Lu Yang Arizona Office of Tourism
Wupatki National Monument, one of the many scenic rock formations along I-40.
Words by Dennis Begin
Interstate 40 is approximately 3,555 km (2,209 mi) that runs from Wilmington, NC, to Barstow, CA, ranking it as the third longest highway in the U.S. On a recent RV trip, I drove from Needles, CA, through Arizona to Albuquerque, NM, which was a distance of 855 km (532 mi). Since this area of I-40 converges with the iconic Route 66 at various points, I also experienced some classic Americana along the way.
Route 66, known as Main St. America, is still very popular despite being decommissioned in 1985 and is never too far off the beaten path of the I-40. Both highways, which pass-through various rural towns and cities, combine to provide an enlightening and well-rounded RV journey.
Needles, CA
The first community I experienced along I-40 was Needles where I accessed part of Route 66. Needles’ main street is East Broadway and little has changed here since the 1950s. It’s often associated with John Steinbeck’s 1940 novel, The Grapes of Wrath. In the movie version, Carty’s Camp was filmed behind the rustic 66 Motel.
For a different experience on Route 66, I also visited the gold mining town of Oatman, AZ, 37 km (23 mi) to the east. Once the largest gold producer in Arizona, this is now where you can enjoy shopping, the Ghost Riders gunfight show and even see tiny herds of very friendly wild burros.
Dennis Begin
Another classic Arizona landscape in Sedona near Flagstaff.
Kingman
About 45 minutes northeast of Oatman on I-40 is Kingman, which has 40 buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad that provided its early economic growth and a parallel road along the railroad became Route 66. It was later named Andy Devine Avenue in honour of the popular Hollywood character actor.
Five major museums capture Kingsman’s history, especially the Mohave Museum of History and Art. It has a population of 28,000 and takes a lot of pride in being named ‘Heart of Historic Route 66.’
Seligman
Route 66 and I-40 once again merge at Seligman, which was originally a railroad depot. However, when I visited Seligman in 1978, the community’s economy dwindled. Today, it’s a popular tourist attraction and a sign at its entrance states Seligman is the ‘Birth Place of Historic Route 66.’ The village of 800 has a few unique casual dining options including Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In and the Roadkill Café.
Dennis Begin
Also near Flagstaff is Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, which signifies a meteorite that hit Earth 50,000 years ago.
Williams
Further along I-40, Williams is the ‘Gateway to the Grand Canyon,’ as it’s just 97 km (60 mi) to the north. Ride the Grand Canyon Railroad and enjoy the scenic run to the canyon’s South Rim.
An annual popular event in Williams is Rendezvous Days that includes a parade down the original Route 66. But on any given visit, you can browse six blocks of historical buildings, museums and attractions including Pete’s Gas Station Museum and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. For more details and dates of this year’s Rendezvous Days in Williams visit
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is known for being among the world's largest contiguous ponderosa pine forests and is located near the base of the San Francisco Peaks. Humphreys is one of the most impressive at 3,850 m (12,633 ft).
One of the larger cities along I-40 with a population of 77,000, Flagstaff has many attractions. These include Wupatki National Monument and Walnut Canyon, which are the original homes of the Sinagua people who were some of the first settlers in the region.
Perry Mack
Unique and rustic shops are found all along I-40 and Route 66.
To the south are the scenic red rock canyons of Sedona and about an hour to the north and northeast are Sunset Crater National Monument and Meteor Crater Natural Landmark. More than 50,000 years ago, a meteorite that was known to be travelling 43,130 kph (26,800 mph) collided with earth leaving a crater of 174 m (570 ft) and killing everything within 24 km (15 mi).
Flagstaff underwent revitalization in the 1990s that included downtown infrastructure projects, public art beautification and heritage preservation. The Hotel Monte Vista - built in 1927 - remains the centrepiece of the historic downtown core. It was once a very popular spot for visiting Hollywood celebrities and its seven ghosts are known to roam the hotel, including The Dancing Couple and The Meat Man.
Winslow
This small city of 10,000 has two major attractions. The first one is The Standin' on the Corner Park with a mural and statue that pay homage to the classic rock band, The Eagles. They wrote about Winslow in one of their most popular singles Take it Easy in 1972 (“Standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona”).
Dennis Begin
Just one of the classic diners on Route 66.
The other attraction is the La Posada Hotel. A Fred Harvey Hotel that was built to attract tourists along the Santa Fe Railroad and Route 66, La Posada’s designer, Mary Elizabeth Colter, turned the Harvey Hotels into works of art. It was renovated in 1994 and serves visitors passing through on I-40.
