Route 66 is an iconic road with a long list of must-see sites. From the giant whale in Cartoosa, OK to Delgadillo’s Snow-Cap Drive-in in Seligman, AZ, you’re looking at a long road trip if you want to see them all. That means you need a few places to rest your head at night. Sure, there are tons of chains you could choose—but why would you? Some of these Route 66 hotels and motels are just as famous as the road itself.
This road features lodging for all budgets, but keep in mind that most of these buildings are quite old, so don’t be surprised if some of the furnishings are more rustic than you’d expect.
Blue Swallow Motel
Tucumcari, N.M. is home to the Blue Swallow Motel, a well-known Route 66 attraction. In a town full of neon signs, the distinctive swallow really stands out at night, if you’re able to catch a glimpse. The rooms are styled as you might have seen them in the 1940s or 1950s, but with modern-day amenities like toiletries and, as the sign out front boasts, 100% refrigerated air.
Wagon Wheel Motel
This motel boasts that it’s the “oldest continuously operated motel” along the route, and that’s quite a feat. Located in Cuba, Mo., the Wagon Wheel Motel is a pet-friendly motel that was built in 1935 and restored in 2009. As you might expect from a motel this old, they even have two neon signs—one original and one put in place during the restoration.
La Posada Hotel
After you take a cue from The Eagles and stand on a corner in Winslow, Ariz., you can book a room at La Posada Hotel. Full of Spanish touches and rooms named after classic actors, this historic hotel is a favorite of travel magazines and travelers alike.
The Campbell Hotel
This historic Tulsa, Okla. hotel was built in 1927 and renovated in 2009. The Campbell Hotel is on the higher end of hotels generally found along Route 66, with luxe furnishings and a stylish vibe. The attached restaurant, Maxxwells Restaurant, serves classic diner fare in a relaxed atmosphere.
Route 66 Inn
You probably won’t find a leprechaun in the small town of Shamrock, Texas, but you will find the aptly-named Route 66 Inn. With barbeques outside and some rooms with kitchenettes, you won’t go hungry here! This pet-friendly hotel offers rooms with king, queen, or double beds.
Wigwam Motel
Sleeping in a wigwam likely isn’t something you do every night—though you can do it twice on Route 66 if you want. There’s a Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz. and another in San Bernardino, Calif. The California location came first and was known as Wigwam Village No. 2, while the one in Arizona is Wigwam Village No. 6. Both offers renovated rooms—in your very own wigwam!
