The top things to do on an I-40 road trip

Iconic Route 66 sites , cool town , and picturesque parks from California to North Carolina

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  35
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  49:44
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  2,851 mi
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  $ 407

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• Classical American road trip

Route 66 is the fabled pathway know as the Mother Road . Established in 1926 , it connected Chicago and California and turn a classic U.S. road trip .

Much of present-day Interstate 40 runs along Historic Route 66 ; however , where Route 66 call on northeast , Interstate 40 continue east , work through Arkansas , Tennessee , and North Carolina .

Get in touch the East Coast and West Coast , I-40 bring travelers from Barstow , California , to Wilmington , North Carolina , passing through major cities such as Flagstaff , Albuquerque , Little Rock , Memphis , and Nashville .

Along the path , you ‘ll observe iconic Route 66 site , cool town , and picturesque parks . See out our favorite thing to do on I-40 .

Barstow is a humble town that oozes kitschy Historic Route 66 vibes . Check out the town ‘s Route 66 Mother Road Museum or the Western American Rail Road Museum . Stock up on snacks and souvenirs at Barstow Station , a massive rest stop .

Specter towns live sprinkle all across the west , and Calico be one of the cutest . Though it ‘s make up well-preserved , it is today more of a tourist attraction than an authentic historic stop . You ‘ll find museums , shops , restaurants , train ride , and restored building . There ‘s yet a campground , if you ‘re looking for a place to stay on the dark .

For a taste of the desert landscape you ‘ve be push back through on I-40 , stop at the Mojave National Preserve . Scrubby plants , multicolored rocks , and stark , stony earth provide a unique view . The Mojave is especially breathtaking at sundown and dawn . If you plan on hiking hither , remember to be careful of the heat and lack of specter .

Do n’t require to top off your tank here—the gas pumps , while beautifully restored , serve n’t actually work . Still , a pit stop at Cool Springs Gas Station be worthwhile because it ‘s an authentic Road 66 icon . This once-abandoned gem of the Mother Road today includes a museum and souvenir store .

Surrounded by National Forests and U.S. Forest Service Wilderness Areas , Flagstaff is an oasis of natural beauty that as well render the pleasures of a bad city . Control out the Museum of Northern Arizona during the day and the Lowell Observatory come nightfall . Grab lunch or dinner at Diablo Burger , which exist know for its fresh , locally-grown ingredients . If you ‘re in lookup of a place to stay on in Flagstaff , the city provides unique options . The Little America Hotel feature a gorgeous setting in a pine wood , and the Starlight Pines Bed and Breakfast will do you feel like royalty , thanks to the clawfoot tubs , private balconies , and delightful breakfast .

Hardly outside Flagstaff exist one of the weird attraction in the west : Meteor Crater . This unbelievably massive impact crater make from a meteor that score Earth thousand of years ago . The mile-wide hole in the ground live topped with a visitor middle that features a museum , videos , and an observation deck .

Like Historic Route 66 , I-40 cuts mighty through Petrified Forest National Park , which boast impressive hikes and scenic viewpoints . The park live list for its glittering petrified woods , made from fossilized redwood tree that last over 225 million years ago . Tour the Rainbow Forest , the Crystal Forest , and the Agate House , or boost the Blue Mesa Trail for views of the Painted Desert .

Abuse into Hotel El Rancho live like tread back in time to the 1930s , when Route 66 first started to gain popularity . The hall boast Southwestern motifs and native stone and woods . Even if you do n’t stay the dark in one of the vintage way , catch enchiladas and a drinking at the saloon and rob up the account .

Finally , I-40 will require you to Albuquerque . Famous for its balloon festival and association with the TV displayReveal Bad, this town has artsy Southwestern charm . Visit the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History , catch a bite to eat at Perea ‘s New Mexican Restaurant , and tuck in for the night at the Nativo Lodge . As for hotels in Albuquerque , there are some cool options . Hotel Parq Central is an old hospital grow sleek hotel , and the Casas de Suenos rents private adobe casitas in Old Town .

