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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor Route 66’s 100th anniversary in 2026, four especially rewarding drives showcase different sides of the road: Arizona’s high desert and historic towns, New Mexico’s open plains and Albuquerque neon, Oklahoma’s small-town corridor, and California’s Mojave desert. “Most beautiful” is a matter of taste, not an official ranking; these picks represent contrasting landscapes and road-trip experiences.
How to choose a scenic Route 66 drive
Route 66 was decommissioned and replaced by newer roads in places, so a historic itinerary is not a guarantee that every segment is continuous or suitable to drive today. Use current navigation for the exact alignment, and check road conditions, closures, weather, attraction hours, and any tribal or park access rules for your travel dates. State tourism routes can help identify towns and sights, but should not replace live directions.
The historic Route 66 Highway Association described the road as “the shortest, best and most scenic route from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles,” a period slogan rather than a modern scenic ranking. The four drives below are chosen for variety, not a measured beauty score.
1. Williams to Seligman to Kingman, Arizona
What makes it scenic
This western Arizona drive pairs high-desert openness with mountain-road character and preserved small-town Route 66 atmosphere. Williams, Seligman, and Kingman make a practical sequence for travelers seeking historic-road ambience without trying to cover every Arizona attraction in one outing.
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How much route is in Arizona
Visit Arizona describes 385.2 miles of Route 66 in the state as the longest preserved stretch of original Route 66 in the United States. That figure refers to the state’s broader route, not just the Williams–Seligman–Kingman drive. Arizona’s wider Route 66 listings also include Oatman, Kingman museums, and Grand Canyon Caverns in the western region, as well as Williams, Winslow, Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest, and Painted Desert farther east.
For a focused drive, prioritize the western corridor and add stops that fit your timing. The farther-eastern attractions are part of the broader Arizona Route 66 experience, not a short detour from Kingman.
2. New Mexico’s high plains into Albuquerque
What makes it scenic
New Mexico offers a change of scale and texture: high prairie, antelope country, and dramatic mountain views lead toward Albuquerque’s signs, motels, and urban street life. The combination makes this a strong choice if you want open western landscapes as well as a lively Route 66 city segment.
Where to drive and stop
New Mexico Tourism lists 535 miles of Route 66 in the state and highlights its landscapes and cultural history, including Puebloan cultures. Albuquerque’s intact urban stretch runs 18 miles from historic Old Town to Nob Hill, according to the Associated Press. Along that city portion, look for restored motor lodges and neon signs. Treat the statewide mileage as context for the larger route, not as the distance of the Albuquerque drive.
3. Oklahoma’s Midpoint Corridor
What makes it scenic
Oklahoma’s appeal is less about dramatic topography and more about the experience of traveling through towns, diners, and roadside attractions along a long, driveable historic-road corridor. It suits travelers who enjoy stopping often and letting local places shape the day.
Where the corridor runs
Oklahoma Tourism describes the Midpoint Corridor as running from west of Tulsa to north of Oklahoma City. The state has more than 400 miles of Route 66, and 11 cities joined to showcase stops along the corridor. Use the towns and their attractions to plan a route at a comfortable pace rather than treating the whole state mileage as one continuous sightseeing drive.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.4. Amboy through California’s Mojave Desert
What makes it scenic
Near Amboy, the Mojave section offers wide-open space, Joshua trees, and volcanic remnants. Its relative lack of development gives the landscape a sense of the surroundings Route 66 had when it was commissioned in 1926. The open desert is a different kind of beauty from the towns and neon farther east.
Road surface and western endpoint
The Associated Press reported in April 2026 that pavement is rough in places on the Mojave segment. That is a dated report, not live road-condition information, so check conditions before setting out. More than 90% of Route 66 in California remains drivable, according to the AP, but that statewide figure does not guarantee that any particular section is open or in good repair. If you want to continue west, Santa Monica’s Pacific views provide an iconic endpoint.
Quick Recap
Compare the four drives
| Stretch | Landscape and feel | Route context | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williams–Seligman–Kingman, Arizona | High desert, mountain-road character, historic-town atmosphere | Part of Arizona’s 385.2-mile Route 66; Visit Arizona calls the state’s preserved original stretch the longest in the U.S. | Arizona attractions span a much wider area; choose stops selectively. |
| New Mexico high plains into Albuquerque | Open prairie and mountain vistas followed by neon-lined urban streets | 535 miles of Route 66 statewide; Albuquerque’s intact urban portion is 18 miles from Old Town to Nob Hill. | Statewide mileage is not the Albuquerque segment’s length. |
| Oklahoma Midpoint Corridor | Small towns, diners, and roadside attractions | West of Tulsa to north of Oklahoma City; Oklahoma has more than 400 miles of Route 66. | Best approached as a series of town stops, not a dramatic-scenery drive. |
| Amboy through the Mojave, California | Joshua trees, volcanic remnants, open space, and desert solitude | Part of the California route; the AP reports more than 90% of the state’s Route 66 remains drivable. | Rough pavement was reported near Amboy in April 2026; verify current conditions. |
Planning a centennial-year Route 66 trip
- Pick a manageable segment rather than assuming the historic highway forms one uninterrupted modern road.
- Use current maps for navigation, then consult state tourism itineraries to identify towns and attractions along your chosen alignment.
- Confirm opening hours and access conditions for individual attractions, parks, and tribal lands before departure.
- Allow time for unplanned stops. Historian and author Jim Ross told the Associated Press that some of the most interesting moments on the route come from chance encounters and unexpected events.
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