Holbrook
In the 1880s, Holbrook was known as ‘the town too tough for women and churches.’ The evidence of this claim includes the Owens-Blevins Shoot Out and a saloon called the ‘Bucket of Blood.’ Today, Holbrook is a quiet town with a population of 5,100. The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park are a few of the popular attractions.
Gallup, NM
Crossing the state line into New Mexico leads to Gallup, which is referred to as the ‘Indian Capital of the World’ with the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni peoples making up 43 percent of its population. The Navajo Reservation alone is larger than 10 American states and has a land base of 70,000 sq km (27,000 sq mi) that spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. To experience its culture, visit the Red Rock Museum, Gallup Cultural Center and Richardson’s Trading Post.
Perry Mack
Be sure to watch out for wild burros in Oatman, AZ.
Gallup is also known for the Navajo Code Talkers who used their language to transmit encrypted military information, helping the U.S. defeat the Japanese in World War II. A statue exists of a Code Talker in front of the Gallup Cultural Center. They are also the main plot of the 2002 Hollywood film The Windtalkers starring Nicholas Cage and Mark Ruffalo.
Albuquerque, NM
The drive from Gallup to Albuquerque is an easy 222 km (138 mi) while passing through the desert and mesas. Despite Albuquerque’s population of more than 500,000, Route 66 still exists and passes through Nob Hill and Fourth and Central avenues. The route is lined with rustic motels, gas stations, diners, neon signs and the KiMo Theatre.
While Albuquerque marked the end of my trip along this part of I-40, it does continue to North Carolina, making it a prime route to plan for extended RV destinations.
Todd Brenneman Arizona Office of Tourism
Slide Rock State Park has been named One of “America’s Top 10 Swimming Holes” by the Travel Channel.
Popular Arizona State Parks Along I-40
There are many choices of RV parks all along this area of I-40 including those found in Arizona State Parks, which also provide more opportunities to learn about the area. Here are a few to consider:
Lake Havasu State Park
Location: Within an hour from Needles and Kingman
A watersports mecca, this Arizona State Park is open all year and its RV sites now offer 50-amp power, along with potable water, picnic tables and fire rings. Most also have shaded ramadas. What makes it really exciting is the lake is easily accessible via the beach or boat launches. Lake Havasu has more than 97 km (60 mi) of navigable waterways to enjoy boating, paddlesports and more. It also has two popular hiking trails with many attractions to see in nearby Lake Havasu City.
River Island State Park
Location: Approximately one hour from Needles
Travelling further south from Needles on SR-95, River Island State Park is along the banks of the Colorado River and has 37 campsites. Eight are located on the beachfront with 20-amp power and can accommodate RVs up to 7 m (24 ft).
The other 29 can serve larger rigs with 20-, 30-, and 50-amp power. All sites also have water. Boating and watersports are popular or hike the Wedge Hill Trail where you can admire great views of the Colorado River and The Parker Dam.
Homolovi State Park
Location: 10 minutes north of Winslow and 30 minutes from Holbrook
Located just off I-40 on SR-87, this is where RVers have a choice of pull-through and back-in sites. While most have 30-amp power, the pull-throughs have the option of 50-amp power.
What makes the park unique, however, is the 300-plus archaeological sites including four major 14th-century pueblos. A good way to discover its rich past is by hiking a few select trails and going to its Visitor Center.
Slide Rock State Park
Location: Approximately 40 minutes from Flagstaff
Driving south from Flagstaff on SR-89A leads to Slide Rock State Park located among the red rocks of Oak Creek Canyon. RV camping is not permitted but it does serve as a great day trip with its picnic areas and hiking trails.
A nice attraction is the .8 km (.5 mi) Oak Creek swimming area, which includes a 24 m (80 ft) all-natural waterslide. Go for an exhilarating slide then lounge and cool off in the refreshing waters. It has also been named One of “America’s Top 10 Swimming Holes” by the Travel Channel.
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Location: Approximately six minutes from Flagstaff
To learn more about Flagstaff’s rich past, perhaps visit Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, located approximately 2 km (1.3 mi) from the city. This historic site commemorates the two arts and crafts-style mansions owned by local brothers, Timothy and Michael Riordan who - with their family - played a role in the development of the region and were involved in lumber, the railroad, cattle, banking, and politics.
Daily guided tours are available that showcase original artifacts, handcrafted furniture, and personal items belonging to the Riordan family. - Steve Fennell
For more information about Riordan Mansion State Historic Park and other Arizona State Parks visit www.azstateparks.com