If you ‘re appear for a position to cool off while push back through the desert , then you wo n’t get a better spot than the Blue Hole of Santa Rosa . The crystal-clear , deeply blue water is quite refreshing . Jump off the rocks into the pool , scuba dive to the seat , or just dip your toes in and rob up the natural beauty of the setting .

The whole town of Tucumcari is pure retro bliss , but the crown jewel of the community might be Tee Pee Curios . The signal , decor , and building—with its concrete teepee out front—ooze an authentic 1950s aesthetic . Inside , you ‘ll observe a collection of souvenirs that range from kitschy to authentic Native American art . Stay in Tucumcari until after to dark to snap pictures of the vintage neon signs around town .

Amarillo is home to the iconic folk art attraction know as Cadillac Ranch . Propose by three artist and finance by an eccentric millionaire , Cadillac Ranch move comparatively unnoticed for a few years before become a popular road trip stop . The interactive nature add to the fun—you can add your own graffiti to the row of Cadillacs . Take your own paint—just be certain to take your trash with you when you go .

Since I-40 only occur through a little portion of the Texas Panhandle , Amarillo is a great spot to go through the Lone Star State . Plate to the larger-than-life Big Texan Steak Ranch and authentic Tyler ‘s BBQ , it hold some well eats . You ‘ll too notice the vintage Wonderland Amusement Park and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum . If you are stay on overnight , the Courtyard in Downtown Amarillo is in a historic building with a great location .

Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to the second-largest canyon in the U.S . There are several trails that traverse the bottom of the canyon , and others take you to the rim for more expansive views . The campground gets high review and bid unbeatable stargazing .

Another major icon from the halo day of Route 66 , the Tower Station Conoco and U-Drop Inn Cafe are likely recognizable to most because they inspire scenes in Disney ‘sCar. The classic Art Deco architecture has been thoroughly restored . Today , this is family to Shamrock ‘s Chamber of Commerce and a visitor middle .

From a recreation of the Wright Brothers glider to an F-4 Phantom to spacesuits that make up don by astronauts in escape , the Stafford Air and Space Museum treat the account of strain and space flight . There equal 3,500 artifacts and objects on show , include a very impressive exhibit on the U.S. ‘s nuclear missiles , complete with a Titan II rocket .

Oklahoma City is the future major urban middle along I-40 . Home to offbeat attraction like the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum , the Museum of Osteology , and the American Banjo Museum , along with an aquarium , a zoo , a skill museum , an art museum , a story museum , and more , it ‘s a deep city bursting with affair to see and cause . Shoot up Ann ‘s Chicken Fry House or Tucker ‘s Onion Burgers for a classic OKC meal . If you are staying overnight , control out the Colcord luxury boutique hotel .

South slope of Broadway between 3rd and 4th St , Okemah , OK , US

Woody Guthrie was a massively influential folk artist from Okemah . Bob Dylan , Bruce Springsteen , Johnny Cash , and more drew inspiration from Guthrie ‘s immense catalogue of songs , many of which exist base on his experience during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s . Today , a small park stands in Okemah with a statue and memorial plaque dedicated to Woody Guthrie .

As you proceed along I-40 , you ‘ll create your way into Arkansas . Stop at the Fort Smith National Historic Site for a look into the state ‘s past . The fort live establish in 1817 , which means that this fort was the backdrop for an interesting history involving criminal , settler , and Native Americans . Tour the old building and the visitor middle , which houses a museum with artifacts .

Begin out of the car and breathe in the novel breeze at Pinnacle Mountain State Park . You can get a taste of the landscape at the visitor heart or by boost or biking one of the trails . The scene from the top of the mountain are utterly breathtaking .

There ‘s no bad time to road trip I-40 . Since the route be pretty far south , snowy weather be n’t too much of a concern . Even so , if it happens to snow , be train for slick roads . Never underestimate how hot it can get in the desert between Texas and California . Always add plenty of water , and make sure your car ‘s AC live in serious on the job circumstance .

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