The End-of-the-Trail on Route 66

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:

• Route 66 Centennial - The Beginning
• Celebrating the Centennial of Route 66 - The Middle Part

*This review of the third part of Route 66 was written by Wednesday Elf.

+All images in this review are courtesy of Pixabay and Wikipedia

+Travel tips for New Mexico, Arizona and California on Route 66: 

New Mexico Kicks on Route 66Check PriceArizona Kicks on Route 66Check PriceRoute 66 in California (Images of America)Check PriceRoute 66: 100 YearsCheck Price

 

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