Photos of the Route 66 Alignment & Exhibit in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Know Before You Go
To make the most of your visit to the Route 66 Alignment & Exhibit in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, here are some things to know before you go.
What is the Route 66 Alignment & Exhibit in Petrified Forest National Park?
It’s a historic roadside exhibit and alignment within Petrified Forest National Park that highlights a stretch of the original U.S. Route 66 roadbed as it once ran through what is now the park. This area includes preserved features of the old highway, interpretive signs, and classic artifacts that help tell the story of Route 66’s role in American travel culture.
Why is this exhibit located in a national park?
Petrified Forest National Park is the only U.S. national park that contains a segment of the historic Route 66 corridor. The park protects both its natural wonders, like petrified wood and badlands, and pieces of historic infrastructure from the highway’s heyday.
What will you see at the Route 66 Alignment & Exhibit?
At the site you can see:
- The old Route 66 roadbed and a row of historic telephone poles marking where the highway once traveled.
- A rusted 1932 Studebaker displayed beside the exhibit, a striking reminder of the classic cars that once cruised the road.
- A Route 66 themed bench with a vintage look and informational signage, great for photos and learning about the Mother Road inside the park.
Where is it within the park?
The Route 66 exhibit sits along the park road near a roadside pull-out just north of the main Interstate 40 overpass. Visitors driving the Petrified Forest loop road can pull off to view the exhibit and take photos safely.
Is it free to visit?
No, access to the alignment is inside Petrified Forest National Park, which charges the standard park entrance fee (covering all park exhibits and scenic points). There’s no additional charge specifically for the Route 66 alignment. Read our guide to Things to See in Petrified Forest National Park to plan your trip.
Where to Stay Near the Route 66 Alignment & Exhibit
Complete your travel itinerary and get a good night’s rest on your road trip with a stay at one of these Route 66 motels in Arizona or New Mexico.
Wigwam Motel
Have you slept in a Wigwam lately? Seven Wigwam Motels were built in the 1930s and 1940s. Today, only three remain, including two on Route 66. Each motel room in the Holbrook Wigwam Motel is in an individual building shaped like a teepee. Spend the night in this motel, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was the inspiration for Sally’s Cozy Cone Motel in the Pixar movie Cars.
La Posada Hotel
La Posada in Winslow, Arizona offers a four-star experience that can’t be beat. The 1930 hotel was created by architect Mary Colter, hotelier Fred Harvey and the Santa Fe Railway. It was the last great railway hotel built in America and the finest historic hotel on Route 66. Over the years it has served an impressive roster of celebrity guests, from James Cagney to Franklin D. Roosevelt to Amelia Earhart to John Wayne. Book a room and a reservation at The Turquoise Room, one of the finest restaurants in the southwest.
Historic El Rancho Hotel
One of the best motels on Route 66 is the Historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico. Sleep where the stars have at this 1940s hotel that has hosted some of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars and makers, including Robert Mitchum, Elia Kazan, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, William Holden, Billy Wilder, Kirk Douglas, Gregory Peck, Troy Donahue, and more. Photos of the stars are peppered throughout the intricately designed property and each room is themed with a star’s photo and information.
Related Tours
Enhance your visit to the Petrified Forest National Park with a tour!
Attractions Near the Route 66 Alignment & Exhibit
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
Stewart’s Petrified Wood in Holbrook, Arizona
Painted Desert Indian Center in Holbrook, Arizona
This was a really cool exhibit! If you’re traveling Route 66 and exploring Petrified Forest National Park you’ll definitely want to make sure you stop to see this ode to The Mother Road!