.
Summary
This concludes our scenic road trip of the iconic Route 66. We hope you have an opportunity to celebrate this famous highway’s 100 years during its Centennial by enjoying even a small part of the distance from Chicago to Santa Monica.
♫ ♫ Get Your Kicks on Route 66 ♬ ♪
Related Links:
New Mexico Kicks on Route 66Check PriceArizona Kicks on Route 66Check PriceRoute 66 in California (Images of America)Check PriceRoute 66: 100 YearsCheck Price
Thanks for an interesting look at Route 66
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. I enjoyed putting this 3-part travel review together. :)
DeleteNow I know where route 66 ends, lol, I had no idea it ended in California, which of course makes total sense! I'm sure my parents traveled this route at some point (I think) they were snowbirds and would spend winters in Arizona. They were far south though, at Yuma, so of course I don't know if that's anywhere near Route 66!
ReplyDeleteYes, Yuma is quite a ways south of Route 66. Although, they may have crossed over the highway on their way from Toronto. :) Thanks for your visit to my Route 66 ending, Barbara
DeleteI have really enjoyed your three-part tour of Route 66 in honor of its Centennial, Elf. Such a fun, interesting and educational journey. Thank you for bringing us along!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoyed this virtual journey, Margaret. It was fun compiling all the information.
DeleteOh, I know we would enjoy the 300 miles through the Mojave Desert stretch and seeing the ghost towns. You really have made me want to travel across the entire Route 66, which is not anything I had ever considered before reading your Route 66 series.
ReplyDeleteGlad I could add to your possible destination from home to the iconic Route 66, Mouse. I've traveled parts of this highway several times, but not the entire route.
DeleteI don't know if I'll ever drive this iconic route but I did enjoy reading your nostalgic posts about it. I have also watched some videos, on YouTube, that featured Route 66. They are quite interesting and enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteIt would be fun, wouldn't it?
DeleteIf any of you travel Route 66, I live a few miles South of Amarillo Texas now, and it goes right thru Amarillo. Would love to see you!
ReplyDeleteIt would be great fun to meet you, Heather. I have never been to Amarillo. Thanks for your visit to my Route 66 stories.
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