route 66 arizona?

Question

I am going to grand canyon soon, and I will stay at williams, az. I am just wondering that can I take route 66 to grand canyon instead of I-40? Since route 66 was replaced by I-40, how is the road condition, is it safe to travel on route 66? thanks.

Answer 1

Done the trip several times. I live on Route 66 and love it. Yes there are a lot of drivable parts still and most are in pretty good conditions. Some of the roads are marked with Historic Route 66 sings but, they are not always posted well and it depends what alligment they are talking about (Route 66 was moved several times). While it does not go to the Grand Canyon you can drive parts of it and deture up there. (We have done this several times). If you are looking for time and speed this is not the road for you, most have speed limit signs posted and a lot are 45 and under....be sure you have the time to do this. If you contact the Arizona Route 66 Assc they will send you a very detailed map with the points of interest on them, they will also send you a copy of their magazine...good stuff here the map is great! Also be sure to check out this website I have used the directions may times and they are very good! Turn by turn will walk you through, very good has the diffrent alligments to1
http://www.historic66.com

Love this site! Be sure to check out Seligman if you get the chance really neat very little old town, most of the founding members of the AZ Route 66 Assc live/lived there...you do not want to miss the Snow Cap!

I have included from the website mentioned above some directions which also have sites of interest listed...

Williams
Pass under the railroad.

Turn left on Echo Canyon Rd. for the 1926-41 alignment.
Continue along the south of BL-40 till the railroad tracks.
Turn back, dead-end.

Pre 1941
Turn right on Rodeo Rd (=west-northwest).

Turn left on Airport Rd. (=south).

Turn right on Edison Ave. (west-southwest).

Turn left on Grand Canyon Ave (2nd St).

Williams Depot at 235 N. Grand Canyon Blvd. The steam train to the Grand Canyon departs here.

Cross the railroad.

Turn right on Railroad Ave. (BL-40).

Post 1941:
Post 1941 Route 66 westbound is Railroad Ave. (BL-40)

Post 1941 Route 66 eastbound is Bill Williams Ave. (BL-40)
Williams was the very last bypassed town. It clung to Route 66 from November 11th, 1926 till October 13th, 1984. During that time, Bill Williams Ave. to the west of 2nd St. has been Route 66 uninterrupted.

Sidetrip: The Grand Canyon is 60 miles north of here on AZ-64, or with the Grand Canyon Railway.

West of Williams, join I-40 at exit 161.

The southern frontage road west of exit 161 is Route 66 (dead-end).

If you don't drive on dirt roads, continue on I-40 at exit 157, otherwise leave I-40 here.

On the south of I-40 to the east of Pine Springs (exit 157) are 2 earlier alignments:
The southern most is the 1926-32 alignment.
The northern one is the 1932-52 alignment.
The route is a dirt road or with pavement in bad shape, so take care.

On the south of I-40 to the west of Pine Springs (exit 157) is the 1926-52 alignment, but it runs into private property after about a mile.

Continue on I-40 at exit 151 (Welch Rd.).

Turn north at the Welch Rd exit on FR-6, you;re on the 1026-32 alignment when the road bends slight to the east.

As FR-6 turns onto FR-6 to the east:

At the juction with Silent Bridge Rd (FR-6E), you join the 1932-52 alignment to the east (dead-ends):
The 1926-32 alignment is a bit more to the south for about a mile.
Continue straight whereFR-6E turn sharply to the left (north).
The pre 1926-52 alignment ends at the interstate (turn back).

At the intersection of FR-6 and FR6E above, Turn sharp left to continue to the west on the 1932-52 alignment.

Rejoin I-40 at exit 149 (Monte Carlo Rd.).

Ash Fork
Leave I-40 at exit 146.

Turn right onto Lewis Av. (BL-40).

Since the 1950's, eastbound traffic uses Park Ave (also BL-40).

DeSoto's Beauty and Barber shop can't be missed due to the DeSoto on top, at 314 W Lewis Ave.

A left onto 8th Ave. Followed by a slight right on Pine Ave., puts you on the original alignment on Route 66. (dead-ends)

Rejoin I-40 west of town at exit 144.

Leave I-40 at exit 139 (Crookton Rd.).

Pre 1965 alignment to the east:
Dead-ends, you'll have to return
Cross to south at exit 139.
Turn left (east) on the frontage road (not Route 66 yet)
As the pavement veers away from I-40 after a bit less than a mile, you're on the 1926-65 alignment of Route 66.
Continue on the road being reclaimed by nature til the Partridge Creek.
The bridge was built in the 1920's and has a prominent feature: a tree growing out of the concrete bridge.
The road ahead dead-ends at the railroad.

Turn right onto Crookton Rd. (Historic Us-66)

Head west onto Crookton Rd.

At Crookton Hill, note how the 1926-40's alignment veers of to the right to navidate around the hill.

As you cross the railroad tracks (Crookton Overpass), note the older highway bridge on the right (you are on a 1930's bridge).

For the next miles there will be left and right undrivable older alignments
Seligman
on AZ-66, and continue on Chino St. as BL-40 joins from exit 123 .

In Seligman the older Route 66 alignment is Railroad Ave. (1 block closer to the railroad on the left), but the attactions are on the newer alignment.

Snow Cap drive, a place full of humor like 2 door knobs on the same side of the door, a sign "sorry we're open" and the like. Juan Delgadillo runs the Snow Cap.

Angel Delgadillo has his barber shop here. Angel is not just world renowed for promoting Route 66, he's also the founder of the Arizona Route 66 Association. Angel is retired as a barber, but his shop is now part of the Visitor Center wun by Angel and Vilma Delgadillo.

Historic Harvey house.

Leaving Seligman, pass under the western overpass

Continue on AZ-66.

GAS: The stretch to Kingman might be hard to get gas (and certainly from a major brand), if you're picky about brands or rulling low, fill up here. We're leaving I-40 for a while and gas stations will be far less densily available than what you've seen so far on Route 66. It's not a big deal, and it can be driven without a problem, just fill up here to be on the safe side.


People are very friendly on Route 66 and it is a wonderful drive, I do not know how far you are going but the best Route 66 drive is up to Oatman, very windy old school roads not for the faint of hear but, still was photographed a lot and has been used on numerous commericals....The old town is also very neat to see. Also contact the Williams Visitors Center and tell them you need info on Route 66 and they will send you directions. You will have a great time and it is just a wonderful time, The Mother Road is one great trip. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Rte 66 doesnt go to the Grand Canyon it runs East to West same as I-40. Williams is on Rte. 66. Most of Rte 66 is not too good but the best part is between Kingman and Seligman in AZ. I think you need to take 64 North from Williams to Grand Canyon.

Answer 3

Hmm. Our experience with 3 trips to the area extending from Alburquerque to California was that remaining parts of Rte 66 (some marked "Historic Route 66" and some not) was that they were in good condition; typical US western 2 lane highways.

If you go to Kingman, AZ take a side trip on the road from there to Laughlin, NV. Most impressive.

Answer 4

Parts of the old Route 66 are still drivable, but there are sections that are rough, broken-up and sections that are gone.(reclaimed by the desert) The best way to find out for sure is to verify what parts are still navigable. ie: satellite maps or road conditions on line.

Answer 5

In Arizona, the area between Seligman and Oatman is the longest stretch of direction sixty six nevertheless maintained for scenic using. ought to take you approximately 3 and a 0.5 hours. Shoot me a notice in case you have an interest in an element excursion alongside the way (wink wink)