Route 66 in Arizona: which stops before the Grand Canyon?
You leave Laughlin in the morning, hoping to experience Route 66 in Arizona before reaching the Grand Canyon. Hackberry, Seligman, Kingman, Williams: the suggestions keep coming, but your day has limits. At Planet Ride, we recommend choosing stops around what you want to experience and how much time you actually have. When travelling from Route 66 to the Grand Canyon, start by pinpointing your destination.
From Route 66 to the Grand Canyon: plan the right route
This guide covers the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, reached from Williams via Highway 64. The Skywalk at Grand Canyon West is a different destination, so this itinerary does not apply to that journey.
From Laughlin, the sequence to consider is Kingman, then Hackberry, Peach Springs and Seligman along the historic road, followed by I-40 to Williams and the road north to the park. Add these stops to your navigation: a direct search for the Grand Canyon may favour the interstate and bypass the places you want to see.
The National Park Service gives an approximate driving time of one hour from Williams to the South Entrance. Allow additional time for any queues, parking and reaching your viewpoint. Arriving at the park entrance at 1 pm does not mean standing at the canyon at 1 pm.
Four Route 66 Arizona stops to suit your interests
The times below are our planning suggestions for short visits, excluding driving. They are neither official opening hours nor guaranteed journey times.
Kingman: a stop for the history of the road
The Powerhouse houses the visitor centre and Arizona Route 66 Museum. Nearby, Locomotive Park has a historic locomotive on display. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for an outdoor stop. Visiting the museum or having a meal requires extra time, so choose these options if you want to explore this stop in more depth.
Hackberry: a manageable photo stop
Hackberry General Store brings together signs, vintage petrol pumps and Mother Road memorabilia. We would allow 20 to 30 minutes for photographs and a look inside the store if it is open. It is a sensible choice when you want a short stop on the historic stretch.
Seligman: explore the Route 66 streetscape on foot
In Seligman, park up and walk along the street to enjoy the shopfronts. The shop associated with Angel Delgadillo also recalls his role in preserving the road. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for a short stroll, and longer if you want to visit several shops. Check the opening hours of any places you particularly want to see.
Williams: slow down before heading to the canyon
With its historic centre, signs and restaurants, Williams works well for a walking break. We suggest 45 to 60 minutes, excluding a meal. If you want to have lunch here, set aside a proper slot rather than squeezing it into an already tight photo stop.
What should you do when time is short?
If you must arrive by 1 pm: calculate driving time from your accommodation to the exact meeting point, then add a buffer. Keep Hackberry and Seligman only if that calculation allows it. If time is already tight, simplify the route and choose just one stop in Kingman or Williams. Postponing a visit is better than rushing the drive.
If you have a more flexible day: follow the historic stretch and choose two or three stops. Kingman for history, Hackberry for photographs, then Seligman or Williams for a walk: select the combination that suits you. Together, our four suggested slots already add up to 1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes of visits, before meals, fuel and driving.
If you want to explore everything at an easy pace, an overnight stop, for example in Williams, lets you dedicate the following day to the canyon.
Oatman: plan it as a separate variation
Oatman and its burros feature frequently in travellers’ recommendations. However, the town lies west of Kingman, away from the onward route through Hackberry and Seligman. Adding it from Laughlin changes your journey. We would save it for a dedicated stage if your arrival time at the South Rim is fixed.
Plan an enjoyable day with Planet Ride
Before setting off, check your route, the weather, park access conditions and the opening hours of your chosen stops. On a motorcycle, also allow time to take off and put on your riding gear at each break. A realistic plan leaves room for conversations and unexpected discoveries.
To take the journey further, explore our Route 66 motorcycle tour. Talk to us about your priorities, preferred pace and how you want to include the Grand Canyon in your road trip.