I-40 and Arizona

• Kingman
• Williams
• Flagstaff
• Winslow
• Holbrook

Kingman

Exit 48 is a major interchange; it is the gateway to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam via US-93. Mostly 4-lane and an excellent highway, the traffic flows well even though it is usually very heavy. 
  Note: If you don’t know for sure you have enough fuel to reach Flagstaff, fill up here at this exit. The prices between here and Flagstaff are enough to give you a coronary! This is also an excellent place to take a breather and enjoy a leisurely meal. There is an especially good Chinese restaurant just north of the interchange (on the left about across from the Texaco station – which may be a Shell by now). It is dangerous to call out names of businesses – they change so quickly.

Visitors' Center - From I-40 take exit 48 and turn east (to the right if you're eastbound on I-40) on I-40-Business. Six blocks from the exit (at the Sheriff's Station) I-40-Business and US-93 split. Stay to the right and continue on I-40-Business. This is (what used to be) the famous Route 66. The Tourist Information and Visitor Center is just ahead to the right in the old Powerhouse at 120 W. Route 66.
  For more information phone 1-866-427-7866 (toll free). Web site: KingmanTourism.

Kingman Powerhouse - Placed in service in 1907 to generate electrical power for the city of Kingman. It also supplied the area mines with power to operate their hoists and pumps. Completion of the Hoover Dam in 1938 'pulled the plug' on the local generating station. It did remain in service for a few more years as a substation but technological advances made that impractical, also.
  Rescued by a group of concerned citizens, the old Powerhouse has been converted into a busy Visitors' Center and houses a number of other historic-centered organizations.
KingmanPowerhouse.

Locomotive Park - Here, also at the old Powerhouse, famed steam locomotive #3759 awaits your inspection. Designed as a coal burning engine, it was converted to burn oil in 1941. It was the last of the big steam engines to traverse the Santa Fe line to Kingman. It was finally taken out of service and presented to the city in 1957. Old #3759 was joined by a brightly decorated caboose in 1987. Don't you know someone who would love to see them?
  LocomotivePark.

Route 66 Museum - This 'Route 66' Museum is housed in the old Powerhouse. Kingman is in the “heart” of the longest (remaining) stretch of the 2400 mile-long US-66 that is now one of America's legends. Here you can view displays from photos to life-sized dioramas depicting the travel and travelers along this road which was so important in its day.
  For more information phone 1-928-753-9889 or visit their web page: Route66Museum.
  The museum is housed in the same building (the old Powerhouse) as the Kingman Visitors' Center.

Kingman Army Airfield Museum - In 1943, this Army Air Field was commissioned to train gunners for our bombers. During the course of World War II, over 36,000 gunners were trained.
  When the War was won in 1945, there was no further need to train gunners - nor for the aircraft in which they flew. The Air Field was given the task of converting the aluminum in these planes to aluminum ingots. This assignment was finally completed in 1948. 70,000,000 pounds of aluminum were rescued from 7,000 thousand airplanes.
  After this last assignment was completed, the military had no further use for the facility and ownership was transferred to Mohave County. It now serves as a museum.
  To pass on a quote from the Museum: "A relatively few of the airplanes escaped destruction, and some are still flying today. Others rest in the museum to be viewed by people who do not remember, or who do not understand the meaning of what they are seeing.
  For more information phone 1-928-757-1892 or visit their web page: KingmanAAF.
  From I-40 take exit 53. Turn left onto Route 66 and follow it along the railroad tracks to Mohave Airport Drive. Turn right, drive to the end of the road and turn right onto Fl;ightline Drive. You'll easily see the museum.

Mohave Museum of History and Arts - This private, not-for-profit organization was founded in 1961. To quote: "(We) are dedicated to the purposes of preserving the heritage of Northwestern Arizona and of presenting that history to the public."
   The museum also maintains a library in which are housed documents, manuscripts, maps, and photos about Mohave County, Arizona and the American Southwest.
  For more information phone 1-928-753-3195 or visit their web page: MMHA.
  The Museum is located just a couple hundred yards east of the Kingman Visitors' Center.

Williams

If you are eastbound on I-40 and wish to view the Grand Canyon from the South Rim, take exit 165 (east side of Williams) and follow AZ-64, one of two access routes, to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Visitors' Center - From I-40 take exit 163 and drive into Williams to Railroad Avenue (about 0.5 miles and just across the tracks. The Williams Visitors' Center is on the corner. This Visitors' Center is operated jointly by the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce and the National Forest Service. Information is available not only on the local area, but Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon National Park and other federal lands, parks and monuments in northern Arizona.
  For more information phone 1-928-635-1418 or visit their web site: WilliamsVisitorsCtr.

Grand Canyon Railway - theTrain.
 

