6 Best Pit Stops along I-40
As made famous in Disney/Pixar's "Cars", I-40 covers the same territory that old Route 66 covered. I-40 passes by many hidden gems, as well as some exciting metropolitan areas. As an Oklahoma by birth, transplanted to California, I have seen the 1200 miles between the two several times. Here are some of my favorite (or at least most memorable) stops:
1. Shawnee, Oklahoma: Fill up, walk at the mall, and check out two beautiful college campuses - Oklahoma Baptist University and St. Gregory's University.
2. Oklahoma City/Bricktown - This booming entertainment hub is a great place to grab dinner, a movie, and even a baseball game.
3. Amarillo Texas - Grab a Dairy Queen before you leave them all behind, and if you're feeling stir-crazy, stop by the Cadillac Ranch!
4. Flagstaff, AZ - Known mostly as a college/resort town, Flagstaff offers beautiful high-desert views, snow in the winter, and plenty of places to eat. Little America is a great pit stop, restaurant, and souvenier shop. We greatly enjoy Cracker Barrel, and this one has the next to last one headed West (Bonus: the last one is in Kingman, AZ)
5. Williams, AZ - The "Gateway to The Grand Canyon", Williams is a classic Route 66 town, with its own quirky yet charming downtown area. If you have the time, drive on up and see the Canyon yourself! Better yet, stay a night and take the GC Railway.
6. Goff's Road, CA - The "Creepy Gas Station" - Okay, this is not entirely fair to the owners. But we call it this because it's in the middle of nowhere, and we often hit it at night. This is one of the only outposts to get gas in the area, and it's a funky but fun little stop. Just make sure you buy something, as the signs will remind you! I consider this stop a rite of passage if "you ever plan to motor west" and "get your kicks on Route 66".