🛣️ This One-Day Route 66 Detour Feels Like Stepping Back in Time

If you’re planning a Southwest USA road trip and haven’t considered a detour down historic Route 66, this is your sign to add it to your itinerary. For just one extra day between Blythe and Williams, Arizona, you can step back into a world of retro diners, wild donkeys, neon signs, and roadside Americana.

This isn’t just a road—it’s a living time capsule. Whether it’s your first time in the USA or you're a seasoned traveler craving a nostalgic experience, this Route 66 detour is pure road trip magic.

 

🚏 Table of Contents

• 🗺️ Where This Fits In Your Road Trip
• 🐴 Stop 1: Oatman – A Wild West Town with Donkeys Roaming the Streets
• 🍔 Stop 2: Kingman – Neon Lights, Classic Diners & Route 66 History
• 🛢️ Stop 3: Hackberry – The Cutest Gas Station You’ll Ever See
• 🚓 Stop 4: Seligman – The Real-Life Radiator Springs
• 🌅 Final Stop: Williams – Neon Nights & Gateway to the Grand Canyon
• 🎒 What to Pack for Your Route 66 Day
• 🧠 Bonus Tips for First-Time Road Trippers

 

🗺️ Where This Fits In Your Road Trip

This one-day detour happens after your visit to Joshua Tree and Blythe and before you head north to the Grand Canyon. You’ll swap the main highways for the slower, quirkier, and far more memorable Route 66.

Here’s a quick look at the driving plan:

• Start: Blythe, California
• Stops: Oatman → Kingman → Hackberry → Seligman
• End: Williams, Arizona
• Total Driving Time: About 5 hours (excluding stops)

Make sure to start your day early—there’s a lot to see and do, and the best photo ops happen in that golden morning light.

 

🐴 Stop 1: Oatman – A Wild West Town with Donkeys Roaming the Streets

Your first stop is Oatman, Arizona, a tiny former mining town perched in the Black Mountains. As you drive up the twisty mountain road to get there, you'll feel like you're entering an old Western film set.

But the real stars here? The wild donkeys (called burros) that freely roam the streets.

🐾 What to Do in Oatman:

• Feed the burros: Local shops sell approved food (don’t feed them random snacks).
• Catch a gunfight show: Street performers stage mock shootouts daily—check times when you arrive.
• Explore the Oatman Hotel: Legend has it Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned here, and yes, it’s still haunted (allegedly).

📸 Pro Tips:

• Get there by 10–11 AM to beat the crowds and get the best donkey selfies.
• Bring cash—some vendors are old-school and card readers can be hit-or-miss.

🍔 Stop 2: Kingman – Neon Lights, Classic Diners & Route 66 History

From Oatman, head north on Route 66 through the gorgeous Sitgreaves Pass. The scenery is as memorable as the destination itself.

Next stop: Kingman, Arizona, one of the most well-preserved Route 66 towns, full of roadside charm and history.

🚘 Must-Do Experiences:

• Historic Route 66 Museum: Located inside the Powerhouse Visitor Center, this small but fascinating museum covers the full history of Route 66 with exhibits, photos, and vintage cars.
• Locomotive Park: Snap a pic next to Steam Engine #3759.
• Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner: This neon-lit retro diner serves up classic burgers, hand-spun milkshakes, and Elvis vibes. It’s a must.

📝 Good to Know:

• Parking is easy and free in most spots downtown.
• This is a great place to grab lunch if you skipped Oatman.

🛢️ Stop 3: Hackberry – The Cutest Gas Station You’ll Ever See

As you leave Kingman and continue east, be sure not to blink—you don’t want to miss Hackberry, one of the quirkiest roadside attractions on the whole route.

🏚️ Welcome to the Hackberry General Store

This restored vintage gas station isn’t really a store—it’s a photo-op goldmine. Old Cadillacs, rusted road signs, Route 66 memorabilia, and Americana charm are packed into this tiny stop.

You’ll find:

• Classic red gas pumps
• Vintage vending machines
• Life-size Elvis cutouts
• A small but fun souvenir shop

Spend 15 to 30 minutes here stretching your legs, snapping photos, and chatting with the store owner if they’re around. It’s one of those places that looks like a movie set but is completely real.

🚓 Stop 4: Seligman – The Real-Life Radiator Springs

If you’ve seen Disney Pixar’s Cars, this is where the inspiration for Radiator Springs came from. Seligman, Arizona, might be tiny, but it’s bursting with character.

The town is famous for one man: Angel Delgadillo, the local barber who fought to keep the spirit of Route 66 alive after it was bypassed by the interstate.

🛍️ What to See:

• The Rusty Bolt Gift Shop: With mannequins on the roof and decorated vintage cars parked out front, this shop is weird in the best way.
• Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In: Famous for both its food and the jokes. The staff are known for playful pranks and humor. Try the root beer float or a burger.
• Westside Lilo’s Cafe: Another solid option for hearty comfort food if you need a sit-down break.

📷 Tips:

• This town is basically built for photos—vintage signs, old police cars, kitschy motels… it’s Instagram heaven.
• Parking is easy along the main drag.

🌅 Final Stop: Williams – Neon Nights & Gateway to the Grand Canyon

Wrap up your retro day in Williams, a charming mountain town that also happens to be the last city on Route 66 to be bypassed by I-40.

Today, Williams thrives as the gateway to the Grand Canyon and has a perfectly preserved stretch of Route 66 running right through town.

🌟 What to Do:

• Walk the Main Strip at Night: Neon lights glow over souvenir shops, saloons, and diners—this is what Route 66 dreams are made of.
• Grab Dinner: Favorites include Red Raven Restaurant (more upscale) or Pine Country Restaurant (for comfort food and pie).
• Stay Overnight: Choose a local motel for the full retro experience or one of the nicer lodges if you’re heading to the Grand Canyon the next day.

 

🎒 What to Pack for Your Route 66 Day

Since this detour has a lot of small-town stops and vintage vibes, a little planning goes a long way. Here’s what to bring:

• Cash for small shops and food stands
• Camera or phone with space (you’ll take a LOT of photos)
• Sunscreen & hat—you’ll be outside often
• Comfortable shoes for walking around towns
• Snacks & water (especially between Hackberry and Seligman)
• A printed or downloaded map—cell service can be spotty in rural areas

 

🧠 Bonus Tips for First-Time Road Trippers

If this is your first time doing a road trip in the USA, here are a few extra nuggets of advice to make your Route 66 experience even smoother:

• Speed limits drop fast in these towns—watch for signs!
• Don’t rely solely on Google Maps—Route 66 has lots of side roads and alternate routes.
• Chat with the locals—many are passionate about preserving Route 66 and love to share stories.
• Don’t rush—this detour is about soaking up the vibe, not just ticking off stops.

 

🧭 Why This Route 66 Detour is Totally Worth It

You could drive straight from Blythe to Williams in a few hours on the interstate… but you’d miss all of this. The charm of Route 66 lies in its unpredictability, its characters, its history, and its unapologetic quirkiness.

Taking this one-day detour gives you:

• A dose of American nostalgia
• Instagram-worthy photos at every stop
• Unique roadside attractions you’ll remember forever

And best of all? It slows you down. In the best possible way.

 

📘 Want More Hidden Gems Like This?

This Route 66 adventure is just one day in the full 25-day Southwest USA itinerary. The full RoadBook includes:

• Daily driving routes with Google Maps links
• Hand-picked hotel and activity recommendations
• Pro tips, hidden stops, and money-saving tricks
• Park entrance info, apps, photo tips, and more

👉 Ready to travel smarter and deeper? Grab your RoadBook here