Historic Route 66 Auto Tour-Williams to Flagstaff
The Route 66 Auto Tour is part of an ongoing effort to make places of historic interest available for you to enjoy on your national forest, truly a land of many uses. While you're enjoying this ride into the past, don't forget to notice the present. Watch for evidence of stock grazing, timber sales and reforestation, hunters, woodcutters, hikers, and bikers. All are here just as you, to make use of some feature of this diverse and productive land.
You can do your part to take care of your national forest by keeping it free of litter. Remember to leave historic sites, artifacts, and all cultural remains untouched so that others may enjoy them as you have.
- Historic Route 66 Auto Tour -
Williams to Flagstaff, Arizona information guide
Getting There
Directions
Historic Route 66 can be accessed from Interstate 40 at several points. From Williams to Flagstaff, the tour takes an estimated 45 minutes. The most scenic section is between Pittman Valley and Bellemont.
Route 66 is not maintained to highway standards. Sections of the tour are on graveled roads. Please drive with care.
From Williams
- Travel through Williams on Bill Williams Avenue (Route 66).
- Take 1-40 east toward Flagstaff. Exit at Garland Prairie Road (Exit 167) for the optional tour on the graveled Old Trails Highway.
- For the paved Route 66 tour, take the Pittman Valley Road Exit (171), drive north over the interstate, and turn right onto Route 66.
- Continue on the roadway to the Parks in the Pines General Store, a popular stop.
- Return to I-40 here or continue on a graveled road to Brannigan Park, which marks the end of the tour.
- To rejoin I-40, follow the frontage road east.
From Flagstaff
- From I-40 and I-17 interchange in Flagstaff, it is a 33.4-mile drive to Williams.
- Take I-40 west, 10 miles to Bellemont and exit at Transwestern Road (Exit 185).
- Turn west to the frontage road and drive parallel to I-40 west for 3 miles.
- At that point you will pass the Kaibab National Forest boundary marker. This is your entry to Historic Route 66.
Optional From Flagstaff
- Stay on I-40 past Transwestern Road to Parks (Exit 178).
- Leave the highway here and head west on a 6-mile stretch of historic pavement. Pittman Valley Road reconnects you with the freeway at Exit 171.
- At this point, you may choose to continue west past the Deer Farm for another 4 miles on a graveled section of the former Old Trails Highway.
- This predecessor of Route 66 returns to I-40 at Exit 167. You can then return to the Main Street of America at Williams, Exit 165.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
