Drive 141 miles west across the Mojave Desert on Interstate 40 from Needles to Barstow, California. This quiet but stunning stretch features desert vistas, Route 66 remnants, and a brush with the Mojave National Preserve.
🏜️ Desert
Experience the stark beauty of arid landscapes with Desert-tagged routes, from sunbaked highways to remote desert crossings.
The 🏜️ Desert tag marks routes that traverse arid landscapes, dry basins, and sunbaked terrain typical of the American Southwest and similar regions. These drives are often defined by sparse vegetation, rugged rock formations, and expansive, unbroken horizons under intense sunlight.
Desert-tagged segments offer a unique visual experience—shifting sands, red rock mesas, or salt flats depending on the location. They can be starkly beautiful but also challenging due to heat, limited shade, and fewer services along the way.
Routes Tagged: 🏜️ Desert
Historic Route 66: Needles – California
Take a desert drive along Historic Route 66 through Needles, California, where classic Americana meets rail history. This 3-mile segment weaves through sunbaked streets, under BNSF tracks, and reconnects with I-40, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the Mother Road’s d…
Interstate 40: Arizona to Needles – California
Cross the Colorado River into California as we drive 10 miles west on I-40 from Arizona to Exit 144 in Needles. Explore desert landscapes, quirky inspection stops, and a link to Historic Route 66 on this short but scenic southwestern stretch.
Interstate 40: Kingman to California – Arizona
Take a scenic 44-mile drive across western Arizona as we follow Interstate 40 from Kingman to the California state line, passing Yucca, Lake Havasu access, and the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge before crossing the Colorado River into Needles.
Historic Route 66: Kingman – Arizona
Cruise 11 miles of Historic Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, from the northeast edge of town through its retro downtown to the scenic hills southwest of the city. Discover Route 66 landmarks and desert views along this iconic segment.
Historic Route 66: Ash Fork to Seligman – Arizona
Cruise 17 miles of classic Americana on Historic Route 66 from Ash Fork to Seligman, Arizona. This quiet stretch features wide desert views, rolling hills, and original Mother Road pavement—perfect for a nostalgic road trip escape.
Historic Route 66: Winslow – Arizona
Cruise through Winslow, Arizona on Historic Route 66, including a stop at the iconic “Standin’ on the Corner” park. This 3-mile journey follows the westbound lanes of old Route 66 along 3rd Street through downtown and back to I-40.
Historic Route 66: Gallup – New Mexico
Cruise down Historic Route 66 through Gallup, New Mexico, in this 10-mile journey past landmarks like the El Rancho Hotel, the Rex Museum, and the BNSF rail line. Follow the Mother Road as it winds through downtown and exits into the New Mexico desert.
Historic Route 66 – Central Ave: Albuquerque – New Mexico
Take a nostalgic drive down Central Avenue in Albuquerque, New Mexico—Historic Route 66—where neon signs, university bustle, downtown charm, and desert landscapes bring the Mother Road to life. This 20-mile journey captures the spirit of old-school travel in a moder…
Interstate 40: Albuquerque – New Mexico
Cruise 23 miles west on Interstate 40 through Albuquerque, New Mexico—from the forested Sandia foothills through downtown and across the Rio Grande to the edge of the West Mesa. A high-desert drive blending mountain scenery, historic routes, and city culture.
Interstate 40: Clines Corners – Tijeras – New Mexico
Take a 44-mile journey along Interstate 40 from Clines Corners to Tijeras, New Mexico. This scenic route transitions from wide-open high plains through Edgewood and Sedillo before entering the forested edge of the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque.
Historic Route 66: Santa Rosa – New Mexico
Cruise 4 nostalgic miles along Historic Route 66 through Santa Rosa, New Mexico—past the Blue Hole, vintage motels, and classic roadside Americana. A short but unforgettable slice of the Mother Road.