One thing you will surely notice about Arizona; the people are very friendly and helpful. Another thing about western Arizona is the barrenness. You saw the deserts in California.
  It is a little more populated by shrubs and other flora in Arizona, but still very wild and barren. Just before you reach Flagstaff, however, you will notice a growing abundance of trees. This is the world's largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest. Enjoy these beautiful trees because, soon after you leave Flagstaff, you will leave them behind.

Flagstaff

The exit to take in Flagstaff for eating, sleeping and refueling is exit 195 (Interstate 17). This starts off as Milton Road (the I-17 Interstate terminated here at I-40), then makes a sharp right turn and become Santa Fe Avenue. Just northeast of town you have a well-marked access road to return you to I-40. All very convenient.

Visitors' Center - From I-40 take exit 195-B. This puts you on the very end of I-17 which becomes Milton Road and, when joined by I-40 Business, the street signs will tell you you're on the famous Hwy 66. After you drive under the railroad overpass the street makes a right turn. Drive 3 more blocks to the Flagstaff Visitors' Center in the restored Santa Fe Railroad Terminal near the intersection of  Leroux Street. (This is still active as a railroad depot now servicing Amtrak trains.)
  Open daily 7a to 7p (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Days).
  For more information phone 1-800-842-7293 (toll free) or visit their web site: Flagstaff.

(continued from column 1)

Flagstaff Continued:

Lowell Observatory - The Steele Visitor Center of the Lowell Observatory houses a number of interactive exhibits and the McAllister Public Observatory. The goal is to educate the public about the exciting world of astronomy. The Steele Visitor Center is also the staging area for all day tours and evening programs.
  For more information phone 1-928-774-3358 or visit their web site: LowellObservatory.
  From I-40 take exit 195-B. This puts you on the very end of I-17 which becomes Milton Road and, when joined by I-40 Business, the street signs will tell you you're on the famous Hwy 66. After you drive under the railroad overpass the street makes a right turn. Instead of turning right, go straight and turn left onto Santa Fe Avenue. Follow Santa Fe to the end of Santa Fe at a fork in the road. Bear right and follow switchbacks up the hill to the Steele Visitor Center of the Lowell Observatory.

Touring Note: If you are westbound on I-40 and wish to view the Grand Canyon from the South Rim, take exit 201 and follow US-89 to Cameron. Turn left and follow AZ-64 to the Canyon rim. On the way you’ll pass by Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Wupatki National Monument and, shortly after you turn onto AZ-64, the Little Colorado Gorge. That tall mountain to the west of US-89 just north of Flagstaff is Humphreys Peak that, at 12,663 feet, is the highest mountain in Arizona.

Sunset Crater Volcano Nat'l Monument - More than 900 years ago, Sunset Crater Volcano began to form as ash and cinder erupted from a fissure in the ground. Soon, lava began to flow from the base of the crater which, when it cooled, left black rivers of hardened lava. There are several trails with viewpoints which allow closer examination of the crater. Sunset Crater was named by John Wesley Powell because of the red-orange hue around the rim.
  Open daily except Christmas. Admission fee of $5 per person. The permit is good for 7 days and may be used to gain entrance to the Wupati Village and the Walnut Canyon National Monument. (No entrance fee is charged to National Park Pass, Golden Eagle, Golden Age and Golden Access cardholders.)
  For more information phone 1-928-526-0502 or view the NPS web site at: Sunset.
  From I-40 take exit 201. If eastbound turn left; if westbound turn right. Follow Country Club Road across the tracks to Route 66 (also I-40 Business). Watch for the sign 'US-89 North. You cross Route 66 and take the access road to your right to get on US-89. Follow US-89 about 12 miles to the Sunset Crater - Wupatki Loop road and continue 2 miles to the visitor center.

Walnut Canyon National Monument - An easy walk down the paved trail brings you to the ancient cliff dwellings built within these steep canyon walls. Occupies nearly a thousand years ago, these ancient pueblo residents left behind may artifacts, some of which are on display at the NPS Visitors Center.
  When you climb back up the trail to the parking lot, look around and enjoy the surrounding beauty. These people certainly know how to pick a great spot.
  Open daily except Christmas. Admission fee of $5 per person. The permit is good for 7 days and may be used to gain entrance to Sunset Crater National Monument and the Wupati Village. (No entrance fee is charged to National Park Pass, Golden Eagle, Golden Age and Golden Access cardholders.)
  For more information phone 1-928-526-3367 or view the NPS web site: WalnutCanyon.
  From I-40 take exit 204. If eastbound turn right; if westbound turn right. Follow Walnut Canyon Road to the entry station and the parking area.

Winslow

At exit 233 you can stop briefly and view a Meteor Crater. At any of the three Winslow exits you can head into town and take AZ-87 south to the Mogollon Rim. The loop (from west to east) is AZ-87 to Payson; AZ-260 to Heber and AZ-277 for seven miles to the split of AZ-277/377 and then AZ-377 back to I-40 exit 286 on the north side of Holbrook.

