Electric Arizona: Route 66 by EV

The centennial celebration of Route 66 in 2026 is a great reason to plan a road trip through Arizona, home to the longest remaining unbroken stretch (158 miles) of the Mother Road.

Arizona’s Route 66 is globally known for its eclectic collection of small towns, quirky attractions and spirit of Americana.

Recent additions of charging stations for electric vehicles at stops along the route mean even Tesla drivers can experience all the nostalgia.

Here’s what to see, do ad experience on Arizona’s Historic Route 66.

Kingman 

Thrills abound in Kingman, which offers travellers a Route 66 shield large enough to drive a car right through. For car buffs, Kingman also boasts the Route 66 Electric Vehicle (EV) Museum, which is the world’s first of its kind and is conveniently located inside the Kingman Visitor Center. There is a collection of 28 vintage EVs to admire while recharging their rides.

Another must-experience at the visitor centre is the new artificial intelligence(AI)-driven exhibit featuring Angel Delgadillo, who has dedicated his life to preserving Arizona’s portion of Route 66. then, enjoy lunch at Mr. D’s Dinner, a nearby retro ’50s-style diner that serves American fare before staying overnight on Route 66 at Best Western Plus A Wayfarer’s Inn and Suites.

Hackberry to Peach Springs

Charge up before this journey. For sheer visual appeal, the Hackberry to Peach Springs portion of Route 66 is as insta-worthy as it gets. Complete with retro gas pumps and vintage cars, the vintage Hackberry General Store is a great backdrop for pictures. When arriving at Peach Springs, many EV drivers will recognise the city as the inspiration for Radiator Springs in the Pixar film “Cars.” Visitors can stay at the in-town Hualapai Lodge as a base to venture off the Mother Road and see the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. Or continue east on Route 66 for a cheeseburger at Caverns Grill Restaurant and take pictures with dinosaur statues, both located next to Grand Canyon Caverns.

Seligman 

Make a pit stop in Seligman, the place where the salvation of Arizona’s Route 66 began. Local barber Angel Delgadillo became the “Guardian Angel of Route 66” through decades of working to preserve the nostalgia and its place in American history. Head to the Historic General Store to find Route 66 knick-knacks before enjoying a milkshake at the iconic Delgadillo’s Snow Cap drive-in. Stay at Seligman/Route 66 KOA to sleep in a cosy cabin or set up a tent. There’s also an EV charging station here and guests who call in advance can get access to a Tesla adapter.

Williams

This “train town” fully supports EV road-trippers by offering approximately 20 charging stations. For ultimate convenience, EV travellers can stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. This charming hotel provides two EV chargers next to its iconic Grand Canyon Railway train depot, where guests can ride the daily train to and from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. With the hotel only a block away from downtown Williams and Route 66, take a walk and be transported back in time with many Route 66 memorabilia stores and vintage restaurants. Visitors can also recharge at Williams’ Electrify America charging station before exploring Bearizona, a drive-through wildlife park.

Flagstaff

Stroll around Flagstaff and explore its restaurants, breweries and shops while charging at the city’s historic visitors centre. Witness the starry skies that earned Flagstaff the First International Dark Sky City designation at the Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered. Here, look through cutting-edge telescopes. Stay at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel located on Route 66 or at the nearby Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, both are near downtown and have charging stations. Once ready to hit the road, embark on a hiking trail through the Coconino National Forest before visiting Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument.

Winslow

Blast the Eagles’ “Take it Easy” when arriving at Winslow, the classic tune that mentions the east-central city in its second verse. Discover the scene the song depicts at Standing at the Corner Park, only a short walk from the Winslow Visitor Center & Hubble Trading Post, where EV drivers can charge their vehicles. To learn the town’s history, head across the street to discover Native American, Santa Fe Railway, and Route 66 artefacts at the Old Trails Museum. Stay at the historic La Posada Hotel, designed by the famous architect, Mary Colter.

Holbrook

Experience nature’s works of art at the colourful hills of Painted Desert, located near Holbrook. After arriving, charge up at Holbrook’s Supercharger or Blink charging stations before heading out to Petrified Forest National Park, the largest concentration of petrified wood in the world. For a novel stayover, sleep in a wigwam at the Wigwam Motel, a favourite for travellers since the 1950s.