Visitors' Center - From I-40 take exit 253. If you're eastbound turn left; if westbound turn right. The Winslow Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is at 300 North Road (the first road on your right beyond the Interstate ramps).
  For more information phone 1-928-289-2434 or visit their web site: WinslowCoC.

"Standin' on a Corner" Park - Winslow was 'put on the map' by the song "Take It Easy", written by Glenn Frey and Jackson Browne. The song was also The Eagles first hit single in the 70's. The verse "Standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona," has drawn countless visitors to Winslow to stand on this famous corner. Winslow dedicated a special park, the "Standin' on a Corner" Park, located in Winslow's historic downtown. A life size bronze statue and a two story mural depict the story behind this famous song.
  Winslow puts on an annual celebration, usually in October, which is really a lot of fun. For specifics and dates see their web page at: Events.
  For more information, phone the Visitors' Center at 1-928-289-2434 or visit the special web page at: StandinOnTheCorner.
  From I-40 eastbound take exit 252 and follow I-40 Business into Winslow. Standin' on the Corner Park is at the corner of Kinsley Avenue (2 blocks after Winslow Avenue).
  From I-40 westbound take exit 257 and follow I-40 Business into Winslow. At Kinsley Avenue turn left and go one block to Standin' on the Corner Park.

La Posada Hotel - Winslow is also one of the major hubs of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. If you love to watch these big trains, you'll be at home on the patio behind the newly restored La Posada Hotel. The La Posada, an outstanding example of southwestern architecture, was designed by the famed Grand Canyon architect, Mary Colter. It is the last of the great Harvey Houses of the 1930s. Make a reservation at the La Posada and enjoy the night with us. We also invite you to experience the quiet pleasure of an after dinner stroll in the beautiful gardens of the La Posada.

Holbrook

Ideally situated on the banks of the Little Colorado River, Holbrook is the door to the Petrified Forest National Park. This is Arizona high plateau country. Holbrook is over 5,000 in elevation and, to the north, are the Hopi and Navajo Indian reservations. Much of the activity in Holbrook is centered in Native American culture, e.g., the "Gathering of Eagles" Native American art show in mid-July.
  To the north in the reservations is the rugged plateau country with the famous prehistoric cliff-dwellings, i.e., Canyon de Chelly. Situated on Navajo and Hopi Reservation lands near the community of Chinle, Arizona, this offers you not only the opportunity to tour these historic landmarks but to view Native American ceremonial dances and other tribal events. Also on display are many Native American arts and crafts, many of which are available for purchase.

Holbrook Visitors' Center - If eastbound on I-40, take exit 285, turn right and follow Hopi Drive (I-40 Business) to Navajo Blvd (NM-77). Turn left, go 2 blocks and the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce is on the corner at 100 East Arizona Street.
  If westbound on I-40, take exit 286, turn left and follow Navajo Blvd (NM-77) south to Arizona Street (13 blocks counting the streets on your right). The Holbrook Chamber of Commerce is on the corner at 100 East Arizona Street.
  For more information phone 1-800-524-2459.

Painted Desert - and -
The Petrified Forest National Park - I-40 exit 311 is the northern gateway into the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest National Park.

Petrified Forest - Giant, 225 million-year-old petrified logs dot the 93,533 acres now preserved by the National Park Service.
Painted Desert - Here, sands of a variety of hues make the desert appear almost as if it had been spray painted. The result of erosion of rocks bearing various minerals, each adding its on hue to the palette, the sands have been used by the Native Americans in ceremonies and in artistic expressions.
  If you are westbound on I-40, you can drive right through the Park to US-180, then head back west to Holbrook and your lodging for the night.
  If you are east-bound on I-40, we suggest you follow US-180 east from Holbrook to the southern Park entrance (about 18 miles) drive through the Park to exit 311 of I-40 and then continue your journey eastward.
  At the south entrance to the park is the Painted Forest Museum. You should find the exhibits very interesting.
  For more information phone 1-928-524-6228 or visit the NPS web sites: Petrified Forest

contributed by Bob Masters

Unless otherwise specified, all content on this page is made available under
the Creative Commons License.

You are free to share (to copy, distribute & transmit this work) and/or to remix (to adapt this work) under the following conditions …
   Attribution — you must attribute the work by plainly referencing and linking to the web page from which the work was extracted (but not in any way that suggests that we endorse you or your use of the work).
   Restriction — all such work including our material must be made available to others in the same manner as this is made available to you with reference and link to the Creative Commons License.
 

Interstate
Hiway Guide

We can make your hotel reservation!
Go to ReservNet.NET - or - phone
(toll-free) 1-888-254-0637. For
discounts, give promo code 5142
(International callers use 01-210-507-5997)